Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gill-Robles to Latvia
• Saeima Government Review Committee meets Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration
• Draft amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Latvian National Human Rights Office will examine the complaint of a Latvian language teacher about conflict with her students

Newspapers feature recommendations of Alvaro Gill-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, on social integration issues in Latvia. The Commissioner has advised to simplify the naturalization exams, provide them free of charge, and grant voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections, thus increasing their sense of state identity and motivation to naturalize. According to Diena, the Commissioner has stated that recommendations of the Council of Europe are not binding for Latvia. He also pointed that the monitoring of minority rightsin Latvia should not be renewed because of the fact that Latvia has not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. However, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is the one to make the final decision. Neatkariga Rita Avize features opinions of human rights experts and Latvian officials on possibility of granting voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections. According to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, more attention should be paid to naturalization of 110,000 children and young people who are not Latvian citizens. Lauku Avize and Telegraf also print articles about the meeting of Alvaro Gill-Robles with the MPs. Lauku Avize, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Yesterday the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks met with the Saeima Government Review Committee answering questions about his stance on various social integration issues and informing about the planned activities. According to Muiznieks, Latvias accession to the EU should not affect the education reform. The minister also referred to his meetings with representatives of several international institutions, where he objected to the need of granting voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections, and stressed that Latvian priority is to promote naturalization. Lauku Avize

The Russian State Council has prepared a statement about minority rights situation in Latvia. According to the statement, the EU is planning to admit Latvia as a member despite the fact that its observation of minority rights does not comply with the European human rights standards. The newspaper does not specify the addressee of this statement. Vesti Segodnya

The Saeima Human rights and Public Affairs Committee examined draft amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State elaborated by the government. The amendments stipulate that non-citizens have an opportunity to renounce the status of a non-citizen of Latvia if they become residents of other states and obtain a travelling document there. According to the present law, only Latvian non-citizens living in the CIS states, lose their status. According to the draft amendments, a person should be a permanent resident of Latvia to get the status of Latvian non-citizen. Lauku Avize

The Saeima Human Rights Committee delegated the examination of the Latvian language teacher`s complaint about a conflict situation with her students to the Latvian National Human Rights Office. The conflict aroused after the students refusal to attend the Latvian language lessons allegedly because of ethnic preconceptions of the teacher. Rigas Balss

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Discussion about the statements of Alvaro Gill-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
• Cabinet of Ministers approves the establishment of the State Language Agency
• MPs plan to meet Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, to talk over the mutual disagreements
• Nils Muiznieks: non-citizens are passive in the naturalization process
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia distributes the statements of Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary-General of Council of Europe, about the education reform in Latvia
• The President of Latvia and parliamentary faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia talk over the education reform
• Historian Dr. Leo Dribins and the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about ethnic factors in voting results of the referendum on the Latvia`s accession to the EU

Newspapers write about the visit of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gill-Robles to Latvia, featuring the responses of Latvian officials to his statements. Lauku Avize refers to Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. According to him, the recommendation of the Commissioner to grant voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens was his private opinion, not the official stance of the Council of Europe. Bruvers also stresses that this suggestion was not based on an in-depth analysis of the situation of Latvia. The newspaper also refers to the opinions of Anta Rugate, a MP, believing that granting of voting rights to non-citizens would decrease their motivation to naturalize. Ina Druviete, the head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, states that fulfilling of this recommendation would hinder the process of social integration and decrease motivation to learn the Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya and Vecernaya Riga refer to Kristine Juckovica, the press secretary of the Prime Minister of Latvia, informing that Latvia will not fulfill the recommendation of the Commisioner to grant voting rights to non-citizens since there are opportunities for non-citizens to naturalize. Lauku Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a concept of the establishment of the State Language Agency. Telegraf points to the overlap of functions between the new State Language Agency and the State Language Centre as well as other institutions responsible for the implementation of the state language policy, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Rigas Balss writes about the conflict between the representatives of Saeima and the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks since last August. The newspaper points out that the opponents of Muiznieks are planning to meet with him in the coming days to talk over the mutual disagreements.

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about an interview of Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, to Russian radio station Eho Moskvi. According to the Minister, the main non-citizens problem in Latvia is their own passivity in the process of naturalization.

