Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, adopted amendments on October 29th to the State Border Guard Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to give border guards clearer rights to act and to better protect border infrastructure from hybrid attacks.
Latvian Parliament Adopts Border Security Law Amendments
The newly adopted changes establish the legal right for border guards to use physical force, special fighting techniques, weapons, and dogs to repel an attack on an individual or state border infrastructure facility. The amendments permit the use of a weapon without warning if giving a warning is impossible in a specific situation. Until these updates took effect, the law did not specifically provide border guards with such rights to repel an attack.
Raimonds Bergmanis, chairman of the Saeima Defence Committee responsible for the draft laws, emphasized the gravity of the current security climate. Currently, a hybrid war is taking place at the external border of our country,
said Bergmanis, representing the United List. The inviolability of the state border and the protection of infrastructure are an essential part of Latvia’s territorial integrity. With the amendments to the law, we are strengthening the capabilities of border guards to immediately prevent violations and protect Latvia’s security.
Did You Know? Prior to the October 29th parliamentary vote, Latvian legislation did not explicitly outline the specific rights of border guards to use weapons, physical force, or special techniques to actively repel attacks on border infrastructure.
New Reporting and Investigation Protocols for Border Officials
If any person is injured or dies as a result of a weapon being used, the border guard involved must report the incident to the prosecutor’s office immediately, and no later than within 24 hours.
Concurrently, modifications to the Criminal Procedure Law dictate how alleged offences are handled internally. Criminal offenses committed by a border guard acting as a state official while performing duties under the enhanced border guard system operating regime will be investigated directly by authorized officials of the State Border Guard.
Latvian parliament amends laws to enhance border security
What specific laws were amended by the Saeima on October 29th?
The Latvian parliament adopted amendments to both the State Border Guard Law and the Criminal Procedure Law to enhance border security operations.
Under what conditions can border guards use weapons without warning?
The amendments allow border guards to use a weapon without giving a warning if issuing a warning is not possible in a specific situation during an attack on an individual or border infrastructure.
Who will investigate criminal offences committed by border guards during enhanced duties?
Authorized officials of the State Border Guard will investigate any criminal offences committed by a border guard acting as a state official while performing duties within the enhanced border guard system operating regime.
How might these clearer legal authorities alter daily tactical operations for border guards stationed along Latvia’s external perimeter?
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