The number of appeals from residents of Latvia to their main human rights defender increased by 28.5%. The top three concerns are related to the principle of good governance (16%), children's rights (15%), and the right to a fair trial (12%).
In 9 out of 10 cases, the ombudsman institution limits itself to responding to applicants, and only the result of one-tenth becomes recommendations for government institutions.
"People should not suffer from this"
As Karina Palkova (appointed in September last year after a scandal involving the previous ombudsman Juris Jansons) told the Saeima Commission on Human Rights and Public Affairs, a large part of her institution's activities involves clarifying regulations.
– We have a very good Law on the Protection of Children's Rights, and the Criminal Code is impeccable, but – the application sometimes does not correspond. Then we try to regulate something.
Last year, more than two-thirds of the ombudsman's wishes were fulfilled. "And for this, a huge thank you to all the parties involved, both the Saeima deputies and the ministers, local governments. Because one thing is clear: we can state anything, but if you do not have a cooperating partner, an institution that knows and wants to solve the issues, we will not get far."
In 2025, the ombudsman submitted 9 opinions to the Constitutional Court and sent 51 to executive authorities. Among the topics relevant to human rights protection were:
- Improvement of the system of burdens on real estate and compensations;
- Legal regulation of "entertainment noise";
- Lack of justification for detention in shortened court sentences;
- Legal regulation of wind power plants.
Teachers can be offended by anyone
K. Palkova pointed out a distressing trend – in schools, teachers are increasingly suffering from emotional and even physical violence from students and their parents. The reputation of teachers is being destroyed by biased videos posted on social media.
– There are many complaints about social centers, particularly regarding the quality of health care. It must be said that social workers have a huge workload, and the demands are high. The threshold for rewards fluctuates greatly, and the requirements of local governments vary as well; the number of people cared for is different everywhere. One thing is clear – people in institutions should not suffer: there are pensioners there, and people with disabilities.
Hitting means not loving
Chairwoman of the parliamentary commission Leila Rasima ("Progressives") reminded of the notorious case of a murder in Jekabpils – a young woman killed by her former, toxic husband. How well are the mechanisms for protecting against domestic violence established in Latvia? The ombudsman acknowledged that they are used as a "technical, tactical move." Women sometimes call her office asking where they could seek shelter.
– Here, our consultants, in my opinion, perform their tasks very well. They clearly explain what needs to be done, where to turn.
During K. Palkova's more than six-month tenure at the head of the human rights institution, she has not had to deal with direct threats to women's lives.
Another silenced issue was raised: what happens to children whose birth certificates list "unknown" in the "father" field. In some cases, this is a consequence of sexual violence… As explained by the head of the child rights protection department, Laila Gravere, the state has not had grounds to pay for their maintenance, as it is unclear – in place of whom?
– A completely different mechanism needs to be created here. One ministry looks at another. We spoke with the Ministry of Justice. The criminal process takes place in court, where there is evidence, such as DNA, confirming the child's origin.
"We are talking about a very narrow group who were in orphanages and who themselves became pregnant as a result of a crime," noted L. Gravere. "A painful topic," sighed L. Rasima.
"Children who are needed by no one"
A very large number of complaints are received about the work of orphan courts. According to the ombudsman, they should focus on protecting the family and the child, but instead, they are overloaded with unnecessary work. Karina Palkova believes it is necessary to review their functions and transfer some to local governments.
The Supreme Court has already received the ombudsman's opinion.
The ombudsman noted that parents, when separating, sometimes maliciously try to tarnish each other's reputation to gain custody of the child. Evidence is gathered – for example, that one of the parents is yelling. "It is quite easy to obtain temporary legal protection status to remove the child."
– It turns out that a divorced father loses the right to see his child, said deputy Jurgis Klotins (National Alliance). "This is disproportionate," agreed Karina Palkova. Workers in orphan courts must be able to negotiate with children – "well, this is your dad, go up to him."
In Latvia, it also happens that local governments do not accept clients from institutions for minors who, as it turns out, are registered in another municipality.
– Right now, there are children in the state who are needed by no one, K. Palkova acknowledged.
"A child should not be a ball that we throw from side to side," the ombudsman responded about cases of abandonment of children in institutional facilities, "Can you imagine what happens in the mind of a five- or six-year-old child who is tossed from one place to another?"
Is there justice for all in the country?
Maya Krastina, head of the Naktsmieru Rīgai society (fighting against "entertainment noise"), addressed the ombudsman: "People have nowhere to turn, no money to hire a lawyer. That is why they turn to your office. If a person has money, then only then can they achieve justice."
– You have raised a very painful issue, K. Palkova acknowledged. – Starting this summer, there will be free legal assistance in the Constitutional Court.
"We perform the functions of the state and local government," continued the ombudsman. "People very often write to us if they have lost in the Supreme and Constitutional Courts, all options have been exhausted, and only the European Court remains."
– Behind each application, there is a problem. Of course, everything comes down to the budget. It would be great if there were consulting centers with lawyers. We do have public organizations…
Another characteristic of the current situation in the Saeima is that at the meeting with the ombudsman, there was not a single so-called "Russian" deputy, and issues of national minorities were not raised even once. Does that mean everything is fine?
BIOGRAPHY
Karina Palkova (née Petrosyan), born in 1986, Doctor of Law, lawyer specializing in medical cases. Her promotional work at the University of Stradins in 2020 was dedicated to the protection of the rights of minor patients.
In 2012-13, she ran for the Jurmala City Council from the "Unity" party and was an assistant to deputy Janis Reirs (later Minister of Finance). She later left the party.
