In the run-up to the elections, the ombudsman receives more politicized appeals 0 7

According to Palkova, the total number of appeals received by the Ombudsman's Bureau has significantly increased recently. She explains this both by the change of the ombudsman and by the desire to make the institution as open and accessible to society as possible, including holding in-person consultations with residents once a month.

When asked if she feels the approach of the elections to the Saeima in her work, Palkova answered affirmatively, noting that the appeals raise very complex and difficult-to-resolve issues that are also on the agenda of politicians.

"Let's put it this way: a period of societal tension is beginning, and we feel it in the appeals — we are increasingly having to respond to politically charged questions," the ombudsman explained.

According to her, the institution has recently provided answers to questions concerning, for example, the number of genders, language, migration, and other topics. "Of course, the appeals are becoming somewhat politicized, but we work based on human rights documents," Palkova emphasized.

She predicts that as the elections for the 15th Saeima, which will take place in the fall, approach, the political coloring of the questions addressed to the Ombudsman's Bureau will only intensify.

As previously reported, this year the work of the ombudsman will focus primarily on protecting human rights in everyday situations, where residents most often encounter illegal, disproportionate, or unjustified actions or inactions of the state or local governments, the Ombudsman's Bureau previously informed the LETA agency.

In particular, the work will aim to protect children's rights, including the child's right to a safe and emotionally supportive environment in educational institutions, protecting children from violence and cyberbullying, as well as ensuring timely and accessible health and mental health care.

It is also planned that Palkova will pay attention this year to protecting patients' rights, strengthening respectful treatment, providing clear information to patients, and ensuring effective mechanisms for protecting patients' rights that align with human rights.

At the same time, attention will be paid to reducing digital inequality, with a particular focus on the opportunities for elderly people, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups to access digital state, financial, and medical services, preventing digital discrimination.

Particular importance will be placed on protecting the rights of people in institutional care — in nursing homes, social centers, children's institutions, and other long-term or closed care facilities.

Among the ombudsman's priorities, a human rights-based approach to migration and asylum issues was also highlighted, ensuring a balance between state security interests and the protection of fundamental individual rights.

Furthermore, the Ombudsman's Bureau emphasizes the importance of good governance as the foundation of democracy and state resilience based on human rights, where the actions of the state and local governments serve the individual rather than formal procedures.

In fulfilling the educational function provided for by the Ombudsman Law, in 2026, the institution will pay special attention to strengthening the understanding of human rights in society and in the field of public administration, promoting uniform and rights-based application of legal norms in practice.

Karina Palkova, a professor at the University of Stradins in Riga and a lawyer, was appointed as the ombudsman by the Saeima in September last year.