When addressing migration issues, the primary priority must be protecting the rights of Latvia’s own residents, Latvia’s Ombud Karina Palkova said in an interview with TV3’s 900 Seconds.
Asked at what point migration restrictions become discriminatory, Palkova said that, under the current circumstances, migration and human rights issues must be viewed through the lens of national security.
“Our primary responsibility is to do everything possible to protect the human rights and fundamental rights of our own citizens. Perhaps the situation will change in the future, and we will all speak differently, but at this moment we must protect our own people,” Palkova said.
Palkova noted that the Ombudsman’s Office has received very few complaints regarding migration issues or social integration.
“At this point, I do not see a problem in my field of responsibility,” she said.
Last year, the office received several complaints alleging discrimination after third-country nationals living in Latvia were denied certain services. However, following an investigation, the Ombudsman’s Office concluded that no discrimination had occurred in those cases.