Visiting professors and visiting lecturers

Mārtiņš Mits Dr.iur.

Visiting Associate Professor
Human Rights Law

Dr.iur (LL.D) in Public International Law (Lund University, 2010)
LL.M. in Human Rights (University of Nottingham, 1998)

Employment

  • Since 2015: Judge of the European Court of Human Rights
  • 2008-2015: Prorector, Riga Graduate School of Law
  • Since 2013: Associate Professor, Riga Graduate School of Law
  • 2012-2013: Docent, Riga Graduate School of Law
  • 1999 – 2012: Lecturer, Riga Graduate School of Law
  • 2000 – 2001: Chief editor of the Latvian Human Rights Quarterly
  • 1999 – 2001: Acting Director of the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Law
  • 1995 – 1999: Deputy Director of the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Law
  • 1993 – 1995: Senior Adviser at the Department of Case-Law Analysis, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia

Professional engagement 

  • 2010-2012 and since 2015: Expert appointed by the Latvian Council of Science
  • 2012-2015: listed by the Government as a candidate for ad hoc judge from Latvia in the European Court of Human Rights
  • 2007-2013: Member of the Constitutional Rights Committee of the President of the Republic of Latvia
  • 2007-2012: Alternate member from Latvia in the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

Education

  • 2010: LL.D in Public International Law, Lund University (Sweden)
  • 1997-1998: LL.M in Human Rights, University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)
  • 1991-1995: Lawyer and Bachelor of Law, University of Latvia (Latvia)

Additional training

  • 2006: 4th Nordic Research Training Course Human Rights, Democracy and Constitutionalism, Nordic School in Human Rights Research, Copenhagen University, Danish Institute for Human Rights (Denmark)
  • 2004: 3rd Nordic Network Seminar on Human Rights Research, Norwegian Centre for Human Rights (Norway)
  • 1999: Advanced Course International Mechanisms for the Protection of Human Rights, Abo Akademi University Institute for Human Rights (Finland)
  • 1995: Advanced Training Programme Human Rights for Central and Eastern Europe, Raoul Wallenberg Institute (Sweden)
  • 1994: courses Comparative Constitutional Law and Introduction into EU Law, Civic Education Project, University of Latvia (Latvia)

Teaching experience

Universities:

  • 2013-2015: master’s course Changing European Human Rights Law, Deusto University (Spain)
  • 2012: master’s course International Protection of Human Rights (co-teacher) and master’s thesis superviser at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgium)
  • Since 1999: lectures and seminars in Human Rights courses at the Riga Graduate School of Law; seminars in International Law, Constitutional Law, International Dispute Settlement courses
  • 2000-2002: Assistant Teacher at the University of Latvia in the Internet Course on the International Protection of Human Rights, administered by the Institute for Human Rights, Abo Akademi University (Finland)
  • 1996 – 2002: lectures and seminars in Human Rights courses at the University of Latvia; lectures and seminars in International Law Course (2005)

International training programmes:

  • 2005-2007: Latvian expert in the European Union EUJUST LEX Senior Management Course for Iraqi judges, police officers and prison administration (Denmark)
  • 2000-2003: lecturer in the Human Rights Institute’s of the University of Latvia, Faculty of Law Summer School for lawyers from CIS countries (Latvia)
  • 2002: Council of Europe expert in the seminar for North Caucasus Non-governmental organisations (Russia)
  • 2000-2001: lecturer in Raoul Wallenberg Institute’s training courses for the lawyers from CIS countries (Sweden)
  • 2000: lecturer in the Danish Centre’s for Human Rights seminar for the Latvian minority rights actors (Germany)

National training programmes:

  • Since 1996: lecturer in human rights training programmes organised by the Latvian Judicial Training Centre, Riga Graduate School of Law, Soros Foundation Latvia and other organisations for various target groups: Members of the Legal Committee of the Parliament, judges of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and other courts, prosecutors, barristers, representatives of NGOs, journalists, etc.

