• 5,203 signatures collected in support of the Constitutional amendments foreseeing the secondary school education solely in Latvian
• MP Boris Cilevich interviewed about the integration programme
• An international conference on citizenship issues to be organised in September
• An interview with the chairman of the Latvias Georgian Society Samšoblo
• An article on the Ukrainian community in Latvia

According to the Central Electoral Commission, during the first week of signature collection campaign, 5,203 signatures have been collected in support of the Constitutional amendments foreseeing the transition of the secondary school education solely in Latvian from 2012. The collection of signatures began on 11 May and will continue until 9 June. 153,232 signatures need to be collected for the amendments to be forwarded to the parliament for review. The initiative was sponsored by the nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK who were later joined by the radical nationalist party All for Latvia!

According to the Central Electoral Commission, during the first week of signature collection campaign, 5,203 signatures have been collected in support of the Constitutional amendments foreseeing the transition of the secondary school education solely in Latvian from 2012. The collection of signatures began on 11 May and will continue until 9 June. 153,232 signatures need to be collected for the amendments to be forwarded to the parliament for review. The initiative was sponsored by the nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK who were later joined by the radical nationalist party All for Latvia! Chas

In an interview with newspaper Chas, MP from Concord Centre Boris Cilevich criticises the integration programme put forward by the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte. He also addresses current strategies employed by states in their relation to national minorities.

In an interview with newspaper Chas, MP from Concord Centre Boris Cilevich criticises the integration programme put forward by the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte. He also addresses current strategies employed by states in their relation to national minorities. Chas

Newspapers continue reporting about the case of the police officer who replied in Latvian to a Russian speaking caller, and did not take several calls in Russian. He was reprimanded by the Ministry of Interior, and in its ruling the Administrative District Court upheld the decision of the Ministry. The police officer has challenged the ruling in the Administrative Regional Court.

Newspapers continue reporting about the case of the police officer who replied in Latvian to a Russian speaking caller, and did not take several calls in Russian. He was reprimanded by the Ministry of Interior, and in its ruling the Administrative District Court upheld the decision of the Ministry. The police officer has challenged the ruling in the Administrative Regional Court. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about discussions in the parliamentary Legal Commission about plans to organise an international conference in September on the issues of citizenship in view of the forthcoming amendments to the Citizenship Law. MPs were divided over experts to be invited to the conference, some proposed to invite international experts from the Office of the High Commission of National Minorities and UNHCR, while some rallied in support of experts from the Baltic States, although the importance of the presence of international experts was recognised by all. Head of the Saeima Legal Bureau recommended that conference include authors of various legislative amendments, their opponents, independent experts and those to be affected by the amendments.

Diena interviews the chairman of Latvias Georgian Society Nugzar Mdzinarashvili. The interview touches upon the increase of asylum seekers from Georgia to Latvia, consequences of war between Russia and Georgia, and perceptions of local Georgians about life in Latvia.

Diena carries a large article about the Ukrainians in Latvia. As of 1 January 2011 there were 54,852 Ukrainians living in Latvia, of those 18,328 were citizens of Latvia while 31,291 were non-citizens. The paper publishes the opinion of several leading Latvias Ukrainians and offers insight in the life of the Ukrainian community, including challenged of integration faced by the Ukrainians.

• Police officer sanctioned for replying in Latvian only to a Russian speaking caller
• Days of Russian Culture to be held in Latvia from 22 May-6 June
• Reports of potential resettlement of refugees in the Baltic States

 

Newspapers report about the Administrative District Court decision upholding the decision of the Ministry of Interior to disciplinary sanction a police officer who replied in Latvian only to a Russian-speaking caller. The police officer claimed he did not have sufficient Russian language skills, while the court indicated that he could have called a colleague to take the call.

Newspapers report about the Administrative District Court decision upholding the decision of the Ministry of Interior to disciplinary sanction a police officer who replied in Latvian only to a Russian-speaking caller. The police officer claimed he did not have sufficient Russian language skills, while the court indicated that he could have called a colleague to take the call. Latvijas Avīze

Newspapers

Newspapers report about the Days of Russian Culture to be held in Latvia from 22 May – 6 June. Around 70 different cultural activities will take place in Riga, Daugavpils, Rezekne, Vilani, and Jelgava, and will include exhibitions, literary evenings, tours, round-tables, concerts and film shows. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf.

Vesti Segodnya reports about the alleged pressure from the Brussels onto the Baltic States to participate in the re-settlement programme of refugees from the African countries who have already arrived in large numbers in Italy, Spain and other Southern European countries. According to the newspaper the costs related to the settlement of refugees in Latvia will be borne by the EU.

