• Study about the portrait of the third country nationals residing in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize reports about the 8^th conference of Russia’s compatriots held in Riga

Newspapers report on a study about the portrait of the third country nationals residing in Latviaconducted by Society Integration Foundation and presented yesterday. According to the study, a “typical” immigrant to Latviais a women (68,6% of the immigrants), university graduate (77,1%), citizen of Russia(45,7%), native Russian speaker (65,6%), resident of Riga(66,5%). The largest groups of third country nationals are the citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and Uzbekistan. The main reasons of migration to Latviainclude: family reunification (51,6%), purchase of real estate (22,2%), studies (12,1%) and work (7,8%). Most of third country nationals came to Latviabecause they were dissatisfied with their countries of origin (such as dissatisfaction with political situation in Russia) and they are positive about Latvia. However, 58,5% of immigrants are unemployed and the main obstacle to employment is insufficient Latvian language proficiency. According to one of the authors of the study Brigita Zepa, one of the reasons why it is hard for immigrants (mostly Russian speakers) to learn Latvian language is the fact that local Latvian residents speak to them in Russian instead of Latvian, even if initially immigrants are trying to speak in Latvian. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports about the 8^th conference of Russia’s compatriots held in Riga. The conference was mainly devoted to the 70^th anniversary of end of the WWII and it gathered about 300 participants. According to the newspaper, theRussia’s Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov and other speakers stressed the pressure onRussia and Russian people by theU.S.A. and the EU. Regarding situation inLatvia, the participants blamed the mass media for Russophobia and alleged the security services are conducting repressions against pro-Russian activists.  Activist of the movement ofRussia’s compatriots Viktors Guscins in his speech stated that a thesis aboutLatvia’s occupation and Latvian state continuity is false arguing that, for instance,Latvia did not have a government in exile during theUSSR era. At the same time, he stressed that Russian speaking residents ofLatvia will not turn againstLatvia’s independence. 

• President-elect of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis will give interviews to media in Russian if necessary
• Latvijas Avize reports about a case when a doctor refused to speak with a Russian speaking patient in Russian language

The President-elect of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis in an interview with Diena said that as a President he will speak to the representatives of printed media in Latvian language. But in TV or radio interviews and especially in live broadcasts he can also speak in Russian language if necessary.

Latvijas Avize reports about a case when a doctor refused to speak with a Russian speaking patient in Russian language. According to the newspaper, the patient wrote a compliant to the National Health Service about the doctor who reproached the patient for poor Latvian language proficiency and refused to speak in Russian – the patient’s native language. The National Health Service replied to the complainant that there is no legal requirement for the doctors to speak to patients in foreign languages. The doctor in an interview with the newspaper also confirmed that she speaks to the patients, especially young people in Latvian language only. The doctor said that there have been 25 years for non-Latvian residents to learn the state language. The doctor also said that it is not easy for her to explain everything in details to patients in Russian, therefore, she suggested the patient to search for another doctor who would speak in the patient’s native language or to come with an interpreter. According to Latvijas Avize, the story was distributed by Russia’s mass media highlighting that Latvian doctor refused the provision of medical aid to a Russian speaking patient.

• President-elect of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis: Latvia should be proud of its national minority schools

The newly elected President of Latvia (currently the Minister of Defence) Raimonds Vejonis in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that Latvia should be proud of its national minority schools. Mr Vejonis believes that the bilingual education system has proved its effectiveness and no radical reforms are needed. At the same time, he did not exclude that in the future the basic subjects could be taught in Latvian language, but national minorities will have possibility to learn their native language, traditions and culture. Raimonds Vejonis also stated that he does not support introduction of refugee quotas and it is more important to provide help to the refugees’ countries of origin. 

• Minister of Education Marite Seile: there are no plans to liquidate bilingual education system in Latvia
• Prorector of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits elected as judge to the European Court of Human Rights

According to the Minister of Education Marite Seile, the Ministry does not have plans to liquidate bilingual education system in Latvia. The Minister stressed that transition of all national minority schools into Latvian language only in 2018 is not feasible. The Minister also reminded that the governing coalition’s agreement does not foresee the transition of all schools into Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report that the Prorector of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits elected as judge to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Latvia. Mr Mits obtained an absolute majority of votes cast for three candidates appointed by Latviaand elected for a term of nine years. After the election, Mr Mits stated “All my professional activities were connected to human rights and the European Human Rights Convention is my speciality.” Latvijas Avize, Diena, Neatkariga

• The Saeima approved amendments to Education Law 

Yesterday, the Saeima approved amendments to Education Law. The amendments stipulate that education establishment, except for universities, protects the pupil from such information and methods in education and upbringing process, which do not comply with the goal of the provision of moral development of the pupil as provided by Education Law. The amendments also stipulate that teachers and directors should be loyal to the state. Diena, Vesti Segodnya