On 26 May 2005, the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament) ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe (the Convention). The term “national minorities” not being defined in the Convention, the Saeima decided that it, in the meaning of the Convention, shall “apply to citizens of Latvia who differ from Latvians in terms of their culture, religion or language, who have traditionally lived in Latvia for generations and consider themselves to belong to the State and society of Latvia, who wish to preserve and develop their culture, religion or language”.
When defining the concept of ‘national minorities’, Latvia relied on definitions by the States Parties to the Convention, adding an important element – unless specific exceptions are prescribed by the law, “persons who are not citizens of Latvia or another State but who permanently and legally reside in the Republic of Latvia, do not belong to a national minority within the meaning of the Convention as defined in the declaration submitted by Latvia, but who identify themselves with a national minority that meets the definition contained in the declaration, enjoy the rights prescribed in the Convention”.
Upon ratifying the Convention, the Saeima also adopted two declarations stating that Latvia regards Paragraph 2 of Article 10 and Paragraph 3 of Article 11 of the Convention governing the use of certain minority languages in topographical indications and communication with administrative authorities as binding as far as they do not contradict the Satversme (Constitution of Latvia) and other laws and regulations effective in the Republic of Latvia governing the use of the official language.
On 9 October 2023 the Convention's Consultative Committee adopted its fourth opinion on Latvia (Opinion) and on 22 February 2024 it was published on the Council of Europe website together with Latvia's comments on the Opinion, available here: Specific monitoring in Latvia of the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - National Minorities (FCNM) (coe.int). Work is currently underway on the adoption of the respective Committee of Ministers (Deputy level) Resolution. The adoption of the Resolution will conclude the fourth monitoring cycle under the Convention. The Latvian Government will continue its dialogue with the Consultative Committee during the next cycle of monitoring the implementation, which will begin upon the submission of the national report.
On 2 April 2025, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted the Resolution on the implementation of the Convention in Latvia, thereby concluding the fourth monitoring cycle. The Resolution acknowledges Latvia’s progress in promoting social integration, including support for minority cultural activities, language and education programmes, as well as the reduction in the number of non‑citizens. It contains 18 recommendations, five of which are for immediate action. These recommendations are non‑binding, and Latvia reaffirms its commitment to continue fulfilling its obligations under the Convention and to maintain dialogue with the Advisory Committee.
For immediate action, Latvia is encouraged to:
- broaden its integration policy by placing greater emphasis on intercultural dialogue and minority rights;
- ensure equal access for Roma children to quality inclusive education;
- regularly assess demand for minority language learning and provide opportunities across all education levels;
- evaluate the impact of the transition to instruction solely in Latvian on minority children’s educational outcomes, ensuring appropriate support measures.
For further action, Latvia is invited to:
- strengthen measures to reduce discrimination and inequality, particularly affecting the Roma community;
- improve legislation to ensure full protection against discrimination;
- establish multi‑year financial planning for minority cultures and languages;
- promote access to quality media content in minority languages;
- safeguard the right of minority communities to use their languages freely in private and public life.
The Resolution is available: Resolution CM/ResCMN(2025)3.