The CSO ‘I want to help refugees’ expressed concerns about recent statements by the Minister of the Interior, Jānis Dombrava, concerning asylum, migration and ‘European norms’, arguing that they misrepresent Latvia's legal obligations under EU, international and national laws. The organisation stated that asylum applications must be accepted and individually assessed and expressed concern that the Minister's remarks could undermine the rule of law, promote intolerance towards asylum seekers, and negatively affect Latvia's international reputation.
It also argued that existing border practices and any further restrictions on access to asylum could expose Latvia to legal challenges before European courts and potential financial penalties. The statement emphasised that the recently adopted EU Pact on Migration and Asylum requires Member States to screen and process asylum applications at the border and maintained that concerns about abuse of the asylum system should be addressed through the asylum procedure rather than by restricting access to it.
- I want to help refugees | Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem (17 June, 2026), Iekšlietu ministra Jāņa Dombravas izteikumi par “Eiropas normām” apdraud Latvijas reputāciju, liecina par Latvijas saistību nepārzināšanu un veicina neiecietību uz etniskā pamata [The statements of the Minister of the Interior Jānis Dombrava about "European norms" threaten the reputation of Latvia, testify to a lack of knowledge of Latvia's obligations and promote intolerance on ethnic grounds],