Research experience

  • 2012-2016: reporter on Latvia in a research project Member States’ Constitutions and EU Integration – led by the Centre of European Studies, Salcburg University (Austria)
  • 2013: researcher on Latvia in a project Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Case Law on Democratic Changes and Developments in Eastern Europe – led by Julia Motoc and Ineta Ziemele (editors), Judges of the European Court of Human Rights
  • 2011-2015: Senior expert (legal editor) of the annual report to the Europena Union Fundamental Rights Agency Fundamental Rights: Latvia
  • 2012: Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Decisions of the Latvian Supreme Court upon request of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia, available in Latvian at www.at.gov.lv/lv/info/summary/citi/
  • Expert opinions upon request of the Latvian Constitutional Court in cases No. 2004-06-01 (appeal against prosecutor’s actions), No. 2004-13-0106 (voting restrictions for KGB agents, ), No. 2008-35-01 (Lisbon Treaty Case) and No. 2010-01-01 (appeal against decisions of administrative courts), No. 2012-24-03 (state language requirements in municipalities)
  • 2009-2012: researcher in Menu for Justice: Towards a European Curriculum Studiorum on Judicial Studies – a project led by Department of Political Science, University of Bologna
  • 2002-2009: The Impact of the European Convention of Human Rights on the development of legal doctrine and application of legal norms in Latvia – doctoral dissertation in Lund University (Sweden)
  • 2006: visiting researcher (6 months) at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (Germany)
  • 2004-2006: Latvian expert in the OSCE High Commissioner’s on National Minorities project: A Practice Guide for the Latvian State Language Inspectors
  • 2001: researcher in the Migration Policy Group project on Legal Analysis of the Latvian Anti-discrimination Legislation
  • 2000: researcher in the UNDP project: A United Nations Common Country Assessment of Latvia on the issues of governance and human rights
  • 1999: Latvian expert in the European Union PHARE Technical Assistance to the Approximation of the Latvian Legislation to that of the European Communities on the issues of residence, naturalisation and criminal law
  • 1998-1999: researcher in the Norwegian Human Rights Institute’s project on the issues of the implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights and political participation of minorities in Latvia
  • 1998: Compatibility of the Latvian Draft Constitutional Bill of Human Rights with the European Human Rights Standards – master thesis at the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)

Publications

Books and monographs

  • Par Latvijas valsts konstitucionālajiem pamatiem un Satversmes kodolu: Konstitucionālo tiesību komisijas viedoklis un materiāli [On the Constitutional Basis of the State of Latvia and the Core of the Constitution: Opinion and Materials of the Constitutional Rights Committee],Latvijas Vēstnesis, Rīga, 2012, 256 (co-author)
  • Valsts Prezidenta Konstitucionālo tiesību komisija: viedokļi 2008-2011 [Constitutional Rights Committee of the President of Republic of Latvia: Opinions 2008-2011], Latvijas Vēstnesis, Rīga, 2011, 200 (co-author)
  • M.Mits. European Convention on Human Rights in Latvia: Impact on Legal Doctrine and Application of Legal Norms, Media Tryck, Lund, 2010, 296.
  • Z.Machnyikova, M.Mits. Implementation of the Latvian State Language Law: A Practice Guide for the State Language Inspectors, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Netherlands, 2006, 264
  • M.Mits (ed.) Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesa: spriedumu izlase I [European Court of Human Rights. Selected Judgements. Vol.I], Latvijas Vēstnesis, Riga, 2003, 300
  • I.Ziemele (ed.) Cilvēktiesības Latvijā un psaulē [Human Rights in the World and in Latvia], Izglītības soļi, Riga, 2000, 409, (co-author)
  • Eiropas Cilvēktiesību konvencijas piemērošana praksē [Practical Implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights] Human Rights Office, Riga, 1997, 80, (legal editor)

