To strengthen accountability for the use and protection of Latvian as the sole official language of Latvia, on Thursday, 23 July, the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments increasing administrative penalties for violations of official language requirements.
According to the authors of the draft law, the status of the official language entails an obligation to comply with the rules governing its use, particularly in situations concerning public interest. Everyone should recognise their personal responsibility for complying with these rules—it is not merely a matter of individual choice, but an obligation that ensures equal access to information, services, and laws for all residents of the country.
In the explanatory note, authors of the draft law also point to the current geopolitical risks posed by external attempts to influence and diminish the role and significance of the official language of Latvia. In such circumstances, enhanced protection of the use of the official language is necessary.
The amendments increase administrative fines for violations of official language requirements, including failure to comply with official language standards in publicly available information, failure to create and use names and titles in the official language, refusal to accept documents drawn up in the official state language, and failure to use the official language to the extent necessary for carrying out professional and official duties. Penalties are also increased for showing disrespect towards the official language, failing to provide translations and product-related information in the official language, and concluding employment contracts without complying with the statutory official language proficiency requirements applicable to employees.
The purpose of an administrative penalty is to prevent infringements and ensure future compliance with the law. The primary objective is to promote public safety, public order, and respect for the values—including the official language—protected by law. According to the authors of the draft law, increasing penalties encourages compliance with official language requirements laid down in the laws and regulations, thereby upholding the official language as one of the foundations of national security, constitutional values, and national identity. They emphasise that this reflects a clear position of the state: the official language is significant; it must be respected and used responsibly.
Saeima Press Service