COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2024-07-24
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Latvia, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary, infringement of EU law, pluralism in the media, rule of law, whistleblowing

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 24.7.2024  SWD(2024) 814 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report           Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report                        The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2024) 800 final} - {SWD(2024) 801 final} - {SWD(2024) 802 final} - {SWD(2024) 803 final} - {SWD(2024) 804 final} - {SWD(2024) 805 final} - {SWD(2024) 806 final} - {SWD(2024) 807 final} - {SWD(2024) 808 final} - {SWD(2024) 809 final} - {SWD(2024) 810 final} - {SWD(2024) 811 final} - {SWD(2024) 812 final} - {SWD(2024) 813 final} - {SWD(2024) 815 final} - {SWD(2024) 816 final} - {SWD(2024) 817 final} - {SWD(2024) 818 final} - {SWD(2024) 819 final} - {SWD(2024) 820 final} - {SWD(2024) 821 final} - {SWD(2024) 822 final} - {SWD(2024) 823 final} - {SWD(2024) 824 final} - {SWD(2024) 825 final} - {SWD(2024) 826 final} - {SWD(2024) 827 final} - {SWD(2024) 828 final} - {SWD(2024) 829 final} - {SWD(2024) 830 final} - {SWD(2024) 831 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

The  Latvian  justice  system  continued  to  perform  efficiently,  with  further  initiatives  on 
improving  case  management  and  the  efficient  use  of  court  resources.  The  level  of 
digitalisation of the judiciary remains  high  and the judiciary’s  ICT systems  were positively 
evaluated.  The  vacancy  at  the  Supreme  Court  was  filled,  however  no  steps  were  taken  to 
introduce adequate safeguards applicable to future appointments. Amendments to the Law on 
the Judiciary were adopted regarding the eligibility and evaluation for becoming a judge or 
prosecutor.  Discussions  on  extending  the  competences  of  the  Economic  Court  are  ongoing 
and  additional  targeted  changes  to  the  judicial  map  are  also  being  implemented.  While 
remuneration for judges and court employees has been substantially increased, comparatively 
low  salaries  for  judicial  assistants  lead  to  a  significant  turnover.  The  prosecution  service  is 
setting  up  an  integrity  control  system,  thereby  implementing  the  State  Audit  Office 
recommendation. A Judicial Council working group identified certain ‘systemic weaknesses’ 
in the handling of domestic violence cases. 

The  implementation  of  the  Corruption  Prevention  and  Combating  Action  Plan  2023-2025 
continues. New reporting  tools were introduced  and accompanied by awareness-raising and 
training activities. The investigation and prosecution of corruption-related cases is carried out 
efficiently, including as regards high-level corruption cases. The implementation of the Law 
on  Prevention  of  Conflict  of  Interest  in  Activities  of  Public  Officials  is  ongoing  and  the 
electronic  system  for  asset  declarations  continues  to  work  efficiently,  with  several  cases  of 
violations sent for prosecution. The Government is planning a study on the implementation of 
the  existing  codes  of  ethics  to  be  launched  in  2024.  Some  further  steps  have  been  made 
regarding legislation on lobbying, while the regulation aiming at clarification of certain legal 
notions  is  delayed  and  the  main  steps  are  scheduled  for  2025.  New  rules  on  political  party 
pre-election  campaigning  raise  the  maximum  penalties  for  violations  of  the  current 
legislation.  The  number  of  whistleblowing  submissions  has  remained  relatively  stable 
throughout  the  years.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  address  challenges  related  to  public 
procurement which remains an area at high risk of corruption.  

Media  authorities  in  Latvia  continue  to  function  in  an  independent  manner.  Public  service 
media  maintain  their  independence  through  well-established  safeguards,  and  the  merger  of 
public service media Latvian Television and Latvian Radio has been approved. Information 
on  media  ownership  is  available  on  the  website  of  the  media  regulator  and  the  Register  of 
Enterprises. The Freedom of Information Law guarantees the right to access information held 
by public institutions. Journalists continue to work in an overall safe environment.  

Civil  society  operates  in  an  open  space  but  calls  for  better  availability  and  adequacy  of 
financial resources. Interpretative guidance by the Ministry of Justice on the interpretation of 
a  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  judgment  has  led  to  a  debate  over  its  distribution  and 
content. Challenges remain as regards public participation at local level. 

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RECOMMENDATIONS  

Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Latvia has made: 

•  No  progress  on  taking  measures  to  ensure  adequate  safeguards  against  undue  political 
influence  in  the  appointment  of  Supreme  Court  judges,  taking  into  account  European 
standards on judicial appointments. 

•  Some  further  progress  on  ensuring  the  effective  implementation  of  the  legislation  on 

lobbying, including the setting-up of a special lobby register. 

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, 
it is recommended to Latvia to: 

•  Take  measures  to  ensure  adequate  safeguards  against  undue  political  influence  in  the 
existing appointment procedure for Supreme Court judges, taking into account European 
standards on judicial appointments.  

•  Continue work on the effective implementation of the legislation on lobbying, including 

the setting up of a special lobby register. 

2 

 
 
 
 
I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM  

The Latvian justice system has three tiers. At first instance, there are six district (city) courts 
dealing with civil and criminal cases, and one district administrative court. Furthermore, there 
is  the  Economic  Court, which  deals  with  certain  economic  and  financial  crimes.  At  second 
instance,  five  regional  courts  are  dealing  with  civil  and  commercial  cases  and  there  is  one 
regional  administrative  court.  The  Supreme  Court,  at  third  instance,  is  handling  criminal, 
civil, and administrative cases. The Constitutional Court carries out constitutional review. An 
independent Judicial Council is tasked with participating in the development of policies and 
strategies for the judicial system and the improvement of its organisation1. Furthermore, the 
Judicial  Council  deals  with  selecting  candidate  judges,  appointing  and  dismissing  court 
presidents,  determining  the  judicial  map,  and  approving  the  content  of  training.  Candidate 
judges are selected through an open competition  organised by the Judicial  Council, ranked, 
and  placed  on  a  list,  from  which  the  Minister  for  Justice  proposes  the  candidate  with  the 
highest number of points to the Parliament for appointment. After three years in office and an 
evaluation by a judicial body, judges are appointed for an indefinite term by the Parliament 
on a proposal from the Minister for Justice. The Prosecution Office is an independent judicial 
institution under the authority of the Prosecutor General. Latvia participates in the European 
Public  Prosecutor’s  Office  (EPPO).  The  Latvian  Council  of  Sworn  Advocates  is  an 
independent,  self-governing  professional  organisation,  which  also  oversees  disciplinary 
proceedings regarding lawyers.  

Independence  

The  level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  in  Latvia  continues  to  be  average  among 
both the general public and companies. Overall, 43% of the general population and 40% of 
companies perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very good’ 
in  20242.  The  perceived  judicial  independence  among  the  general  public  has  increased  in 
comparison with 2023 (41%), although it remains lower in comparison with 2020 (45%). The 
perceived  judicial  independence  among  companies  has  decreased  in  comparison  with  2023 
(43%), as well as in comparison with 2020 (47%)3. 

The vacancy at the Supreme Court was filled, however no steps were taken to introduce 
adequate  safeguards  applicable  to  future  appointments.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report 
had recommended to  Latvia to  ‘take measures to ensure adequate safeguards against undue 
political influence in the appointment of Supreme Court judges, taking into account European 
standards on judicial appointments’4. In 2022, Parliament had rejected a candidate who had 
received  a  positive  opinion  from  the  Judicial  Qualification  Committee  for  the  office  of 

1   It should be noted that the share of judges, members of the Judicial Council, who are chosen by their peers 

represents less than half of the total members of the Council. Figure 57, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

2   Figures 51 and 53, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard, and Figures 50 and 52, 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. The 
level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  is  categorised  as  follows:  very  low  (below  30%  of  respondents 
perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-
59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). 

3   39% of the companies in Latvia are either fairly or very confident that their investments are protected by the 
law  and  courts  in  the  Member  State.  Only  17%  of  the  surveyed  companies  see  the  quality,  efficiency  or 
independence of justice as one of the main reasons for concern about investment protection in the country. 
Figures 55 and 56, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

4   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 2. 

3 

 
 
Supreme  Court  judge,  in  a  process  marked  by  controversies  regarding  possible  undue 
political influence5. Parliament does not have to state reasons for its decision not to appoint a 
candidate, and there is also no judicial review of its decision6. On 5 October 2023, the same 
candidate was narrowly confirmed as a Supreme Court judge in a second vote by Parliament7, 
following a change in the ruling coalition in September of the same year8, and took office in 
the Supreme Court on 5 January 20249. As noted by stakeholders10, the previous rejection of 
the candidate was an isolated and unusual case and was not seen as indicative of a systemic 
issue. However, the Government or Parliament have so far not taken any, notably legislative, 
steps to put in place safeguards in law to protect the objectivity of future appointments11, such 
as the obligation to state reasons and judicial review of the appointment decision. In line with 
European  standards,  it  is  desirable  that  the  appointing  authority  follow  in  practice  the 
recommendations or opinions of an independent and competent authority drawn in substantial 
part from the judiciary12. Since no process has been initiated to introduce adequate safeguards 
against  undue  political  influence  in  the  appointment  procedure  to  the  Supreme  Court,  no 
progress has been made on the implementation of the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule 
of Law Report.  

Amendments  to  the  Law  on  the  Judiciary  were  adopted  regarding  the  eligibility  and 
evaluation  for  becoming  a  judge  or  prosecutor.  Following  a  Constitutional  Court 
judgment13, amendments were made to the Law on the Judiciary so as to no longer exclude 
all  candidates  who  were  found  guilty  of  criminal  offences  from  the  right  to  apply  to  the 

5   2022  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law  situation  in  Latvia,  p.  4;  Latvian  Public 

Broadcasting (2022), Saeima rejects controversial Supreme Court candidate. 

6   For Supreme Court judges, the proposal of a candidate is made by the President of the Supreme Court with a 
mandatory  opinion  of  the  relevant  department  of  the  Supreme  Court.  Parliament  appoints  the  proposed 
candidate when a candidate is not already a judge in a regular lower instance court. Such external candidates 
also include constitutional court judges. The Judicial Council appoints candidates who are already judges in 
a  regular  lower  instance  court;  replies  from  the  Judicial  Council  to  the  2023  Judicial  Independence 
Questionnaire; 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 4. For a 
comparative  perspective,  see  Figures  52  and  54;  2021  EU  Justice  Scoreboard;  Latvian  Supreme  Court 
(2024), About the Supreme Court. 

7   The majority in Parliament was 51 to 49 votes. Information received from the Judicial Council in the context 

of the country visit to Latvia.  

8   Written contribution from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Lavia.  
9   Information received from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Latvia.  
10   Information  received  from  the  President  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Judicial  Council,  and  the  Council  of 

Sworn Advocates in the context of the 2024 country visit to Latvia. 

11   Information received from the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Council and the Association of Judges in the 
context  of  the  country  visit  to  Latvia.  During  2023,  all  judges  who  were  referred  to  Parliament  were 
confirmed. Four district (city) judges were appointed and one regional court judge and three Supreme Court 
judges (senators) were approved by Parliament; written contribution from Latvia. 

12   According to Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, 
Chapter VI, para. 47, where the constitutional or other legal provisions prescribe that the head of state, the 
government  or  the  legislative  power  take  decisions  concerning  the  selection  and  career  of  judges,  an 
independent  and  competent  authority  drawn  in  substantial  part  from  the  judiciary  should  be  authorised  to 
make recommendations or express opinions which the relevant appointing authority follows in practice. As 
set out in the accompanying explanatory memorandum, para.  52, in some Member States of the Council of 
Europe, the appointing authority is not obliged to accept the recommendations of the independent authority. 
Nevertheless, it is desirable that its recommendations be followed in practice.  

13   Judgment  of  the  Constitutional  Court  of  15  December  2022,  Case  no.  2021-41-01.  The  Court  held  that 
Article  55  of  the  Law  on  the  Judiciary,  excluding  candidates  who  had  been  found  guilty  of  a  criminal 
offence,  from  becoming  a  judge  or  prosecutor,  was  inconsistent  with  Article  101  (right  to  accede  to  the 
public service) and Article 106 (right to freely choose one’s employment) of the Constitution.  

