A.S. v. Latvia
No shortcomings in Latvian authorities’ response to allegations of forced labour and servitude
In the case of A.S. v. Latvia the Court held that there had been no violation of the prohibition of slavery and forced labour.
The case concerned the applicant’s allegations that she had been subjected to servitude or, alternatively, to forced or compulsory labour while working on a dairy farm. The operator of the farm was acquitted of charges of human trafficking.
The Court found that the applicant’s complaint had been taken seriously by the national authorities. It had been thoroughly investigated and examined at three levels of jurisdiction. The authorities had taken a significant number of investigative steps to secure the relevant evidence, and they had not failed to pursue any obvious line of inquiry. The investigation had been prompt and thorough and the applicant had been legally represented throughout. The Court did not find any significant flaws capable of undermining the proceedings’ ability to establish the circumstances of the case or the identity of those responsible.