• Number of asylum seekers in Latvia on the increase
• Neatkariga prints an article about migration
• Latvian Union of National Teachers supports full transition of all state funded schools into Latvian language but not trough referendum

Newspapers report that, in April and May, there was an increase in the number of asylum seekers from Georgia and African countries to Latvia. In total, since the beginning of the year, 61 persons have requested asylum in Latvia which equals the number of asylum seekers during the entire 2010. 

Newspapers report that, in April and May, there was an increase in the number of asylum seekers from Georgia and African countries to Latvia. In total, since the beginning of the year, 61 persons have requested asylum in Latvia which equals the number of asylum seekers during the entire 2010. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

According to

According to Neatkariga, the influx of immigrants to Latvia is unavoidable, however, it is hard to predict their actual number and whether they will come as refugees or guest workers. The opinion of interviewed experts differs about the issue, at the same time, they stress the need to elaborate an integration program for immigrants.

A little known Latvian Union of National Teachers supports full transition of all state funded schools into the Latvian language. The Union believes that kindergartens should also be in the Latvian language. At the same time, the Union does not support resolving such issues by a referendum arguing that it could be done by amendments in legislation rather than Constitutional amendments.

A little known Latvian Union of National Teachers supports full transition of all state funded schools into the Latvian language. The Union believes that kindergartens should also be in the Latvian language. At the same time, the Union does not support resolving such issues by a referendum arguing that it could be done by amendments in legislation rather than Constitutional amendments. Vesti Segodnya

• Association Latgolys Saeima asks the President of Latvia, MPs and the government to evaluate the suppression of the Latgallian language by ex-President Karlis Ulmanis

The association “Latgolys Saeima” which works for the protection and the recognition of the Latgallian language in Latvia sent an open letter to the State President of Latvia, MPs and the Cabinet of Ministers asking them to evaluate the actions of the ex-President of Latvia Karlis Ulmanis (1934-1940) regarding the suppression of the Latgallian language. The authors of the letter ask for the return of the status and the rights of the Latgallian language which it had been granted prior to the start of the Ulmanis’ regime in 1934, such as the teaching of the Latgallian language and literature in schools, publication of books, journals and newspapers in Latgallian.

The association Latgolys Saeima which works for the protection and the recognition of the Latgallian language in Latvia sent an open letter to the State President of Latvia, MPs and the Cabinet of Ministers asking them to evaluate the actions of the ex-President of Latvia Karlis Ulmanis (1934-1940) regarding the suppression of the Latgallian language. The authors of the letter ask for the return of the status and the rights of the Latgallian language which it had been granted prior to the start of the Ulmanis regime in 1934, such as the teaching of the Latgallian language and literature in schools, publication of books, journals and newspapers in Latgallian. Vesti Segodnya

• Ministry of Healthcare justifies why the candidates for the posts of the heads of three medical care institutions are required good Russian language proficiency
• UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries Hans ten Feld meets the MPs
• Discussion of experts and the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte on the new integration program

Latvijas Avize reports that an ex-MP Vaira Paegle sent a letter to the Ministry of Healthcare asking to explain why the list of job requirements announced by the Ministry for the posts of the heads of three medical care institutions also includes good Russian language proficiency. Replying to the letter, the Ministry explains that such requirement is included because of the specifics of work and structure of patients in these hospitals. The Ministry believes that Russian language cold ease daily communication, while English proficiency could ease international contacts and development. Head of the Latvian Doctors Association agrees to the Ministrys requirements stating that the head of the medical care institution should have good skills in English, German and Russian. Representative of the State language Centre, in his turn, believes that such requirement is discrimination of ethnic Latvians who do not speak Russian.

Latvijas Avize reports about the meeting of the UNHCR Regional Representative for the Baltic and Nordic countries Hans ten Feld with the Latvian MPs. Mr. ten Feld presented the UNHCRs handbook for parliamentarians on nationality and statelessness. Mr. ten Feld stated that the situation of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is not unique because also other countries have stateless persons. At the same time, Mr ten Feld noted that the problem of non-citizenship in Latvia has to be solved because the number of non-citizens is high and one of the steps towards it would be registration to all children born in Latvia as citizens automatically.

Telegraf and Latvijas Avize reports about the discussion of experts and the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte on the new integration program held by the internet portal www.politika.lv and www.liberali.lv. The experts criticize the new program arguing that it too much concentrates on ethnic Latvianism and does not take into account interests of Russian speaking residents. The Minister, in her turn, stated that the program can be specified a little bit but not changed conceptually.