• Latvian National Human Rights Office published its annual report on the situation of human rights in Latvia in 2004
• State officials condemn the expressions of the head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• 420 persons renounced Latvian citizenship last year
• Court launches the revision of a case of two members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee accused in violating public order
• Interview with former prime minister Andris Skele
• Interview with former parliamentary secretary of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Aleksandrs Brandavs
• Author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals criticizes the attitude of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga towards events of the World War II
• Vesti Segodnya continues to write about EU discussions with Russia on human rights issues
• Diena about FHRUL

The official newspaper

The official newspaper Latvijas Vestnesis reports that the Latvian National Human Rights Office published its annual report on the human rights situation in Latvia in 2004. According to the representative of the National Human Rights Office, last year the majority of individual complaints received by the Office were regarding the following three issues: work of attorneys, in particular people have complained that attorneys assigned by the state do not perform their duties; work of courts – very often courts decide to apply imprisonment as the only safety measure and that it takes a very long time to receive a translation of courts decision in other languages; and work of the mass media – often the presumption of innocence has been violated by the mass media. The newspaper does not report that there are any other violations in the field of minority rights in Latvia.

Russian-language newspapers reprint excerpts from the interview with the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the People’s Party) published in the Latvian daily

Russian-language newspapers reprint excerpts from the interview with the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the Peoples Party) published in the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize. In this interview Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that Latvia should sign such a border agreement with Russia which would stipulate that Russia must deport all ‘civil occupants from Latvia. When asked to comment the Kirsteins statements, the Latvian Prime Minister Aigars Kalvits (the Peoples Party) stated that the views of the Peoples Party are represented by the foreign affairs minister, the prime minister and the chairman of the party. The representative of the Latvias First Party Krisjanis Peters condemned the Kirsteins statements and said that such statements were not acceptable for his party. Chas, Telegraf

Last year 420 persons renounced Latvian citizenship. The main reason of renouncement is the acquisition of citizenship of another country: 253 people acquired Russian citizenship, 56 – German, 23 – Belorussian citizenship.

Last year 420 persons renounced Latvian citizenship. The main reason of renouncement is the acquisition of citizenship of another country: 253 people acquired Russian citizenship, 56 – German, 23 – Belorussian citizenship. Telegraf

Today the Riga Kurzeme District Court (Rigas pilsetas Kurzemes rajona tiesa) launched the revision of a case of two members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Jurijs Kotovs and Nikolajs Oniscuka accused in violating public order. The members of the committee agitated students of the Anninmuiza Secondary School to participate in the picket in the support for the amendments to the Law on Education, prepared by the opposition parties and which would stipulate that the language of instruction is a choice of students and school administrations.

Today the Riga Kurzeme District Court (Rigas pilsetas Kurzemes rajona tiesa) launched the revision of a case of two members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Jurijs Kotovs and Nikolajs Oniscuka accused in violating public order. The members of the committee agitated students of the Anninmuiza Secondary School to participate in the picket in the support for the amendments to the Law on Education, prepared by the opposition parties and which would stipulate that the language of instruction is a choice of students and school administrations. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize interviews former Prime Minister Andris Skele. Regarding the political situation in the country, Andris Skele states that there have been several occasions when Latvian politicians have ‘invited Russia to intervene in the domestic affairs of Latvia, in particular, Andris Skele refers to the policy and strategy implemented by Karlis Sadurskis (former education minister, member of the New Era) regarding the minority education reform. Andris Skele argues that ‘untactful and vulgar debates in Saeima [about the reform in the times when Karlis Sadurskis was the education minister] pushed people on the streets and protest against the reform. When discussing the language situation, Andris Skele notes that very often Russian children lack motivation to study the Latvian language, while their knowledge of other European languages are better than knowledge of these languages of Latvian children. When asked what he would like to say to the public, Andris Skele says ‘we should start discussing Turkeys accession to the EU… despite different mentalities, Latvians and Russians are children of one book, one religion… In no way I have anything against Muslims, however, I want to stress that our inclusion in the EU means that we have to deal with migration, other interests and other level of tolerance. In further conversation, the former prime minister notes that Latvians should not emphasise any more that a person can be Latvian only if s/he was born Latvian.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with former parliamentary secretary of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Aleksandrs Brandavs. He believes that a specific department which would deal with minorities political and cultural development issues, should be established. Aleksandrs Brandavs also stresses that Riga does not have a programme on societal integration although the majority of its residents belongs to ethnic minorities.

