The Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia has adopted a law:

On Free Development of Latvia's National and Ethnic Groups and Their Right to Cultural Autonomy

The Latvian nation, the ancient indigenous people - Livonians, and also national and ethnic groups reside in the Republic of Latvia.

The Law has been adopted in order to guarantee the right to cultural autonomy and cultural self-governance for all national and ethnic groups in the Republic of Latvia.

Section 1. Residents of the Republic of Latvia, regardless of their national origin, are guaranteed equal human rights that correspond to international norms.

Section 2. Every national of the Republic of Latvia or person who is not a national of Latvia or another country and whose permanent residence is in Latvia and who has reached the age of 16 years has the right to reflect or restore his or her national origin in his or her documents in accordance with his or her national identity and national background in accordance with the procedures laid down by law.

[15 June 1994]

Section 3. The Republic of Latvia guarantees all its permanent residents an equal right to work and work remuneration regardless of their national origin. Any actions that openly or covertly limits the opportunity for permanent residents, based on their national origin, to choose a profession or hold a position that corresponds to their abilities and qualification are prohibited.

Section 4. State authorities and administrative bodies of the Republic of Latvia shall be responsible for the preservation of the national identity and historical and cultural environment of the ancient indigenous people - the Livonians - and for the restoration and development of the social and economic infrastructure of their populated territory.

Section 5. All permanent residents of the Republic of Latvia are guaranteed the right to establish national societies, their unions and associations. The State shall promote their activity and material provision.

Section 6. National societies, their unions and associations shall function in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Latvia and shall respect the sovereignty and integrity of Latvia.

Section 7.

[15 June 1994]

Section 8. All permanent residents of the Republic of Latvia are guaranteed the right to respect their national traditions, use their national symbols, and celebrate national holidays.

Section 9. The Republic of Latvia guarantees all its permanent residents the right to free contact with compatriots in their historical homeland and abroad and to leave Latvia freely and return to Latvia in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

Section 10. State authorities of the Republic of Latvia shall promote the creation of material conditions for the development of education, language, and culture of the national and ethnic groups residing in the territory of Latvia providing specific amounts of money for this purpose in the State budget.

The issues concerning the education of national and ethnic groups shall be governed by the Education Law of the Republic of Latvia.

National societies also have the right to establish national educational institutions using their own funds.

Section 11. The Republic of Latvia shall, on the basis of international treaties, promote the opportunity for its permanent residents to obtain higher education in their native language outside Latvia.

Section 12. All national and ethnic groups have the right to freely develop their professional and amateur arts.

Section 13. National societies, their unions and associations have the right to use State mass media and to create their own.

State authorities of the Republic of Latvia shall promote the publication and distribution of national periodicals and literature.

Section 14. National cultural societies, their unions and associations have the right to perform economic activity in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

National cultural societies shall enjoy the tax reliefs stipulated in the laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

Section 15. All national historical and cultural monuments and objects in the territory of the Republic of Latvia shall be protected by the State.

Section 16. Any actions aimed at national discrimination and also propagating national superiority and national hate shall be punishable in accordance with the law.

Chairperson of the Supreme Council
of the Republic of Latvia A. GORBUNOVS

Secretary of the Supreme Council
of the Republic of Latvia I. DAUDIŠS

Rīga, 19 March 1991

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2021 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)