News from the Ombudsman’s Office: November 2024
News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in November 2024 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).
The Parliament’s planned decisions on the 2025 budget will have the most negative impact on the needy
The Ombudsman calls on the Parliament (the Saeima) to carefully assess whether, in the current economic situation, it is socially responsible and proportionate to reduce social support for the poor and the low-income residents. Changes in some way would affect both the poor, including the beneficiaries of the guaranteed minimum income (GMI) benefit, and the people with low-income. Their situation would be aggravated by the planned amendments to the law, which are part of next year’s state budget.
Artificial intelligence – a friend or a threat?
The Ombudsman’s study ‘Artificial Intelligence Systems and Discrimination Aspects’ analyses how, at present, AI systems have already violated fundamental human rights in areas such as employment, education, biometric identification and access to essential services. These are four of the eight high-risk areas defined by the new European Union Artificial Intelligence Act.
Ombudsman replies: do students have to do homework during school holidays?
Do students have to do homework on school holidays? The opinion of the Ombudsman is direct: the holidays are meant for recreation and not for homework. Similar as vacation for adults. Therefore, it is not right to ask students to do their school homework during the holidays.
Ombudsman calls on local governments to correctly apply the increased real estate tax rate
Local governments should review their practice regarding the application of the increased real estate tax rate to constructions that do not have a valid building permit, and in case of error, the illegally withheld tax should be refunded to residents.
Ombudsman replies: Are notification on the declaration of income and the discrepancy between the data sent by the SRS lawful?
People ask the Ombudsman whether the notifications on the declaration of income and the discrepancy between data sent by the State Revenue Service are legal. Yes, in the opinion of the Ombudsman, these notifications are lawful.
Discussion on aggressive behaviour on the Internet against recognizable women in Latvia
On Wednesday, 27 November, a discussion on aggressive behaviour against recognizable women in Latvia took place at the Ombudsman’s office. With an analysis of practical examples, it looked at the negative impact of aggressive behaviour on the internet on respect for human rights, as well as how available and appropriate the existing redress mechanisms are.