• Saeima adopts amendments to the Constitution of Latvia
• Diena looks into possible causes for the increasing number of minority students at schools with Latvian as a language of instruction
• Activists of the Russian party ‘Jabloko protest against violations of rights of Russians in Latvia
• Newspapers report on the Days of the Russian culture

The Saeima has adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. The new amendments provide that citizens of the EU member states, permanently living in Latvia, have the right to participate in municipal elections and to participate at the work of the municipalities

The Saeima has adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. The new amendments provide that citizens of the EU member states, permanently living in Latvia, have the right to participate in municipal elections and to participate at the work of the municipalities. The Saeima did not support the proposal of MPs from the Peoples Harmony Party and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia to grant the same rights to Latvian non-citizens. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Diena looks into possible reasons for the increasing number of minority students in Riga schools where the language of instruction is Latvian. State officials and education experts, interviewed by the newspaper, believe that the tendency could be regarded as a counter-reaction to the protest actions against the education reform. It could also be interpreted as concern of minority students parents about the quality of education in minority schools. According to the researcher of the Public policy centre PROVIDUS Marija Golubeva, the choice of parents could be explained by an opinion prevailing in society that after the implementation of the education reform is completed all schools in Latvia will be only in Latvian, however, those which were non-Latvian school would provide the lower quality education.

Several activists of the Russian party ‘Jabloko’ participated in protest actions against non-observance of rights of Russians in Latvia near the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. Participants of the protest action also discussed a possibility to ask Russia to apply with the European Court of Human Rights against non-observance of the European Convention on Human Rights in Latvia.

Several activists of the Russian party ‘Jabloko participated in protest actions against non-observance of rights of Russians in Latvia near the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. Participants of the protest action also discussed a possibility to ask Russia to apply with the European Court of Human Rights against non-observance of the European Convention on Human Rights in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

Newspapers report on launching the Days of the Russian culture ‘The Traditions of the Russian People in Latvia.’ The week devoted to the Russian culture introduces the project ‘The Weeks of Nations,’ planned by the Special Tasks Minister’s for Society Integration Secretariat. 

Newspapers report on launching the Days of the Russian culture ‘The Traditions of the Russian People in Latvia. The week devoted to the Russian culture introduces the project ‘The Weeks of Nations, planned by the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

• Minister of Education and Science: no unofficial moratorium on education reform has been established
• Adviser of the Russia President Sergey Yastrzhembsky talks about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia
• Latvia Foreign Affairs Ministry denies that the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus will visit Latvia
• Number of minority school students in Riga has dropped
• The Days of the Russian culture will launched today
• Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons accounts for the expulsion of the Headquarters activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs from Latvia

Yesterday the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics attended the session of the Saeima Government Review Committee and accounted for statements of an official of the Ministry of Education and Science, published by the newspaper

Yesterday the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics attended the session of the Saeima Government Review Committee and accounted for statements of an official of the Ministry of Education and Science, published by the newspaper Rigas Balss on 8 September, who stated that the Education State Inspection has established an unofficial moratorium on the education reform. The Minister declared that no unofficial moratorium on the reform has been established. Juris Radzevics also noted that the journalist has freely interpreted officials statements, who did not say that minority schools are not monitored, but stated that no mass monitoring and inspecting of schools have been conducted. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

‘Russia considers the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia among three most topical issues in its relations with the European Union,’ has stated Sergey Yastrzhembsky, the adviser to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the session ofo the European Parliament. The Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of Sergey Yastrzhembsky with the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka. During the meeting the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia was discussed as well.

‘Russia considers the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia among three most topical issues in its relations with the European Union, has stated Sergey Yastrzhembsky, the adviser to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the session ofo the European Parliament. The Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of Sergey Yastrzhembsky with the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka. During the meeting the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia was discussed as well. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement in which it denies the information, spread by the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry, that the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus plans to visit Latvia.

The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement in which it denies the information, spread by the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry, that the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus plans to visit Latvia. Latvijas Avize

According to the information of the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council, this year the number of students studying at minority schools has dropped by 8,052 students in comparison to the academic year of 2003/2004.  This year 39,154 students are registered attending Riga minority schools. The number of  students studying at Latvian schools year has increased by 3,417 reaching 43,565 students in total this year.

