After the appointment of the new Minister of the Interior Janis Dombrova, his first order regarding the use of the state language in the performance of official duties by employees of the Ministry of the Interior system caused a wide public resonance. In this regard, the portal Grani.lv addressed the Ministry of the Interior with a number of questions that concern many readers.
Journalists asked the ministry to clarify the following points:
• Will this initiative in any way affect the ability of people who do not speak Latvian to receive assistance? • If, for example, a Russian-speaking pensioner becomes a victim of a crime — robbery or assault — and she does not speak the state language, how will her communication with the police be ensured? • Will police officers be allowed to use other languages in emergency situations if necessary to protect the life, health, or safety of the victim? • What should a foreign tourist do if they become a victim of a crime in Latvia and do not speak Latvian? What communication options are available in such cases? • Will police officers be able to take statements, provide explanations, or ask questions to victims in other languages after the introduction of this initiative if necessary to clarify the circumstances of the incident? • Does the Ministry of the Interior not believe that the requirements for the use of the state language may lead some residents to be afraid to seek help from law enforcement agencies? • Does the ministry plan to develop additional recommendations for police officers and other services to ensure effective communication with people who do not speak the state language? • How does the ministry intend to ensure a balance between strengthening the position of the state language and the residents' right to receive assistance promptly in emergency situations? • Can the ministry confirm that any person, regardless of their native language, will continue to receive full assistance from the police, border guard, and other institutions of the Ministry of the Interior? • Can the ministry guarantee that no one will be denied assistance and no one will receive a lower quality service simply because they do not speak Latvian?
The Ministry of the Interior provided an official response to these questions, clarifying the procedure for implementing the new order and reminding about the existing norms of legislation.
The response from the Ministry of the Interior emphasizes that the minister's order is aimed at strengthening the role of the state language and ensuring its use in the performance of official duties. However, existing legislation provides for a number of exceptions related to ensuring the safety of people and providing assistance.
The ministry reminded that, according to the Law on the State Language, state and municipal institutions accept and consider documents only in the state language, except in cases provided for by law.
In particular, this restriction does not apply to appeals to the police, medical institutions, rescue services, and other institutions in situations related to the commission of crimes, offenses, the need for emergency medical assistance, as well as in cases of fires, accidents, and other emergencies.
Thus, individuals who do not speak Latvian will still be able to seek help from law enforcement agencies and emergency services.
The ministry also clarifies that in cases specifically provided for by regulatory acts, for example, when giving testimony or explanations, if a person does not speak the state language and is forced to use a foreign language, they are provided with translation. If necessary, a translator is involved in the process to help clarify the content of documents or procedural actions.
As noted in the response, this is necessary so that a person can fully exercise their rights and confirm that they understand the information provided to them.
Separately, the agency indicated that correspondence and other forms of communication with foreign states can be conducted in foreign languages. In addition, documents received from abroad may be accepted and considered by state institutions without translation into Latvian.
The Ministry of the Interior also reported that the responsibility for implementing the minister's order in daily work lies with the heads of institutions and immediate supervisors, who organize the internal work of the departments and control the performance of official duties by employees.
Thus, the ministry emphasizes that the introduced requirements for the use of the state language do not cancel the legally provided mechanisms for assisting people who do not speak Latvian, including victims of crimes, foreign tourists, and other individuals who require assistance from state services.
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