On Thursday, 16 June, Latvia’s Saeima passed in the second and final reading urgent amendments to the Law on Political Parties, prohibiting political organisations from speaking against the independence, territorial integrity of Latvia or other countries, voice or propose violent modification of the government of the Republic of Latvia or other democratic countries.
The law also states that political parties are not allowed to propose non-compliance with laws if non-compliance puts at risk state security, public safety or order, suggest acts of terrorism or violence, promote Nazi, fascist or communist ideology, promote war, engage in actions aimed at incitement to national, ethnic, racial, religious hatred or intolerance, promote or invite residents to commit crimes.
Amendments are also intended to include prohibition for parties to provide assistance, including informative support (propaganda), for persons or countries that undermine or put at risk the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence or constitutional order of democratic countries.
If a prosecution office or state security institution detects signs that indicate of a possibility of a party’s illegal activities, they will have the right to issue warnings.
If a political party’s activities are found to be in breach of the prohibition, activities will be allowed to be ceased following a verdict of a court of law.
Changes to the law come into force on the next day of promulgation.