From 23 to 25 February 2021, the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Committee) examined, at its remote 69th session, the Periodic Report on the implementation of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Covenant) in Latvia over the time period between 2008 and 2017 (Periodic Report).
The Latvian delegation was headed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andris Pelšs. The delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and Rīga Stradiņš University. In his remarks, the Head of Latvia’s delegation highlighted rulings made by the Constitutional Court in the areas of social security, family law and education. An overview was given of measures to facilitate naturalisation, and information was provided on educational reform, the Ombudsman’s Office, access to cultural sites by persons with disabilities, and support for the health care system.
The Committee reviewed the report in four parts (Articles 1-5, 6-9, 10-12, and 13-15 of the Covenant). On the first day, the Committee and the delegation exchanged information on the overall implementation of the Covenant in Latvia’s national legal system, the prohibition of discrimination, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Covenant, the right to work, the right to form and join trade unions, social security, and support rendered to the Ombudsman’s Office for the performance of his functions.
On the second day, the dialogue focused on the topics of social protection, occupational safety, the protection of family and the and the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. Finally, on the third day, the Committee and the delegation continued a dialogue on the right to health and the right to education and the right to take part in cultural life. The Committee also considered alternative reports by the Ombudsman and various NGOs.
During the review, the Committee underlined, on a number of occasions, Latvia’s success in the field of economic, social and cultural rights since the previous review and commended the measures launched to guarantee the rights enshrined in the Covenant. Follow the review proceedings for Latvia’s Periodic Report in videos on the United Nations Web TV.
The Committee will publish its final conclusions on the Periodic Report after the closing of the 69th session on 8 March 2021.