According to the information of the Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council, this year the number of students studying at minority schools has dropped by 8,052 students in comparison to the academic year of 2003/2004. This year 39,154 students are registered attending Riga minority schools. The number of students studying at Latvian schools year has increased by 3,417 reaching 43,565 students in total this year. Diena

Today the Days of the Russian culture ‘The Traditions of the Russian People in Latvia’ will be launched in Riga.

Today the Days of the Russian culture ‘The Traditions of the Russian People in Latvia will be launched in Riga. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

In the response to the application of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons accounted for the expulsion of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs from Latvia. The Minster stated that the deportation was implemented in compliance with Latvian legislation.

In the response to the application of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, Minister of Interior Eriks Jekabsons accounted for the expulsion of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs from Latvia. The Minster stated that the deportation was implemented in compliance with Latvian legislation. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

• Newspapers comment on the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia
• Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics talks about the development of the draft Law on Minority Schools
• Article about the results of the research Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice
• Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presents to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a Civic Education Programme 2004 – 2014
• Interview with the political scientist Juris Rozenvalds
• Diena journalist Aivars Ozolins criticises the desire of the New Eras board to discuss the possibility to develop a ‘Latvian list for the next Saeima elections

Newspapers continue to write about the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia featuring opinions of the state officials about goals of the visit. The Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry is convinced that the visit of the High Commissioner takes places thanks to the statements of the Russia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about the problems of Russian-speakers in the field of education in Latvia. While the Head of the Latvian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Krisjanis Peters believes that the visit of Rolf Ekeus could close international discussions about violations of minority rights in Latvia. The head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete notes that Latvia has considered the advice of the Commissioner to explain the content and goals of the education reform. ‘The OSCE has never asked to postpone the education reform,’ states Ina Druviete responding to the statement of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry that the Russian schools are gradually ‘Latvianised’ and that is against the recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Newspapers continue to write about the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia featuring opinions of the state officials about goals of the visit. The Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry is convinced that the visit of the High Commissioner takes places thanks to the statements of the Russia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about the problems of Russian-speakers in the field of education in Latvia. While the Head of the Latvian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Krisjanis Peters believes that the visit of Rolf Ekeus could close international discussions about violations of minority rights in Latvia. The head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete notes that Latvia has considered the advice of the Commissioner to explain the content and goals of the education reform. ‘The OSCE has never asked to postpone the education reform, states Ina Druviete responding to the statement of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry that the Russian schools are gradually ‘Latvianised and that is against the recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics about the development of the draft Law on Minority Schools. The Minister points to the necessity of a sociological research which would evaluate the necessity in a law.

‘In Latvia ethnic minorities are guaranteed the right to acquire basic education and study their native language and cultural values’ concludes the research “Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe” conducted by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice.’ According to the research, the educational policy of ethnic minorities facilitates their integration into Latvian society, observes their rights and complies with the requirements of international agreements. At the same time the study notes that no additional resources are made available to schools or pre-school institutions to implement relevant support measures for immigrant children. Currently eight minority languages are used as languages of instruction – Lithuanian, Estonian, Romani, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Hebrew.

‘In Latvia ethnic minorities are guaranteed the right to acquire basic education and study their native language and cultural values concludes the research Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe conducted by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice. According to the research, the educational policy of ethnic minorities facilitates their integration into Latvian society, observes their rights and complies with the requirements of international agreements. At the same time the study notes that no additional resources are made available to schools or pre-school institutions to implement relevant support measures for immigrant children. Currently eight minority languages are used as languages of instruction – Lithuanian, Estonian, Romani, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Hebrew. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presented to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a civic education programme 2004 – 2014. According to the newspaper, the member of the committee Inara Ostrovska was concerned about the plans of the Special Tasks Minister’s Secretariat to organise a discussion ‘Islam and Youth’ stating that Latvia should not engage in the propaganda of the Islam. Special Task Minister replied that such discussions are necessary because according to the studies Muslims along with Roma are the groups which are most heavily subjected to stereotypes.

