On 5 February 2020, the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, took part in the event to launch the Alliance to Advance International Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States of America. The establishment of the Alliance is the initiative of the United States President Donald Trump. The plans to establish the Alliance were announced by the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in July 2019.
Latvia’s joining of the Alliance is in line with what was said in the Declaration of the Presidents of the United States and the Baltic States on 3 April 2018 that our partnership is based on our joint dedication to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. Accordingly, Latvia must take advantage of opportunities where Latvian and U.S. interests coincide on international policies, as is the case with the Alliance and with our support for one of the fundamental human rights – freedom of worship. Standing up together in the face of persecution which is being perpetrated against persons on account of their religion will help strengthen freedom of religion around the world.
Latvia supports coordination of information sharing among the members of the Alliance, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions to identify the potential resources for promoting freedom of religion or belief, Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs stressed at the Alliance launch. Instruments of freedom of speech and the media should be used to fight blasphemy. Latvia has always strongly adhered to the principle of non-restriction of freedom of speech, in connection with the right to practice, teach and protect in a non-violent manner one’s religious beliefs, Edgars Rinkēvičs underlined.
The foundation of the Alliance is Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights providing for the right to change one’s religion or belief, to hold no belief at all, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. The Alliance also builds on documents of other international and regional organisations.
The aim of the Alliance at Advance is to enhance global advocacy to protect the right of freedom of religion or belief for all and to advance accountability for those who fail to support freedom of religion or belief, as well as to serve as a platform to better coordinate the efforts of governments, parliamentarians, and civil society in advancing these rights.
The Alliance members are committed to upholding their state obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relating to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief. Members are open to cross-regional engagement and committed to being consultative, co-ordinated, and voluntary whilst pursuing internal and external coherence on matters relating to freedom of religion and belief. The Alliance members are also committed to taking a human rights-based approach and to promoting those human rights indispensable for the full enjoyment of the freedom of religion or belief.
The European Union countries which received an invitation from the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to take part in the inaugural event of the Alliance in Washington, D.C., include Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Austria, and Greece.
Background information
The national legal framework and practice in Latvia meets the Alliance’s criteria. Part 1 of Article 99 of the Satversme (Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia stipulates that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The right of people in Latvia to freedom of religion is laid down in the Law on Religious Organisations. Manifestations of religious intolerance are not acceptable in Latvia and Latvian legislation provides for both administrative and criminal liability for violations of the prohibition of discrimination. Various religious communities successfully co-exist in Latvia. Ecumenical dialogue between Christian denominations in Latvia has been recognised internationally.