Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Parents will continue to chose nationality for their children
• Interview with Director of Minority Department Irina Vinnika
• Rally against occupation and colonisation of Latvia
• III Roma congress will be hold on Saturday in Riga
• Newspapers comment on the results of opinion poll about two-community society in Latvia
• Russian newspapers continue discussions about the education reform
• Russias official criticises the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the issue concerning the choice of nationality for a new-born child. The effective procedure stipulates that parents of a new-born child when providing data to the Resident Register are demanded to state nationality of a child. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that the state should not impose the choice of childs nationality on parents. However, all other members of the Cabinet supported the effective procedure. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

interviews recently appointed the director of the Minority Department at the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Irina Vinnika. Her key tasks will be: 1) co-ordination of state support for minority organisations; 2) follow that this support works for development of these organisations; 3) preserve identity of national minorities. Additional task for the whole Secretariat is elimination of racial discrimination. Regarding ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Irina Vinnika says that the Convention should be ratified, but after the referendum on Latvias accession to the EU and with several reservations. She believes that the education reform should be implemented, however, a dialogue with all parties should be ensured.

Yesterday the nationalistic NGO Latvian National Front held a rally at the Freedom Monument in Riga. About 100 people demanded that Russia acknowledges Latvias occupation by the USSR, as well as the Saeima and the Government should free Latvia from civil occupants. Chas, Lauku Avize

The Roma NGO Gloss will hold the III Roma Congress on 21 June in Riga. The key discussion subjects will be the attitude of Roma towards Latvias accession to the EU, economic programme, issues concerning education and culture, fight with corruption. Vechernaya Riga

Lauku Avize

comments on the results of the opinion poll which stated that almost a half of Latvian residents believe that the two-community society will continue its existence in Latvia in the future as well. The columnist of Lauku Avize states that the company SKDS which conducted the survey should have find out the arguments which made people think this way, otherwise the results of the opinion poll work in favour for forces which want to see two community society in Latvia. In its turn Chas comments that the opinion poll shows the evaluation of state integration policy by Latvian society.

Vechernaya Riga

and Chas continue discussion about the implementation of the education reform with parents of Russian students and teachers. People are determined to continue protest activities.

Yesterday in St.Peterburg Deputy of Russian Foreign Affairs Minister stated that the Council of Europe should pay more attention to issues of Russian-speakers in the Baltic countries. Chas

Chas

features an article about the problems Latvia faces in the field of integration and states that the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not work very effectively with these issue in her 4 presidency years. The newspaper concludes that the President will have to solve these issues if she is re-elected.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Aleksandr Shabanov comments on the decision of the Constitution Court to abolish the norm in the Law on Radio and TV
• Integration Secretariat presents its new premises
• Opinion poll: two contradicting communities will continue their co-existence in Latvia
• Racism in Latvia

Diena

features an article by Aleksandr Shabanov about the decision of the Constitution Court on abolishment the norm in the Law on Radio and TV, which stipulated that only up to 25% of radio programmes may be aired in foreign languages. Aleksandr Shabanov forecasts that most probably more and more radio programmes produced in Russia will be aired in the Latvian market of radio programmes if the Saeima does not introduce any obstacles for re-translation of these programmes. He notes that something should be done in the field of Latvian language learning and advice Russian radio stations to produce programmes in simple Latvian language and air them in the best show times.

Lauku Avize

reports that yesterday the official opening of the new premises of the Secretariat for Societal Integration Affairs took place. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks said that he has a very good team and 40% of his staff are non-Latvians. The newspaper provides financial data regarding formation of the Secretariat. Chas

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS, almost a half of surveyed people believe that the situation that there is two-community society in Latvia will continue their co-existence in the future as well. The opinion regarding this issue has not changed since 1998 when the SKDS conducted a similar poll. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

features an article about racism in Latvia. The newspaper writes that the official stance is that there is no racism in Latvia, however, the newspaper carries out its interviews with representatives of different nationalities and looks into studies of experts. The newspaper concludes that the lack of clear and open racial expressions is due the lack of racial minorities in Latvia.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• National Human Rights Office presents its annual report
• Interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds
• Russian journalist Irina Vinnika appointed director of the Minority Department at the Integration Ministry

The National Human Rights Office presented its annual report to the Saeima. Last year the Office received 1151 complaints from physical persons. People mostly complain about issues concerning living conditions, violations in courts, social guarantees and inhuman conditions in prisons. Regarding discrimination on national and ethnic grounds, the Office reviewed only few cases: violence of the employees of the security company Falks towards Roma in a café and pre-election clips of the Freedom Party where they reflected dark skinned men in a way which kindles national hatred. Vesti Segodnya

Vechernaya Riga talks to political scientist, associated professor of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds about the situation of Russians in Latvia. He believes that protest activities against the education reform is a result of the states integration policy which does not admit that people could have another point of view other than governments. He states that Latvia inherited two strong communities from the Soviet times and the government during 12 years of independence did not take the necessary measures to form a unified society in Latvia. He concludes that the formation of the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs is the first step of the Repses government in correcting mistakes concerning integration issues made by previous governments.

