Latvian Ombudsman Juris Jansons did not appear in the Saeima on Thursday, the 22nd of May, to present his annual report because he is currently hospitalized. He told news agency LETA that he will consider his future in office once he is discharged.
Jansons stated that he has been hospitalized since Thursday due to cardiological and neurological issues related to high blood pressure and arrhythmia. However, already on Wednesday, the 21st of May, he was on medical leave and, due to health issues, it was clear that he would not be able to attend Parliament. His deputy sent a letter to the parliamentary presidium to inform them.
Jansons acknowledged this was not the first time he failed to present the report—in 2023 he was also absent. He declined to comment on whether this was related to others’ claims of excessive alcohol consumption. “I will not comment on that; it would be pure speculation to say anything about it,” said the ombudsman.
However, he did not deny that he has consumed alcohol excessively in the past, noting that “it has left certain consequences.”
He emphasized that during working hours, there had never been situations where he exhibited physical symptoms of intoxication, such as trembling hands.
Jansons also said that when he started in office, he introduced an “aggressive communication approach” towards the public, politicians, and especially civil servants, because at that time the Ombudsman’s Office was not well-recognized and its documents were often disregarded. A dedicated communications department was established during this period.
Now in his third term as Ombudsman, Jansons explained that colleagues well-versed in specific topics represent the office in parliamentary committee meetings. “I cannot be everywhere at once or know everything at once,” he emphasized.
He said that since day one of his term, department heads have had significant authority, and virtually no submissions end up on his desk personally. “They go through the registry to the relevant departments,” he said, adding that he mainly signs other types of documents.
As for his lack of public appearances, Jansons said many events involve some level of alcohol consumption, which he has tried to avoid. However, he implied he has not completely given up alcohol.
Asked whether he plans to resign, Jansons replied that he has not made a decision. “I don’t want to rush into anything. Some colleagues say I should resign; others say—absolutely not,” he said, noting he will revisit the issue after being discharged from the hospital, though he could not say when that might be.
Jansons also criticized politicians’ reactions to his absence, saying that many of them should not be in politics at all.
“They basically kicked a man while he was down,” he said.
As previously reported, Jansons’ absence from Thursday’s Saeima session caused disappointment among MPs, as this is not the first time he has failed to appear. Several parliamentary groups deemed it disrespectful, especially given the Ombudsman’s responsibility to inform Parliament about human rights and good governance.
Some MPs suggested exploring options, including the possibility of Jansons being dismissed, although such a process is complex. Under labour law, a person cannot be dismissed while on medical leave.
Saeima is awaiting clarification about the situation at the Ombudsman’s Office and Jansons’ recurring absences.
Jansons’ current term as Ombudsman ends in March next year.
His annual report emphasizes issues concerning children’s rights—violence in schools, access to healthcare, education quality, and family environments. The report also highlights deficiencies in the child protection system and calls for more individualized services, especially for children with special needs. Other issues addressed include alimony enforcement (including grandparents’ responsibilities) and children’s property rights.
The report discusses discrimination based on language, citizenship, gender, and religion. It also points to the risks of discrimination related to artificial intelligence and stresses the need for quality data and human oversight. The media’s role in shaping perceptions of discrimination is also analysed.
Good governance is another focus—holding state and municipal institutions accountable, ensuring transparency, and fostering public participation. The report cites both positive examples and cases where institutions have ignored the law or delayed decision-making.
It also includes studies, international cooperation efforts, and public education initiatives.
The priorities for 2025 outlined in the report include safety, the rights of children and persons with disabilities, strengthening good governance, and combating discrimination.