A/HRC/18/2 408. The State Language Law provided for the integration of national minorities into Latvian society, securing their rights to use their native or any other languages while preserving, protecting and developing the Latvian language. Latvia had always aimed to keep this balance. The Constitution referred to the Latvian language as the only official language whose use is defined in the Official Language Law. At the same time laws provided for exceptions when information had to be given to a person in a language other than the official language. 409. With regard to the recommendations on granting certain rights to non-citizens, Latvia emphasized that non-citizens were already granted economic, social and cultural rights, as well as a number of political rights. Latvia’s position remained unchanged as to granting non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections; the right to vote was seen as an inalienable attribute of citizenship. This position complied with international law and existing State practice. At the same time, non-citizens were ensured practical and effective access to the naturalization process, which to date has been followed by more than 140,000 non-citizens. Latvia emphasized that the status non-citizen was only temporary, and thus that obtaining citizenship was the most effective way of expanding the scope of an individual’s rights. 410. With regard to the recommendations on the granting of automatic citizenship to noncitizen children in Latvia, there had been positive developments since May. Government regulations on facilitating registration of non-citizen children as citizens of Latvia at the time of registration of their birth had been approved on 5 July 2011. 411. The Government of Latvia had made significant efforts to facilitate the naturalization process by assessing on a regular basis the motivation of remaining noncitizens. Further measures would be taken to facilitate and optimize the process and to achieve social integration. 412. Latvia was committed to the prevention and the fight against human trafficking, including its various new forms, such as the marriage of convenience. Latvia had accepted all recommendations thereon and intended to continue its efforts in this field. The effective work of law enforcement institutions and legislative regulation had already led to a decrease in the number of cases of human trafficking in recent years. 413. Regarding the recommendations on living conditions in places of detention and in prisons, Latvia had already made substantial efforts to improve these conditions to comply with international standards, and would continue them. In recent years, greater attention had been paid to planning the execution of sentences and to the implementation of the policy for the resocialization of inmates. Training for the prison staff was also provided. 414. Latvia also emphasized the importance of increasing the population’s knowledge of their rights. Therefore, general information on human rights, anti-discrimination and tolerance related issues had been included in the school curricula for several years. Awareness-raising campaigns on specific human rights or discrimination issues were being carried out in cooperation with State institutions, the ombudsman, non-governmental organizations and the mass media. Latvia pointed out that the role of non-governmental organizations in promoting human rights was essential. 415. The delegation concluded that, in the 21 years since the restoration of its independence, Latvia had developed modern, comprehensive legislation and an institutional system for the protection of human rights. Latvia stood ready to facilitate further improvements and would report on progress in the next cycle of the universal periodic review. Latvia attached the greatest importance to its human rights commitments, and believed that the members of the Human Rights Council must lead by example. Therefore Latvia had submitted its candidacy for election to the Human Rights Council in 2014. 138 GE.12-17756