Publications

Alternative report on the implementation of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia

Alternative report on the implementation of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia

On 26 May 2005 the Saeima passed the law On the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, thus ending 10-year-long period of discussion of the ratification of the Convention, signed by the Latvian government on 11 May 1995. On 3 October 2006 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the first State Report of the Republic of Latvia on the implementation of the Framework Convention in Latvia. Despite announced intentions declared by state institutions, no broad public discussions were held and no national minority organisations were involved in the report preparation process.  

Published : 2008-12-02 Read more...

Roma in Public Education

Available statistical data on Roma’s inclusion and achievement within the Latvian education system raises serious concerns. Among the 5,985 Romani people who were fifteen years old or older at the time of the last census in 2000, 24.3 per cent have not completed the fourth grade. For comparison, only 2.1 per cent of the Latvian general population has not completed primary education.

Published : 2007-02-06 Read more...

National Data Collection Report 2005: Latvia

Within the first nine months of 2005, there have been no court cases related to racism, xenophobia and discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, race, religion or language in the area of employment. However, this year court delivered first rulings in two cases of discrimination on the grounds of 1) sexual orientation and 2) multiple grounds – sex and property status based on the anti-discriminatory clauses of the Labour Law. In both cases court ruled that anti-discrimination clauses were violated. The number of complaints of discrimination in employment received by special bodies remains very low: only the Latvian National Human Rights Office has received two complaints on alleged discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity.

Published : 2007-02-06 Read more...