Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Latvia (Ratification: 1992)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report. It would be grateful if the Government would supply, with its next report, full updated texts of the Criminal Code and Correctional Labour Code, as well as additional information on the following points.

Article 1, paragraph (a), of the Convention.  1.  The Committee has noted the provisions of the Constitution, as amended in 1998, concerning the right to express views and ideas and the prohibition of censorship (article 100), freedom of previously announced peaceful meetings and demonstrations (article 103) and the right to form and join associations, political parties and other public organizations (article 102). It has also noted that, under section 37 of the Law on Public Organizations of 1992, the activities of a public organization may be terminated if it propagates the ideas of racism or totalitarianism. Please provide information on sanctions applicable in case of violation of this provision and on any termination of activities of public organizations which took place in practice under this provision.

2.  The Committee notes the provisions of section 10, paragraph 2, of the law on meetings, marches and demonstrations, which prohibits the expression of views concerning proposals of voluntary modification of the Latvian state system or inciting national or racial hatred or propagating fascist or communist ideology. It also notes that, under section 25 of the same law, organizers, leaders and participants of meetings, marches and demonstrations may be held liable for violation of its provisions. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the application of these provisions in practice, including copies of any court decisions defining or illustrating their scope and indicating the sanctions imposed.

3.  Please also supply copies of legislation governing the press and other media, so that the Committee could ascertain their conformity with the Convention.

Article 1, paragraph (c).  Please indicate any provisions governing disciplinary measures applicable to civil servants and supply copies thereof. Please also indicate any sanctions applicable to seafarers for various breaches of labour discipline, such as desertion, absence without leave or disobedience, and supply copies of relevant texts.

Article 1, paragraph (d).  The Committee has noted the provisions of sections 23(1) and 24(1) of the law on strikes, according to which a strike may be declared illegal by a court decision in case of violation of the law. Section 34 of the law provides for liability for violation of its provisions. Please clarify the scope of such liability and indicate what sanctions may be applied for participation in strikes declared illegal.