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.

SELECT YEAR

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

Reported police and prosecution figures consist of incitement of hatred cases. Three of the cases recorded by police may have involved violence or threats.

National developments

In 2016, the Ombudsman's Office published a study on the "Issues of Investigating Hate Crimes and Hate Speech in the Republic of Latvia". The study recommended a more strategic approach to addressing hate crimes, strengthening the implementation of criminal law and conduct prevention activities. The study further noted that law enforcement agencies do not have a uniform understanding of the concept of hate crime and recommended the development of a methodology for recognizing, identifying and investigating hate crimes. Improvements to hate crime recording and data collection were also suggested.

The Ombudsman's Office also organized its annual conference on hate crime and hate speech.

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	Show info
2016-01	Attacks against property	Latvian Centre for Human Rights	Show info
2016-01	Threats	Latvian Centre for Human Rights	Show info
2016-12	Violent attacks against people	Latvian Centre for Human Rights	Show info
2016-01	Threats	SETA	Show info

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.