Fighting International Terrorism

Latvia condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and underlines that crimes of terrorism are unjustifiable. Under Latvian law, terrorism financing, incitement to terrorism and terrorist threat, the organisation of a terrorist group, recruiting, training for terrorism, travelling for terrorism purposes are criminalised (Sections 79.¹, 79.², 79.³, 79.⁴, 79.⁵ un 79.⁶ of Criminal Law).

A statutory basis for counter-terrorism in Latvia is comprised of the National Security Plan (a classified document) approved in November 2016 and updated in November 2024, the National Counter-Terrorism Plan (a classified document) approved in 2019 and improved in 2024 in light of current threats, and the National Security Concept approved on 26 September 2019, which sets out the following as the main priorities for addressing the threat posed by international terrorism: participation in international counter-terrorism operations; international cooperation; strengthening cooperation between central, local and judicial authorities in the field of counter-terrorism; preventing radicalisation and increasing the security of sites under terrorism risk; and preventing the financing of terrorism. In November 2021, the Counter-Terrorism Strategy for Latvia 2021–2026 (in Latvian) was approved.

In order to strengthen coordination between various public authorities involved in combating terrorism, a Counter-Terrorism Centre has been established under the State Security Service. The tasks of this central counter-terrorism authority in Latvia include coordinating the activities of counter-terrorism institutions, ensuring a timely exchange of information, as well as gathering and analyzing information related to counter-terrorism activities.

An effective system for the prevention of terrorist financing is essential in combating terrorism. In Latvia, the authority responsible for identifying and preventing the cases of possible terrorist financing is the Financial Intelligence Unit (before 29 June 2019 – the Anti-Money-Laundering Unit), which operates under the supervision of the Cabinet of Ministers.

On 4 July 2019, amendments to the Law on International and National Sanctions of the Republic of Latvia entered into force, thus allowing the Cabinet to apply restrictive measures against organisations and individuals, including for terrorism-related crimes, if necessary.

In response to an increasing impact made by the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters on the spread of terrorist threat, Latvia has made the necessary amendments to the Criminal Law, criminalising unlawful involvement in armed conflicts abroad.

On January 2017, the Saeima adopted the Aircraft Passenger Data Processing Law, which enables security services to analyse passenger data in order to detect and prevent serious crimes, including crimes related to terrorism. The law entered into force on 3 April 2017, and the respective data register is monitored by the State Security Service.

Latvia believes that effective reduction of terrorist threat can only be achieved through mutual cooperation between countries. Latvia contributes to the efforts of various international organisations, including the UN, the EU, NATO, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, to combat international terrorism. Taking into account the complexity of terrorist threat, as well as the emergence of its new forms and manifestations, the changing body of knowledge and modus operandi of terrorists, as well as the opportunities provided by modern technologies, it is essential to adopts a unified approach to the interpretation of terrorism as a phenomenon. Although an agreement on a unified definition of terrorism has not yet been reached (since 1994, the UN has been discussing a unified comprehensive anti-terrorism convention), strategies for combating terrorism have been developed both at the international organisation and national level, which provide for measures to prevent and combat terrorism. Currently, the critical defining elements used by countries and organisations are in the definitions of terrorism are as follows: violence or intention to use violence against persons not involved in military operations in order to achieve a strong psychological impact in the pursuit of political goals.

Latvia welcomes the leading role of the United Nations in the fight against international terrorism. As early as in 2006, the UN member states agreed on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the Plan of Action for its implementation (reviewed every two years), thereby creating a unified strategic and operational framework for combating terrorism. One of the most important instruments at the UN’s disposal is the imposition of international sanctions targeting terrorist organizations and individual terrorists.

The UN Security Council has also adopted a series of internationally binding resolutions that provide for a targeted response to key manifestations of terrorism, such as the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, radicalisation and violent extremism, as well as the financing of terrorism.

The EU’s counter-terrorism activities are based on the EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in 2005 and amended in 2014. Other relevant documents currently in force are the EU Council conclusions on counter-terrorism and fighting violent extremism adopted by the Council on 9 February 2015, 19 June 2017, 16 June 2020, 9 June 2022, 20 June 2022, and 16 December 2024. 

Strengthening of external security is rooted in closer cooperation with the countries of the Middle East, North Africa, the Gulf and the Sahel region. The EU is implementing national capacity development projects in those countries as well as measures to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism. For their part, measures to strengthen internal security include increased controls at the EU’s external borders, including making better use of opportunities offered by the Schengen Information System, and enhanced cooperation to prevent terrorist financing and illicit arms trafficking.

The identification and removal of radical internet content is an important measure in EU action, thus countering radicalisation trends. Regulation (EU) 2021/784 on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online was adopted on 29 April 2021. It aims to ensure a rapid removal of online terrorist content.

The EU also has a sanctions instrument at its disposal that can be applied against countries, organisations, groups and individuals, including for terrorism.

The NATO Strategic Concept for 2022 states that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, is the most direct asymmetric threat to the security of citizens of NATO member states and to international peace and prosperity. The unpredictability and cross-border spread of the terrorist threat is on the rise, not only due to political instability and violent conflicts, but also due to the development of modern technologies. This is a challenge that the international community must address together. NATO is making a significant contribution to the joint international effort to combat terrorism, both through its broad partnership policy and by providing the necessary support to strengthen preparedness, resilience and response capabilities.

In response to the rapid spread of the ISIL terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, at the initiative of the United States, a global coalition was established in September 2014, which currently comprises 89 countries and international organizations (including the EU, NATO, and INTERPOL).

The coalition pursues its activities along five main lines of effort:

1. Military operations against ISIL;
2. Tackling ISIL financing and funding;
3. Preventing the movement of foreign terrorist fighters;
4. Strategic communication;
5. Stabilising of liberated territories.

In view of the epicentre of terrorist threat shifting to Africa, at the end of 2021, a new Regional Focus Group for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIL – the Africa Focus Group – was established under the leadership of the U.S. and Italy. Its main goal is to reduce the terrorist threat directly on the African continent in close coordination with local partner countries, as well as to strengthen the capabilities of partner countries in combating terrorism.

Latvia has been a member of the Global Coalition since 2016 and is participating in the coalition’s Inherent Resolve military operation. On 25 January 2024, the Saeima extended the mandate of Latvian troops’ participation in the operation until 1 February 2026. Latvia also takes part in the thematic working groups led by the coalition – the Counter ISIS Finance Group, the Communications Working Group, and the Terrorist Travel Working Group. As a member of the Global Coalition, Latvia has implemented projects in 2020 and 2021 to support women and children at risk of violence in Raqqa province, Syria.

The OSCE, being a regional security organization, implements a comprehensive approach to fighting terrorism. Although the OSCE does not formulate any new international norms in the field of counter-terrorism, it promotes the implementation of norms adopted by the UN, as well as advancing cooperation among the organization’s participating states, while also ensuring the development of the necessary national capabilities. More information: www.osce.org.

In 2002, the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit was established, which coordinates the activities implemented by the organization and provides support to its participating states. An OSCE Counter-Terrorism Network has been set up facilitate the sharing of information between counter-terrorism experts and practitioners.

The Council of Europe plays a key role in developing legal standards in the fight against terrorism through the use of criminal law and other norms, while emphasising the importance of human rights and the rule of law. The Council of Europe’s action against terrorism is coordinated by the Committee on Counter-Terrorism established under the organisation’s auspices. The Council of Europe’s new Counter-Terrorism Strategy for 2023-2027 was approved on 8 February 2023.