4 

 
 
position of judges and public prosecutors. The Constitutional Court had differentiated cases 
where a crime had been committed with  intent  or a high  degree of harmfulness,  which  run 
counter  to  a  candidature  for  the  position  of  a  judge,  from  cases  of  neglect,  in  which  the 
legislature must take into account, for a candidature, whether an appointment would endanger 
the public trust or the reputation of the judiciary14. To implement this judgment, Parliament 
adopted changes to the Law on Judicial Power and the Law on the Prosecution Service15. A 
candidate to the office of judge or prosecutor may now be admitted to the selection procedure 
if  the  criminal  offence  for  which  the  candidate  was  convicted,  was  committed  no  less  than 
eight  years  before  or  has  been  expunged  or  removed  from  the  candidate’s  criminal  record. 
The new law provides that the commission deciding on admission of such candidates to the 
selection  procedure  is  to  be  set  up  by  the  Judicial  Council16.  Separately,  the  Prosecutor 
General’s  Office  also  adopted  two  new  regulations,  updating  existing  regulations  on  the 
Prosecutors’  Attestation  Commission  and  the  Regulation  on  the  Prosecutors’  Qualification 
Commission17. 

Quality  

Discussions on further extension of the competences of the Economic Court are ongoing 
and  additional  targeted  changes  to  the  judicial  map  are  also  being  implemented.  As 
reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report18, ten judges were appointed to the Economic Court 
in November 2022, and it has been operating at full capacity since then. A 2022 report by the 
Ministry of Justice for the Cabinet of Ministers had explored possibilities to further extend its 
competences19. Although  concrete legislative action has not  yet  been taken, the Ministry of 
Justice  is  working  on  amendments  pertaining  to  the  Economic  Court’s  competence  and 
resources20. Under the current rules on the distribution of cases, the judges hear both civil and 
criminal cases, whereas under the envisaged extended competences, judges would hear either 
civil or criminal cases. The Economic Court welcomes the planned changes, as allowing for a 
better specialisation of judges21. Preparatory work for setting up an Academy of Justice and 

14   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 1 and 2. 
15   Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  pp.  2  and  3.  The  respective  amendments  were 
introduced by Article 55 (2) of the Law on Judicial Power as amended on 21 December 2023, in force as of 
5 January 2024 and by Article 37 (3) of the Law on the Prosecution Service as amended on 21 December 
2023, in force as of 5 January 2024. 

16   Article 55 (3) of the Law on Judicial Power, as amended, provides, as regards selections for the position of a 
judge, that the composition of the Commission shall include representatives from associations of judges and 
prosecutors, as well as from the Commission which performs the selection of candidates for the office of a 
district  (city)  court  and  a  district  court  judge,  from  the  Judicial  Ethics  Commission,  and  from  the 
Commission for the Attestation of Prosecutors. It further provides that the term of office of a member of the 
Commission  shall  be  four  years.  Article  55  (4)  of  the  Law  on  Judicial  Power  provides  further  details 
regarding its operating procedure, to be determined by the Judicial Council. According to Article 37 (4) of 
the Law on the Prosecution Service, as amended, these amendments also apply to the prosecution service.  

17   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 3 and 4. 
18   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 8.  
19   2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law  situation  in  Latvia,  pp. 8-9. The  Court  has 
jurisdiction over a significant number of specific civil claims related to commercial or corporate  activities 
and  criminal  offences.  A  full  list  is  available  on  the  European  e-justice  portal  under:  Latvia,  national 
specialised courts.  

20   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 11.  
21   Information received from the Economic Court in the context of country visit to Latvia. The Economic Court 
estimates that, under the new rules, its number of judges would have to be doubled, thereby requiring larger 
premises for additional staff, but no change to its internal structure would be necessary (e.g. no creation of 

5 

 
 
 
for  the  merger  of  certain  courts  continued,  although  the  legislative  process  still  has  to  be 
finalised22. As indicated in  the 2023 Report23, the Academy  of Justice will provide training 
for judges, prosecutors, and investigators. As part of its setting-up, a reform of the in-service 
training system will come into effect at the end of 2024 with a single training centre, which 
will be part of the Academy of Justice24. As part of changes to the judicial map, the Judicial 
Council merged the Daugavpils City Court and the Rēzekne City Court with the aim to even 
out  their  workload.  The  new  merged  court,  the  Latgale  district  court,  started  its  work  on  1 
July 202325. A foreign investors’ association in Latvia voiced some concerns over effective 
remedies for foreign investors to claim rights26. 

The level of digitalisation of the judiciary remains high and the judiciary’s ICT systems 
were positively evaluated. Data in the 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard shows that the level of 
digitalisation  of  the  justice  system  remains  high,  with  digital  technology  being  widely 
allowed  in  court  proceedings27  and  well  used  in  courts  and  prosecution28.  In  2023,  the 
usability of the judiciary’s ICT systems was evaluated jointly by the Ministry of Justice, the 
Court  Administration  and  Providus,  a  civil  society  organisation,  and  the  results  were 
positive29. The Court administration is responsible for maintenance of the E-case platform30. 
The  Court  information  system  is  fully  operational  and  is  gradually  being  extended  to  all 
courts. The E-case portal is open to various users, both legal professionals and laypersons, to 
complete  and  submit  a  variety  of  electronic  forms  and  applications,  including  court 
proceedings31. The full implementation of the E-case platform is expected by 31 May 202632. 

specific  chambers);  information  received  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Latvia  from  the  Economic 
Court. 

22   Information  received  from  the  Judicial  Council  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Latvia;  Written 
contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Latvia. A draft ‘Law on the 
Academy  of  Justice’  of  12  March  2024  was  prepared  by  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  has  been  sent  to  the 
Cabinet of Ministers for further discussion and approval. Under current planning, the Judicial Academy will 
be managed and represented by its director, who will be appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers for a term of 
five years. The candidate for the position of the director of the Judicial Academy will be nominated by the 
Minister of Justice after the proposal of the Judicial Council.  

23   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 7. 
24   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 6. Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in 

the context of the country visit to Latvia.  

25   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 10.  
26   Information  received  from  the  Foreign  Investors’  Council  in  Latvia  (FICIL)  in  the  context  of  the  2024 
country  visit.  Investors  reported  incidents  of  bias  of  national  courts  in  favour  of  the  state,  a  lack  of 
specialised judges or high court fees. FICIL also noted that some investors encounter obstacles in registering 
property rights. 

27   Figure 43, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
28   Figure  44,  2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard.  Progress  could  still  be  made  regarding  the  availability  of  secure 
electronic  communication  between  prosecutors  and  defence  lawyers.  Figure  46,  2024  EU  Justice 
Scoreboard. 

29   Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  9.  See  also  Providus/Agnese  Frīdenberga  &  Iveta 

Kažoka, Report on Court User Survey, Latvia (September 2023).  

30   The  E-case platform  (‘E-lietas  platforma’)  provides  a  data  exchange  between  various  information  systems 
such  as  the  Court  information  system  (‘Tiesu  informatīvā  sistēma’)  –  an  information  system  for  courts  to 
register  case  information  –,  the  E-case  portal  (www.elieta.lv),  the  prosecutor’s  information  system,  the 
Latvian prison administration information system and the State probation service information system. E-case 
(‘E-lieta’) is also the name of the overall digitalisation programme. The legal framework and explanations of 
the  various  solutions  are  set  out  in  the  Law  on  a  National  Platform  for  Electronic  Processes  of  10  March 
2022; written contribution from Latvia; input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 9.  

31   Written contribution from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Latvia.  
32   Ibidem, p. 9; written contribution from Latvia.  

6 

 
 
The  prosecution  service  uses  its  own  dedicated  information  system33.  Access  to  electronic 
case materials  is  available on the E-case portal34. 54% of all  courtrooms are equipped with 
videoconferencing  capabilities35.  The  introduction  of  the  online  dispute  resolution  system 
continues  to  be  planned36.  Separately,  in  2024,  the  Judicial  Council  set  up  a  new  working 
group  on  the  specialisation  of  judges37.  This  working  group  will  address  the  ongoing 
integration  of  land  registry  judges  into  the  judiciary,  a  reform  undertaken  since  2016.  The 
report will also assess the success of this process.  

While  remuneration  for  judges  and  court  employees  has  been  substantially  increased, 
comparatively low salaries for judicial assistants lead to a significant turnover. Salaries 
for judges and prosecutors consist of a base salary, to which a coefficient is applied based on 
the seniority of the position held38. The base salary is calculated yearly, taking into account 
the  general  development  of  salaries  in  the  public  service  and  the  overall  inflation  over  the 
previous year39. For district (city) court judges, both the coefficient and the base salary were 
increased from 2022 to 2023 and again from 2023 to 2024, resulting in a marked increase in 
the overall monthly salary40. Against the backdrop of high inflation levels41, salaries in 2023 
for  prosecutors  at  district  level  prosecution  offices  and  court  employees  equally  saw  a 
noteworthy increase42. The staffing situation in the judiciary is described as good, with a fully 

33   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 9; written contribution from Latvia.  
34   Written contribution from Latvia.  
35   Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  8.  According  to  information  received  from  the 
Economic Court in the context of the country visit to Latvia, all its rooms are equipped with such devices. 
See also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 6.  

36   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 8. 
37   Information received in the context of the country visit to Latvia from the Association of Judges.  
38   Contribution  from  the  Prosecutor  General’s  Office  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  slide  3;  input  from 
Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5. For example, the coefficient for the district level prosecutor is 
3.05, for the Prosecutor General, it is 6.7.  

39   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5.  
40   In 2022, the coefficient determined for a district (city) court judge was 2.91, the base salary was EUR 1 058. 
The resulting overall monthly salary for 2022 was EUR 3 079. In 2023 the coefficient determined was 3.2, 
the basic salary was EUR 1 137. The resulting 2023 monthly salary was EUR 3 640. In 2024, the coefficient 
for a district (city) court judge rose to 3.2, the base salary was EUR 1 205,71. This results in a total monthly 
salary  of  EUR  3 858.  Consequently,  in  2023,  the  overall  monthly  salary  for  district  (city)  court  judges 
therefore rose by 18.22% (compared to 2022), and in 2024 by a further 5.98%, with a combined increase by 
25.3% between 2022 and 2024.  Data from the written contribution by the Ministry of Justice for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report, p. 3. 

41   In December 2022, inflation in Latvia stood at 20.8 %, the highest in the EU, with a yearly average inflation 
of 17.14% for 2022. In December 2023, year-on-year, the inflation rate had sunk significantly to 0.9%, but 
the  inflation  rate  average  for  2023  still  stood  at  9.5%;  HICP  inflation  rate,  data:  Eurostat,  European 
Statistical Monitor, Economy and Environment, Annual inflation rate, see also Ministry of Finance of Latvia 
Macroeconomic  and  Budgetary  Review  2024  No.  2,  (February  2024).  According  to  the  European 
Commission Economic forecast for Latvia, headline inflation averaged a still elevated level of 9.1% in 2023, 
with inflation excluding unprocessed food and energy posting 9.7%. 

42   Salaries  rose  by  15%,  for  prosecutors  at  regional  offices  by  14.8%  and  for  prosecutors  working  for  the 
Office of the Prosecutor General by 14.7%. Equally in 2023, salaries of court employees, excluding judges, 
rose by 16%, and are expected to further increase by 11% in 2024.  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of 
Law Report, pp. 5-6; Written contribution by the Ministry of Justice to the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. 

7 

 
 
adequate number of candidates and posts filled43. As regards the salaries of judicial assistants, 
they have been described as markedly too low and not competitive44.  

The Council of Sworn Advocates proposed amendments to increase the attractiveness of 
the profession for assistant lawyers. The overall situation as regards availability of lawyers, 
candidates  for  vacancies  and  general  interest  in  the  profession  has  been  described  as  good, 
with  about  1 300 lawyers practising  in  Latvia45. The Economic Court is  experiencing  some 
difficulties  in  scheduling  court  hearings  in  criminal  cases  due  to  a  high  workload  of 
specialised defence lawyers46. In February 2024, the Council of Sworn Advocates addressed 
suggestions to the Ministry of Justice concerning the training of assistant lawyers. Already in 
2021, Latvia introduced a uniform state exam for lawyers that candidates with a law degree 
need to pass47. Around 74% of candidates sitting the exam were also assistant lawyers48. The 
training  period  for  assistant  lawyers  lasts  five  years,  which  is  considered  too  long  by  the 
Council of Sworn Advocates49. Therefore, the Council of Sworn Advocates has suggested to 
reduce the training period to three years50.  

