2024 OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice

AS

Anda Smiltēna

Ministry of Justice of Republic, Latvia

Deputy Secretary of State

Biography

Anda Smiltēna is the Deputy State Secretary on Law Policy at the Ministry of Justice in Latvia, with a career spanning over 15 years in public law and policy. Her extensive experience includes serving as a Legal Advisor at Latvia's Permanent Representation to the European Union (2017-2021), Director of the Department of State Law at the Ministry of Justice (2016-2017), and Head of the Administrative Law Division (2008-2015). She has also lectured at the University of Latvia and the Riga Graduate School of Law on the Philosophy of Law and the History of Latvian Law. Ms. Smiltēna has been a short-term expert in international projects, contributing to the Council of Europe, the EU Rule of Law Platform in Central Asia, and the Twinnings projects in Georgia, Moldova, and North Macedonia. She has worked on improving judicial accountability, enhancing the rule of law, and advancing personal data protection. Her educational background includes a Doctorate in Law Theory and History, a Master’s in Law, and a Master’s in Philosophy from the University of Latvia. She has also completed international courses in law at institutions such as Leiden University and Université de Genève, covering topics including international law and children's rights. Ms. Smiltēna's contributions to justice and democracy have been recognised with several awards, including the Minister of Justice Award "Development for Justice" (2019) and the Medal of Honour of the Second Degree for her work in advancing the rule of law (2016). Fluent in Latvian, English, and Russian, Ms. Smiltēna also has a basic understanding of French, German, and Dutch.
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