Yesterday the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presented to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a civic education programme 2004 – 2014. According to the newspaper, the member of the committee Inara Ostrovska was concerned about the plans of the Special Tasks Ministers Secretariat to organise a discussion ‘Islam and Youth stating that Latvia should not engage in the propaganda of the Islam. Special Task Minister replied that such discussions are necessary because according to the studies Muslims along with Roma are the groups which are most heavily subjected to stereotypes. Vesti Segodnya

Chas prints an interview with the political scientist Juris Rozenvalds about the relationships between Russians and Latvians and the formation of the Russian community in Latvia. Juris Rozenvalds believes that the negative vote of the Russian-speakers in the referendum about Latvias accession to the EU was not related to their affiliation with Russia. He believes that Russians voted against Latvias accession to the EU, because in their opinion the EU failed to solve issues concerning language and education. The political scientist also names the inability of some Latvian politicians and a part of Latvian society to see legitimate opponents in Russians as a very serious problem.

Diena features a commentary of the journalist Aivars Ozolins about the decision of the New Eras board to review a possibility to unite the ‘national forces in the ‘Latvian list for the next Saeima elections. The journalist believes that it is a naďve and dangerous idea. The New Era may turn into the subject of manipulations by those who want to see Latvia a two-community and divided society.

• Saeima did not provide its response to the Constitutional Court about legitimacy of the education reform
• Member of nationalistic NGO continues her activities within NGO although she has been employed in the Saeima
• Attitudes towards people with dark skin in Latvia
• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia
• Chas: Security Police are very interested in activities of Russian community
• Russian school director advises students to chose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction
• Interview with a member of FF/LNIM
• Columnist of the Russian language press claims that authorities are not very helpful in providing information to the Russian language media

Yesterday the Saeima had to present the Constitutional Court the written response to the claim submitted by the People’s Harmony Party challenging the legitimacy of the education reform. However, the Saeima could not meet the deadline and the reply time is postponed to 29 September.

Yesterday the Saeima had to present the Constitutional Court the written response to the claim submitted by the Peoples Harmony Party challenging the legitimacy of the education reform. However, the Saeima could not meet the deadline and the reply time is postponed to 29 September. Chas, Telegraf

Liene Apine, member of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda, continues to be actively involved in activities of the LNF, which contradicts the state policy on ethnic integration, and advocates for decolonisation of Latvia. Nevertheless, from the beginning of September she is working as a secretary of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. The Security Police have classified the LNF as an organisation of ‘higher risk.’ The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that Liene Apine may not combine the two positions:  ‘maybe it is legitimate legally, however, the issue is about the person who hired her.’ Neither Aleksandrs Kirsteins, who employed Liene Apine, nor  Liene Apine herself believe that she should stop her activities related with LNF.  

Liene Apine, member of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda, continues to be actively involved in activities of the LNF, which contradicts the state policy on ethnic integration, and advocates for decolonisation of Latvia. Nevertheless, from the beginning of September she is working as a secretary of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. The Security Police have classified the LNF as an organisation of ‘higher risk. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that Liene Apine may not combine the two positions: ‘maybe it is legitimate legally, however, the issue is about the person who hired her. Neither Aleksandrs Kirsteins, who employed Liene Apine, nor Liene Apine herself believe that she should stop her activities related with LNF.

Latvijas Avize re-prints excerpts from the recent study ‘Integration of Minority Youth in the Society of Latvia in the Context of the Education Reform conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences. The newspaper focuses on the data how foreigners and people with dark skin feel in Latvia. Almost all persons with dark skin who were interviewed had experienced real physical threats or violence. However, they did not think that threats and violence should be related to racism, but rather to their skin colour, which attracts attention of young people who are aggressive. The persons surveyed stated that it was not difficult to make friends in Latvia and establish families. They evaluated the attitude of state authorities and police towards them as overall positive.

According to students and parents, the director of the only school with the language of instruction in Russian in Cesis, suggests first grade and secondary s school students choose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction stating that her school does not have any future. The director did not show any initiative in the formation of the first grade where children could study in Russian. Only thanks to parents the sufficient number of students was collected and the first grade at Russian school was formed.