Discussions are ongoing on extending written proceedings in civil cases, and reforming 
legal aid. The Ministry of Justice and members of the Association of Judges emphasised the 
need  to  reform  and  underline  the  advantages  of  written  proceedings  notably  for  timely 
decision-making51.  The  Council  of  Sworn  Advocates,  while  acknowledging  that  written 
proceedings  significantly  facilitate  the  work  of  the  appellate  court,  found  it  important  that 

43   Information received in the context of the country visit to Latvia from the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial 

Council and the Council of Sworn Advocates.  

44   Information  received  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Latvia  from  the  Legal  Department  of  the 
Constitutional  Court,  the  Judicial  Council,  and  the  Association  of  Judges,  which  also  informed  the 
Commission  that  this  issue  had  been  recurrent  for  several  years  and  had  already  been  raised  with  the 
Ministry of Justice before. There is a significant turnover among judicial assistants, who frequently take on 
positions in the private sector, where salaries are often twice as high or higher. While this is partly due to the 
fact that positions as judicial assistants are filled by law students, it is rare for judicial assistants to remain in 
their  posts  for  more  than  three  years. According  to  the  2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard,  the  remuneration  for 
judicial and prosecutorial expert staff compared to the average gross salary is relatively low.  Staff turnover 
for  judicial  assistants  was  11.27%  in  2022,  and  8.88%  in  2023;  written  contribution  by  the  Ministry  of 
Justice  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  6  and  information  received  by  the  Judicial  Council  in  the 
framework of the 2024 country visit. There are no statistics on the percentage of judicial assistants being law 
students or on the reasons of judicial assistants leaving their position; written contribution by the Ministry of 
Justice to the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 6, figure 36, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. The average monthly 
salary  of  judicial  assistants  was  EUR  1 251  in  2022,  EUR 1 353  in  2023  and  EUR  1 633 in 2024;  written 
contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 

45   Information received from the Council of Sworn Advocates in the context of the country visit to Latvia. On 

15 March 2024, the exact number stood at 1 347, see Council of Sworn Advocates, About us (2024).  

46   Information received from the Economic Court in the context of the country visit to Latvia.  
47   Information received from the Council of Sworn Advocates in the context of the country visit to Latvia. See 
https://www.tm.gov.lv/en/article/first-state-uniform-professional-qualification-examination-lawyers-

also 
latvia-will-take-place-9-june-2021.  

48   Council of Sworn Advocates, Letter to the Ministry of Justice, 8 February 2024, LZAP-6/48, p. 1. 
49   Considerations by the Council of Sworn Advocates also take into account a partial overlap between material 
covered during legal studies and the later training as an assistant lawyer and the overall attractiveness of the 
profession.  Studying  beforehand  does  not  reduce  this  timespan.  Information  received  from  the  Judicial 
Council in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 

50   Information  received  from  the  Council  of  Sworn Advocates  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Latvia; 

Council of Sworn Advocates, Letter to the Ministry of Justice, 8 February 2024, LZAP-6/48. 
51   Information received from the Association of Judges in the context of the country visit to Latvia.  

8 

 
 
participants in civil proceedings be given the right to be heard before the courts52. The debate 
in the working group on the Law on Civil Procedure established by the Ministry of Justice is 
ongoing53. Furthermore, according to the 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard, access to legal aid in 
consumer  cases  significantly  improved  compared  to  202254.  In  February  2024,  the 
cooperation  project  between  the  Council  of  Europe,  the  European  Commission  and  Latvia 
aiming to strengthen access to justice came to a close. This project focused on widening the 
scope,  improving  the  availability  and  quality  of  state  ensured  legal  aid,  and  increasing 
recourse to mediation55. 

The  prosecution  service  is  setting  up  an  integrity  control  system,  following  the  State 
Audit  Office  recommendations.  As  already  reported  in  the  2023 Rule of  Law  Report,  the 
prosecution service was the subject of a two-year action plan in April 2021 to address State 
Audit  Office  recommendations56.  In  2023,  the  prosecution  service  received  a  number  of 
recommendations  by  the  State  Audit  Office  to  reduce  the  risk  of  conflict  of  interest  and 
corruption  in  the  professional  activity  of  prosecutors,  in  cooperation  with  the  Corruption 
Prevention  and  Combating  Bureau.  The  implementation  of  these  recommendations  will  be 
complete with the last remaining one on an integrity control system, which is scheduled for 
the first semester of 202457. The Prosecution Service also implemented a reform on the duties 
and  qualifications  of  the  position  of  Assistant  Prosecutor  and  qualified  support  staff58. 
Furthermore,  the  Prosecution  Service  introduced  a  new  system  of  performance  indicators, 
including a data tool to determine the level of quality and efficiency in structural units of the 
Prosecution Service59. 

Efficiency 

The  justice  system  continues  to  perform  efficiently.  The  2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard 
shows that the length of court proceedings  and  pending  cases was  among  the lowest  in  the 
EU. In 2022, the overall length of proceedings remained stable60. The clearance rate in 2022 
for administrative cases significantly increased to 107% from 92.5% in 202161. In 2022, the 

52   Information received to Latvia from the Council of Sworn Advocates in the context of the country visit to 

Latvia; Council of Sworn Advocates, Letter to the Ministry of Justice, 10 February 2023, LZAP-6/62.  

53   Information received to Latvia from the Council of Sworn Advocates in the context of the country visit to 

Latvia. 

54   Figure 24, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figure 24, 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. The improvement of the 
legal aid system, the development of out-of-court dispute resolution tools, and the integration of mediation 
and legal aid systems is set as a strategic goal of the Ministry of Justice to be achieved by 2026. Likewise, 
the  introduction  of  the  initial  legal  aid  system  and  the  improvement  of  access  to  justice  have  been 
emphasised in policy planning documents, such as the National Development Plan; written contribution by 
the Ministry of Justice to the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 2. 

55   Ministry  of  Justice/European  Commission  for  the  Efficiency  of  Justice, Assessment  report  on  training  for 
legal aid providers in Latvia, Co-operation project between the Ministry of Justice of Latvia,  the European 
Commission  for  the  Efficiency  of  Justice  (CEPEJ),  funded  by  the  Structural  Reform  Support  Programme 
(SRSP) of the European Commission ‘Strengthening access to justice in Latvia through fostering mediation 
and legal aid services (Phase II)’, November 2023. 

56   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, pp. 12-13. 
57   Contribution from the Prosecutor General’s Office for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 1.  
58   Ibidem, pp. 1-2. 
59   Ibidem, p. 3. 
60   Figures 10-12, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
61   Figure 12, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

9 

 
 
number  of  pending  administrative  cases  was  the  second  lowest  in  the  EU62.  For  civil  and 
commercial  cases,  the  number  of  pending  cases  remains  low63.  The  clearance  for  litigious 
civil and commercial cases, while having been above 100% in 2021, stood at 99% in 202264. 
The overall clearance rate equally stood at 99% in 202265, meaning that, overall, courts are 
able to deal steadily and efficiently with incoming cases. 

Initiatives  on  improved  case  management  and  the  efficient  use  of  court  resources 
continued. As already reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report66, the Court Administration 
had launched a pilot  project  on a case weighing  model in  2021. In April 2023, the Judicial 
Council introduced such a case weighing model to determine the level of complexity of cases 
in district (city) courts, to be used for  the analysis and monitoring of workload in courts of 
first  instance  in  Latvia,  as  well  as  for  planning  resources  and  vacancies  in  the  judicial 
system67. 

A  Judicial  Council  working  group  identified  certain  ‘systemic  weaknesses’  in  the 
handling  of  domestic  violence  cases.  After  a  femicide  case  in  Jēkabpils  had  led  to 
significant public debate68, the Judicial Council, in a rare decision69, set up a working group 
to address the handling of domestic violence cases. The working group published its report in 
November  202370.  While  it  found  no  causal  link  between  actions  of  the  judiciary  and  the 
case,  the  report  identified  several  systemic  weaknesses  in  the  work  of  the  judiciary,  the 
police, the prosecution and social services that were deemed in need of improvements. These 
include the increased use of the Court Information System where a victim files an application 
for court-ordered protection,  and the assessment  reports to  be requested by prosecutors and 
courts  on  persons  not  complying  with  these  orders71.  It  also  saw  the  need  for  increased 
information flow, better control of high-risk violent persons, and training72. 

62   Figure 15, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
63   The number stood, unchanged compared to 2021, at 0.9 cases per 100 inhabitants in 2022, see Figure 14, 

2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  

64   Figure 11, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
65   Figure 10, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
66   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 8.  
67   Information received from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Latvia; Judicial Council, 
Press release: A ‘case weighing’ model will be introduced in district (city) courts to equalize workload (28 
April 2023).  

68   In the so-called Jēkabpils case, a woman was killed by her former husband in the presence of her child and 
mother. The offender had repeatedly threatened the victim prior to the offence, who had also reported this to 
the  police,  see  the  report  by  Latvian  Public  Broadcasting,  Nationwide  manhunt  across  Latvia  for  serial 
stalker and murder suspect (19 April 2023). 

69   Information received from the Judicial Council in the context of the country visit to Latvia; Judicial Council, 
Press release: ‘Working Group on the Evaluation of the Organisation of Court Work in Cases of Domestic 
Violence and Threats to Life or Health of a Person, established by the Council of the Judiciary, Summary of 
the Report’.  

70   Judicial  Council,  English  language-summary  of  the  report  of  17  November  2023  and  Latvian-language 

original of the report of 17 November 2023. 

71   Pp. 1-3 of the English-language summary of the above-mentioned report.  
72   Pp.  5-6  of  the  English-language  summary  of  the  above-mentioned  report.  A  statement  made  by  the 
Prosecutor-General in the case, arguing that it had been upon the victim’s lawyer to alert authorities more 
clearly, led to a reaction by the Council of Sworn Advocates and an enquiry by the Judicial Council, finding 
the  statement  ‘unacceptable’;  information  received  by  the  Constitutional  Court  in  the  context  of  the  2024 
country  visit;  report  by  Latvian  Public  Broadcasting  of  9  June  2023,  Latvian  Public  Broadcasting  (2023), 
Finger-pointing among authorities in Jēkabpils murder case (9 June 2023); press release of  Judicial Council 

10 

 
 
 
II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

to 

The  Corruption  Prevention  and  Combating  Bureau  (KNAB)  is  a  specialised  body  with 
competence 
investigate  corruption-related  offences  and  prevent  corruption.  The 
investigations  of  corruption-related  offences 
Prosecutor’s  Office  supervises  pre-trial 
conducted by the KNAB. Other institutions with anti-corruption competences are:  the State 
Police,  which  investigates  corruption  in  private  institutions  and  fraud;  the  Internal  Security 
Bureau, which investigates corruption-related criminal offences committed by the officials of 
the institutions subordinated to the Ministry of the Interior; the Internal Security Board of the 
State  Revenue  Service,  which  investigates  criminal  offences  committed  by  State  Revenue 
Service  officials;  the  State  Border  Guard,  which  investigates  corruption  involving  State 
Border  Guard’s  officers  and  the  Prison  Administration,  which  investigates  corruption 
involving Prison Administration officers. 

The perception among experts and business executives is that the level of corruption in 
the  public  sector  is  relatively  low.  In  the  2023  Corruption  Perceptions  Index  by 
Transparency  International, Latvia scores 60/100 and ranks 14th in the European Union and 
36th  globally73.  This  perception  has  improved  over  the  past  five  years74.  The  2024  Special 
Eurobarometer on Corruption shows that 76% of respondents consider corruption widespread 
in  their  country  (EU  average  68%)  and  20%  of  respondents  feel  personally  affected  by 
corruption in their daily lives (EU average 27%)75. As regards businesses, 63% of companies 
consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65%) and 20% consider that corruption is 
a problem when doing business (EU average 36%)76. Furthermore, 27% of respondents find 
that  there  are  enough  successful  prosecutions  to  deter  people  from  corrupt  practices  (EU 
average  32%)77,  while  23%  of  companies  believe  that  people  and  businesses  caught  for 
bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU average 31%)78. 

The  implementation  of  the  Corruption  Prevention  and  Combating  Action  Plan  2023-
2025 is progressing well79. Implementation progress and the four measures80 of the Action 
Plan were discussed on 21 December 2023 by KNAB with civil society organisations which 
welcomed progress in this area. The discussions focused mainly on the challenges in the field 

The Council for the Judiciary finds unacceptable the statement made by Attorney General J. Stukāns in an 
interview with the magazine Ieva, (16 June 2023). 

