Latvian human rights defender Elizaveta Krivtsova was denied the right to become a lawyer

One of the most prominent human rights defenders in Latvia, Elizaveta Krivtsova, was not allowed to take the sworn bar exam.

Krivtsova had planned to become a lawyer, but in Latvia, legal education and experience alone are not enough to qualify for the exam. Before passing the exam, the applicant's background and reputation are evaluated.

Last week, the Latvian Board of Jurors voted not to allow Krivtsova to take the exam.

On March 13 of this year, the State Security Service provided information and an evaluation of Krivtsova's past actions at the request of the Latvian Board of Sworn Advocates. Since the letter sent to the Council is a document of limited accessibility, the Service was unable to provide comments on its content.

It should be recalled that Elizaveta Krivtsova is one of the most prominent activists of Russian compatriots in Latvia. She was one of the leaders of the “Congress of non-citizens” and one of the organizers of the march “Immortal Regiment”. As a lawyer, Krivtsova founded and led several societies representing the interests of Russian speakers. For more than 10 years she headed the “Committee of non-citizens”, and until February of this year she was also in the leadership of the “Latvian Community of Russians”.

Krivtsova has participated in cases before the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights concerning alleged violations of the rights of Russian-speaking residents of Latvia. She has also prepared complaints to the UN Human Rights Committee, which she believes tendentiously portray the situation of the Russian-speaking population in Latvia.