Diena

features an article about journalist Irina Vinnika who just recently started to work for the Ministry of Societal Integration as director of the Minority Department. Her key task will be strengthening of minority NGOs.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Diena
on the status of non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU
• Integration Minister asks General Prosecutors Office to examine an article in the nationalistic newspaper DDD
• Roma NGO will ask with the Corruption Prevention Office to examine expenditures of the National Roma Association

Diena

features an article on the status of Latvian non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU. Latvian non-citizens do not have a clear picture about their status after Latvias accession to the EU, however, they believe that after the accession there will be no major differences between the status of citizens and non-citizens. The recently adopted EU directive on the nationals of the third countries provides for that Latvian non-citizens will have the same social rights as they did before, as well as they will be granted minimal rights which have all long term residents of the EU without EU citizenship. However, non-citizens will not have the right to participate at central and local elections. The Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre says that the directive solves the issue of non-citizens on a practical level, however, legally they still will have the status of stateless persons. Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks believes that rights of non-citizens should not be limited, however, there should be motivation to naturalise.

Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks asked the General Prosecutors Office to examine the article printed in the nationalistic newspaper DDD published by Aivars Garda. The Integration Minister believes that the article kindles national hatred. The newspaper features an article which states that the II World War was started not by Hitler but by Jews, besides the newspaper used a humiliating word for Jews. The General Prosecutors Office will reach decision most probably next week. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about the situation of Roma in Jurmala. Roma NGO Dorsis developed the activity plan aimed at improving the situation of Roma in Jurmala and tried to submit the plan to the Jurmala City Council, however, the Council said that they should look for the help in the National Roma Association led by Normunds Rudevics. Representatives of Dorsis state that during 10 years Rudevichs has not provided any help. Dorsis is planning to apply with the Corruption Prevention Office to find out where the National Roma Association spent the money allotted from the state budget.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Saeima voted against the resignation of the Repses government
• Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about the education reform
• Daugavpils resident filed a claim with the Daugavpils court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents
• Russias TV channel talks about the education reform in Latvia

Yesterday the majority of the Saeima did not support the proposal of the People’s Party asking for the resignation of the Repse’s government. Only 27 MPs from the People’s Party and FHRUL voted for the resignation of the Government. Although before the vote the opposition party -- People’s Harmony Party led by Janis Jurkans stated that it would vote for the resignation, the party did not take part in the vote. The People’s Party commented on that that the New Era is very close with Moscow’s forces.

Yesterday the majority of the Saeima did not support the proposal of the Peoples Party asking for the resignation of the Repses government. Only 27 MPs from the Peoples Party and FHRUL voted for the resignation of the Government. Although before the vote the opposition party -- Peoples Harmony Party led by Janis Jurkans stated that it would vote for the resignation, the party did not take part in the vote. The Peoples Party commented on that that the New Era is very close with Moscows forces. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss,Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena

features an article by Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about issues concerning the education reform. Maria Golubeva has an impression that the lack of a dialogue and fantastic concern of Russians that Latvians want to revenge are not coincidental. She believes that the time has come to re-assess relations between the state and ethnic cultures and get rid of illusions that the primary task of the state is to solve cultural issues. She expresses a hope that the essay contest Borders of My Language are Borders of My worl organised by the NGO Providus will help to find a solution in the PR crisis between the Education Ministry and a part of society. features an article by Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about issues concerning the education reform. Maria Golubeva has an impression that the lack of a dialogue and fantastic concern of Russians that Latvians want to revenge are not coincidental. She believes that the time has come to re-assess relations between the state and ethnic cultures and get rid of illusions that the primary task of the state is to solve cultural issues. She expresses a hope that the essay contest “Borders of My Language are Borders of My worl” organised by the NGO “Providus” will help to find a solution in the PR crisis between the Education Ministry and a part of society. Daugavpils’ resident Ludmila Staskevicha filed a claim with the Daugavpils’ court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents. One of his interviews with

Daugavpils resident Ludmila Staskevicha filed a claim with the Daugavpils court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents. One of his interviews with Lauku Avize the Prime Minister Einars Repse said that now supporters of Moscow are saying their last words and they realise that the Government knows very well who is behind the fifth column and the government keeps an eye on them. Diena, Chas

Vechernaya Riga

reports that the recently produced news programme of the first Baltic Channel (aired from Russia) discussed the education reform in Latvia. The author of the article is dissatisfied with the way the issue was reflected. She writes that it could be concluded from the programme that the education issue has been solved in Latvia. reports that the recently produced news programme of the first Baltic Channel (aired from Russia) discussed the education reform in Latvia. The author of the article is dissatisfied with the way the issue was reflected. She writes that it could be concluded from the programme that the education issue has been solved in Latvia.