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On 11 May 2026, the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review reviewed the human rights situation in Latvia.
The Head of the Latvian delegation, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andžejs Viļumsons presented Latvia’s national report on achievements in the field of human rights since 2021.
Andžejs Viļumsons highlighted Latvia’s progress in strengthening the rule of law, promoting social integration, preventing violence against women, advancing gender equality in employment and education, implementing the National Action Plan “Women, Peace, and Security”, as well as establishing the institution of civil partnership. The ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and the Istanbul Convention was also highlighted.
Representatives from sectoral ministries and the Prosecutor General’s Office participated in the preparation and review of Latvia’s report. Consultations with civil society also took place during the report preparation process.
81 UN Member State participated in the review of the human rights situation in Latvia. Most countries commended Latvia’s achievements in strengthening human rights, such as the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the promotion of gender equality, the establishment of the partnership institution, the promotion of social inclusion, and work in the field of social integration.
During the Universal Periodic Review, Latvia received 244 recommendations – suggestions from other UN Member States for further improvements in the protection and promotion of human rights. The recommendations most frequently emphasised the need to continue efforts to prevent violence against women and domestic violence, including by ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Istanbul Convention. Several recommendations highlighted the fight against hate speech and hate crimes, the prevention of discrimination, the protection of children’s rights, the safeguarding of the rights of persons with disabilities, prevention of human trafficking, gender equality, social inclusion, protection of the rights of minorities, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and LGBTI persons, as well as access to asylum procedures.
Latvia will evaluate all the recommendations received and, after reviewing them in the Cabinet of Ministers, will provide the UN with its opinion on each of them.
Latvia’s report, as well as the recommendations received, will be available on the website of the UN Human Rights Council.
As part of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, the human rights situation in each UN Member State is reviewed every five years. Latvia’s human rights situation was previously reviewed in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
The country review is based on the national report submitted by the country, information contained in UN documents, and a compilation of information submitted by other stakeholders, including the Ombudsman, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and non-governmental organisations.