Full statement of Latvia in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights Situation in the Russian Federation, Third Committee, 80th Session of the UN General Assembly
New York, 27 October 2025
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you Madam Special Rapporteur. Your reports documents worsening of the human rights situation in Russia since the launch of its war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes the systematic abuse of legislation and the use of judicial harassment against civil society actors, journalists, lawyers, political figures, and ordinary citizens. You also report on deportations of foreign nationals—particularly Tajik nationals and others from Central Asia.
Latvia would like to point out that Russia not only deports foreign nationals, but also conducts disinformation campaigns falsely accusing other countries of these practices. Most recently, Latvia has been the target of such disinformation.
Let me clarify this matter. Under our national legislation, Russian citizens who wish to continue residing in Latvia are required to attain basic Latvian language skills. Exemptions are granted to elderly persons and to those with various medical conditions. All affected individuals were given a three‑year period to acquire the basic language skills.
Madam Special Rapporteur,
Could you elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the deportations of Central Asian migrants from Russia? In particular, we are concerned that migrants are being pressured to join the war in Ukraine or face deportation.
I thank you.