Latvia
Latvia regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Latvia's criminal code contains a general penalty enhancement. Data reported to ODIHR also include offences of incitement to hatred. Data are collected by the Ministry of Interior, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Analysis and Management of the Prosecutor General's Office, the Courts Administration unit of the Ministry of Justice and the Security Police of the Republic of Latvia. Data are not made publicly available.
OFFICIAL DATA
Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2019 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2018 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2017 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2016 | 11 | 7 | 0 |
2015 | 11 | 1 | 5 |
2014 | 13 | 7 | 9 |
2013 | 22 | 0 | Not available |
2012 | 18 | 2 | 2 |
2011 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
2010 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
2009 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
About 2016 Data
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Reported police and prosecution figures consist of incitement of hatred cases. Three of the cases recorded by police may have involved violence or threats.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHER SOURCES
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
---|---|---|---|
2016-01 | Violent attacks against people | Latvian Centre for Human Rights
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2016-01 | Attacks against property | Latvian Centre for Human Rights
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2016-01 | Threats | Latvian Centre for Human Rights
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2016-12 | Violent attacks against people | Latvian Centre for Human Rights
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2016-01 | Threats | SETA
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INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
In its report, the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Latvia recommended the strengthening of the hate crime provisions in criminal law and that the authorities organize training on hate crimes for police and judicial officials.
In his report following a visit to Latvia, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe urged the authorities to build the capacity of police, prosecutors and judges to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish all hate crimes.
Anti-LGBTI hate crime
In his report following a visit to Latvia, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe recommended that the authorities improve responses to homophobic and transphobic hate crime, as well as training for police, prosecutors and judges. He further recommended the inclusion of homophobic and transphobic biases as aggravating circumstances in the criminal code.
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR observes that Latvia has not reported on hate crimes separately from cases of hate speech.