Articles

  • “The Role of ECHR in Strengthening Constitutional Jurisprudence: Experience of Latvia” in “Конституционное Правосудие: Вестник Конференции органов конституционного контроля стран новой демократии” [Constitutional Justice: Bulletin of the Constitutional Review Institutions of the New Democracies] No.1(75) 2017, 5-12.
  • “Bruņoti konflikti un patvēruma meklētāji – Eiropas cilvēktiesību standartu pārbaudījumi” [Armed Conflicts and Asylum Seekers – Challenges to the European Human Rights Standards], Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word], No.46 (1000), 7 November 2017.
  • “Eiropas Cilvēktiesību konvencijas ratifikācijas process Latvijā”,  Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word], No.21 (975), 16 May 2017.
  • “Consolidating democratic changes in Latvia: the various roles of the European Convention on Human Rights” in The Impact of the ECHR on Democratic Change in Central and Eastern Europe: Judicial Perspectives, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2016.
  • E.Grigore-Bāra, A.Kovaļevska, L.Liepa, E.Levits, M.Mits, D.Rezevska, J.Rozenvalds, G.Sniedzīte “2. Latvijas suverēnā vara pieder Latvijas tautai” [Article 2: The sovereign power belongs to the people of Latvia] in Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri: Ievads, I.nodaļa, vispārējie noteikumi [A Commentary to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia: the Preamble, Chapter I, General Provisions], Latvijas Vēstnesis, Riga, 2014, 136-232.
  • “Legal Benchmarks for Lowering Social Protection in Times of Austerity: Lessons from Latvia” Revue Hellénique des Droits de l’Homme No. 57, 2013, 11-53.
  • „Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesas judikatūra Augstākās tiesas nolēmumos” [“Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Decisions of the Supreme Court”] Latvijas Republikas Augstākās tiesas Biļetens [Bulletin of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia] No.6, April 2013, 49-52
  • “Dialogs starp tiesām cilvēktiesību aizsardzības kontekstā” [“Dialogue among Courts in the Context of Protection of Human Rights”] Latvijas Republikas Augstākās tiesas Biļetens [Bulletin of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia] No.5, October 2012, 28-30
  • „Eiropas Savienības prasības cilvēktiesību jomā – starp mājasdarbiem un brīvlaiku Latvijā” [Human Rights Obligations of the European Union: Between Pressure and Leisure in Latvia] European Union and the Rule of Law: Experience of Latvia, Riga Graduate School of Law, Riga, 2009, 70-85
  • “Internationalisation of Public Law: the Case of Latvia” Revue Européenne de Droit Public vol.18(1), 2006, 421-442
  • „Laventa lieta – vecs izaicinājums jaunam likumam” [“Lavents Case – An Old Challenge for a New Law”] Likums un Tiesības [Law and Justice] No.3, 2006, 84-94
  • “Zur Dynamik des Wandels in Lettland” Jahrbuch Menschenrechte 2004, November 2003
  • “9.lekcija. Starptautisko cilvēktiesību loma un to aizsardzības mehānismi” [“Lecture 9. The Role of International Human Rights and Mechanisms for Their Protection”] Tieslietu atspoguļošana: mācību kurss žurnālistikā [Reporting on Legal Issues: Training Course in Journalism], CD format, 2002, 13
  • “Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesas nolēmumu izmantošana Satversmes tiesā: Administratīvo pārkāpumu pārsūdzības lieta” [“Application of the Case-law of the European Convention of Human Rights by the Constitutional Court: Administrative Violations Case”] Likums un Tiesības [Law and Justice] No.38, 2002, 301-306
  • “Par mazākumtautību tiesībām Latvijā reģionālā aspektā” [“Minority Rights in Latvia in Regional Context”] Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.225, 23 November 2001
  • “Juridisks skats uz mazākumtautību konvenciju Latvijas kontekstā” „Legal View on Minority Convention in the Context of Latvia”] Pilsoniskā līdzdalība un integrācija [Civic Participation and Integration] No.2, 2001, 12-14
  • „Par valsts sakārtošanas priekšnoteikumiem” [On Prerequisites for Putting a State into Order] Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.140/141, 19 April 2001
  • “Vai visi tiesu spriedumi ir publiskojami?” [“Should All the Judgements Be Publicly Accessible?”] Likums un Tiesības [Law and Justice] No.11, 2000, 344-345
  • „Sprieduma komentārs (tiesības uz dzīvību)” [A Commentary to the Judgement (A Right to Life)] Cilvēktiesību Žurnāls [Human Rights Quarterly] No.13-14, 2000, 147-155
  • “Cilvēktiesību un pamatbrīvību aizsardzības konvencijas statuss Latvijas tiesību sistēmā. Konvencijas piemērošana nacionālā līmenī” [“Status of the European Convention on Human Rights in the Latvian Legal System. Implementation of the Convention at Domestic Level”] Eiropas Cilvēktiesību konvencijas piemērošana praksē [Practical Implementation of the European Convention of Human Rights] Human Rights Office, Riga, 1997, 18-36
  • “Latvian Constitution in the Context of the European Convention of Human Rights”, Latvian Human Rights Quarterly No.7-10, 1999, 43-87
  • „Par informācijas atklātumu valsts pārvaldē” [“On the Access to Information in Public Administration] Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.151, 16 December 1999
  • “Cilvēktiesību dokumenti un Latvijas saistības” [“Human Rights Documents and Latvia’s Commitments’’] Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.187, 23 July 1997
  • Komentāri Ievada ziņojumam ANO Cilvēktiesību komitejai par starptautiskā pakta “Par pilsoņu un politiskajām tiesībām” izpildi Latvijas Republikā “[Commentaries to the Initial Report of the Republic of Latvia on the Implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights] Cilvēktiesību Žurnāls [Human Rights Quarterly] No.2, 1996

