Latvia: Whether the nationality section for the Latvian passport that indicates "Latviete" mean that the person is ethnically Latvian; whether the passport of a person who is Jewish has different information in the nationality section; and the method in which the authorities obtain the information for this section
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LVA30669.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Latvia: Whether the nationality section for the Latvian passport that indicates "Latviete" mean that the person is ethnically Latvian; whether the passport of a person who is Jewish has different information in the nationality section; and the method in which the authorities obtain the information for this section, 1 November 1998, LVA30669.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaae1b.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to the Second Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Ottawa, if the nationality section for the Latvian passport indicates that the person is ethnically Latviete, it signifies that the person has identified himself or herself as Lativete. The information in the nationality section could be different if the person is Jewish and states to the issuing authority that he/she wishes to have this reflected in his/her passport. The issuing authority obtains the information on nationality from the birth certificate or from the passport application form. For Jews, in applying for a passport, they have the right to choose whether they want to be identified as Latviete or Jewish in his/her passport. This request is generally respected and not disputed by the authorities.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, Ottawa. 26 November 1998. Telephone interview with the Second Secretary.