RIGA 's The Latvian National Human Rights Office opened a new department on Nov. 16 to specialize in anti-discrimination, the rights watchdog reported.
The department will focus on national issues of tolerance and provide assistance to victims of discrimination.
In cases of reported discrimination, the human rights office will be authorized to represent the victim and turn to court. The anti-discrimination department will investigate reported cases, take their own initiative, conduct research, analyze legislation and inform society about intolerance issues.
Intolerance and hatred toward minority groups is not yet large-scale in Latvia, the watchdog reported. However, several recent events, such as the controversial gay parade in Riga last summer and a handful of violent racist attacks, have revealed society's low tolerance level.
