Latvian President Calls for Rehabilitation of Soviet-Era Psychiatry Abuse Victims
Riga – Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs is advocating for a political declaration by the Saeima to legally rehabilitate individuals wrongly detained and incarcerated in Soviet-era mental institutions. The declaration would recognize these individuals as politically persecuted and wrongly convicted, according to a statement released on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
Discussion with Justice Minister
President Rinkēvičs discussed the matter with Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere (New Unity) at Riga Castle on Monday. According to the president’s spokesman, Martins Dregeris, the conversation centered on the necessity of the Saeima’s action to reinstate the rights of those wrongly held in Latvian or Soviet mental institutions due to Soviet repression.
Other Ministry of Justice Matters Discussed
Beyond the issue of rehabilitation, the president and justice minister also addressed several other ongoing developments within the Ministry of Justice. These included:
- Strengthening measures to prevent illegal cartel agreements in public procurement.
- The operational status of the new Liepaja prison.
- Plans for the construction of a new women’s prison.
- The implementation of judgments issued by the Constitutional Court.
- The potential designation of a single authority responsible for monitoring the implementation of Constitutional Court judgments.
- A proposal by the justice minister to allow courts to assess, in specific cases, whether real estate could be transferred to a bona fide purchaser, thereby enhancing the protection of such purchasers.
Background on Edgars Rinkēvičs
Edgars Rinkēvičs has served as the President of Latvia since July 2023. More information about President Rinkēvičs can be found on Wikipedia.