REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

Mainly covers the period June 1998 to April 2001 as well as including some earlier information.

  • Population:
    – total: 2,389,000
    – under-18s: 547,000
  • Government armed forces:
    – active: 5,050
    – reserves: 14,500
    – paramilitary: 3,500
  • Compulsory recruitment age: 19
  • Voluntary recruitment age: 18
  • Voting age (government elections): 18
  • Child soldiers: none indicated
  • CRC-OP-CAC: not signed
  • Other treaties ratified: CRC; GC/API+II
  • There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces.

GOVERNMENT

National Recruitment Legislation and Practice

Conscription is enshrined in the Constitution. The current law on compulsory military service was adopted in 1997. Military recruitment and participation in hostilities are regulated by a wide range of legislation including the Law on State Defence, the Law on National Guard of the Republic of Latvia, the Law on Compulsory Military Service, and the Law on Participation of Units from National Armed Forces of Latvia in International Operations. In July 1999, a Law on National Security and a Law on National Armed Forces were under preparation but this should not affect the minimum age for recruitment or participation in hostilities.1091

According to the Law on Compulsory Military Service, all men are liable for military service from the age of 19.1092 Voluntary service can be performed from the age of 18.1093 Military service lasts 12 months and can be performed both in the armed forces and under the authority of the Ministry of Interior, as prison guards for example.1094

It seems that there are enough volunteers to meet military needs. Most conscripts come from lower socio-economic classes. Moreover, exemptions and postponements are widely used.1095 Amnesty International has urged the Government to introduce legislation to allow conscientious objectors to undertake an alternative civilian service.1096

Military Training and Military Schools

There is only one military academy in Latvia, the National Defence Academy,1097 and the minimum age for entry is 18.1098

1091 Permanent Mission of Latvia op. cit.

1092 Article 17(1), Latvian Constitution.

1093 Article 17(2), Permanent Mission of Latvia, op. cit.

1094 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.

1095 Horeman and Stolwijk op. cit.

1096 AI report 2000.

1097 http://www.mil.lv.

1098 Permanent Mission of Latvia op. cit.

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