News from the Ombudsman’s Office: December 2023 – January 2024
News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in December of 2023 and January of 2024 (information in links available in Latvian)
Publication of personal data on the Internet
The Ombudsman reminds that it is prohibited to disseminate personally obtained information about a child who has become a victim of a crime, or has committed a violation of the law, as well as such information that could harm the child immediately or in the future. Such photo and video materials must be submitted according to the competence – to the State Police and/or the Orphan’s and Custody Court.
Car succession may infringe children’s rights
At present, the law imposes children who have become the sole owners of vehicles by inheritance have the same responsibility and obligations on as adult owners of vehicles. It also applies to compulsory civil liability motor insurance (OCTA).
Can you be asked to speak a foreign language at the workplace?
The Ombudsman often receives questions whether the employer is entitled to ask an employee to speak a foreign language in Latvia. The short answer is that if the workplace is unjustifiably forced to speak a foreign language, it is also discrimination that is prohibited in Latvia.
A series of talks to combat discrimination “Spark your empathy!”
The Discrimination Prevention Division has been established at the Ombudsman’s Office. We have been working on discrimination issues for a long time, and its topicality does not disappear, this year we launch an educational and inquisitive cycle of ten conversations (with English subtitles on Ombudsman’s Youtube channel) on such signs of discrimination as mental disorders, nationality, age, language, hearing impairment, sexual orientation, visual impairment, gender, religion and social status.
Information campaign on Business and Human Rights
In December, we concluded the information campaign on human rights. The main goal of the campaign was to highlight the importance and role of business interaction with people on the sustainability of companies. A conference on the theme is also expected soon.
Discussion on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the legal system of Latvia
To honour the International Human Rights Day the Ombudsman organised a discussion on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in the legal system of Latvia where legal professionals discussed the role of the Charter as the instrument for human rights protection and implementation of the Charter into the legal system in Latvia.
Events dedicated to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities
On 5 December 2023, the National Library of Latvia held a conference dedicated to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities “Accessibility – the Road We Go” to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with various functional disabilities on a daily basis. Winners of the “Annual Awards for People with Disabilities 2023” were announced and celebrated.