Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) was reported on Saturday to have initiated criminal proceedings against Tatjana Ždanoka, a European Parliament lawmaker (MEP) and Latvian citizen, on suspicion of cooperating with Russian intelligence and security services, according to local Latvian media outlets. Per media reports, the VDD had been investigating the activities of Ždanoka, 73, following [...]
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CIVICUS 2024 Report Highlights Civil Society and Global Rule of Law in Crisis
Civil society is facing unprecedented challenges globally due to escalating conflicts and crises. In 2023, groups that were pivotal in advocating for human rights, offering humanitarian aid and giving a voice to the marginalized encountered increasing difficulties. Their work has become more challenging due to growing repression and conflict, yet they remain beacons of hope [...]
European Parliament opens investigation into Latvia member over Russia agent allegations
According to officials, the European Parliament (EP) opened an investigation Tuesday into Tatjana Ždanoka, a Latvian member of the assembly who has been accused of working as a Russian agent for several years. The MEP denies the allegations but it has sparked concern amongst the parliamentarians, with some saying that there may be other Russian [...]
Ukraine dispatch: European Commission recommends EU begin Ukraine accession talks
Oksana Bidnenko is a staff correspondent for JURIST. She is a Ukrainian law student at the Riga Graduate School of Law in Riga, Latvia. Last Wednesday, November 8, the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Agenda, highlighting certain countries’ progress towards EU accession. Notably, Ukraine and Moldova received positive proposals for showing significant progress. Despite [...]
Former KGB double agent allowed to sue UK crime agency over identity disclosure
The UK High Court on Friday allowed Boris Karpichkov, a former senior double agent of the KGB and now a British citizen, to pursue legal action against the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the disclosure of his new identity. Karpichkov had worked for the KGB in the Soviet Union before being recruited to operate in Latvia [...]
On August 21, 2023, Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv hosted a large international conference Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine: Justice to be Served. The conference gathered key figures behind Ukraine’s push to launch a special tribunal. The event was aimed at reinvigorating global efforts to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine, [...]
Poland and Czechia to extend border controls with Slovakia to slow migration flow
Poland and the Czech Republic announced on Thursday that they will extend border controls with Slovakia until November 2nd as all three countries aim to slow the flow of illegal migration. Poland’s Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski released a statement stating that checks will be carried out more frequently at checkpoints along the Balkan migration route [...]
Latvia closes border crossing with Russia to avoid threats to ‘public order and national security’
The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers announced Thursday its plan to close the Ventuli and Pedeze border crossing points to Russia. These changes were direct responses to Russia’s policy of allowing Ukrainian passport holders to enter Russia from two border points, one being the Vientuli crossing. Latvia claimed this was an attempt to “present tensions on [...]
Norway announces ban on Russian passenger cars in line with EU sanctions
The Norway Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that there will be a ban on Russian-registered passenger vehicles starting in the upcoming weeks. The ban includes all Russian vehicles with nine or fewer seats. However, buses and small passenger vans can cross into Norway from Russia. Additionally, Finland, Estonia, Poland and Latvia have a [...]
ECHR hears landmark lawsuit brought by youth climate activists against 33 governments
In a nearly five-hour long hearing on Wednesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) heard a landmark case brought by six youth plaintiffs against 33 European governments to spur stronger climate change mitigation measures. Duarte Agostinho and Others v. Portugal and 32 Others featured six plaintiffs from Portugal: Catarina, 23, Cláudia, 24, Martim, 20, [...]