Latvia stands firmly against the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions in state-to-state relations - Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary

RIGA - Latvia stands firmly against the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions, and sentencing to exercise leverage over foreign governments in the context of state-to-state relations, said Foreign Ministry parliamentary secretary Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica.

As LETA was told at the Foreign Ministry, Kalnina-Lukasevica today  participated in a live-streamed event organized by Global Affairs Canada (the Canadian Foreign Service) in order to launch the Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. Marc Garneau, the Canadian Foreign Minister, opened and chaired the event.

In her address, Kalnina-Lukasevica spoke appreciatively of the Canadian initiative and welcomed it, emphasizing the key role played by international cooperation and outreach in encouraging states to respect their obligations to uphold international norms on human rights and to refrain from arbitrary arrest, detention, and sentencing to exercise leverage over foreign governments in the context of state-to-state relations.

"Latvia has been tirelessly voicing its concerns over arbitrary detention at the United Nations and in other international fora, and Latvia will continue to do so, with the aim of preventing and ending this reprehensible practice," Kalnina-Lukasevica said. 

The Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations is an initiative spear-headed by Canada. The European Union and 60 countries around the world are endorsing this new international declaration.