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Discover the latest news from the Council of Europe on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Browse news and updates by country, theme and institution.

Countries and Organisations Latvia
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Council of Europe publishes new report on violence against women in Latvia

Council of Europe 16 September 2026 Strasbourg

Progress achieved, but more prevention efforts and victim-support services are needed, especially in rural areas

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Latvia’s experience can help shape Europe’s response to emerging threats to democracy – Alain Berset

Secretary General 11 September 2026 Riga, Latvia

Secretary General highlights Latvia’s frontline experience of hybrid threats and its support for accountability for Ukraine in Riga

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Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset to pay official visit to Latvia

Secretary General 7 September 2026 Strasbourg

Discussions to focus on Ukraine’s future, democratic security, and responses to new threats to democracy

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Conference addresses growing involvement of youth in terrorism and violent extremism

Council of Europe 26 May 2026 Strasbourg

Digital spaces like gaming platforms can allow radicalisation to grow

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Children share their heritage through creativity

European heritage days 5 March 2026 Strasbourg

Topics include range from ancient monuments to village traditions in heritage competition

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Latvia: Progress in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and areas for improvement

MONEYVAL 19 February 2026 Strasbourg

Report of MONEYVAL Committee of Experts

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Latvia should step up efforts to protect persons vulnerable to human trafficking, identify and assist victims

Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) 6 February 2026 Strasbourg

New report from the Council of Europe anti-trafficking expert group

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Current affairs debate on 'Citizens’ mobilisation in the defence of human rights and democracy: recent developments in Latvia'

Parliamentary Assembly 21 November 2025 Strasbourg

PACE’s Standing Committee, meeting in Chisinau, held a current affairs debate on “Citizens’ mobilisation in the defence of human rights and democracy: recent developments in Latvia”, focusing on the unprecedented public mobilisation that followed the attempt to withdraw Latvia from the Istanbul...

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MONEYVAL: Progress in measures to combat money laundering, but shortcomings remain in key areas

MONEYVAL 7 November 2025 Strasbourg

Good performance in international cooperation, supervision of financial institutions

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Statement by Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Rousopoulos on Latvia’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention

Parliamentary Assembly 31 October 2025 Strasbourg

“I am deeply alarmed by the decision of the Latvian Parliament to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, just over a year after it entered into force in the country. This is an unprecedented and deeply worrying step backwards for women’s rights and human rights in Europe. By abandoning the first...

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Parliamentary Assembly Equality Committee Chair deplores the decision of the Latvian Parliament to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention and asks for its reversal

Parliamentary Assembly 31 October 2025

“I am dismayed to learn this week’s final vote of the Latvian Parliament to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, which deprives women victims of violence in Latvia of the protection and support mechanisms of this important Convention which is in application in 37 countries in Europe,” said the...

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Parliamentary Assembly president calls on the Latvian Parliament to vote against leaving the Istanbul Convention, the gold standard legal instrument to prevent and punish violence against women

Parliamentary Assembly 23 October 2025 Strasbourg

Theodoros Rousopoulos, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), made the following statement today: “I am extremely concerned by the fast-tracking of parliamentary votes to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, scheduled in the Saeima today and next week...

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The Chair of the Equality Committee calls on Latvia’s MPs to support the Istanbul Convention

Parliamentary Assembly 2 October 2025 Strasbourg

“It is essential that women who are victims of violence in Latvia can benefit from the protection and support mechanisms of the Istanbul Convention”, said the Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination, Catia Polidori (Italy, EPP/CD). “Members of Parliament sent a strong...

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One third of spending on European original films and series is made by global streamers

European Audiovisual Observatory - Council of Europe 12 September 2025 Strasbourg

The European Audiovisual Observatory has just published a new report on investment in original European films and series made by the main media players in Europe. This new study reveals that total spending on European original works (excluding news and sports rights) amounted to EUR 25.1 billion...

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Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three hearings concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus

Commissioner for Human Rights 13 February 2025 Strasbourg

Third party intervention - The Commissioner intervened yesterday in three hearings before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of R.A. and Others v. Poland,...

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Latvia ratifies the Protocol amending the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons - PC-OC

5 December 2024

On 25 November 2024, Latvia ratified the Protocol amending the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons (CETS No. 222). At the time of ratification, Latvia....

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Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in three cases concerning summary returns of asylum seekers from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland to Belarus

Commissioner for Human Rights 22 October 2024 Strasbourg

Third party intervention - Commissioner O’Flaherty has published today his written comments to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of C.O.C.G. and Others v....

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Local self-government in Iceland, Latvia and Malta: Congress adopts new recommendations

Congress 16 October 2024 Strasbourg

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe at its 47th session has adopted recommendations on the application of the European Charter of Local Self-Government by Iceland, Latvia and Malta. The Congress has called on Iceland to incorporate local self-government into...

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Latvia must strengthen financial autonomy at local level, says Council of Europe Congress

Congrès 16 October 2024 Strasbourg

The Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has called on Latvia to increase revenue potential at the local level, align local financial resources with local competences, simplify supervision and clarify the division of competences. In its recommendation based on a monitoring...

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Secretary General meets Minister of Justice of Latvia

Secretary General 17 April 2024 Strasbourg

Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić has met the Minister of Justice of Latvia Inese Lībiņa-Egnere. During the meeting, they discussed the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the “Riga Principles” adopted at the informal conference of Ministers...

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