73   Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2023 (2024). The level of perceived corruption is 
categorised  as  follows:  low  (the  perception  among  experts  and  business  executives  of  public  sector 
corruption scores above 79); relatively low (scores between 79-60), relatively high (scores between 59-50), 
high (scores below 50). 

74   In 2019 the score was 56, while, in 2023, the score is 60. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

75   Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data  on  citizens’  corruption  perception  and  experience  is  updated  every  year.  The  previous  data  set  is  the 
Special Eurobarometer 534 (2023). 

76   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption as is updated every year. The previous data set is the Flash 
Eurobarometer 524 (2023). 

77  Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
78   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
79   Action Plan of measures to prevent and combat corruption for 2023-2025; 2023/73.7 of 14 April 2023. 
80   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 14. 

11 

 
 
of  public  procurement  and  the  promotion  and  implementation  of  the  KNAB  reporting 
platform81. In 2023, KNAB prepared various planning documents and information reports82.  

New reporting tools on corruption were introduced, accompanied by awareness-raising 
and  training  activities.  In  2023,  a  new  online  reporting  platform  was  developed,  allowing 
reporting  acts  of  corruption  or  submitting  a  whistleblower  report83.  In  addition,  KNAB 
carried  out  awareness  raising84  and  training85  activities.  Also,  on  9  March  2023,  the  State 
Border Guard introduced internal regulations and tools for reporting acts of corruption86 and 
the Internal Security Bureau carried out awareness-raising aiming at corruption prevention87. 

The investigation and prosecution of corruption-related cases is carried out efficiently, 
including as regards high-level corruption. In 2023, KNAB initiated a total of 36 criminal 
proceedings,  and  sent  18  criminal  proceedings  for  prosecution88.  Currently,  90  criminal 
proceedings  investigated  by  KNAB  are  ongoing  in  court89.  In  2023,  the  Internal  Security 
Bureau sent fifteen criminal cases related to corruption offences to the prosecutor’s office to 
initiate criminal prosecution against officials of the State Police90. In the State Border Guard, 
seven  criminal  proceedings  were  initiated  in  connection  to  bribery  of  State  Border  Guard 
officials  against  seven  officials  in  the  first  eleven  months  of  2023  and  eight  criminal 
proceedings were sent to the prosecutor’s office for bribery of an official of the State Border 
Guard  in  202391.  Since  July  2023,  in  relation  to  the  verification  of  the  asset  declaration 
procedures, the State Revenue Service initiated 13 criminal proceedings for criminal offences 
committed by public officials (including corruption criminal offences) as a result of which 12 
criminal proceedings were sent to prosecution92. There is one ongoing case on foreign bribery 

81   Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  14.  Contribution  from  Delna  and  Transparency 

International in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 

82   In 2023 KNAB carried out an analysis of potential corruption risks in 797 draft legislative acts. In line with 
the  findings  of  the  risk  analysis,  KNAB  issued  174  opinions  on  draft  legislation  prepared  by  ministries, 
expressing both conceptual and drafting objections or proposals. KNAB Annual Report 2023, pp. 8-10. 
83   The  platform  has  an  online  version  and  a  mobile  app.  The  report  can  be  submitted  by  natural  and  legal 

persons. 

84   On  8  September,  KNAB  launched  an  information  campaign  ‘Corruption  suffocates!  Report  by  using  the 
KNAB app’. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of the impact of corruption on the rule of law and 
the country’s well-being, as well as to encourage society to report corruption on the newly developed KNAB 
online reporting platform or its mobile app, ‘Report to KNAB!”. KNAB (2023), KNAB launches campaign 
“CORRUPTION SUFFOCATES! Report by using the KNAB app’. 

85   In 2023, KNAB provided training to a total of 8338 participants through 79 educational events on various 
topics  including  prevention  of  conflict  of  interest  and  professional  ethics  of  public  officials,  risks  of 
corruption identification of risks of corruption and development of anti-corruption action plans, creation and 
effective operation of the internal anti-corruption control system, also via an interactive game. The Latvian 
School  of  Public Administration  offers  numerous  ethics  trainings.  Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of 
Law Report, p. 15. KNAB Annual Report 2023, p. 12. 

86   ‘Reporting on a possible corrupt case’ is available on the website of the State Border Guard and the relevant 
mailboxes  were  placed  in  the  State  Border  Guard  and  State  Border  Guard  College  premises.  Input  from 
Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 22. 

87   In  2023,  the  Internal  Security  Bureau  conducted  several  preventive  measures,  e.g.,  sending  informative 
letters  to  institutions,  or  meetings  with  non-profit  organisations  about  several  aspects  of  corruption.  Input 
from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 23. 

88   KNAB Annual Report 2023, pp. 16-17. 
89   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 25. KNAB Annual Report 2023, p. 20. 
90   Written contribution received from the Internal Security Bureau in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
91   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 24. 
92   Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 24. 

12 

 
 
 
and one judgment in a foreign bribery case resulting in the recovery of EUR 120 000 became 
final in 202493. Certain awareness raising and training activities were organised in relation to 
the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention94. In 2023, some cases on corruption offences were sent 
for  adjudication95.  As  regards  high-level  corruption,  various  cases  are  ongoing,  and  some 
were  finalised in  202396.  The authorities report having  addressed the recommendations97  of 
the  audit  of  December  2021  regarding  the  performance  of  the  prosecution  service98.  The 
authorities are currently considering the appropriate follow-up to the recommendations of the 
audit  report99  related  to  the  number  and  distribution  of  investigative  anti-corruption 
competences,  as  well  as  the  capacity  of  the  relevant  authorities  to  deal  with  corruption 
cases100. No EPPO investigations were carried out in 2023 regarding corruption101. However, 
EPPO  indicated  insufficient  support  from  the  police,  with  European  Delegated  Prosecutors 
often carrying out many investigations themselves, a situation that is deemed difficult in the 
long term102.  

The  implementation  of  the  Law  on  Prevention  of  Conflict  of  Interest  in  Activities  of 
Public  Officials  is  ongoing.  As  reported  last  year,  in  2023,  the  Law  on  Prevention  of 
Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials was amended. The first amendments103, 
adopted  on  2  February  2023  and  in  force  as  of  1  July  2023,  limit  the  scope  of  publicly 
available information in the declarations of public officials submitted by the National Guard 
involved  in  national  defence  tasks.  The  second  group  of  amendments104,  adopted  on  9 
November 2023 and expected to enter into force on 1 July 2024, are related to the concept of 

93   KNAB, ‘Offer of a bribe made in the interests of a Latvian company results in recovery of EUR 120,000’, 1 

March 2024. 

94   In  the  2022-2023  period,  the  Prosecutor  General’s  Office  organised  a  series  of  workshops  for  prosecutors 
and judges dedicated to the current issues of the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. In September 2023, the 
PGO organised a two-day international workshop dedicated to the current issues of the OECD Anti-Bribery 
Convention. Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 23. 

95   On 30 October 2023, the Prosecution Office sent to the court the case of two former public officials of the 
State Revenue Service for having allegedly initiated baseless criminal proceedings against a  EUR 100 000 
bribe. The case is currently ongoing before the judge. Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 
25. 

96   In  September  2023,  the  Riga  Regional  Court  as  the  instance  of  appeal  found  a  former  mayor  guilty  of 
bribery, money laundering, unauthorised participation in a property transaction, and forgery of documents. 
The  sentence  was  four  years  of  imprisonment  and  confiscation  of  the  company  stocks,  means  of 
transportation  and  real  estate.  Input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  pp.  25-26.  Euractiv 
(2023), Latvian socialist MEPs face corruption charges, claim persecution. 

97   State Audit  Office  (2021),  Press  release:  Plan  to  implement  the  SAO’s  recommendations  for  streamlining 

prosecution of economic and financial crimes. 

98   State  Audit  Office  (2020),  Performance  audit:  Effectiveness  of  investigations  and  trials  of  the  criminal 
offences in the economic and financial area. The audit was conducted in cooperation with the Organization 
for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development  (OECD),  which  provided  comparative  information  on 
organisation  of  prosecution  services  in  selected  countries.  OECD  (2021),  Performance  of  the  Prosecution 
Services in Latvia - A Comparative Study. Written information received from the Prosecution Service in the 
context of the country visit in Latvia. 

99   State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia (2022), Inquiry Authorities in Latvia: the issue of competences 

and resources, but not the issue of numbers. 

100  Information received from KNAB in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
101  EPPO report, p. 39. 
102  Contribution from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 38.  
103  Amendments to the law on prevention of conflict of interest of public officials in action of 1 July 2023.  
104  Amendments to the law on prevention of conflict of interest of public officials in action of 1 July 2024.  

13 

 
 
civil partnership105. In 2023, KNAB received 91 reports on potential conflicts of interest from 
natural persons and 47 reports from legal persons, 178 anonymous submissions and 202 from 
institutions of public persons and examined 180 administrative violations cases in performing 
the control of restrictions, prohibitions, and obligations of the Law on Prevention of Conflict 
of  Interest  in  Activities  of  Public  Officials106.  On  this  basis,  KNAB  initiated  364 
departmental  investigations,  and  completed  345  investigations107.  In  2023,  decisions  were 
taken  in  180  administrative  violations  cases,  and  in  137  cases  public  officials  were  fined  a 
total of EUR 25 545, while in 30 cases warnings were issued. As a result, 18 persons were 
required  to  repay  EUR  65 527.43  in  damages  to  the  state  budget108.  The  OECD  report  on 
Latvia’s legal framework for the prevention of conflicts of interest and its implementation is 
expected in the second half of 2024109. 

The electronic system for asset declarations continues to work efficiently, with several 
cases of violations sent for prosecution. The SRS developed an automated processing tool 
that identifies possible risks of breaches of the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in 
Activities of Public Officials based on information provided in the available databases. As a 
result, the system verifying asset declarations is improved, its direct monitoring is available 
also  to  the  direct  managers  and  the  cases  of  possible  corruption  or  conflict  of  interest 
violations is thus transferred to KNAB for appropriate follow-up110. 

The  Government  is  planning  a  study  on  the  implementation  of  the  existing  codes  of 
ethics  to  be  launched  in  2024.  A  declaration  of  envisaged  activity  of  the  Cabinet  of 
Ministers approved by Parliament on 14 December 2022, contained the intention to develop 
the code of ethics of the Government111 while currently none is planned112. Instead, a study 
concerning implementation of the existing codes of ethics in public institutions is planned for 
launch  in  2024113.  Two  GRECO  recommendations  regarding  codes  of  ethics  will  therefore 
still  need  to  be  addressed114.  As  regards  the  Parliament,  in  2023,  the  number  of  cases 

105  With  amendments  to  the  Law,  the  scope  of  persons  against  which  a  public  official  will  be  unable  to  take 
decisions  or  be  in  a  conflict-of-interest  situation  is  being  expanded  to  include  partners,  same  as  with  the 
restrictions already imposed on the relatives of the official. The partnership will have to be indicated in the 
declaration  of  the  public  official.  Saeima  (Parliament)  (2023):  Two  adults  will  be  able  to  enter  into  a 
partnership to be registered by a notary.  

106  While examining the submissions and complaints about alleged actions of public officials in conflict-of-
interest situations, KNAB simultaneously examined the information submitted by such public officials in 
their declarations, in order to establish possible violations of the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in 
Activities of Public Officials, thus examining a total of 758 declarations of public officials. Input from 
Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 17. 

107  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p.17. 
108  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p.17. 
109  KNAB (2023) The OECD has presented to the responsible institutions and organisations an interim report on 

the regulation of the field of conflict of interest of Latvia, 3 October 2023.  

110  Ibidem, p. 23.  
111  Declaration of envisaged activity of the Cabinet of Ministers, 14 December 2022.  
112  Declaration of envisaged activity of the Cabinet of Ministers, 15 September 2023. Information received in 

the context of the country visit to Latvia from the State Chancellery. 

113  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 15. 
114  Parliament has not implemented the recommendation to revise and update its code as well as to complement 
it with practical measures  to  provide guidance and counselling. GRECO (2021), Fourth Evaluation round, 
Addendum to the Second compliance report, Latvia, p. 4. Principles and standards of conduct applicable to 
and enforceable for Cabinet members, political officials and supernumerary advisory employees as well as 

14 

 
 
 
concerning  ethics  violations  at  the  Mandate,  Ethics  and  Submissions  Committee  of  the 
Parliament  slightly  decreased115.  The  implementation  of  the  code  of  ethics  for  Prosecutors 
remains  subject  to  debate,  in  particular  with  regard  to  balancing  between  confidentiality  of 
proceedings and transparency116.  

