Latvia weighs broader firearm powers for border guards

Latvia is considering allowing border guards to use firearms and other force without warning in more situations, a proposal that drew legal objections in a parliamentary committee, LSM reported.

The amendments would clarify powers to protect border infrastructure and would extend similar authority during enhanced border security measures to other officials involved, including soldiers and police officers. They would also exempt officials from liability for harm caused while exercising those powers.

If someone were injured or killed, the State Border Guard would have to notify the prosecutor’s office in writing within 24 hours.

The proposal follows incidents at the Latvia-Belarus border, where armed people have threatened Latvian soldiers, migrants have been driven towards Latvia and border surveillance equipment has been damaged. Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava of the National Alliance proposed the changes, saying they were intended to prevent border guards from hesitating to act for fear of criminal liability when using force lawfully.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the Saeima’s Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee heard objections from the Foreign Ministry, the prosecutor’s office, the Ombudsman’s Office and the Saeima Legal Bureau. They said the proposed rules were too broad and partly duplicated existing powers, while the Foreign Ministry warned they could conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights and lead to legal proceedings in Latvia.

The committee agreed to revise the proposal and consider it again next week.