If you think you have been discriminated against, you have the right to complain to different state institutions. You must choose the relevant state institution, applicable to your situation.
There are several state institutions in Latvia that may take action in cases of discrimination. You can generally choose the relevant state institution depending on the field in which you have experienced discrimination.
Important In most cases, such institutions are entitled to issue a decision and/or impose a fine. If you are seeking compensation, you could consider bringing a claim before a court.
Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is in charge of implementing the principle of equality and non-discrimination. The Ombudsman is entitled to review the case, issue an opinion and to even bring a claim on behalf of the victim, before a court in a civil or administrative case. More information is available here: Ombudsman.
Sectoral institutions
Your complaint can be resolved by a relevant sector-specific institution if you have been discriminated against in the following areas:
If you believe your employer has discriminated against you, you can submit a complaint to the State Labour Inspectorate. You can also complain to the State Labor Inspectorate if you believe that you have been discriminated against in the selection procedure.
You can appeal a decision of the State Labour Inspectorate further to the Director of the State Labour Inspectorate and subsequently, to the Administrative Court. This procedure is described in the State Labour Inspectorate Law.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, as a state official or a candidate for a position as a civil servant, you can submit a complaint to a higher institution and subsequently, to the Administrative Court. This procedure is described in the State Civil Service Law.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against in access to medical care or have received insufficient quality medical care on discriminatory grounds, you may submit a complaint to the Health Inspectorate.
You can appeal the decision of the Health Inspectorate further to the Director of the Health Inspectorate and subsequently, to the Administrative Court. This procedure is described in the Regulation of Health Inspectorate.
If you believe that an education institution has discriminated against you, you can submit a complaint to the State Education Quality Service. You can appeal the decision of the State Education Quality Service further to the Director of the State Education Quality Service and subsequently, to the Administrative Court. This procedure is described in the Regulation on the State Education Quality Service.
If your complaint concerns discrimination in access to goods and services, you can take it to the Consumer Rights Protection Centre. You can appeal the decision of the Consumer Rights Protection Centre further to the Director of the Consumer Rights Protection Centre and subsequently, to the Administrative Court. This procedure is described in the Consumer Rights Protection Law.