Latvia - March 2024

On 6 March, the President promulgated amendments to the Law on Associations and Foundations, which make it mandatory for NGOs to specify their “scope of activity,” namely to clarify the nature of their operations. The changes are intended to fill data gaps in the activities of NGOs and improve monitoring to reduce the vulnerability of civil society. The Ministry of Justice has observed underreporting when such classification is voluntary. Further, the amendments make it easier for authorities to liquidate inactive NGOs, or those with financial violations, in order to counteract “shell organizations” used for money laundering and terrorist financing. In its most recent review, experts in the Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL committee recommended that Latvia systematically identify non-profit organisations at a higher risk of financing of terrorism. According to a 2019 report from the Latvian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), NGOs generally do not provide direct terrorist financing but can act as intermediaries to attract funding and conceal the money’s purpose or use.

Sources: Saeima Press Service, Saeima, Likumi, Vestnesis, LV, Council of Europe, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, FIU

On 21 March, Parliament approved amendments to social benefits legislation which enable parents, foster families or out-of-family carers to apply for disability-related benefits on behalf of young people who are unable to express the will to claim benefits due to severe functional limitations and health disorders, once they reach the age of majority (18). In such situations, young people with disabilities, who relied on support as minors, can continue to receive benefits when they reach adulthood and become legally competent. Previously, young people with disabilities relied on a decision from more time-consuming court procedures to receive support, via the establishment of guardianship.

Sources: Saeima Press Service, Saeima, Likumi, Vestnesis, LV (1), LV (2)