One of the key issues discussed by the President and Ombudsman was social justice. Egils Levits underlined that in this sense Satversme, which defines social justice as one of the four core principles of the state, is one of the most forward-leaning constitutions in Europe. Both officials agreed that Latvia must ensure that social justice serves the specific long-term needs of all social groups.
Juris Jansons told President Levits that on 1 October Ombudsman’s Office asked the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of the guaranteed minimum income.
Another issue discussed by the President and Ombudsman was the rights of a child to receive adequate psychiatric support and various violations found by Ombudsman in Ainaži Children’s Neuropsychology Hospital that have resulted in several criminal investigations. Egils Levits and Juris Jansons also spoke about the rights of health care professionals in the context of Health Care Financing Law. Ombudsman emphasised that young medical interns are overstretched. President Levits promised to discuss the problem with Latvian Junior Doctors Association during the forthcoming meeting.
