UNITED NATIONS CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/15/Add.142 21 February 2001 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Twenty-sixth session CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Latvia 1. The Committee considered the initial report of Latvia (CRC/C/11/Add.22), received on 25 November 1998, at its 671st and 672nd meetings (see CRC/C/SR.671 and 672), held on 9 January 2001, and adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s initial report and the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/Q/LAT/1). The Committee notes with appreciation the broad ranging delegation sent by the State party and welcomes the frank discussion and the positive reactions to the suggestions and recommendations made during the discussion. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the recent adoption of new laws, as well as the amendments to the domestic legislation with a view to bringing it into conformity with the principles and provisions of the Convention. In particular, it welcomes the amendment of 1998 of the Citizenship Law according to which all children born in Latvia since 1991 are automatically entitled to citizenship. It also takes note with appreciation of, inter alia, the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child of 1998 and the Law on Custody and Local Courts of 1995.  At the 697th meeting, held on 26 January 2001. GE.01-40827 (E)