30 July 2014 

• Igors Vatolins: the problems of Latvia’s Russians will be exploited by Putin’s propaganda 

Journalist Igors Vatolins is organising a “The Movement of Europe’s Russians in Latvia” to unite the people of European thinking – those who are “individual, responsible, pluralistic and are not afraid of diversity”. Mr Vatolins believes Latvia should be a political nation, while the ruling party “Unity” was not able to overcome ethnic barriers. While Latvian should remain the only state language, other languages should be allowed as well – such as abolishing the requirement of the state language examination for non-native speakers wishing to work as permanent teaching staff. According to Mr Vatolins, there are at least four "Russian issues" in Latvia: the status of Latvia’s non-citizens, the status of Russian language, schools, historic memory. Initially these were merely human rights issues. Mr Vatolins believes Vladimir Putin, in order to consolidate his power, constantly needs to demonstrate some action to the population of Russia and it is likely that Latvia’s mistakes regarding minority language education will be exploited  by Putin’s propaganda as “oppression”, “Russian schools are being closed”, “Russian language is being squeezed out”. Mr Vatolins is also critical about the attempts to legislate on matters of historic memories. Mr Vatolins believes one should emphasise the achievements and successes of Latvia’s history and present, such as the fact that the Republic of Latvia, established in 1918, was restored, as well as highlight that Latvian language fulfils the function of a “secret language” of all Latvia’s residents when they travel abroad: ethnic minorities, including Russians, in Moscow or Brussels easily switch to Latvian among themselves when they wish to hide their conversation from the outsiders. Latvijas Avize

29 July 2014 

• Different opinions about the future prospects of the "New Wave" in Latvia 

Following the ban on the entry of certain Russia’s artists into Latvia, the newspapers publish different opinions about the future prospects of the "New Wave" music contest in Latvia. MEP from Latvia Artis Pabriks (Unity) believes the contest is a component of Russia’s cultural and political power and it should be seen in the context of sanctions against Russia, unresolved relations between Europe, US and Russia. Politician Ainars Slesers (United for Latvia) believes Latvia needs such international contest, emphasises its economic benefit, refutes the notion that the music contest might endanger Latvia’s security and draws attention to cooperation of France, Germany and the UK with Russia. Organisers of various entertainment events admitted the public might be less interested to visit the "New Wave" and already now there are fewer tourists from Russia. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

• The Minister of Education Ina Druviete briefed the representatives of certain embassies about the system of education for national minorities of Latvia
• Historian Kaspars Zellis: people in Latvia are stressed because of the war in Ukraine and political clowns are playing with it 

The Minister of Education Ina Druviete conducted an informational briefing for the representatives of certain foreign embassies about the system of education for national minorities of Latvia. Ms Druviete stated that by 2018 all national minority schools would provide education mainly in the state language. Representatives of the countries of the EU, NATO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development were invited to the briefing, but not the representatives of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries. Vesti Segodnya 

According to historian Kaspars Zellis events in Ukraine politicised the society in Latvia. People in Latvia are stressed because of the war, are afraid that similar events might take place in Latvia and politicians are playing on these emotions. Russia’s policy provides a trump card to marginal politicians in Latvia to increase ethnic tensions in the society. Vesti Segodnya

24 July 2014 

• During 2009-2013 the number of ethnic Russian citizens decreased by 8 671, the number of ethnic Russian non-citizens decreased by 50 167 and the number of citizens of Russia in Latvia increased by 18 545 persons 

According to the data of the Population Register, during 2009-2013 the number of citizens of Russian Federation among the people living in Latvia increased by 18 545 persons. As of 1 January 2014, there were 48 873 citizens of Russian Federation. At the same time, there were 358 991 ethnic Russian citizens of Latvia and 185 741 ethnic Russian non-citizens of Latvia. Comparing to 2009 data, the number of ethnic Russian citizens of Latvia decreased by 8 671 persons and the number of ethnic Russian non-citizens of Latvia decreased by 50 167 persons. Diena, Latvijas Avize

23 July 2014 

• 88 years old complained about the lack of Russian version of medicines’ instructions – complaint rejected because "written in a non-state language"
• The most popular social networking site in Latvia draugiem.lv would delete posts about the "New Wave" music contest
• Member of the National Electronic Mass Media Council: draft amendments on broadcasting in only one language are necessary because commercial radio stations acted for their profit and linguistically there are two radio sectors 

Vesti Segodnya was contacted by a 88 years old pensioner Naum Lorteistein, who complained to the Parliament about the fact that instructions to the medicines sold in pharmacies in Latvia now lack versions in Russian – his native language. His complaint letter was denied consideration, officially "because it was written in a non-state language". Mr Lorteistein is discontent with the fact that the Parliament rejected his letter instead of providing a substantive answer. The author believes that Latvia’s minorities are constantly being discriminated against on the ground of language, and that the lack of Russian versions of instructions and the rejection by the Parliament on the ground of language contradict the statements of the Ombudsman Juris Jansons, who insists the rights of Latvia’s minorities are not violated. 

The Director of the most popular social networking site in Latvia draugiem.lv Guntis Meluskans announced it would delete the news posts about the "New Wave" music contest currently taking place in the sea resort town Jurmala. Internal language of the contest is mostly Rusian and it attracts performers mostly from Russia. Mr Meluskans called this event a "picnic" and stated that information about it at the top page of draugiem.lv is "very unwanted". Vesti Segodnya 

Member of the National Electronic Mass Media Council Dainis Mjartans stated that the new draft amendments to the Electronic Mass Media Law, which envision broadcasting in only one language, are necessary because the commercial radio stations acted in the interests of their profit and as a result, linguistically, there are two radio broadcasting sectors in Latvia. Mr Mjartans also discusses with the representatives of radio broadcasters the possibility to air advertisements only in Latvian. Currently, there are 37 radio stations broadcasting only in Latvian, 17 mostly or partially in "foreign language" (i.e. Russian), and 13 radio stations broadcasting half of the time in Latvian and half in "foreign language". The newspaper highlights that in theory, the amendments would allow a license to broadcast in Russian, however, it is unclear if applications to broadcast in Russian would be approved in practice. Vesti Segodnya