Legal assistance
Within the framework of specific projects and within the limits of its capacity, LCHR provides consultations and legal assistance to individuals who believe that their human rights have been violated. Anyone may submit an application to LCHR. The examination of applications is confidential and free of charge. LCHR reserves the right not to respond to applications that fall outside its competence or do not correspond to its priorities and capacities for the current year.
To report on discrimination: http://cilvektiesibas.org.lv/en/database/report-discrimination/
To report hate crimes: http://cilvektiesibas.org.lv/en/database/report-hate-crime/
LCHR legal assistance includes:
- providing information on rights guaranteed by the law;
- consulting individuals on the possibilities of solving a human rights case according to the legislation;
- recommendations as to which state or municipal organization a person could apply for assistance in the case;
- helping in achieving a friendly settlement between the parties involved;
- providing legal opinion;
- assistance in composing legal documents – in special cases;
- representing an individual in civil or administrative court – in special cases.
After reviewing a complaint, the LCHR concludes whether human rights have been violated and provides its opinion and recommendations.
The LCHR lawyers always try to reach results which are acceptable to all parties involved. If it is impossible to reach a friendly settlement, the LCHR lawyers provide their opinion and suggestions.
The LCHR does not review cases which are related to other than the human rights fields.
The written complaint should contain the following information:
- name and surname of the person submitting the complaint;
- return address;
- name of the organization or the person against whom complaint is being filed;
- as accurate as possible account of the situation, describing all facts in precise detail, all surrounding information, names of the persons and positions of the officials involved, precise names of organizations and their addresses;
- whenever possible, information on which rights exactly have been violated should be included;
- whenever possible, plaintiff's opinion should be based upon Latvian Republic law or/and International Human Rights law;
- information about organizations or state bodies to which plaintiff has already applied in relation to this particular human rights violation, and about responses obtained;
- copies of the related documents.
Written complaints should be forwarded to:
Latvian Centre for Human Rights
Alberta street 13, 6th floor
Rīga LV-1010 Latvia
or e-mail: office@humanrights.org.lv
Personal consultations shuold be announced by phone: 67039290