The constitutional law on "the Rights and Obligations of a Citizen and a Person," passed on December 10, 1991, operates as a Bill of rights for Latvia. Article 12 of this law states that "all persons in Latvia are equal under the law regardless of race, nationality, sex, language, party affiliation, political and religious beliefs, social, material and occupational standing and origin." Citizens and non-citizens share the same rights and duties with the exception that non-citizens may not be drafted, vote, run for office or start political parties.
In 1995, the government passed the Law on Religious Organizations which specifies that, while registration is not compulsory, religious organizations may enjoy certain rights and privileges only if they register with the government. Individual congregations register separately. As of 2003, the Justice Ministry had registered 1098 congregations including 307 Lutheran, 252 Roman Catholic, 117 Orthodox, 90 Baptist, 67 Old Believer Orthodox, 47 Seventh-Day Adventist, 12 Jehovah’s Witnesses, 12 Methodist, 13 Jewish, 5 Buddhist, 5 Muslim, 10 Hare Krishna, and 3 Mormon. Under the 1995 law, foreign missionaries and evangelists are allowed to hold meetings and proselytize only if religious organizations registered in Latvia invite them to do so.
The 1996 Law on Religious Organizations reduced the number of people required for a congregation to register from 25 to 10 citizens. It also provided that students in public schools may receive religious education on a voluntary basis only by representatives of the Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Old Believer and Baptist organizations. Students at state supported minority schools may receive education in the religion of the national minority. All other religions are prohibited from providing religious education in state-funded schools.
A New Religions Consultative Council consists of doctors, academics, and an independent human rights ombudsman. The Council has no decision making authority but advises the government in its policy toward new religious movements.
A Traditional Religion Council meets monthly to promote ecumenical understanding amongst the major traditional faiths and facilitating dialogue between the government and the various faith communities.
2003 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Report on Latvia
Eastern
Europe Faces an Uncertain Future For Religious Freedom and Democracy
ICRF International Religious Freedom World Report, Vol. 4 No. 2, Summer 2003
Latvia: Adventist Church Signs Agreement With State WorldWide Religious News 6/15/04