The press-center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia has distributed the opinion of Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, on the education reform in Latvia. According to him, there are different models of minority education in Europe, but the Council of Europe is expecting Latvia to observe both the rights to get education in minority language and the rights to get a qualitative education in the state language. Lauku Avize also refers to the false interpretation of Schwimmer`s statements by several Russian news agencies and Russian language newspapers in Latvia. Lauku Avize

Chas features an article about the meeting of Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the President of Latvia, with the representatives of Saeima opposition parties. Education reform was the main subject of discussion between the President and the faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The President promised to talk over this issue with the Minister of Education and Science.

The public policy portal www.politika.lv publishes an article of the historian Dr. Leo Dribins and an interview of Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, to the radio station Briva Eiropa (Free Europe), where they both discuss ethnic factors in voting results of the referendum on the Latvia`s accession to the EU.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Recommendations of Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, to Latvia
• State Language Agency concept submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers
• Discussion about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia
• Conflict between a Latvian language teacher and students

The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, who is visiting Latvia in order to prepare a report on human rights situation in Latvia for the Council of Europe, has met with Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. The First Commissioner recommended to Latvia to consider an opportunity to grant voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens. He also recommended to grant Latvian citizenship automatically to the children born in Latvia, to ease the naturalization procedure for elderly people, and to allow to submit documents to the local governments in other languages apart from Latvian in the areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers. According to

The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, who is visiting Latvia in order to prepare a report on human rights situation in Latvia for the Council of Europe, has met with Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. The First Commissioner recommended to Latvia to consider an opportunity to grant voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens. He also recommended to grant Latvian citizenship automatically to the children born in Latvia, to ease the naturalization procedure for elderly people, and to allow to submit documents to the local governments in other languages apart from Latvian in the areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers. According to Diena, Alvaro Gill-Robless has also discussed the education reform at the meeting with Karlis Shadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science. During the visit to the Secretariat of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, the First Commissioner and Nils Muiznieks spoke about the situation of Roma in Latvia. Rigas Balss features the opinions of Latvian officials, stressing that the suggestions of Alvaro Gil-Robles are not binding for Latvia. Rigas Balss, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a concept of the establishment of the State Language Agency, which will be responsible for the implementation of the state language policy. The Committee decided that the Agency will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Today the Cabinet of Ministers should examine the concept. The key functions of the new body are: promotion of Latvian language development in the area of information technologies, ensuring the development of Latvian language terminology, consultations on the state language issues, and promotion and popularization of language acquisition and use.

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a concept of the establishment of the State Language Agency, which will be responsible for the implementation of the state language policy. The Committee decided that the Agency will be under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. Today the Cabinet of Ministers should examine the concept. The key functions of the new body are: promotion of Latvian language development in the area of information technologies, ensuring the development of Latvian language terminology, consultations on the state language issues, and promotion and popularization of language acquisition and use. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the possible causes of anti-Semitic acts of vandalism in Latvia. Vechernaya Riga, referring to the statements of the parents of young delinquents, assumes thatthe real organizers of the vandalism act in the New Jewish cemetery could be the extremist organization All for Latvia. Telegraf stresses the existence of extremist organizations involved in vandalism acts, in Latvia.

Lauku Avize features an article about the conflict between a Latvian language teacher and her students in a Riga Russian language school. The students of the 12b grade refused to attend the Latvian language lessons because of the ethnic preconceptions of the teacher. The school principal and other grades students believe that accusations against the teacher are unjust.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• A picket against the education reform organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools
• Statistical data about the ethnic structure of Latvian population
• Conflict between a Latvian language teacher and students
• Vesty Segodnya criticizes the Phare project tender organized by the Society Integration Foundation
• New programme of the Peoples Harmony partys on minority issues

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to Latvia, informing about a picket against the education reform organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools near the National Library of Latvia (NLL) during the meeting of Alvaro Gil-Robles with representatives of NGOs in this building.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe to Latvia, informing about a picket against the education reform organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools near the National Library of Latvia (NLL) during the meeting of Alvaro Gil-Robles with representatives of NGOs in this building. Vecernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya features statistical data about the ethnic structure of the population of Latvia at the beginning of 2003. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, ethnic Latvians constitute 58,5% of the total population, Russians, the largest minority, - 29%. In 2002 the number of Germans increased by 100 persons, the number of Jews - from 9,637 to 10,125 persons and the number of Roma – from 8,267 to 8,358 persons. There are more than 40 national minorities living in Latvia.

