Latvia - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 38, May 2021
Recommendations by Canada

Background

Latvia is a parliamentary democracy with broad respect for civil liberties. Latvia has ratified seven of the nine core international human rights instruments and is an active supporter of efforts to bolster political freedoms in neighbouring countries.

Latvia’s human rights framework enshrines equality of all citizens. Nonetheless, gaps in protection remain, affecting vulnerable groups and women as a whole. Domestic violence persists, enabled by social tolerance of this behaviour. While the Government of Latvia has made reforms to better support victims and introduced practical measures, such as a hotline and greater police training, these efforts need to be enhanced.

The Government of Latvia has sought to foster greater societal cohesion through a more unified sense of national identity and history. Social media has amplified polarizing rhetoric concerning controversial historical events, which have undermined efforts aimed at inclusion. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed disparities in government communication with different segments of Latvian society.

The Government of Latvia has taken steps to combat hate crimes and hate speech, principally through training for police, judges and municipal leaders. However, NGOs continue to issue credible reports of hate speech, along ethnic, homophobic and religious lines.

Latvia struggles with the integration of refugees and asylum seekers. While the country fulfills European Union directives, recent policy shifts have resulted in disparities in social assistance programs available to such vulnerable groups. Researchers also track low levels of support for migration amongst the public.

The U.S. State Department’s 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report show that women and vulnerable groups continue to fall victim to sexual and forced labour trafficking in Latvia. The Government of Latvia has made important efforts in advancing greater protection and convictions. These efforts have resulted in higher reporting rates, and increased trust in the police by victims.

Recommendations

Thank you, Madam President.

Canada thanks Latvia for its presentation and applauds its actions taken during the reporting period.

Canada recommends that Latvia:

1. Close remaining gaps in their legal framework to prohibit all forms of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence. This includes investigating all allegations, prosecuting perpetrators, ensuring victims have access to medical, legal and rehabilitation services, and implementing targeted awareness-raising campaigns.
2. Continue to implement public awareness campaigns and education programs, along with specialized training for authorities, to explicitly address hate speech and hate crimes stemming from homophobia, racism and xenophobia.
3. Continue enforcement of anti-trafficking legislation by providing relevant training to authorities, while reinforcing support, rehabilitation, protection and redress mechanisms for victims in all cases and from all backgrounds.
4. Develop and implement programs that facilitate better integration and access to labour markets for refugees and for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and which reconcile their respective social assistance benefits.

Canada notes the UPR submission of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, acknowledges the steps the Government of Latvia has already taken with respect to restitution of property to religious organizations and supports adherence to international standards set forth in the Terezin Declaration.