According to students and parents, the director of the only school with the language of instruction in Russian in Cesis, suggests first grade and secondary s school students choose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction stating that her school does not have any future. The director did not show any initiative in the formation of the first grade where children could study in Russian. Only thanks to parents the sufficient number of students was collected and the first grade at Russian school was formed. Chas

Vesti Segodnya interviews one of the ideologists of the FF/Latvian National Independent Movement and member of the Riga City Cuncil Vilnis Zarins. He states ‘I have never supported forceful deportation of Russians, however, they should realise that Latvia will become more and more Latvian each year. He believes that due to recent issues concerning the education reform the popularity of FF/LNNK will grow because Latvians realise that they need a national conservative party.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia with a working visit.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia with a working visit. Chas, Telegraf

Chas claims that recently more and more activists of Russian community in Latvia are called to the Security Police.

The

The Telegrafs columnist Tatjana Mazane claims that lately it is becoming more and more difficult for the Russian language press to obtain information from state authorities, in particular, from the Ministry of Education and Science.

 

• Pupils who are non-citizens will have the right to go to EU countries without visa
• Police and officials do not take any measures to get rid of anti-Semitic graffiti
• New party ‘Another Policy has been formed
• Political Scientist David Laitin about ethnic relations in Latvia
• Riga Polish Primary School reorganised into a general pre-school
• Parade of the Russian culture in Riga at the end of September
• Broad ethnic integration project to be implemented in Ventspils
• Latvian youth about ethnic relations

Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers will review amendments to regulations on passing borders. The new amendments stipulate that pupils who are non-citizens will not need a visa to go to EU countries if they are in the group of other pupils accompanied with a teacher.

Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers will review amendments to regulations on passing borders. The new amendments stipulate that pupils who are non-citizens will not need a visa to go to EU countries if they are in the group of other pupils accompanied with a teacher. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports that in Daugavpils (the second biggest city of Latvia in its North Eastern part) neither policy nor officials pay attention to anti-Semitic graffiti drawn on the walls of a building of Daugavpils District Council and take measures to get rid of the graffiti.

Newspapers report about the formation of a new party ‘Another Policy.’ The Vice Mayor of the Riga City Council Sergejs Dolgopolovs is one of the founders of the party. Almost 800 people have registered as party members. The basic theses of the party programme are the following: reduce social inequality, eliminate ethnic tension, and ensure stable economic development.

Newspapers report about the formation of a new party ‘Another Policy. The Vice Mayor of the Riga City Council Sergejs Dolgopolovs is one of the founders of the party. Almost 800 people have registered as party members. The basic theses of the party programme are the following: reduce social inequality, eliminate ethnic tension, and ensure stable economic development. Diena, NRA, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas interviews the professor of the Stanford University Daivid Laitin who has conducted a number of studies on Russian identity. The Professor states that he cannot explain why Latvian governments do not exploit the huge potential of the Russian-speaking community and argues that if he were a citizen of Latvia he would vote against such governments. However, as a political scientist he admits that a Latvian nationalist has all rights to use democratic institutions and procedures to promote the idea about the Latvian state. He notes that conflicts, which take place in Latvia, do not have destructive features, but is a demonstration of pluralism.

On the basis of the decision of the Riga City Council the Polish Primary School is undergoing re-organisation process into the pre-school. The decision is based on the claims that for years the school experienced the lack of students and that there is not a sufficient number of pre-schools in Riga. The Council believes that those children who want to study the Polish language and culture can do it at another Polish school.

On the basis of the decision of the Riga City Council the Polish Primary School is undergoing re-organisation process into the pre-school. The decision is based on the claims that for years the school experienced the lack of students and that there is not a sufficient number of pre-schools in Riga. The Council believes that those children who want to study the Polish language and culture can do it at another Polish school. NRA

28 -30 September the Secretariat of Societal Integration Minister organises the parade of the Russian culture.

28 -30 September the Secretariat of Societal Integration Minister organises the parade of the Russian culture. Vesti Segodnya

Chas reports that the NGO Centre in Ventspils received EUR 28, 452 from the Phare programme to implement the ethnic integration project ‘I, You, We – different, but all together!

Vesti Segodnya talks to two Latvian pupils to find out their opinions and stances about life and inter ethnic relations in Latvia. They both state that in daily life relations between Latvians and Russians are good, although they admit that both nations have stereotypes towards each other.