On 27 May 2021, political consultations concerning cooperation on human rights issues were held in a video-conference format between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Netherlands. The consultations were co-chaired by the Under-Secretary of State, Political Director Jānis Mažeiks, for Latvia, and the Netherlands was represented by the Human Rights Ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bahia Tahzib-Lie.
The safety of journalists in Belarus and Russia was highlighted as current development in human rights of immediate and pressing importance. A common EU response was also discussed, including through the introduction and implementation of the new European Union’s Global Human Rights Sanctions regime.
The diplomats commended the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in international organisations and platforms, especially in the field of media freedom and gender equality. Bahia Tahzib-Lie spoke positively on what Latvia has been doing in favour of media freedom internationally in order to ensure the safety of journalists, promote gender equality and to eliminate violence against women. Rule of law, gender equality, promotion of women’s rights and women’s empowerment, freedom of speech and freedom of the media were highlighted as areas for future cooperation.
Both countries underlined the need for continued provision of support for civil society in the region. Jānis Mažeiks invited the Netherlands to join international projects being implemented by Latvia with the aim of supporting the media, journalists and civil society as well as promoting gender equality. Views were exchanged on the ways that Latvia and the Netherlands can cooperate in groups of like-minded countries and coalitions to foster and support human rights.