Ombudsman of Latvia informs Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Respect for the Rights of Non-Citizens in Latvia

The Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia, actively involved in the discussion of the human rights issues on the international level, has observed that, due to the actions of certain non-governmental organizations, international bodies have developed incorrect vision of the respect for human rights of non-citizens in the Republic of Latvia. Confronting on national as well as international level presents the risks of splitting the society and emerging of differences between the representatives of different social groups in Latvia, and the responsible officials of the Republic of Latvia have failed to timely prevent such risks. According to the mandate to express impartial, objective view on the respect for human rights in Latvia, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia hereby points out to the shortcomings identified by the Ombudsman in the field of respect for the rights of non-citizens in the Republic of Latvia.

Taking into consideration the inability of politicians of the Republic of Latvia to clarify the given issues, the actual residents of the Republic of Latvia who have the status of non-citizens lack motivation to naturalization and obtaining the citizenship of the Republic of Latvia because they enjoy the benefits inherent to the status of non-citizen and those promised by the organizations that pursue the aim of splitting the society of Latvia.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe are kindly requested to take into consideration, where appropriate, the opinion expressed by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia regarding the respect for the rights of non-citizens in the Republic of Latvia. OSCE are kindly requested to point out to the responsible officials of the Republic of Latvia to the need for pursuing of governmental policy that is aimed at developing unified society in Latvia where the required understanding and support is provided to the representatives of national minorities in learning the official language, as well as to their right to preserve their minority language and culture.

Complete letter text to OSCE is available in attachment.