Rigas Balss writes about a conflict between a Latvian language teacher and her students in a Riga Russian language school. 12th grade students have refused to attend the Latvian language lessons pointing to the ethnic preconceptions of the teacher. The teacher, in turn, denies this reproach and has sent an application to the Saeima Human Rights Committee, stating that she has been falsely accused. The Committee is planning to examine this application tomorrow. Ina Druviete, the Chairperson of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, considers the activities of the students as a provocation with the purpose to discredit not only the teacher, but also the Latvian language.

Vesti Segodnya continues discussion about the project tender for NGOs in the framework of the EU Phare programme administrated by the Society Integration Foundation, criticizing the fact that only licensed educational institutions can receive Phare funding for Latvian language training projects.

Chas publishes the main theses of the Peoples Harmony partys new programme, stating that non-citizens should be granted the rights to vote at municipal elections and to choose the language of instruction at the secondary school. According to the partys programme, there is also a need to ease the naturalization procedure, and to grant Latvian citizenship automatically to all permanent residents who have lived in Latvia for the last 10 years.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Society Integration Foundation received 90 project proposals
• Saeima faction of the Latvian Socialist Party is not planning to nominate another candidate to the post of observer at the European Parliament
• Boris Tsilevich on the ratification of the Framework convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• French Senator Serge Lagauche on social integration in Latvia
• Latvian MP criticizes the statements of Reuven Rivlin, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset
• Russian school students meet Sergey Jastrzembsky, the assistant to the president of Russia
• Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, plans to visit Latvia

The Society Integration Foundation has received 90 project proposals for two project tenders with state funding: Latvian language training for adults, and information activities about 2004 education reform.

The Society Integration Foundation has received 90 project proposals for two project tenders with state funding: Latvian language training for adults, and information activities about 2004 education reform. Diena

Aleksandr Golubov, the chairperson of the Saeima faction of the Latvian Socialist Party, continues discussion about the decision of Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee to ask the Latvian Socialist Party to nominate another candidate to the post of observer at the European Parliament instead of the present observer M.Bekasov. According to Golubov, the party considers this proposal of the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK as directed against political opponents, and is not planning to change the present observer.

Aleksandr Golubov, the chairperson of the Saeima faction of the Latvian Socialist Party, continues discussion about the decision of Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee to ask the Latvian Socialist Party to nominate another candidate to the post of observer at the European Parliament instead of the present observer M.Bekasov. According to Golubov, the party considers this proposal of the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK as directed against political opponents, and is not planning to change the present observer. Vesti Segodnya

Newspaperscontinue discussion about the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).  According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian delegate to PACE, PACE considered the ratification of the Framework convention for the Protection of National Minorities as obligatory to all the EU member states. He also stated that minority situation can be changed after ratification, primarily the official use of minority languages in areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers, and possibility for national minorities to participate in decision making on issues directly affecting them.

Newspaperscontinue discussion about the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian delegate to PACE, PACE considered the ratification of the Framework convention for the Protection of National Minorities as obligatory to all the EU member states. He also stated that minority situation can be changed after ratification, primarily the official use of minority languages in areas inhabited by persons belonging to minorities in substantial numbers, and possibility for national minorities to participate in decision making on issues directly affecting them. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Lauku Avize features an interview with Serge Lagauche, a Senator from France, stating that Latvia has achieved a notable progress in the area of society integration and solution of the non-citizens problems. However, the Senator considers the requirements of naturalization exam being too high for aged non-citizens. He also points to the long procedure of granting citizenship to non-citizens children.

Lauku Avize publishes a letter of Leopolds Ozolins, Latvian MP,, who criticizes the statements of Reuven Rivlin, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, in Saeima during his visit to Latvia. Leopols Ozolins believes that is not correct to blame all the nation for the crimes committed against Jews by concrete individuals.

Chas features an article about the meeting of Russian school students with Sergey Jastrzembsky, the assistant to the president of Russia, stating that the relationship between Latvia and Russia could be improved only after solving the problem of discrimination of Russian speaking population.

Chas writes about the planned visit of Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, whose goal is to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia.