Latvia

Republic of Latvia

Civil lawUnitary parliamentary republicReviewed· 2026-08-02

Capital: Riga
Population: 1,880,000
Languages: Latvian
Currency: EUR

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Latvia · Rights

Rights in Latvia

What the atlas records on rights in Latvia, checked against the primary sources cited below.

Rights

The 1998 rights chapter, the ECHR and the Ombudsman

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

Fundamental rights were added to the Satversme in 1998 and are reinforced by the directly applicable ECHR. The Ombudsman (Tiesībsargs) investigates rights complaints against public bodies.

Key rules

The Satversme's rights chapter is enforced by the Constitutional Court.
The ECHR is directly applicable in Latvian courts.
The Ombudsman handles complaints and can seek constitutional review.

Governing law

Satversme, fundamental-rights chapter (1998)
European Convention on Human Rights

In practice

Language and citizenship questions for the Russian-speaking minority have been recurring rights issues before both domestic and Strasbourg courts.

Sources

Ombudsman of Latvia

Rights

The restored 1922 Satversme and an active Constitutional Court

Reviewed· 2026-08-02

Latvia's 1922 Constitution was restored after independence, with the Saeima electing the President. The Constitutional Court (Satversmes tiesa) reviews legislation, including on individual complaint.

Key rules

The Constitutional Court can annul statutes, including on individual constitutional complaints.
A fundamental-rights chapter was added to the Satversme in 1998.
A minority of deputies or the electorate can suspend or challenge legislation.

Governing law

Constitution of Latvia (Satversme) (1922)

In practice

The individual-complaint route to the Constitutional Court makes it an active guardian of rights, unusually accessible in the region.

Sources

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