Some  further  progress  was  made  regarding  legislation  on  lobbying,  while  the 
implementing rules are still under discussion. The 2023 Rule of Law Report recommended 
to Latvia to ensure the effective implementation of the legislation on lobbying, including the 
lobby  register’117.  The  Law  on  Transparency  of  Interest 
setting-up  of  a  special 
Representation118  was  adopted  in  October  2022  and  entered  into  force  on  1  January  2023. 
The implementing rules, which were initially expected to be adopted in  September 2023119, 
are still under discussion120.The report evaluating the progress on the implementation of the 
new law and identifying the remaining deficiencies was adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers 
on  25  June  2024  and  it  is  expected  to  be  further  distributed  to  the  Parliament121.  An 
evaluation of the need to introduce sanctions for breaches of the law is planned for 2025122. 
Furthermore,  according  to  the  initial  planning,  the  interest  representation  registry  and  the 
interest representation declaration system are still expected to be operational by 1 September 
2025, while the tendering procedures in relation to the IT system have been launched in early 
2024123. Transparency International (Latvia) stressed the need to put the reform124 in place in 

for various categories of unpaid advisors in central government have not been elaborated. GRECO (2023), 
Fifth Evaluation Round, Second compliance report, Latvia, pp. 5-6. 

115  As of 28 November 2023, the Committee had reviewed two cases in 2023 and found a breach in one of them 
(for  inflammatory  language). There  were  six  violations  found  in  2021  and  2022,  see  Saeima  (Parliament) 
(2024), Information about ethics violations of Members of Parliament.  

116  See already 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the situation in Latvia, p. 5. Cases regarding a 
violation of the new Code of Ethics for Prosecutors are heard by the Prosecutors’ Attestation Commission, 
input  from  Latvia  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  pp.  3-4.  In  June  2023,  a  criminal  case  in  which 
defendants  had  requested  the  recusal  of  a  public  prosecutor  after  he  had  given  a  public  interview  to  a 
magazine. This action was deemed permissible in light of the specific circumstances, based on the new Code 
of  Ethics.  Transparency  International  Latvia  (Delna)  welcomed  this  decision,  which  it  saw  as  increasing 
transparency.  Delna  (2023),  Code  of  ethics  for  prosecutors  in  action,  14  June  2023.  The  Prosecutors’ 
Attestation Commissions examined one possible violation of the Code of Ethics for Prosecutors and found 
that  the  prosecutor  violated  the  requirements  to  avoid  creating  a  false  perception  of  the  prosecutor's 
objectivity  in  communication  with  the  victim's  representative,  contribution  from  the  Prosecutor  General’s 
Office for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, slide 7, 

117  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the situation in Latvia, p. 2. 
118  Interest Representation Transparency Law of 13 October 2022. 
119  As mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Latvia, p. 16, 
certain aspects of the new law were to be addressed by September 2023 through a Cabinet Regulation which 
is  expected  to  bring  more  clarity  on  the  adopted  rules.  The  Cabinet  Regulation  was  to  address  other 
information to be published in the registry as well as its scope and the order in which a public official will be 
ensured  access  to  the  registry.  The  responsibility  for  the  development  of  these  regulations  lies  with  the 
Ministry  of  Justice  and  the  State  Chancellery.  Input  from Latvia  for  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  17. 
Interest Representation Transparency Law of 13 October 2022. 

120  Information from the State Chancellery received in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
121  Section 7 of the law stipulates that the Cabinet of Ministers submits a report to the Saeima once a year by 
March 31, indicating the achievements and the future planned activities. Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule 
of Law Report, p. 16. Written input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

122  Section 4 of the Transitional Provisions of the law stipulates that, the Cabinet of Ministers submits the report 
referred  to  in Article  7  of  the  law  to  the  Saeima  for  the  first  time  in  2024,  but  in  the  report  for  2025  the 
Cabinet of Ministers also includes an evaluation on the need to provide for administrative liability in relation 
to non-fulfilment of the obligations referred to in this law.  

123  Information received from KNAB in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 

15 

 
 
a  timely  manner125.  Certain  awareness-raising  activities  were  carried  out  with  regard  to  the 
new  law126.  Overall,  the  implementation  of  the  Law  on  Transparency  of  Interest 
Representation  continues  to  be  carried  out  through  various  ongoing  activities  in  view  of 
setting  up  the  special  lobby  register  on  the  initally  foreseen  date.  Therefore,  some  progress 
has been made regarding the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

A revision of the rules on political party pre-election campaigning raises the maximum 
penalties for violations of the current legislation. On 22 June 2023, amendments127 to the 
Pre-election  Campaign  Law  were  adopted  and  entered  into  force  on  1  January  2024.  They 
increased to EUR 7 100 the maximum level of the administrative fine applicable to political 
parties  for  violations  of  pre-election  campaigning  procedures  or  non-compliance  with 
restrictions set for pre-election campaigning in public places, in press publications, as well as 
on  the  Internet.  In  2023,  KNAB  examined  and  published  information  on  donations  and 
membership  fees  to  political  parties  made  by  1 687  persons,  totalling  EUR  435 621.38. 
KNAB published the annual  statements and clarifications concerning 61 political  parties128. 
In accordance with  the provisions of the Law on Financing  of Political  Parties, 12 political 
parties were paid EUR 5 675 351.04. Information on the State budget resources paid to each 
political party is compiled on the website of KNAB129. In 2023, as a result of the inspections 
resulting from 74 open cases, KNAB took 62 decisions on the imposition of fines amounting 
to EUR 30,165 and 13 decisions on the repayment of financial resources to the State budget 
for the total amount of EUR 30,043.54130. 

The  number  of  whistleblowing  submissions  has  remained  relatively  stable  throughout 
the years. The Whistleblowing Law entered into force on 4 February 2022131. The system is 
operational and the main contact for whistleblowers continues to be the State Chancellery. In 
2023  KNAB  received  52  complaints  (compared  to  55  in  2022)  and  21  of  them  were 
subsequently  recognised  as  whistleblowing  cases132.  In  2023,  a  civil  society  organisation 
reported  that  since  the  introduction  of  the  whistleblowing  system  in  Latvia,  the  number  of 
whistleblower  reports  remains  relatively  stable,  while  there  is  still  the  need  for  increased 
awareness-raising133.  A  civil  society  organisation  also  developed  guidelines  for  those 
responsible for handling the whistleblower reports134. 

124  Contribution from Delna/Transparency International in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
125  Contribution from Delna/Transparency International in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
126  These include a workshop in April 2023 by the Ministry of Justice and further information on the website, 
see  Ministry  of  Justice,  Experts  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Law  on  Transparency  of  Interest 
Representation and State Chancellery (2023), What does the Law on Transparency of Interest Representation 
promote? 

127  Amendments of 22 June 2023 to the Pre-election Campaign Law, of 5 July 2023. 
128  KNAB  Annual  Report  2023,  p.  23.  See  also  contribution  from  the  ENNHRI  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law 

Report, p. 22. 

129  KNAB (2021), State budget funding.  
130  KNAB Annual Report 2023, p. 24. 
131  Whistleblowing Law of 20 January 2022. 
132  KNAB Annual Report 2023, p. 15.  
133  In  2019  (May  to  December),  a  total  of  449  submissions  were  received  through  external  whistleblowing 
channels,  556  in  2020  and  527  in  2021.  However,  in  2022,  the  lowest  number  of  applications  so  far  was 
received – 396 applications. Delna, In 2022, the lowest number of whistleblower submissions and low public 
awareness  of  whistleblowing,  26  October  2023,  Delna  (2023),  In  2022,  lowest  number  of  whistleblower 
submissions and low public awareness of whistleblowing.  
134  Delna (2023), Guidelines for handling whistleblower reports.  

16 

 
 
Efforts  are  being  made  to  address  challenges  related  to  public  procurement,  which 
remains  an  area  at  high  risk  of  corruption.  The  Flash  Eurobarometer  on  Businesses’ 
attitudes towards corruption in the EU shows that 29% of companies in Member States think 
that  corruption  in  Latvia  has  prevented  them  from  winning  a  public  tender  or  a  public 
procurement  contract  in  practice  in  the  last  three  years135.  Restricted  competition  and 
prohibited  agreements  among  bidders  remain  a  key  challenge  in  public  procurement  in 
Latvia136  and  a  civil  society  organisation  raised  the  need  to  address  it137.  The  Procurement 
Monitoring  Bureau maintained and updated information about  liability for violations of the 
regulation  on  a  regular  basis138.  The  Competition  Council  imposed  fines  in  relation  to 
prohibited  agreements139,  and  the  State  Audit  Office  addressed  violation  of  rules  in  the 
contracts140.  In  2023  an  e-learning  program  for  procurement  professionals,  including  a 
module  of  conflict-of-interest  management,  was  introduced141.  On  5  October  2023, 
amendments  were  adopted  to  align  the  rules  governing  public  procurement  with  EU 
legislation142.  Other  measures  were  undertaken  regarding  the  disbursement  of  EU  funds143 
and towards beneficiaries144. KNAB is planning to develop its own methodology concerning 
the risk assessment on the basis of the recommendations of the OECD expected in 2024145. In 

135  Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). This is 2 percentage 

points above the EU average of 27%. 

136  In  2023,  the  European  Commission  renewed  data  on  public  procurement  performance  indicators  where 
Latvia  scores  ‘red’  on  two  indicators  –  the  proportion  of  contracts  awarded  where  there  was  just  a  single 
bidder and the proportion of procurement procedures with a missing supplier registration number. European 
Commission (2022), Single Market Scoreboard, Access to public procurement. 

137  Contribution from Delna/Transparency International in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
138  Available at: https://www.iub.gov.lv/lv/2-iepirkuma-komisija  
139  On 5 January 2023, the Competition Council made a  decision concerning a prohibited agreement between 
bus transportation companies in the proceedings of procurement organised by the state-owned enterprise for 
the  provision  of  services  in  regional  routes.  The  penalty  imposed  was  EUR  1  974 923.81.  Competition 
Council, CC punishes  three public transport providers for participating in a  cartel,  18 January 2023. On 1 
June  2023,  the  Competition  Council  imposed  a  fine  of  EUR  4  451 649.77  for  a  prohibited  agreement 
between  three  road  construction  companies  in  procurement  proceedings  organised  by  the  state-owned 
enterprise  for  the  construction  of  roads  and  highways.  Competition  Council,  Competition  Council  unveils 
road construction cartel, 14 June 2023.  

140  In  2023,  the  State  Audit  Office  found  that  the  State  Centre  for  Defence  Logistics  and  Procurement  had 
organised  the  procurement  of  logistics  services  for  the  supply  of  food  for  the  National Armed  Forces  in 
violation of procedures established by the Ministry of Defence. The right to supply the food was granted to 
contractors who did not participate  in the tendering but were selected by the winner. The contract amount 
was EUR 220 million with a possibility to increase the total amount up to EUR 330 million. KNAB (2023), 
KNAB has carried out criminal proceedings in relation to the centralised procurement of food for the needs 
of the NAF.  

141  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 20. 
142  Amendments of 5 October 2023 to the Public Procurement Law, to the Law on the Procurements of Public 
Service  Providers  to  the  Law  on  Procurements  in  the  Field  of  Defence  and  Security  and  to  the  Law  on 
Public-Private Partnership, all published on 13 October 2023.  

143  Additional  preventive  measures  have  been  taken  within  the  Central  Finance  and  Contracting  Agency  as 
cooperation  institution:  Internal  control  system  supplemented  by  declarations  of  interest  submitted  by 
employees.  Internal  training  on  fraud  and  irregularity  issues  (including  ‘red  flags’),  conflict  of  interest, 
irregularities, ethics performed. Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 21. 

144  These  are,  first,  trainings  and  consultations  provided  to  beneficiaries  on  the  respective  issues  as  well  as 
training  to  law  enforcement  institutions  on  specifics  of  EU  fund  management  and,  secondly,  requirements 
for an internal control system in umbrella project legislation including the prevention of conflicts of interest, 
corruption and fraud. Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 21. 

145  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 21. 

17 

 
 
2023,  the  Ministry  of  Finance  published  the  Handbook  for  the  Implementation  of  Risk 
Management146.  