Vesti Segodnya reprints a full text of the letter of the author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals to the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his letter the writer sharply criticizes the attitude of the President as well as the Latvian society towards events of the World War II. He states that for 14 years since Latvia re-established its independence Russians have been objects of irrational hatred in the country.

Vesti Segodnya continues to write about the consultations on human rights issues between Russia and the EU. The newspaper pays particular attention to those discussions which touched upon the issues of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia. According to the representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Vladimirs Parsikovs, Russia talked about mass non-citizenship and problems concerning the minority education reform as well as demanded to grant non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections.

The daily

The daily Diena continues to introduce its readers with parties running for seats in the Riga City Council. Todays article is about the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. In the conclusion the daily stresses that minority issues have been the top priority of the union since its foundation: the party has been the main actor in organising protest actions against the minority education reform, it was also the key founder of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools.

• European Court of Human Rights received a claim versus Latvia
• Newspapers report on the consultations between Russia and EU on the human rights issues
• Article about the meeting of representatives of the Romani community and state officials
• Interview with the head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• Headquarters appeals with the court the Riga City Councils refusal to authorise the protest action ‘With a smile about the reform
• Approximately 250 students participated in the protest action against the education reform
• Protest meeting at the building of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow took place yesterday
• Interview with a minority student who supports the implementation of the minority education reform

The European Court of Human Rights received the claim from Natella Kaftailova against Latvia. Natella Kaftailova objects to the decision of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (DCMA) of the Interior Affairs Ministry of Latvia. On the basis of this decision she was deprived of her personal code and expelled from Latvia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Natella Kaftailova was born in Georgia, but in 1984 moved to Latvia with her husband, who was an official of the Soviet Union’s Ministry of Interior. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Natella Kaftailova did not acquire citizenship of any country. In 1994 the DCMA annulled her personal code and a year later took a decision on her expulsion from Latvia. The DCMA based its decision on arguments that till 1 July 1992 Natella Kaftailova had not declared Latvia as her permanent place of residence and had failed to apply for the status of a permanent resident until the date required by Latvian legislation.

The European Court of Human Rights received the claim from Natella Kaftailova against Latvia. Natella Kaftailova objects to the decision of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (DCMA) of the Interior Affairs Ministry of Latvia. On the basis of this decision she was deprived of her personal code and expelled from Latvia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Natella Kaftailova was born in Georgia, but in 1984 moved to Latvia with her husband, who was an official of the Soviet Unions Ministry of Interior. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Natella Kaftailova did not acquire citizenship of any country. In 1994 the DCMA annulled her personal code and a year later took a decision on her expulsion from Latvia. The DCMA based its decision on arguments that till 1 July 1992 Natella Kaftailova had not declared Latvia as her permanent place of residence and had failed to apply for the status of a permanent resident until the date required by Latvian legislation. Diena, Chas

Newspapers report on the consultations between Russia and EU on human rights issues. During the meeting Russia noted to the situation of national minorities in Latvia and Estonia. The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that these countries should speed up the naturalisation process, ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and grant non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections.

Newspapers report on the consultations between Russia and EU on human rights issues. During the meeting Russia noted to the situation of national minorities in Latvia and Estonia. The Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that these countries should speed up the naturalisation process, ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and grant non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports on the meeting of representatives of the Romani community with state officials. The head of the Romani community in Jelgava Haralds Didzus stated that in Latvia there is racial discrimination against Roma ‘employers refuse to employ Roma because of their ethnicity, although they speak very good Latvian. While the acting Parliamentary Secretary of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Denis Hanovs stressed that xenophobia towards Roma is an issue for all members of society.

