The Latvian Ombudsman has highlighted a fragmented approach to investigating violence cases in the country, stressing the need for legal reforms to ensure better protection of children's rights.
On February 10, during discussions in the Saeima's Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee, it was revealed that there is a consensus among deputies and sector representatives regarding the fragmented system in place for addressing violence cases in Latvia. The Children’s Protection Center (BAC) has been identified as the responsible institution that should handle such cases, suggesting a shift in the current legal framework to enhance overall accountability and efficiency in investigations.
The issue of violence in educational institutions has been a pressing concern, with the BAC reporting a significant number of submissions regarding potential abuse. In 2024 alone, out of 625 submissions, 276 were related to potential violence by officials from state or local authority institutions where children are present. This represents a staggering 44% of all submissions related to possible violations of children's rights, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues within the Latvian education system.
Of the 276 submissions regarding violence, the majority pertained to emotional abuse, with 60% citing such incidents, followed by physical abuse at 23%. The findings indicate a substantial prevalence of emotional and physical abuse, which demands a comprehensive evaluation and reform of the existing legal procedures to better protect vulnerable children and foster a safer environment in schools and other institutions.
