Meeting with the CoE FCNM Advisory Committee

On Thursday, 2 March the Ombudsman and representatives of the Office met with the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The meeting took place during the 4th monitoring visit to Latvia.

Participants of the meeting discussed the capacity of the Ombudsman’s Office, including all types of resources available to perform the functions of the Ombudsman enshrined in the law. Members of the Advisory Committee inquired about the situation of Roma in Latvia and the role of the Ombudsman in protecting and promoting Roma rights and awareness-raising. Experts of the Ombudsman’s Office informed the Advisory Committee about cooperation with the Roma consultant and regional mediators, 2021/2022 report on Roma situation in Latvia and about information campaign launched in February “Nationality is an opportunity. Roma — one of us”.

Members of the Advisory Committee were also interested in Ombudsman’s opinion on the hate speech and the crimes due to nationality in Latvia – the reasons for such crimes, and actions of the responsible authorities to resolve the matter.

For reference

The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities visits each state every five years to monitor the implementation of the Framework Convention. Latvia ratified the Convention in 2005. Afters its visit, the Advisory Committee will adopt an Opinion (monitoring report), on which the authorities will be invited to comment. The Opinion should be published when these comments are received. The monitoring cycle closes when the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopts a resolution.