The Jewish Community in Latvia condemned the publication printed in the daily 

The Jewish Community in Latvia condemned the publication printed in the daily Latvijas Avize. The author of the publication doubted whether Herberts Cukurs, a famous Latvian pilot, who is accused in taking part in the Holocaust, took part in the Holocaust was doubted. Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about societal integration in Latvia. Referring to a study conducted at the end of the 90-ties, Aleksandrs Kirsteins argues that only one third of non-citizens want to naturalise, one third wants to emigrate to Western countries and remaining one third wants to return to Russia. According to Aleksandrs Kirsteins, the national programme ‘Society Integration in Latvia attempts to implement forceful integration. When asked about the possible results of the forthcoming municipal elections, Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will not collect many votes, because there are other left-wing parties as well and there is no co-operation among them.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools appealed with the court the decision of the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks. Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise the protest action ‘

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools appealed with the court the decision of the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks. Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise the protest action ‘With a smile about the reform in Esplanade, the centre of Riga, on 5 March. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Approximately 250 students participated in the protest action against the education reform in Liepaja. The action was organised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Latvian National Democratic Party.

Approximately 250 students participated in the protest action against the education reform in Liepaja. The action was organised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Latvian National Democratic Party. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the protest meeting against marking of the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Legion on 16 March in Latvia took place at the building of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. The protest meeting was organised by the Russia’s youth movement ‘For Fatherland.’ One of the members of the organisation is Aleksandrs Kazakovs, the former activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, who was recently expelled from Latvia.

Yesterday the protest meeting against marking of the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Legion on 16 March in Latvia took place at the building of the Latvian Embassy in Moscow. The protest meeting was organised by the Russias youth movement ‘For Fatherland. One of the members of the organisation is Aleksandrs Kazakovs, the former activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, who was recently expelled from Latvia. Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with 12th grade student Jelizaveta Mardanja, who study at a Russian language secondary school in Riga. Jelizaveta Mardjana states that she has no problems to study in Latvian because her school launched bilingual education model when she was in 8th grade. However, she argues that there is a necessity to increase the number of Latvian language classes and implement multicultural education models. Jelizaveta Mardanja states that several teachers of her school not only agitate against the education reform, but also put better marks to those students who participate in protest actions against the education reform.

• Union of Poles held its annual congress
• In the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris Grizlov criticizes Latvia and Estonia for violating Russian-speakers rights
• Article about the Latvian language environment and the implementation of the minority education in Zilupe
• Article about the congress of the left-wing union Dzimtene

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports on the annual congress of the Union of Poles in Latvia. The Unions Chairperson Vanda Krukovska stated that only approximately 1,200 children are attending five Polish schools in Latvia, therefore Polish language classes should be offered also at Russian-language schools. The Chairman of the Liepajas branch Garkuls-Gurevics reported that members of the Polish community refused to get involve in protest actions against the minority education reform. At the end of the conference its participants called to condemn the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact stating that both the Latvian and Polish community have suffered because of the Pact.

In the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris Grizlov expressed his criticism towards Latvia and Estonia for violating Russian-speakers’ rights. Boris Grizlov pointed to the prohibitions for Latvian non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, as well as the Latvian Central Election Commission’s decision to stop a broadcast of municipal election campaign’s clips which provide information about voting procedure in the Russian language. The Russian official called the OSCE to pay more attention to the issues concerning the protection of national minority rights.

