News from the Ombudsman’s Office: July 2025
News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in July 2025 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).
To-do list for those involved in the educational process
With the new school year approaching, the Ombudsman wished to remind local governments and heads of schools about several issues regarding preparation for the new school year, including provision of school supplies, clear rules regarding the use of smart devices for pupils, especially up to Grade 6, the earliest start time of classes and adult companion in school buses.
Ombudsman replies: Are there any obligations for apartment owners due to house renovation?
People have turned to the Ombudsman’s Office asking whether and what are the obligations of apartment owners when renovating an apartment building in which their property – an apartment – is located? Everything, including the agreement on costs, the progress of works and also the responsibility associated with settlements, is in the hands of apartment owners. If not only savings, but also external funding has been obtained for renovation process then full responsibility for the credit payment rests with all the apartment owners.
Young people who have voluntarily completed the National Defence Service must have clear conditions regarding the possibility of obtaining a budget position in a higher education institution
Young people who have voluntarily served in the National Defence Service must have access to clear and understandable conditions to qualify for a state-funded study places at a university or college. In July, Deputy Ombudsman Ineta Piļāne invited representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education and Science to discuss the current procedure.
Ombudsman replies: Is it permissible not to admit students to vocational school if they have acquired primary education according to special programme?
The Ombudsman’s Office has received a question from a resident, whether a vocational school providing secondary vocational education programmes, may refuse to admit a young person who has acquired primary education according to special programme. The short answer is that there is no legal basis for refusing to admit the pupil, but it should be taken into account that he/she will parallelly have to study both the profession and secondary education programme.
Ombudsman’s Office conducts research: rotation in the civil service – promotion or punishment?
The Ombudsman’s Office is launching a study on the transfer of civil servants, often referred to as rotation. The complaints received give the impression, prima facie, that rotation of civil servants is being used to deal with uncomfortable officials. Is this the case and how effective is the transfer of officials? The answers to these questions require more research into the problem. Therefore, the Ombudsman’s Office has sent questionnaires – one to state institutions and the other to civil servants and invites replies by 1 September.
Expenses of local governments for the needs of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers must be compensated without delay
The Ombudsman’s Office has approached the Prime Minister with a request to the government to assess as soon as possible how expenses will be compensated to those local governments that provide for the needs of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. The problem is that the workload of some municipal Orphan’s and Custody Courts has increased significantly, but it is still not clear whether and when the state will allocate additional funding. Ropaži municipality currently faces a particular burden.
Rule of Law Report. What is the situation in Latvia?
Rule of law guarantees democracy and citizens’ rights and freedoms; it is one of the fundamental values of the European Union (EU). Although each Member State has their national laws, they must act in accordance with EU requirements to jointly promote the interests of democratic countries and the rights of individuals. For the sixth year in a row, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has been inviting participating institutions to report on the situation in their country, focusing on various aspects of human rights and rule of law. The report is an opportunity to see Latvia in relation to other EU countries, to assess aspects where our country manages to implement good practices and where improvements are needed. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Ombudsman’s Office to show what the institution has done to strengthen human rights in Latvia.