Latest ECRI report on situation in Latvia made public

On 12 February the ECRI (the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance) published its latest report on the situation in Latvia between 2003 and September 2007.

The European Commission prepares similar reports on all Council of Europe member states. This report is mainly based on the information gathered by ECRI experts during their visit to Latvia in March 2007, when the main emphasis was put on the implementation of the recommendations of the previous report.

The latest report marks progress in numerous areas: amendments have been made to the Criminal Law (racist motives are now an aggravating circumstance when sentencing), prohibition of racial discrimination has been included in the Labour Code. A number of programmes for the advancement of social integration and tolerance have been adopted. The report highlights the considerable efforts made by the government in the promotion of naturalisation and acquisition of the state language. As to the section on education, it is commented that several positive steps have been made to enhance diversity in schools.

At the same time the ECRI has put forward recommendations in some areas. For example, it suggests a more active response in tackling racial abuse and racist comments in the media. Likewise, the ECRI recommends speeding up of the process of naturalisation and the promotion of a more integrated community in Latvia.

The Latvian government has submitted its comments to the document, which are included in the appendix of the report.

The ECRI publishes its reports on all Council of Europe member states. On 12 February reports on Andorra, the Netherlands, and Ukraine were also made public.

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