In the winter session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly the Chairman of the Russian State Duma Boris Grizlov expressed his criticism towards Latvia and Estonia for violating Russian-speakers rights. Boris Grizlov pointed to the prohibitions for Latvian non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, as well as the Latvian Central Election Commissions decision to stop a broadcast of municipal election campaigns clips which provide information about voting procedure in the Russian language. The Russian official called the OSCE to pay more attention to the issues concerning the protection of national minority rights. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article about the Latvian language environment and the implementation of the minority education in Zilupe (the parish near the Eastern boarder of Latvia). In this parish Russian is the most widespread language. The director of the Zilupe Secondary School Regina Iljina reports that the school established Latvian-language classes already 12 years ago. While farmer Boriss Velicko, Belorussian who lives in Zilupe, believes that education in the Latvian language will help his daughter to become a full-fledged member of the society. Boriss Velicko, however, notes that insufficient attention has been paid to training of teachers who work at minority schools in those Latvias regions where Russian is a dominant language.

On Saturday the congress of the left-wing union

On Saturday the congress of the left-wing union Dzimtene took place in Riga. Participants sharply criticized its former partners from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and reproached them for initiating ethnic hatred and weakening the defence of Russian-language schools. The Latvias Socialist Party, the Russians party, the United Social Democratic Welfare Party and the Party for Social Justice are represented in the union ‘Dzimtene. Latvijas Avize

• Non-Latvians show more interest in taking part in the forthcoming municipal elections than Latvians do
• Consultations on human rights issues between the EU and Russia will take place this week
• Vladimir Putin: we respect the opinion of those Baltic people, who believe that the end of the World War II means loosing sovereignty [of their countries]
• Saeima MP Boris Cilevics discusses transposition of the EU Race Equality Directive in Latvian legislation
• Former Russian media magnate Boris Berezovsky talks about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools will organise unapproved protest action ‘With a smile about the [education] reform

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti’ non-Latvians show more interest in taking part in the forthcoming municipal elections than Latvians do: 52.5% non-Latvians and 48.7% Latvians state that they will go to vote. In Riga the gap is even bigger: 62.5% non-Latvians and 55.6% Latvians will go to vote. The director of the ‘Latvijas Fakti’

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti non-Latvians show more interest in taking part in the forthcoming municipal elections than Latvians do: 52.5% non-Latvians and 48.7% Latvians state that they will go to vote. In Riga the gap is even bigger: 62.5% non-Latvians and 55.6% Latvians will go to vote. The director of the ‘Latvijas Fakti Aigars Freimanis believes that the results of the last municipal elections, when left political parties got the majority of votes in Riga, has changed views of non-Latvians about their possibilities to influence the results of the elections. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

On Tuesday the EU will hold first consultations on human rights issues with Russia.  According to the representative of the European Commission Emma Udvina, the situation of Russian-speakers in Baltic States is also included in the agenda.

On Tuesday the EU will hold first consultations on human rights issues with Russia. According to the representative of the European Commission Emma Udvina, the situation of Russian-speakers in Baltic States is also included in the agenda. Diena

‘We respect the opinion of those Baltic people, who believe that the end of the World War II means losing sovereignty [of the Baltic States],’ stated the President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the same time noting that the history can be treated variously.

‘We respect the opinion of those Baltic people, who believe that the end of the World War II means losing sovereignty [of the Baltic States], stated the President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the same time noting that the history can be treated variously. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Saeima MP Boris Cilevics discusses the implementation of the EU directives in Latvian legislation, among other explaining also the role of the EU Directive on Race. The MP states Latvian officials have not been very enthusiastic to implement this directive in Latvian legislation. According to the MP, the set of amendments to Latvian legislation was presented in the meeting of the State Secretaries already on 2 December 2004, but has not been submitted to Saeima yet.

