Recognition of same-sex unions in Latvia

On 28 September 1999, the proposal was sent to the Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee of the Saeima for discussion,[2][3] but it was rejected by the commission on 30 November 1999.

[6] Mozaika, Latvia's largest LGBT rights organisation, estimated it would take approximately five years to obtain enough political support to pass the bill.

She also admitted that "Latvian law has not yet resolved the question of partner-relationships", explaining that the non-recognition of unmarried couples "affects many in Latvia" regardless of sexual orientation and that protection of such families "needs to be discussed by both the community and the Saeima".

[8] On 30 January 2015, Veiko Spolītis, an MP from the New Unity party, submitted a bill to modify the Civil Code to legally recognise same-sex partnerships.

[14] In October 2018, the ombudsman called on lawmakers to pass a partnership law for opposite-sex and same-sex couples, citing statistics showing that about half of Latvian children were born out of wedlock, and arguing that these families should enjoy legal protection.

[20][21] On 29 October 2020, the Saeima voted 55–30 to reject a popular initiative entitled "Registration of same-sex partners" (Viendzimuma partneru reģistrēšana),[23] signed by 10,392 citizens, which called for the passage of a civil union law.

[24] That same day, the authors of the initiative started a new petition, called "For Legal Protection of All Families" (Par Visu Ģimeņu Tiesisko Aizsardzību), which had been signed by 23,392 citizens by March 2022.

[27] On 2 February 2022, the Ministry of Justice, led by Dzintars Rasnačs, presented a civil union bill that would have provided same-sex couples with some of the rights and benefits of marriage.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party, Jānis Urbanovičs, also indicated that the bill might receive broader support from the members of his parliamentary group.

The legislation was placed on the agenda for a future sitting of Parliament, and needed to pass before the parliamentary election held on 1 October 2022.

[36] The proposed legislation in the Saeima would have established civil unions providing some of the rights, obligations and benefits of marriage, including in the areas of inheritance and tax.

[37] On 6 December 2022, following the October elections and the formation of a new government, the Legal Affairs Committee rejected the proposed civil union bill.

A political analyst said, "The most significant policy shift could be the new government’s intention to legislate on human rights, such as to try to allow marriages for same-sex couples [sic].

"[40] Kaspars Briškens, party leader of The Progressives, said there is "a willingness [in the government] to work on a new Law on Cohabitation for same-sex persons".

[45] However, 34 opposition MPs tabled a motion asking President Edgars Rinkēvičs to delay promulgating the bill until January 2024.

Opponents were seeking to collect 154,241 signatures (10% of voters) in order to proceed with a referendum on the civil union law.

Additionally, it "would have been impossible to conclude whether the applicants' rights had been violated unless their claim was accepted and reviewed in a proper manner.

In the absence of a specific legal framework, the law enforcer, including the court, is obliged to ensure the effective implementation of the Constitution and human rights.

[68] A GLOBSEC survey conducted in March 2023 showed that 40% of Latvians supported same-sex marriage, while 46% were opposed and 14% were undecided.