Ombudsperson Karina Palkova briefs the Parliament (Saeima) on accomplishments achieved in 2025 and objectives set for 2026

On Thursday, May 21, Ombudsperson Karina Palkova presented the annual report to the Parliament (Saeima) on the work of the Ombudsman’s Office, noting that the year 2025 was a year of change for the Ombudsman’s Office, which, alongside the usual pace of work, required the ability to concentrate on priorities, become more open, and be more proactive in assessing areas where the risks of human rights violations are increasing.

In 2025, the Ombudsman’s Office covered a wide range of issues, and the workload increased significantly toward the end of the year. The Ombudsman’s Office in Latvia has become more open, proactive, and visible in the public sphere, and the people have acknowledged this.

Significant work has also been accomplished on the international stage; The United Nations Accreditation Committee has once again granted us the highest “A” status, thereby confirming that the Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia meets the highest international standards for the protection of human rights. This means that we are a human rights institution that is independent of political influence and accessible to the public, and that has statutory authority to protect every citizen from actions by the state and local governments that do not comply with human rights standards.

Last year, the Ombudsman’s Office received 2,499 submissions, which is nearly 30% more than in 2024. This reflects not only the public’s trust but also their willingness to defend their rights and utilize legal protection mechanisms.

“Since taking office, I’ve been emphasizing that I’m not only the Ombudsperson representing Riga and the surrounding areas, but the entire country of Latvia. I’ve made several regional visits, met with local governments and municipal institutions, and personally visited various organizations in the regions. And this has led to results, as early as by the end of last year, we saw an increase in engagement from residents from various regions – we’re receiving more complaints and seeing more residents from the regions coming in for in-person consultations. I am truly pleased about these developments,” said Ombudsman K. Palkova.

In her speech, the Ombudsperson devotes considerable attention to citizens’ initiatives, as every individual submission is important. This serves as a signal that helps reveal the bigger picture of systemic shortcomings in regulations or their enforcement that already infringe upon or may in the future affect fundamental rights. The review of each individual case gives the Ombudsman’s Office and other institutions the opportunity to identify and address violations in a timely manner, as well as to implement the necessary changes before more serious consequences arise.

Topics for 2025:

• Withdrawal of citizenship from young people who have acquired dual citizenship
• Violence in schools
• Violations of child rights in out-of-home care facilities (orphanages)
• Long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions for adults (nursing homes)
• Creation of a new form of support for children conceived as a result of a criminal offense and whose paternity has not been established
• Improvement of the system for real estate encumbrances and compensations
• Legal regulation regarding entertainment noise
• Lack of grounds for detention in abbreviated court judgments
• Legal regulation of wind power plants
• Freedom of speech: Journalist safety plan and Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
• Media accessibility
• Accessibility of online survey platforms

Key priorities set by the Ombudsperson for 2026:

• protection of children’s rights
• advocacy for the interests of socially vulnerable groups
• equal access to health care services
• combating violence and protecting victims of domestic violence
• as well as reducing digital exclusion and ensuring digital safety

In 2025, 75 investigation cases were initiated, and 88 cases were completed, including those initiated in 2024. A total of 408 recommendations were issued, aimed at resolving specific problems and amending laws and procedures that do not comply with human rights requirements. It is worth noting that compliance with the Ombudsman’s Office’s recommendations is on the rise. This demonstrates both the effectiveness of the Ombudsman’s Office’s work and the willingness of state and local government institutions to improve their operations.

“I would like to thank the Parliament (Saeima) for its understanding and support of human rights initiatives and for its constructive cooperation over the past few months. The improvement of legislation confirms that it is possible to achieve a common understanding and unified action on human rights issues; the key is the ability to communicate respectfully, to listen, and to truly hear one another. “Thank you for your attention and for the time you have dedicated to human rights issues today and in the future!” concluded Ombudsperson Karina Palkova in her closing remarks.