In a report published today on corruption prevention in Latvia in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) regrets the lack of measures concerning regulation on lobbying, parliamentary ethics and conflicts of interest.
Despite draft amendments which are reportedly geared towards enhancing transparency of law making, as well as increasing accountability of parliamentarians for ethical misconduct, GRECO considers Saeima's record on the implementation of some key recommendations disappointing.
However, there has been progress concerning recommendations made to the judiciary.
Several legislative amendments have been passed to enlarge and strengthen the responsibilities of the Judicial Council in the appointment, reappointment and career progression of judges, thereby limiting the role of the executive and legislative powers in such processes.
Amendments have also been introduced to review the statute of limitations for disciplinary offences concerning improper conduct of judges.
Concrete measures have been taken to provide prosecutors with training in ethics and integrity.
The abolishment of administrative immunity for judges and prosecutors remains an outstanding issue though.
GRECO concludes that Latvia has implemented satisfactorily or dealt with in a satisfactory manner nine of the fourteen recommendations and asks for additional information about pending recommendations by the end of 2019.
- Link to the report in Latvian
(unofficial translation, as provided by the authorities of Latvia)
Contact: Estelle Steiner, Spokesperson/Press Officer, Tel. +33 3 88 41 33 35