[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

LATVIA (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Latvia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.  The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its anti-trafficking capacities; therefore Latvia remained on Tier 2.  These efforts included investigating and convicting more traffickers and assigning two specialized prosecutors to consult on trafficking cases.  As part of an international project, the government cooperated with foreign governments on two studies analyzing law enforcement needs in investigating trafficking cases and best practices for victim identification.  Furthermore, the government conducted and funded several national public awareness campaigns, including one on sexual violence against children, including trafficking, and how to report cases and find assistance.  However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas.  Authorities identified significantly fewer victims, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children in state social care centers such as orphanages.  Moreover, police inappropriately penalized trafficking victims for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked.  Many judges, prosecutors, and police lacked a sufficient understanding of all forms of trafficking and how to apply anti-trafficking laws.  Finally, the development and implementation of the NRM remained at a standstill.

Prioritized Recommendations

Proactively identify trafficking victims, particularly children in social care centers forced into commercial sex, victims of sex trafficking in Latvia’s legal commercial sex industry, and labor trafficking victims among vulnerable groups and third country nationals. 

Enforce the non-punishment provision and cease inappropriately penalizing victims solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked. 

Develop and implement an NRM to include guidance on identification, referral, and information exchange among stakeholders. 

Investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers under the trafficking statute (Section 154-1 of the criminal law) rather than for lesser crimes. 

Ensure all victims know their rights, the services available to them, the implications of being formally identified as a trafficking victim, and subsequent possibilities for state protection. 

Broaden legislative parameters to allow all potential foreign victims, regardless of whether authorities classify them as formally identified trafficking victims, sufficient time in country to consider assisting authorities in criminal proceedings. 

Expand efforts to educate officials involved in judicial proceedings, particularly prosecutors and judges, on all forms of trafficking and the application of anti-trafficking laws. 

Increase anti-trafficking training for law enforcement, particularly regional police officers, on working with victims, collecting evidence, and understanding all forms of trafficking and psychological coercion. 

Increase access to shelters and specialized services for male trafficking victims. 

Provide long-term assistance, such as housing, to victims after completion of the state-funded assistance program. 

Issue a new mandate for the anti-trafficking working group to continue its work.