According to various studies and surveys, the prevalence of hate crimes and hate speech in Latvia is very high. According to the State Police, 121 applications have been received for alleged hate crimes between 2016 and 2020. But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as in around 80% of cases individuals choose not to report hate speech and hate crimes. Within the framework of the project “Capacity Building and Awareness Raising to Prevent and Counter Intolerance in Latvia” (Calder), the expertise of 64 judges, public prosecutors, state and municipal police officers has been improved in the identification of hate speech and hate crimes, effective investigation thereof and application of legal norms, as well as the current legal framework has been evaluated.
In order to present results of the CALDER project, the Society Integration Foundation in cooperation with its partners – the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, the Court Administration, the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Latvia and the State Police invites you to participate in the final conference of the project, which will take place on 13 January from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Ministry of the Interior, Large Conference Hall (Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga).
During the conference, the research “Hate Crime and Hate Speech. International Standards, Legal Framework and Practice in Latvia” will be presented, discussions on current issues and challenges in the field of hate crimes and hate speech will take place and there will be an opportunity to get acquainted with the experience of Finland in effective identification and punishment of hate speech and hate crimes.
The conference is expected to be attended by law enforcement officials, representatives of various responsible state institutions, NGOs and universities, as well as journalists.
The conference will be held in Latvian and English. Simultaneous interpreting will be provided.
Conference agendas and registration until 8 January are available HERE.
Please note that only registered participants with proof of identity will be allowed to enter the conference venue!
Agenda
Timing: 13 January 2023
Venue: Ministry of the Interior, Large Conference Hall (Čiekurkalna 1. līnija 1, Riga)
09:30–10:00 AM Arrival of participants. Registration. Morning coffee.
10:00 – 10:30 AM Opening of the conference:
Representative of the University of Latvia (to be specified)
Zaiga Pūce, Director of the Secretariat of the Society Integration Foundation
Colonel Armands Ruks, Chief of the State Police
Representative of the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Latvia (to be specified)
10:30 – 11:30 AM Panel discussion on “Causes and consequences of hate crime: impact on the individual, group and society”.
Anhelita Kamenska, Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights
Ivars Austers, Professor in Social Psychology
Anda Rožukalne, Latvian Public Media Ombudsman, Professor at Riga Stradiņš University
Zaiga Pūce, Director of the Secretariat of the Society Integration Foundation
Moderator – Sigita Zankovska-Odiņa.
11:30 – 12:00 PM Study “Hate Crime and Hate Speech. International Standards and Latvian Legal Framework and Practice: Main Results and Recommendations for Improving the Situation in Latvia”. Kristīne Dupate, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM Experience of Finland in dealing with hate crimes.
Juha-Matti Suominen, Detective Chief Inspector, Helsinki Police Department
2:00 – 2:15 PM Questions, comments
2:15 – 3:45 PM Panel discussion “Hate crime: from prevention to punishment”
Andis Rinkevics, Lieutenant Colonel, Head of the Prevention Management Division, Main Order Police Department (GKPP)
Aldis Lasmanis, Public Prosecutor of the Riga Judicial Region Public Prosecutor's Office
Court representative (to be specified)
Kristīne Pakārkle, Legal Adviser, Civic and Political Rights Division, Ombudsman's Office
Juha-Matti Suominen, Detective Chief Inspector, Helsinki Police Department
Moderator - Kristīne Dupate, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia.
3:45 – 4.00 PM Closing of the Conference
“CALDER: CapAcity buiLding anD awarEness Rising to prevent and counter intolerance in Latvia”,
Nr. 963736-CALDER-REC-AG-2020/REC-RRAC-RACI-AG-2020/LU,
LU Nr. ZD2021/21118[1]
[1] Konference tiek finansēta ar Eiropas Savienības programmas «Tiesības, vienlīdzība un pilsonība» (2014-2020) līdzfinansējumu.