The government of Latvia has endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Latvia has been a member of the IHRA since 2004. In May 2016, the country was part of the IHRA Plenary in Bucharest that adopted a non-legally binding definition of antisemitism. “The Plan for the Reduction of Racism and Antisemitism 2023” was approved by the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers. The measure officially endorses the application of the IHRA definition of antisemitism as a working tool at the government level, according to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The national action plan mandates that measures for preventing and combating antisemitism and racism will be “enshrined in legislation and pursued in practice.” Related articles: Jewish artist fights for Holocaust memorial at concentration camp Latvia, Lithuania, offering restitution for Holocaust survivors Using technology, researchers identify mass grave from Holocaust Latvian President makes first official visit to Israel “In the plan, great attention is devoted to preventive action, including the elimination of intolerance, hate speech and discrimination,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The plan was put together by a working group coordinated by the Ministry of Culture that included relevant government institutions and NGOs. It was developed to be consistent with the European Union’s “Union of Equality : EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025” and its “EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021-2030).”
