In 2025, the Ararteko introduced a change to improve the way it organises its public services, through a three-tier model of public service delivery (initial assistance; citizen guidance; and specialist advice/processing). This model ensures personalised and accessible support for members of the public who visit the Ararteko and its citizen advise bureaus. 

This more efficient management of public service and guidance has led to a reduction in the number of cases requiring processing at the advisory level (level 3), with corresponding benefits for both the public and public administrations.
•    Thus, in 2025, based on this methodology, a total of 16,637 cases were recorded. The detailed figures are as follows: 13,008 cases at the first two levels: initial assistance (8,643) and citizen guidance (4,365).
•    3,617 specialist advisory cases relating to complaints and enquiries (level 3), which are matters requiring verification with the administration and a more in-depth legal examination.
•    12 actions taken on the Ombudsman’s own initiative (ex officio cases, visits and monitoring of compliance with recommendations).

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The Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a general proposal on substantiation of decisions taken relating to the restriction of freedom of assembly.

According to the Law of Georgia on Assemblies and Demonstrations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has been granted the authority to consider the specific place and/or time of the assemblies/demonstrations, the manner of holding them, the expediency of arranging temporary structures related to them, and to issue mandatory instructions. Failure to comply with the aforementioned mandatory instructions results in the imposition of liability measures established by legislation. Thus, the Ministry has been granted the discretionary authority to issue mandatory instructions related to holding assemblies/demonstrations.

Within the scope of the cases studied by the Public Defender’s Office (including the rallies of persons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, their parents and supporters), it was revealed that the Ministry had issued oral and written instructions regarding the change of time and/or place or form of the assembly/demonstration, as well as the arrangement of temporary structures. It is noteworthy that when issuing mandatory instructions/implementing related actions, cases of unjustified interference with freedom of assembly were identified.

In view of the above, the Public Defender addressed the Minister of Internal Affairs with a general proposal:

- When issuing mandatory instructions on changing the time and/or place or manner of holding an assembly or demonstration, as well as on the arrangement of temporary structures, provide a detailed justification regarding the circumstances that made it necessary to impose restrictions, as well as indicate which specific benefits are served by the restriction and why the benefit protected by the restriction outweighs the interest in exercising freedom of assembly;

- Additionally, in the event of the participation of persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, in an assembly or demonstration, when issuing mandatory instructions, take into account the standards established by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and national legislation, including the principles of consideration of individual needs, reasonable accommodation, and the best interests of the child.

The Government has assured to both the people of Latvia and its international partners its commitment to implementing the Ombudsperson’s recommendations concerning the reform of the institutional model of the Orphan’s and Custody Courts, while also ensuring the Ombudsperson’s Office full independence and financial autonomy. This commitment is reflected in Latvia’s position on the recommendations received during the fourth cycle of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 30 June.

The UN recommends that Latvia implements the Ombudspersons proposal regarding the change of the institutional model of the Orphans’ and Custody Court (a municipal institution primarily responsible for protecting the rights and interests of children and incapacitated adults) so that the protection of children’s rights system would be more effective and would better meet the interests of children.

The Prime Minister, Andris Kulbergs, after meeting with Ombudsperson Karina Palkova, called for immediate improvement of the system for protecting children’s rights, assigning the Ministry of Welfare and the Ministry of Justice the task of developing a new model for child rights protection by October 1. Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Latvia has undertaken to provide parliamentary oversight of the improvement of the child rights protection system, as well as the development and implementation of the new institutional model.

The government has supported the proposal to take the necessary measures to provide the Ombudsman’s Office with full independence and financial autonomy. At the same time, it was also reminded that already in 2015 and 2018, the Parliament of Latvia (Saeima) was called upon to include the Ombudsman’s office in the Latvian Constitution (Satversme), by adding a separate chapter titled “Ombudsman,” which would define the legal status, purpose, and independence of the Ombudsman’s Office, similar to the definition for the State Audit Office.

The UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism for assessing the human rights situation in all UN member states. In accordance with the procedure established by the UN Human Rights Council, a State delegation must present its national report to the UN Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review and respond to questions and recommendations raised by UN Member States.

Asylum, migration and borders

On 9 July, FRA attended a meeting organised by the European Commission with EU Member States and relevant EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies to discuss the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report.

This report is an important element of the European annual asylum and migration cycle, as established under the EU Pact for Migration and Asylum. The Pact requires FRA to provide input on fundamental rights. 

The report will be published on 15 October every year and used as a basis for a European Commission Implementing Decision establishing a solidarity pool for EU Member States under migratory pressure.