Saeima MP Boris Cilevics discusses the implementation of the EU directives in Latvian legislation, among other explaining also the role of the EU Directive on Race. The MP states Latvian officials have not been very enthusiastic to implement this directive in Latvian legislation. According to the MP, the set of amendments to Latvian legislation was presented in the meeting of the State Secretaries already on 2 December 2004, but has not been submitted to Saeima yet. Chas

Former Russian media magnate Boris Berezovsky paid a short visit to Riga. He held a press conference and commented on various issues, including the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. He believes that the key problem is Russia and her attitude towards this issue. Boris Berezovsky argues that in her statements Russia positions Russians living in Latvia as the fifth colonna and this leads to escalation of negativism in both Latvians and Russians living in Latvia. Russia, however, already expressed her negative reaction towards the Berezovsky’s visit to Riga and reproached Latvia for not taking any actions to detain Berezovsky.

Former Russian media magnate Boris Berezovsky paid a short visit to Riga. He held a press conference and commented on various issues, including the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. He believes that the key problem is Russia and her attitude towards this issue. Boris Berezovsky argues that in her statements Russia positions Russians living in Latvia as the fifth colonna and this leads to escalation of negativism in both Latvians and Russians living in Latvia. Russia, however, already expressed her negative reaction towards the Berezovskys visit to Riga and reproached Latvia for not taking any actions to detain Berezovsky. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools will organise the protest action ‘

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools will organise the protest action ‘With smile about the reform in Esplanade, the centre of Riga, on 5 March despite the fact that the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks did not give his authorisation to organise the action. According to the representative of the Headquarters Genadijs Kotovs, the goal of the action is ‘to laugh about education officials idiotism and the minority education reform itself. Maris Tralmaks argues that the centre of the Riga is not a right place for ‘laughing at Latvian legislation. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

• Saeima does not adopt proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration in Latvia yesterday
• National Radio and TV Council imposes a fine on the Russian-language Radio PIK
• Author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals reproaches the Latvian President for being Russophobic
• Ratings of political parties

Yesterday Saeima turned down proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The proposed amendments stipulated that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulated that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language.

Yesterday Saeima turned down proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The proposed amendments stipulated that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulated that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration issues in Latvia. Majority of Intergroup’s members admitted that the implementation of the minority education reform is legitimate and argued that Russian-speakers who live in Latvia should speak Latvian. However, MPs also noted that it is not normal that about 450,000 permanent residents of Latvia do not have Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration issues in Latvia. Majority of Intergroups members admitted that the implementation of the minority education reform is legitimate and argued that Russian-speakers who live in Latvia should speak Latvian. However, MPs also noted that it is not normal that about 450,000 permanent residents of Latvia do not have Latvian citizenship. Latvijas Vestnesis, Latvijas Avize

The opinion poll conducted by the company

The opinion poll conducted by the company Latvijas fakti shows that the New Era has remained the most popular political party in February – 11.7% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections. Ratings of other parties are the following: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Peoples Party – 9.7%, the Union of Farmers and Greens – 7.5%, the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 5.7%, the Latvias First Party – 3.9%. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The National Radio and TV Council imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 700 (EUR 996) on the Russian-language Radio PIK for violating rules of the state language usage. According to the broadcasting programme of the Radio PIK, at least 75% of broadcast should be in the Latvian language. Nevertheless, the two-day monitoring of the radio’s broadcast revealed that during the first day the radio followed the rules, while the next day there was no programmes in Latvian at all.

The National Radio and TV Council imposed a fine in the amount of LVL700 (EUR996) on the Russian-language Radio PIK for violating rules of the state language usage. According to the broadcasting programme of the Radio PIK, at least 75% of broadcast should be in the Latvian language. Nevertheless, the two-day monitoring of the radios broadcast revealed that during the first day the radio followed the rules, while the next day there was no programmes in Latvian at all. Chas

Latvijas Avize, referring to the national news agency LETA, reports on the letter of the author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals to the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his letter Leonids Kovals points out that the Presidents personal experience of being a refugee after World War II has resulted in intolerance towards the Russian nation. The writer sharply criticizes the attitude of the President as well as the Latvian society towards events of the World War II. He states that for 14 years since Latvia re-established independence Russians have been objects of irrational hatred in the country.