III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM 

In Latvia, the legal  framework  concerning media pluralism  and media freedom  is  based on 
constitutional  safeguards  and  sectoral  legislation.  The  Latvian  Constitution  guarantees 
freedom  of  expression  and  information  and  prohibits  censorship.  The  legal  framework 
governing  the  media  includes  the  Electronic  Mass  Media  Law  (EMML)147 and  the  Law  on 
the Press and Other Mass Media148. The Freedom of Information Law149 guarantees the right 
to access information held by public authorities150.  

The  regulator  for  audiovisual  media  services  continues  to  operate  independently. 
Latvian media regulatory framework is primarily overseen by the National Electronic Mass 
Media  Council  (NEMMC).  The  NEMCC  has  an  obligation  to  act  in  accordance  with  the 
requirements  of  the  Latvian  Constitution.  When  acting  in  its  decision-making  capacity,  the 
NEMMC must not request or receive any instructions from other institutions. Financial and 
human resources of the NEMCC continue to remain stable and are considered adequate with 
respect  to  the  functions  that  the  NEMCC  needs  to  carry  out  under  the  existing  regulatory 
framework151.  The  2024  Media  Pluralism  Monitor  (MPM)  reports  a  low  risk  for  the 
independence and effectiveness of the media authorities152. 

Information on media ownership is available on the website of the NEMCC153 and the 
Register  of  Enterprises.  All  media  outlets  registered  in  Latvia  are  obliged  to  provide  the 
information on their beneficial owners to the Register of Enterprises. Service providers must 
provide  information  on  their  beneficial  owners  and  any  changes  in  such  ownership  to  the 
NEMCC.  There  has  been  no  change  as  regards  media  concentration.  The  media  regulatory 
framework does not provide specific thresholds for the limitation of horizontal or cross-media 
concentration. The evaluation of dominant position of media outlets are provided only in case 
of merger of companies. The 2024 MPM indicates a medium risk for transparency of media 
ownership154. 

Public service media maintain their independence through well-established safeguards. 
The  Public  Electronic  Mass  Media  Council  (PEMMC)  continues  to  operate  independently. 
The  PEMMC  operates  in  accordance  with  the  Law  on  Public  Electronic  Mass  Media  and 

146  The  handbook  is  a  comprehensive  resource  for  the  full  risk  management  cycle  and  covers  corruption  and 
fraud as one of several categories of risks. It contains some examples of recommendations and controls for 
risk  mitigation,  such  as  an  action  plan  to  outline  actions  for  preventing  and  monitoring  corruption/fraud, 
comprehensive  and  clear  procedures  to  respond  to  suspected  fraud,  and  a  clear  procedure  for  reporting 
illegal activities. Ministry of Finance (2023), Handbook for the Implementation of Risk Management. 

147  Latvian Electronic Mass Media Law of 28 July 2010. 
148  Law of 20 December 1990 on the Press and Other Mass Media. 
149  Freedom of Information Law of 24 December 1998. 
150  Latvia ranks 16th in the 2024 Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index compared to 22nd the 

previous year.  

151  Information received from the NEMMC in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
152  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, Latvia, p.15. 
153  www.neplp.lv. 
154  See also the Act amending the Electronic Mass Media Law, adopted on 11 June 2020. 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
their Management (PEMML)155, which provides specific safeguards for its independence156. 
The  PEMMC  oversees  public  service  media,  with  the  aim  of  ensuring  their  editorial 
independence. It also develops and approves the operation strategy, the annual public service 
plan,  and  the  codes  of  ethics  for  public  service  media.  The  PEMML  provides  specific 
safeguards  for  the  independence  of  public  service  media.  According  to  the  Law,  public 
service  media  must  be  free  from  political,  economic  or  other  interference  with  their 
activities157.  The  PEMML  also  ensures  fair  and  transparent  appointment  procedures  for 
management  and  board  functions  of  public  service  media.  According  to  the  2024  MPM, 
‘independence of public service media’ is at low risk158. 

The  merger  of  public  service  media  Latvian  Television  and  Latvian  Radio  has  been 
approved.  On  18  January  2024,  the  Parliament  adopted  amendments  to  the  PEMML 
according  to  which,  from  1  January  2025,  a  single  public  media  company  (Latvian  Public 
Media)  will  result  from  the  merger  of  the  public  service  media  Latvian  Television  and 
Latvian Radio159. In view  of the planned merger, public media is  expected  to  receive more 
funding  in  the  coming  years,  reaching  0.12%  of  Latvian  gross  domestic  product  (GDP)  by 
2026160.  In  total,  EUR  46  million  of  additional  funding  for  the  public  service  media  are 
planned  for  the  period  2024-2026,  to  prepare  and  implement  the  merger  process,  and  to 
‘consolidate the resources of the public media to ensure their operation and development in 
accordance  with  the  digital  transformation  process’161.  According  to  stakeholders162,  the 
establishment  of  a  single  public  media  company  will  provide  significant  benefits  to  the 
Latvian  media  space,  and  contribute  to  the  development  of  modern  digital  content, 
technology,  and  infrastructure,  as  well  as  opportunities  to  improve  the  staff  working 
conditions.  

The  Freedom  of  Information  Law  guarantees  the  right  to  access  information  held  by 
public  institutions.  Access  to  information  is  also  guaranteed  by  the  Law  on  the  Press  and 
Other Mass Media, which establishes the right for the press to access information held by the 
state  bodies  and  public  authorities163.  The  2024  MPM  considers  the  protection  of  right  to 
information a low-risk area164. 

The professional environment for journalists continues to be overall safe. Journalists in 
Latvia  work  mainly  in  favorable  conditions,  but  stakeholders  have  reported  that  political 
attacks and denigration have been on the rise particularly during the electoral period165. Since 
the publication of the 2023 Rule of Law Report, two alerts have been published for Latvia on 
the  Council  of  Europe’s  Platform  to  promote  the  protection  of  journalism  and  safety  of 

155  Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and their Management (PEMML), adopted on 19 November 2020. 
156  Article 12 and Article 13 of the Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and their Management (PEMML). 
157  Article 3 of the Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and their Management (PEMML). 
158  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, Latvia, p.26. 
159  Amendments to the Law on Public Electronic Mass Media and their Management. 
160  Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 27. 
161  Ibidem. 
162  Information received from the PEMCC in the context of the country visit to Latvia.   
163  Law of 20 December 1990 on the Press and Other Mass Media.  
164  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, Latvia, p.12. 
165  Information received from the Latvian Association of Journalists in the context of the country visit to Latvia.  

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
journalists, and four on the Mapping Media Freedom platform166. One of the alerts concerns 
the proposal to prohibit content in Russian language in Latvian public media. This proposal 
was  included  in  the  National  Security  Concept,  a  policy-planning  document  adopted  by 
Parliament in September 2023, according to which all ‘content created by public media after 
1  January  2026  must  only  be  in  Latvian  language  or  other  languages  belonging  to  the 
European cultural space’167. In adopting the concept, Parliament considered that the security 
of  Latvia’s  information  space,  including  high-quality  Latvian  language  information,  is  an 
important aspect of ensuring Latvia’s national security168. For the National Security Concept 
this decision aims to create a unified information space promoting social cohesiveness on the 
basis of the official Latvian language. However, several associations of journalists and media 
freedom organisations expressed concern over the scope of this requirement considering that 
this  measure  risks  depriving  Russian  speakers  in  Latvia  of  access  to  credible  and  fact-
checked information, leaving them exposed to disinformation, fake news, and propaganda169. 
Reservations  on  the  proposal  were  also  expressed  by  the  NEMCC170.  The  issue  has  been 
discussed in a public debate organised by the Government on 8 April 2024. The 2024 MPM 
indicator for journalistic profession, standards, and protection shows a medium risk. 

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Latvia is a unicameral, parliamentary democracy, in which the Constitutional Court can carry 
out  ex-post  constitutional  review  of  laws,  including  in  concrete  cases  on  the  basis  of  a 
constitutional complaint. Draft laws may be submitted to the Parliament by the President, the 
Government, Parliamentary committees, at least five members of the Parliament, or one-tenth 
of  the  electorate.  In  addition  to  the  justice  system,  also  the  Ombudsperson’s  Office,  which 
acts as a national human rights institution, accredited with A-Status171, as well as the equality 
body, and civil society play a role in the system of checks and balances. 

There  are  efforts  to  achieve  a  high  degree  of  public  participation  at  local  level  but 
challenges remain. As already reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report172, the Law on Local 
Government173 led to the involvement of civil society in several local projects, including on 
elderly homes, kindergartens, and wind parks174. However, most citizens do not participate in 

166  Council of Europe (2024), Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, header: 
‘alerts’,  country:  ‘Latvia’;  European  Centre  for  Press  and  Media  Freedom,  Mapping  Media  Freedom. The 
other alerts relate to the use of spyware against exiled Russian and Belarusian journalists living in Latvia, 
committed  by  unknown  perpetrators,  and  a  cyber-attack  against  a  TV  channel. The  Ministry  of  Culture  is 
setting up a working group on the safety of journalists. It aims to develop a plan of measures to address the 
safety  of  journalists.  A  representative  of  the  Ombudsperson’s  Office  will  also  participate  in  the  working 
group; written contribution by the Ombudsperson’s Office for the 2024 Rule of Law report, p. 3. 

167  Parliament  approved  the  National  Security  Concept on  28 September  2023  -  No:  339/Lm14.  Contribution 

from Parliament for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5.  

168  Contribution from Parliament for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5.  
169  European  Broadcasting  Union,  European  Federation of  Journalists,  International  Federation  of  Journalists, 
Justice  for  Journalists  Foundation,  Southeast  Europe  Media  Organisation,  Reporters  Without  Borders, 
Committee to Protect Journalists (2023): ‘International media organizations extremely concerned by Latvian 
proposal to ban Russian-language content on PSM from 2026’ and Freedomhouse.org – Latvia. 

170  Information received from the NEMCC in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
171  Accreditation is provided by the UN Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI). 
172  Information also received from the Ombudsperson’s office in the context of the 2024 country visit. 
173  Law of 20 October 2022 on Local Government. 
174  Information  received  in  the  framework  of  the  Ombudsperson’s  Office  in  the  context  of  the  2024  country 

visit.  

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
municipal  decision-making  processes  and  citizen  participation  in  public  consultation 
regarding local  regulations and budgets  remains rare175. The newly introduced participatory 
budget experiences difficulties in the light of the overall financial hardship faced by several 
municipalities176. The entry into force of the Law on Local Government Referenda has been 
postponed  until  1  September  2024.  Provisions  envisaging  electronic  voting  in  local 
government referenda will come into force on 1 August 2025 at the same time as for other 
relevant  provisions  included  in  the  Law  on  Population  Register177.  The  Ombudsperson’s 
Office continues to operate effectively and reports a high public interest in its work, including 
on matters of local government and participation178. 

On  1  January  2024,  Latvia  had  eight  leading  judgments  of  the  European  Court  of 
Human  Rights  pending  implementation,  an  increase  of  one  compared  to  the  previous 
year179. At that time, Latvia’s rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that remained 
pending  was  only  at  17%  (compared  to  16%  in  2023)  and  judgments  had  been  pending 
implementation for 1 year and 9 months (compared to 1 year and 3 months in 2023)180. As 
regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 31 December 2023 there were no cases awaiting 
confirmation  of payments (the same as in  2022)181. On 1 July 2024, the number of leading 
judgments pending implementation had decreased to seven182. 

A  note  by  the  Ministry  of  Justice  in  relation  to  a  European  Court  of  Human  Rights 
judgment was subject to debate.  The Ministry of Justice issued a note to all first-instance 
and  second-instance  courts  in  relation  to  the  judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human 
Rights  in  the  case  of  Yordanov  and  others  v.  Bulgaria  on  the  legislation  on  the  seizure  of 
assets183, and following  the observations by Latvian lawyers  and prosecutors, as well as by 

175  Contribution from Civil Liberties Union for Europe  for the 2024 Rule of Law  Report, p. 12. Accordingly, 
based on a survey by the State Audit Office and Riga Stradins University, 85% of surveyed residents do not 
take part in municipal decision-making processes. More generally, in Latvia, 23% of the surveyed companies 
perceive the frequent changes in legislation or concerns about quality of law-making process as a reason for 
the lack of confidence in investment protection. Figure 56, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

176  Information  received  from  of  the  Ombudsperson’s  Office  in  the  context  of  the  2024  country  visit.  On  the 
participatory budget see also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the situation in Latvia, p. 20.  

