On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Latvia LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Latvia country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Latvia COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Latvia.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Latvia is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
The Republic of Latvia acceded to both the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 1997. Latvia has also acceded to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness in 1992 and to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons in 1999.
Additionally, as a Member State of the European Union, Latvia is subject to the Common European Asylum System. The Common European Asylum System conditions in Latvia are being met by direct implementation of the EU instructions.
At the domestic level, asylum issues are regulated by the new Asylum Law , which entered into force in January 2016. Procedures for family reunification and issuance of residence permits are determined by the Immigration Law.
In the Republic of Latvia, the application for the granting of a refugee or alternative status is examined by the Asylum Affairs Department of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
Legal aid organisations
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Address: Rīga, Alberta iela 13, LV-1010
Email: gribupalidzetbegliem@gmail.com
“I want to help refugees” (“Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem”) is a movement that provides immediate help to asylum seekers in difficulty with the help of volunteers.
For Ukrainians seeking refuge in Latvia, click here if you need their help with travel, accommodation, employment opportunities, legal help or anything else.
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Address: Skolas iela 21 Riga, Latvia-LV-1010
Tel: +371 67 039 290
Email: office@humanrights.org.lv
Latvian Centre for Human Rights provides free-of-charge legal aid to asylum seekers in Latvia. For more information on their services, visit their ‘Legal Assistance‘ page.
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Address:
Lāčplēša iela 75 – 1 B, Riga, Latvia
Tel: +371 67 898 343
Email: drosa.maja@gmail.com
Society “Shelter “Safe House”” was established in 2007 with the aim to develop support services to victims of human trafficking, and legal immigrants— including asylum seekers, refugees and persons granted subsidiary protection status. The focus on ensuring the right to receive adequate assistance and protection; promoting rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking into the society; creating interactive forms of training, and expanding cooperation with state and local government institutions, public and Christian organizations in Latvia and worldwide.
They provide assistance to victims of human trafficking, offering a variety of services, including interpreter services, assistance in drawing up legal documents, and representation in court.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
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Address: Šarlotes iela 1D, Riga, Latvia
Tel: +371 67 336 651
Email: secretariat@redcross.lv
The Latvian Red Cross (hereafter – LatRC) is a non-governmental non-profit volunteer-led humanitarian organization. Its operations cover the whole territory of Latvia. LatRC local divisions are located in each district, and each district has branches located in cities, municipalities and organisations – 14 branches in total. LatRC provides assistance as close as possible to the places where people reside.
One of their central areas of assistance is support to refugees and asylum seekers.
To reach out, visit their Contact page.
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Address: Tērbatas iela 69, Riga, Latvia
Tel: +371 24 551 700
Email: skalbes@skalbes.lv
Skalbes is an organization with both paid staff and volunteers with experience and relevant knowledge to provide professional help, support and information to people in crisis, including migrants and refugees. They offer free psychological counselling available to Latvian residents.
Their hotline for psychological crises is open 24 hours:
- Lattelecom hotline: +371 67 22 29 22
- Bites hotline: +371 27 72 22 92
Latvia LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Latvia.
Latvia COI
Find Latvia Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023