The Ministry of Justice had a productive year in 2024, continuing to strengthen national security through new criminal justice tools, developing enforcement processes, human resources and infrastructure, as well as protecting victims' and children's rights.
"In the new world order, marked by Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, we all have a great responsibility to see and address the risks to society and to Latvia's statehood by preventing attempts to undermine Latvia's statehood under the guise of the supposed fundamental values of a democratic society. That is why the Ministry of Justice has worked hard to ensure that every person, and society as a whole, can feel safe, by toughening penalties for threats to national security, combating violence, strengthening penal systems and re-socialisation processes, and supporting Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor state. In 2025, we will continue the work we have started, standing together as the guardians of the rule of law for our Latvia."
1. Strengthening national security through criminal means. Amendments to the Criminal Code promoted by the Ministry of Justice have entered into force, which provide for tougher penalties for a range of criminal offences, including those related to national security. The penalty for aiding a foreign state in an act against Latvia will be up to ten years' imprisonment instead of the current five years. Deliberate evasion of mobilisation will also be punishable by up to one year's imprisonment, while a reserve soldier or serviceman who evades mobilisation will be sentenced to up to three years' imprisonment.
2. The internal security of the country has been strengthened by increasing the capacity of the Prison Administration. A substantial salary increase has been achieved for Prison Administration officials from 1 January 2025. The additional funding is an important contribution to strengthening the internal security of the country in the light of the geopolitical context and to strengthening the penal enforcement system as a whole. The largest percentage increase in salaries will be around 30% for guards, wardens and inspectors.
3. Construction of the new Liepaja prison and improvement of the execution of sentences. The construction of the new Liepaja Prison, which will be the most modern and secure prison in the Baltics, is entering its final stage. The new prison will be a major innovation in Latvia's penal enforcement system, ensuring the country's internal security. It will offer new and extensive opportunities for re-socialisation to reduce re-offending after serving a sentence.
4. Vehicles registered in Belarus and Russia will be banned from road traffic in Latvia. If a vehicle is found to be used on the road in Latvia, it will be confiscated and handed over without compensation to Ukraine for general support in the fight against the aggressor state Russia. From 1 January 2025, a wide range of means of securing the enforcement of a fine will also be applicable if the administrative offence is committed with a vehicle registered abroad or with a vehicle driven by a foreign person. One or more of these measures, including wheel locks, may be applied to facilitate the payment of administrative fines.
5. Combating violence in society and reforming criminal penalties - increased liability for crimes of violence against family members, intentional causing of bodily harm, threats to commit murder or serious bodily harm, stalking, unlawful deprivation of liberty, kidnapping and others. The Criminal Code also establishes that a person under the age of 14 is in a helpless state if a sexual offence has been committed against him.
6. Latvian support to Ukraine and strengthening the international rule of law. The Ministry of Justice actively promotes Ukraine's agenda for restoring the rule of law at both national and international level - in the European Union, the Council of Europe and the UN. This year Latvia has allocated €200,000 to strengthen the capacity of the International Criminal Court to support the fastest and most effective possible investigation of crimes of aggression and war crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine.
7. Protection of children's rights. The Government has supported the establishment of a Children and Youth Safe House for high-risk adolescents, initiated by the Ministry of Justice. The Children and Youth Safe House is planned to be operational in 2027 and will also be an educational coercive measure to be used in cases where a child's behaviour endangers him/herself or others. In 2025, the foundation "Allaži Family and Child Support Centre" will provide temporary support to children and young people at high risk. Under the guidance of specialists, work will be done to change the child's behaviour in order to fully and safely integrate the child into everyday life and society. In order to protect the interests of children, the Ministry of Justice has found the possibility to increase the amount of maintenance paid from the Maintenance Guarantee Fund from 2025, within the limits of resources.