177  Contribution from Civil Liberties Union for Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 12. 
178  Information received from the Ombudsperson’s Office in the context of the country visit to Latvia. See also 
the contribution from the ENNNHRI for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, reporting on some challenges such as 
backlash from members of the public but finding that the Ombudsperson’s office actively participates in the 
legislative process and that there is no doubt about the possibility of individuals to apply to the office and 
receive a substantive answer.  

179  The adoption of necessary execution measures for a  judgment by the European Court of Human Rights is 
supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is the Committee’s practice to group 
cases against a state requiring similar execution measures, particularly general measures, and  examine them 
jointly. The first case in the group is designated as the leading case as regards the supervision of the general 
measures and repetitive cases within the group can be closed when it is assessed that all possible individual 
measures needed to provide redress to the applicant have been taken. 

180  All figures are calculated by the European Implementation Network and are based on the number of cases 
that  are  considered  pending  at  the  annual  cut-off  date  of  1  January  2024.  See  the  Contribution  from  the 
European Implementation Network for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 5. 

181  Council  of  Europe  (2024),  Supervision  of  the  execution  of  judgments  decisions  of  the  European  Court  of 

Human Rights – 17th Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2023, p. 137.  

182  Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC). See also the link provided by the 
Council of Europe, Annual Rule of Law Report – Council of Europe contribution under ‘I Justice System’.  
183  Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 26 September 2023 in the case of Yordanov and others 
v. Bulgaria, Applications nos. 265/17 and 26473/18. The case concerns the application of legislation adopted 

21 

 
 
 
investigative  authorities  that  the  statutory  situation  in  Latvia  was  comparable  to  the  one 
underpinning  this  judgment184.  The  note  particularly  points  to  differences  between  the 
Bulgarian and the Latvian statutory law, while stating that the judgment was based solely on 
an  analysis  of  Bulgarian  law  and  was  binding  only  upon  the  parties  of  the  case185.  The 
president of the Supreme Court and Judicial Council voiced his concerns over the distribution 
and content of the note, calling upon the executive branch to refrain from issuing documents 
that could be perceived as instructions or recommendations to the judiciary186. In the view of 
the  Ministry,  the  note  only  intends  to  facilitate  the  interpretation  of  the  judgment  of  the 
European Court of Human Rights, recalling that similar notes were sent in the past187. 

Civil society operates in an open space but calls for better availability and adequacy of 
financial resources188. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are generally able to freely operate 
and address matters of public debate and express criticism189. The registration process is easy 
and  accessible,  and  all  documentation  can  be  submitted  electronically190.  In  2023,  the 
Ministry  of  Justice  drafted  amendments  to  the  law  governing  associations  and  foundations, 
which  stakeholders  consider  an  important  step  to  have  more  accurate  data  on  CSOs191. 
Stakeholders  have  proposed  to  appoint  a  civil  society  advisor  within  the  offices  of  the 
President,  Prime  Minister  or  the  Minister  of  Culture192.  CSOs  remain  concerned  as  regards 
the  availability  and  adequacy  of  financial  resources  for  them193.  While  there  are  overall 
25 600  associations  and  foundations  registered  in  Latvia  in  March  2024,  and  about  1 000 
have been founded since 2020, only  half of them are regarded as active and functioning194. 

in 2012, which provides for the forfeiture by the State of assets alleged to have been ‘unlawfully acquired’. 
The  applicants  all  had  assets  seized  following  their  conviction  for  criminal  and  administrative  offenses, 
although there was allegedly no established link between the  offence(s) and the assets concerned. See also 
the press release by the European Court of Human Rights of 26 September 2023, ECHR 266 (2023). 

184  Information received by the Council of Sworn Advocates, the Judicial Council and the Constitutional Court 
in the context of the 2024 country visit. See also Ministry of Justice, Re Judgment of the European Court of 
Human Rights of 26 September 2023 in the case of Yordanov and Others v. Bulgaria (January 2024). 

185  Ministry of Justice, Re Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 26 September 2023 in the case 

of Yordanov and Others v. Bulgaria (January 2024).  

186  Diena (2024), Strupišs: The executive branch should refrain from issuing documents that can be perceived as 

recommendations on the interpretation of legal norms. 

187  Diena (2024), The Ministry of Justice has sought to correct ‘skewed understanding’ with a circular. 
188  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 
pp.  239,  243,  based  on  the  Civicus  Monitor,  available  at:  https://monitor.civius.org/country/latvia.  The 
European  Civic  Forum  is  also  of  the  opinion  that,  for  this  reason,  the  European  Commission’s  2022 
recommendation on “taking measures to increase the participation of civil society in decision-making at the 
local  level”  is  not  yet  fully  implemented.  See  also  rating given  by  Civicus,  Latvia.  Ratings  are  on  a  five-
category scale defined as: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed and closed. 

189  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 241. 

190  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 241. 

191  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 241. 

192  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 
p. 242. Information received from the Ombudsperson’s Office in the context of the country visit to Latvia. 
193  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 238. 

194  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 239. 

22 

 
 
Although donations and grants have increased in total, they are reaching a narrower range of 
organisations195. 

195  European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance Latvia), 

p. 243. 

23 

 
 
 
 
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* 

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2024 Rule of Law report 
can 
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-targeted-
stakeholder-consultation_en. 

found 

be 

at 

Cabinet  of  Ministers,  (2023),  Declaration  of  envisaged  activity  of  the  Cabinet  of  Ministers 
(Deklarācija par Evikas Siliņas vadītā Ministru kabineta iecerēto darbību 2023. gada 15. septembrī), 
15 September 2023, https://www.mk.gov.lv/lv/media/16704/download?attachment. 

Civil Liberties Union, Contribution for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Competition Council, CC punishes three public transport providers for participating in a cartel (KP 
soda  trīs  sabiedriskā  transporta  pakalpojumu  sniedzējus  par  dalību  kartelī),  18  January  2023, 
https://www.kp.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/kp-soda-tris-sabiedriska-transporta-pakalpojumu-sniedzejus-par-
dalibu-karteli. 

Competition  Council,  Competition  Council  unveils  road  construction  cartel  (Konkurences  padome 
atklāj  ceļu  būves  karteli),  14  June  2023.  https://www.kp.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/konkurences-padome-
atklaj-celu-buves-karteli. 

Constitutional  Court  (2024),  Written  contribution  by  the  Constitutional  Court  for  the  2024  Rule  of 
Law Report. 

Constitutional Court, Judgment of 15 December 2022 in case 2021-41-01, ‘On Compliance of Para 3 
of Section 55 of the Law ‘On Judicial Power’ with the First Part of Article 101 and the First Sentence 
of Article 106 of the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia’.  

Council of Europe (2010), Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 adopted by the Committee of Ministers 
of the Council of Europe on 17 November 2010 and explanatory memorandum, Judges: indpendence, 
efficiency  and 
(17  November  2010),  https://rm.coe.int/cmrec-2010-12-on-
independence-efficiency-responsibilites-of-judges/16809f007d. 

responsibilities 

Council of Europe (2024), Annual Rule of Law Report – Council of Europe contribution.  

Council of Europe (2024), Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, 
https://fom.coe.int/en/accueil. 

Council of Europe (2024), Supervision of the execution of judgments decisions of the European Court 
of  Human  Rights  –  17th  Annual  Report  of 
the  Committee  of  Ministers  –  2023, 
https://www.coe.int/en/web/execution/annual-reports. 

Council of Sworn Advocates (2023), Written contribution by the Council of Sworn Advocates for the 
2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Council of Sworn Advocates (2023), Letter to the Ministry of Justice (10 February 2023), LZAP-6/62. 

Council of Sworn Advocates (2024) Letter to the Ministry of Justice (8 February 2024), LZAP-6/48. 

Council of Sworn Advocates (2024), About us, 6 June 2024. https://www.advokatura.lv/en/node/17. 

Delna, (2023) Guidelines for handling whistleblower reports (Vadlīnijas Trauksmes Cēlēju Ziņojumu 
https://delna.lv/wp-
Izskatīšana), 
content/uploads/2023/04/DELNA_TC_vadlinijas_2023.pdf. 

November 

2023, 

4 

Delna 
https://delna.lv/lv/2023/06/14/prokuroru-etikas-kodekss-darbiba/. 

(2023),  Code 

prosecutors 

ethics 

for 

of 

in 

action, 

14 

June 

2023, 

Delna  (2023),  In  2022,  lowest  number  of  whistleblower  submissions  and  low  public  awareness  of 
whistleblowing, 
https://delna.lv/lv/2023/10/26/2022-gada-zemakais-trauksmes-celeju-iesniegumu-
skaits-un-sabiedriba-zema-izpratne-par-trauksmes-celsanu/. 

24 

 
Diena  (2024),  Strupišs:  The  executive  branch  should  refrain  from  issuing  documents  that  can  be 
perceived as recommendations on the interpretation of legal norms (Strupišs: Izpildvarai jāatturas no 
dokumentu  izdošanas,  kurus  var  uztvert  kā  rekomendācijas  par  tiesību  normu  interpretāciju)  (14 
February 2024), https://www.diena.lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/strupiss-izpildvarai-jaatturas-no-dokumentu-
izdosanas-kurus-var-uztvert-ka-rekomendacijas-par-tiesibu-normu-interpretaciju-14313159. 

Diena (2024), The Ministry of Justice has sought to correct ‘skewed understanding’ with a circular 
(Tieslietu  ministrija  ar  apkārtrakstu  centusies  labot  ‘sašķobījušos  izpratni’)  (11  March  2024), 
https://www.diena.lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/tieslietu-ministrija-ar-apkartrakstu-centusies-labot-
saskobijusos-izpratni-14314477. 

European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), Contribution for the 2024 Rule 
of Law Report.  

Euractiv  (2023),  Latvian  socialist  MEPs  face  corruption  charges,  claim  persecution,  (7  September 
2023), 
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/latvian-socialist-meps-face-corruption-
charges-claim-persecution/. 

European  Broadcasting  Union,  European  Federation  of  Journalists,  International  Federation  of 
Journalists,  Justice  for  Journalists  Foundation,  South  East  Europe  Media  Organisation,  Reporters 
Without  Borders,  Committee  to  Protect  Journalists  (2023),  International  media  organizations 
extremely  concerned  by  Latvian  proposal  to  ban  Russian-language  content  on  PSM  from 
2026Partners  call  on  Latvia  to  reconsider  proposed  ban  of  Russian-language  content  on  public 
service  media, 
https://www.ebu.ch/news/2023/10/international-media-
organizations-extremely-concerned-by-latvian-proposal-to-ban-russian-language-content-on-psm-
from-2026. 

(6  October 

2023), 

European Civic Forum (2024), Civic Space Report 2024 – Latvia (Kristine Zonberga, Civic Alliance 
Latvia).  

European  Commission  (2022),  Single  Market  Scoreboard,  Access 
to  public  procurement. 
https://single-market-scoreboard.ec.europa.eu/business-framework-conditions/public-procurement_en 
(December 2022). 

European Commission (2022), 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2023), 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Latvia. 

European  Commission  (2024),  Economic  forecast  for  Latvia  (15  February  2024),  https://economy-
finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-economies/latvia/economic-forecast-
latvia_en#:~:text=Headline%20inflation%20averaged%20a%20still,are%20expected%20to%20furthe
r%20decline. 

European Commission (2024), European e-Justice Portal/National specialised courts 
Latvia 
en.do?member=1. 

January 

2024), 

https://e-justice.europa.eu/content_specialised_courts-19-lv-

(26 

European Commission (2024), Judicial Independence Questionnaire (2023). 

European Commission (2024), 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  

European Court of Human Rights, Judgment of 26 September 2023, Yordanov and others v. Bulgaria, 
265/17 
(2023), 
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/app/conversion/pdf/?library=ECHR&id=003-7755749-
10738911&filename=Judgments%20of%2026.09.2023.pdf. 

accompanying 

26473/18, 

release 

ECHR 

press 

266 

and 

and 

European Network of National Human Rights Organisations, (ENNHRI),  Contribution for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report.  

25 

 
European  University  Institute  Centre  for  Media  Pluralism  and  Media  Freedom  (2024),  Media 
Pluralism Monitor 2024, Country Report: Latvia, https://cadmus.eui.eu/handle/1814/77007. 

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) (2024), Contribution for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Eurostat  (2024),  European  Statistical  Monitor,  Economy  and  Environment,  Annual  inflation  rate, 
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/dashboard/european-statistical-monitor/. 

