ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kalvis Engīzers

Kalvis Engīzers is an independent legal researcher. The opinions expressed are entirely his own and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any institution to which he is or has been affiliated.

POSTS BY Kalvis Engīzers

07 January 2026

Kalvis Engīzers

The Monster Screaming the Loudest

In late October 2025, the majority of the Latvian Parliament voted to denounce the Istanbul Convention. This move faced considerable civic protests and was ultimately suspended due to a presidential veto. Nevertheless, what happened in Latvia was not a mere national power play. The withdrawal attempt was a manifestation of a broader challenge posed to Latvia and to Europe in general by disinformation, the growing backsliding threats to constitutional democracies, and by an ancient monster still lurking in the shadows of Europe. Continue reading >>

02 February 2021

Kalvis Engīzers, Madara Meļņika

Defining the Modern Family

In November 2020, the Constitutional Court of Latvia recognised that the Constitution of Latvia (Satversme) obliges the state to protect all families, including those established by same-sex couples. The judgement was met with considerable political backlash and at the beginning of January prompted the right‑wing party Nacionālā Apvienība to submit an initiative to amend the Satversme with a new, excluding definition of family. Perhaps more worrisome is how the amendment and the associated campaign openly attack the authority of the Constitutional Court. Continue reading >>

Kalvis Engīzers

The Monster Screaming the Loudest

Defining the Modern Family

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