The National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) will be able to restrict and block pirate websites in order to better protect the works of Latvian authors and promote the legal use of content. This is foreseen in the amendments to the Copyright Law adopted by the Saeima in the final reading on Thursday, 12 December. 

To defend the right to free, democratic expression of civil society, on Thursday, 5 December, the Saeima adopted a statement on support for the European integration efforts and values of the people of Georgia. Members of the Latvian Parliament highlight freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech, and freedom of association as fundamental rights that form the cornerstone of a democratic society.

On 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, joined the women speakers of 16 other parliaments in a declaration urging to give back the voices of Afghan women.

On Thursday, 21 November, the Saeima approved in the final reading amendments to the Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Civilians, extending state-provided assistance to Ukrainians for another year and enhancing its scope.

“Let us take pride in what we have already accomplished, always keeping in mind that we can achieve even more. In these times of change, let us support one another. Let us extend a helping hand in times of difficulty and express our gratitude!,” urged Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, at the ceremonial sitting of the Parliament on Monday, 18 November, dedicated to the 106th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia.

“We are united not only by geographical proximity but also by human ties, friendly relations, and shared values. Security is now central to our collaboration, enabling us to work together to ensure peace and stability for the people in our region,” stated the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, during a meeting with the Speaker of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, in Oslo on Tuesday, 5 November.

On Thursday, 24 October, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, met with the President of the French National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, and the Deputy Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Bekir Bozdağ, to discuss strengthening interparliamentary cooperation. The meeting was held within the framework of the Third Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform, which brought together approximately 50 parliamentarians from around the world in Riga to support Ukraine.

To enhance accountability for road traffic offences committed by drivers of vehicles registered in third countries, the Saeima on Thursday, 24 October, passed amendments in the third and final reading requiring that a vehicle registered in a third country must be declared for road traffic use in Latvia.

To enhance the quality of higher education and research, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of higher education institutions, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Higher Education Institutions on Thursday, 24 October, adjusting language requirements for academic staff. This legislative initiative was submitted by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs.