Feb 06 2004

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

• Latvian government resigns
• Saeima adopts amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language in minority schools
• Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education
• European Court for Human Rights delivers a judgment in the case of Russia army former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia
• Society integration experts and politicians about the education reform
• National-extremists organization Visu Latvijai! is planning to establish a council for the support of education reform

Prime Minister Einars Repse announced the resignation of the government, motivating this decision by the incapacity of the minority government to pass resolutions and to retain the posts of ministers. Prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Saeima’s opposition has asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis. The Saeima has also adopted amendments to the Law on Education stipulating the increase of teachers’ financial reward not foreseen by the state budget.

Prime Minister Einars Repse announced the resignation of the government, motivating this decision by the incapacity of the minority government to pass resolutions and to retain the posts of ministers. Prior to the Prime Ministers announcement, Saeimas opposition has asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis. The Saeima has also adopted amendments to the Law on Education stipulating the increase of teachers financial reward not foreseen by the state budget. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. Approximately 5000 minority students participated at the protest action against the education reform near the Saeima building during the review of amendments.

Yesterday Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. Approximately 5000 minority students participated at the protest action against the education reform near the Saeima building during the review of amendments. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers feature a critical statement of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the Ministry, the amendments allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language will cause the education quality deterioration for Russian-speaking students. MFA of Russia calls Latvia to develop a constructive dialogue with the Russian-speaking community, and to elaborate a new version of the education reform,

Russian language newspapers feature a critical statement of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the Ministry, the amendments allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language will cause the education quality deterioration for Russian-speaking students. MFA of Russia calls Latvia to develop a constructive dialogue with the Russian-speaking community, and to elaborate a new version of the education reform, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

European Court for Human Rights has dismissed the claim of Russia former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia about the violation of his human rights. According to the information of the Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, complaint of the former military was about refusal of the Latvian institution to register his marriage, and to register him as a father of the child, based on the fact that he had not got a valid residence permit. Aleksandrs Kolosovsky believed that Latvia has violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private life and home) and the Article 12 (the right to marry and to found a family).

European Court for Human Rights has dismissed the claim of Russia former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia about the violation of his human rights. According to the information of the Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, complaint of the former military was about refusal of the Latvian institution to register his marriage, and to register him as a father of the child, based on the fact that he had not got a valid residence permit. Aleksandrs Kolosovsky believed that Latvia has violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private life and home) and the Article 12 (the right to marry and to found a family). Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

Diena features statements of society integration experts about the education reform, who point to the necessity of promoting discussion between the state institutions and minority schools, explaining the essence of the education reform. According to the Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS researcherIndra Dedze, instead of searching for someone to blame for the protests, Ministry of Education and Science should evaluate the positive practices of minority schools in the area of education reform implementation and ask those schools what kind of help is needed. Rigas Balss features discussion of the Saeima MPs Dzintars Abikis (Peoples Party), Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM), Jakovs Pliners (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) and writer Marina Kostenecka about the latest developments in the area of education reform. Diena, Rigas Balss

National-extremist’s organization Visu Latvijai! (All for Latvia!) has informed about the establishment of the council for the support of education reform.

National-extremists organization Visu Latvijai! (All for Latvia!) has informed about the establishment of the council for the support of education reform. Latvijas Avize