Freedom  House  (2024),  Nations  in  Transit  2024,  https://freedomhouse.org/country/latvia/nations-
transit/2024. 

GRECO  (2021),  Fourth  Evaluation  round,  Addendum  to  the  Second  compliance  report,  Latvia  (11 
January 
https://rm.coe.int/fourth-evaluation-round-corruption-prevention-in-respect-of-
members-of/1680a10227.  

2021), 

GRECO  (2023),  Fifth  Evaluation  Round,  Second  compliance  report,  Latvia  (17  January  2023), 
https://rm.coe.int/fifth-evaluation-round-preventing-corruption-and-promoting-integrity-
i/1680a9c53d. 

Judicial  Council  (2023),  Press  release,  A  ‘case  weighing’  model  will  be  introduced  in  district (city) 
courts to equalize workload (Noslodzes izlīdzināšanai rajona (pilsētas) tiesās ieviesīs “lietu svēršanas” 
modeli) 
https://www.at.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/par-tieslietu-padomi/noslodzes-
izlidzinasanai-rajona-pilsetas-tiesas-ieviesis-lietu-sversanas-modeli-11639?year=2023&month=04. 

(28  April 

2023), 

Judicial Council (2023), Press release, The Council for the Judiciary finds unacceptable the statement 
made by Attorney General J. Stukāns in an interview with the magazine Ieva, (Tieslietu padome atzīst 
par  nepieņemamu  ģenerālprokurora  J.  Stukāna  izteikumu  intervijā  žurnālā  ‘Ieva’)  (16  June  2023), 
https://www.at.gov.lv/lv/jaunumi/par-tieslietu-padomi/tieslietu-padome-atzist-par-nepienemamu-
generalprokurora-j-stukana-izteikumu-intervija-zurnala-ieva-11712?year=2023&month=06. 

Judicial Council (2023), Report Summary, Working Group on the Evaluation of the Organisation of 
Court Work in Cases of Domestic Violence and Threats to Life or Health of a Person, established by 
2023), 
the  Council 
https://www.at.gov.lv/files/uploads/files/9_Tieslietu_padome/Report.Domestic.Violence.Judicial.Cou
ncil_17.11.2023._%20en.pdf. 

(17  November 

the  Report 

Judiciary, 

Summary 

the 

of 

of 

Judicial  Council  (2023),  Report  on  the  work  organization  of  the  court  system  in  cases  related  to 
domestic  violence  and  personal  threat  (Ziņojums  par  tiesu  sistēmas  darba  organizāciju  lietās,  kas 
saistītas  ar  vardarbību  ģimenē  un  draudiem  personas  dzīvībai  vai  veselībai)  (17  November  2023), 
https://www.at.gov.lv/files/uploads/files/9_Tieslietu_padome/ZINOJUMS_TP_DG_Vard_gim_17.11.
2023..pdf. 

Judicial Council (2024), Written contribution from the Judicial Council in the context of the country 
visit to Latvia.  

KNAB 
https://www.knab.gov.lv/lv/valsts-budzeta-finansejums. 

(2021)  State  budget 

funding 

(Valsts  budžeta 

finansējums) 

(22  March  2021). 

KNAB (2023), Annual report 2023, https://www.knab.gov.lv/en/media/4890/download?attachment.  

KNAB  (2023),  KNAB  has  carried  out  criminal  proceedings  in  relation  to  the  26entralized 
procurement of food for the needs of the NAF. (KNAB veicis kriminālprocesuālās darbības saistībā ar 
centralizēto  pārtikas  iepirkumu  NBS  vajadzībām),  https://www.knab.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/knab-veicis-
kriminalprocesualas-darbibas-saistiba-ar-centralizeto-partikas-iepirkumu-nbs-vajadzibam. 

KNAB  (2023),  KNAB  launches  campaign  “CORRUPTION  SUFFOCATES!  Report  by  using  the 
KNAB 
https://www.knab.gov.lv/en/article/knab-launches-campaign-corruption-suffocates-
app”, 
report-using-knab-app. 

KNAB (2023), The OECD has presented to the responsible institutions and organisations an interim 
report on the  regulation of  the field  of  conflict  of  interest of  Latvia  (OECD iepazīstinājis  atbildīgās 

26 

 
institūcijas  un  organizācijas  ar  starpziņojumu  par  Latvijas  interešu  konflikta  jomas  regulējumu  (3 
October  2023),  https://www.knab.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/oecd-iepazistinajis-atbildigas-institucijas-un-
organizacijas-ar-starpzinojumu-par-latvijas-interesu-konflikta-jomas-regulejumu. 

KNAB (2024), Offer of a bribe made in the interests of a Latvian company results in recovery of EUR 
120,000  (1  March  2024),  https://www.knab.gov.lv/en/article/offer-bribe-made-interests-latvian-
company-results-recovery-eur-120000. 

Latvian  Collegium 
https://www.advokatura.lv/en/node/17. 

of  Sworn  Advocates 

(2024),  About 

us 

(15  March 

2024), 

Latvian Government (2024), Input from Latvia for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Latvian  Public  Broadcasting  (2022),  Saeima  rejects  controversial  Supreme  Court  candidate  (17 
February  2022),  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/saeima-rejects-controversial-supreme-court-
candidate.a444057/. 

Latvian Public Broadcasting (2023), Nationwide manhunt across Latvia for serial stalker and murder 
suspect  (19  April  2023),  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/19.04.2023-nationwide-manhunt-
across-latvia-for-serial-stalker-and-murder-suspect.a505399/. 

Latvian Public Broadcasting (2023), Finger-pointing among authorities in Jēkabpils murder case (9 
June  2023),  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/09.06.2023-finger-pointing-among-authorities-in-
jekabpils-murder-case.a512076/. 

Latvian  Public  Broadcasting  (2023),  Sanita  Osipova confirmed  as  Supreme  Court judge  (5  October 
2023), 
https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/05.10.2023-sanita-osipova-confirmed-as-supreme-
court-judge.a526570/. 

Latvian  Public  Broadcasting  (2023),  Latvia’s  future  security  concept  foresees  no  public  media  in 
Russian  (26  September  2023),  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/media-literacy/26.09.2023-latvias-
future-security-concept-foresees-no-public-media-in-russian.a525331/. 

Latvian  Supreme  Court  (2024),  About  the  Supreme  Court,  https://www.at.gov.lv/en/par-augstako-
tiesu/senatori. 

Ministry  of  Finance  (2023),  Handbook  for  the  Implementation  of  Risk  Management  (Risku  vadības 
ieviešanas rokasgrāmata), 2023. https://www.fm.gov.lv/lv/media/15267/download?attachment. 

Ministry  of  Finance  (2024)  Macroeconomic  and  Budgetary  Review  2024  No.  2,  (February  2024), 
https://www.fm.gov.lv/en/media/17511/download?attachment. 

Ministry of Justice, European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) (2023),  Assessment 
report  on  training  for  legal  aid  providers  in  Latvia,  Co-operation  project  between  the  Ministry  of 
Justice  of  Latvia,  the  European  Commission  for  the  Efficiency  of  Justice  (CEPEJ),  funded  by  the 
Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP) of the European Commission ‘Strengthening access to 
justice in Latvia through fostering mediation and legal aid services (Phase II)’ (November 2023). 

Ministry of Justice (2023), Experts discuss the implementation of the Law on Transparency of Interest 
Representation 
ieviešanu) 
(https://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/eksperti-diskute-par-interesu-parstavibas-atklatibas-likuma-
ieviesanu) 
(8  May 
parstavibas-atklatibas-likuma-ieviesanu. 

https://www.tm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/eksperti-diskute-par-interesu-

Interešu  pārstāvības  atklātības 

(Eksperti  diskutē  par 

likuma 

2023), 

Ministry  of  Justice  (2024),  Re  Judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  of  26  September 
2023 in the case of Yordanov and Others v. Bulgaria, (Par Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesas 2023. gada 26. 
septembra spriedumu lietā Yordanov un citi pret Bulgāriju) (Note of January 2024). 

Ministry  of  Justice  (2024),  Written  contribution  from  the  Ministry  of  Justice  in  the  context  of  the 
country visit to Latvia.  

27 

 
Prosecutor General’s Office (2024), Contribution from the Prosecutor General’s Office for the 2024 
Rule of Law Report. 

Providus/Agnese Frīdenberga & Iveta Kažoka (2023), Report on Court User Survey, LATVIA, 2022-
2023, 
2023), 
(September 
https://www.at.gov.lv/files/uploads/files/9_Tieslietu_padome/PROVIDUS_REPORT.COURT.USER
S_09.2023.en.pdf. 

Ombudsperson’s Office, Written contribution by the Ombudsperson for the 2024 Rule of Law report. 

Reporters Without Borders (2023), 2023 World Press Freedom Index. 

Saeima  (Parliament)  (2024)  Information  about  ethics  violations  of  Members  of  Parliament  (Par 
Saeimas  deputātu  ētikas  kodeksa  pārkāpumiem,  https://mandati.saeima.lv/lemuma-projekti/par-
saeimas-deputtu-tikas-kodeksa-prkpumiem. 

Saeima (Parliament) (2023): Two adults will be able to enter into a partnership to be registered by a 
notary  (10  November  2023),  https://www.saeima.lv/en/news/saeima-news/32825-saeima-two-adults-
will-be-able-to-enter-into-a-partnership-to-be-registered-by-a-notary. 

Saeima (Parliament) (2024), Contribution from the Saeima for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

State Audit Office (2020), Performance audit: Effectiveness of investigations and trials of the criminal 
offences in the economic and financial area.  

State  Audit  Office  (2021),  Press  release:  Plan  to  implement  the  SAO’s  recommendations  for 
streamlining prosecution of economic and financial crimes. 

State  Audit  Office  of  the  Republic  of  Latvia  (2022),  ‘Inquiry  Authorities  in  Latvia:  the  issue  of 
competences and resources, but not the issue of numbers’. 

State Chancellery (2023), What does the Law on Transparency of Interest Representation promote? 
(Ko veicina Interešu pārstāvības atklātības likums?) (27 December 2023). 

State  Chancellery  (2024),  Written  contribution  by  the  State  Chancellery  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law 
Report.  

Transparency International (2024), Corruption Perceptions Index 2023. 

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (2023), Latvia: alleged undue use of 
criminal  proceedings  against  human  rights  defenders  Ieva  Raubiško  and  Egils  Grasmanis  (joint 
communication) 
https://srdefenders.org/latvia-alleged-undue-use-of-criminal-
proceedings-against-human-rights-defenders-ieva-raubisko-and-egils-grasmanis-joint-
communication/. 

(8  May 

2023) 

28 

 
 
 
Annex II: Country visit to Latvia 

The Commission services held virtual meetings in March 2024 with: 

•  Association of Journalists 
•  Association of Judges 
•  Bar Association 
•  Civic Alliance Latvia 
•  Constitutional Court 
•  Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) 
•  Council of Sworn Advocates (Council of Lawyers) 
•  Delna – TI Latvia 
•  Economic Court 
•  Foreign Investors’ Council in Latvia (FICIL) 
•  Internal Security Board of the State Revenue Service 
•  Internal Security Bureau (Ministry of Interior) 
•  Judicial Council 
•  Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) 
•  Latvijas Radio (LR) 
•  Ministry of Culture 
•  Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
•  Ministry of Interior 
•  Ministry of Justice 
•  National Electronic Mass Media Council 
•  Ombudsperson’s Office 
•  Prosecutor General’s Office 
•  Providus 
•  Public Electronic Mass Media Council 
•  Saeima (Parliament) 
•  State Audit Office 
•  State Border Guard 
•  State Chancellery 
•  Supreme Court 

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

•  Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe  
•  Centre for European Volunteering 
•  Civil Liberties Union for Europe 
•  Civil Rights Defenders 
•  Civil Society Europe 
•  Culture Action Europe 
•  Democracy Reporting International 
•  European Centre for Non-Profit Law 
•  European Civic Forum 
•  European Federation of Journalists  
•  European Partnership for Democracy 

29 

 
 
International Federation for Human Rights 
International Planned Parenthood Federation 
International Press Institute  
Irish Council for Civil Liberties 

•  European Youth Forum 
•  Free Press Unlimited 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  JEF Europe 
•  Open Society Foundations 
•  Philanthropy Europe Association 
•  PICUM 
•  Reporters Without Borders 
•  SOLIDAR 
•  Transparency International EU 

30