On 18 July 2025, the UN Commission on Human Rights released its fourth report on Latvia. The report raises serious concerns about human rights violations at the Latvian-Belarusian border during the 2021/2023 state of emergency, including instances of refoulement, ill-treatment (e.g. alleged use of electric shocks), and lack of basic necessities and asylum access. It also highlights that detained asylum seekers lack free legal aid, hindering access to justice.
The Commission recommends that Latvia:
- Guarantee access to territory and fair asylum procedures, upholding the principle of non-refoulement at all times;
- Independently investigate all reports of refoulement and abuse;
- Provide training for border officials on refugee and asylum protections;
- Limit detention of asylum seekers to exceptional cases and ensure legal aid is available throughout the process.