Studies and reports

  • M.Mits “Summaries of Country Inputs by Responding MFJ Partners: Latvia” in Legal Education and Judicial Training in Europe: the Menu for Justice Project Report (D. Piana et.al. eds.), Eleven International Publishers: the Netherlands, 2013, 223-227
  • M.Mits „Cilvēktiesību tiesas judikatūra Latvijas Republikas Augstākās tiesas nolēmumos” [Case Law of the European Court of Human Rights in Decisions of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia], Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia, December 2012, available at http://www.at.gov.lv/lv/info/summary/citi/
  • M.Mits “Par likumprojektu “Grozījumi pilsonības likumā” [On Draft Law “Amendments to the Law on Citizenship” Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word] Nr.40, 2 October 2012
  • Ekspertu grupas ziņojums „Par deputātu kandidātiem izvirzītās prasības – dokumentāli apliecināt valsts valodas zināšanas augstākajā pakāpē – atbilstību Latvijas Republikas Satversmei un par valsts valodas statusa nodrošinājumu normatīvajos aktos” [“Report of the Group of Experts on the Compliance of the Requirement to Provide Documentary Evidence about Highest Proficiency Level of the State Language with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia and on the Legal Guarantees of the Status of the State Language”], Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.11, 22 January 2002 (co-author)
  • M.Mits, N.Muižnieks „Atzinums par likumprojektu „Grozījumi Latvijas Republikas Satversmē” 21.02.2002. redakcijā” [Legal Opinion on the Draft Law “Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia” as to 21 February 2002] Diena [Daily the Day] 13 March 2002
  • G.Feldhune, M.Mits Legal Analysis of National and European Anti-Discrimination legislation: Latvia, Migration Policy Group: Brussels, 2001, 45
  • G.Davis (ed.) Putting People First: Challenges and Opportunities, United Nations, 2000, 55 (co-author)

Public policy articles and interviews

  • „Portāla atbildība par anonīmiem komentāriem: ECT spriedums Delfu lietā raisa diskusiju” [Portal’s Responsibility for Anonymous Commentaries: Judgement of the ECtHR Raises Discussion] Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word] No.48, 26 November 2013
  • „Saeimas atlaišana: Satversme un neskaidrie jautājumi” [Dissolution of the Parliament: The Constitution and Ambiguities”], Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word] No.23, 7 June 2011 (co-author)
  • “Ceļā uz Saeimas atlaišanu” [On the Way to Dissolving the Parliament], Ir.lv (the public policy site), published on 3 June 2011
  • „Kāda ir juridiskās izglītības nākotne Latvijā” [What is the Quality of Higher Education in Latvia” Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word] No.21, 24 May 2011 (co-author)
  • „Latvija iztur Eiropas Cilvēktiesību tiesas pārbaudi” [Latvia Withstands Review by the European Court of Human Rights] Jurista Vārds [Lawyer’s Word] No.21, 25 May 2010
  • „Nenotikusī nacisma slavināšana” [Failed Nazi Glorification] Ir.lv, published on 18 July 2010
  • „Vārda brīvības vārdā” [In the Name of the Freedom of Expression] interview in Politika.lv, published on 8 June 2010
  • Tiesiskuma deficīts domāšanā [Rule of law deficit in thinking] ] Diena [Daily the Day], 20 October 2007
  • „Velkot robežu starp privāto un publisko” [Drawing borders between public and private] Diena [Daily the Day], 19 April 2007
  • „Pārprastā vārda brīvība un vairākuma diktatūra” [„Freedom of Expression Misundersatood and Dictate of the Majority”] interview with Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 3 October 2006
  • „Viedoklis par Valsts Prezidentes izteikumiem: Delna – jauns drauds Latvijas demokrātijai?” [A View on the Remarks of the President of the State: Delna – a New Threat to Democracy in Latvia?”] Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 23 August 2004
  • “Return of the Deficit in Latvia?” Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 16 December 2003
  • “Par vēlēšanu tiesību ierobežojumu pamatotību” [On the Validity of Restrictions to Electoral Rights] Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.19, 24 September 2002
  • “No vēlēšanu ierobežojumiem būs jāatsakās” [“Restrictions to Voting Rights Will Have to be Abolished”] Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 17 September 2003
  • “Četrreiz par to pašu Satversmē” [“Four times About the Same in the Constitution”] Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 20 March 2002
  • “Valodas prasība kandidātiem – nesamērīga” [“Language Requirement for Candiadates – Unproportiante”] Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 11 January 2002
  • „Latvijas rasisma stereotipi” [“Stereotypes About the Latvian Racism”] interview with Politika.lv (the public policy site), published on 5 September 2001
  • „… Un par vārdu kā cilvēktiesību” […And on the name as a Human Right] interview with Latvijas Vēstnesis [Latvian Reporter] No.26, 4 July 2000
  • M.Mits, G.Ozoliņa „Satversmes tiesas reforma nav vajadzīga” [“The Reform of the Constitutional Court is Unnecessary” Diena [Daily the Day], 14 August 1999