Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Attempts to destabilise the government are increasing in intensity
• Leader of an NGO: state should provide more support for non-citizens
• Education Law will be amended
• Integration Minister in TV show
• Education Committee of the Riga City Council developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform
• Russian pre-school education in Riga

Diena

reports that attempts to destabilise the government are intensifying. As evidence the newspaper names the activities of the opposition parties against the attempts of the ruling parties to amend the Law on Prevention of Corruption and rumours that this government will collapse soon. Various interviewees named the Union of the Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK as they key organisers of destabilisation, while others named the Peoples Party. The Prime Minister Einars Repse stated that the coalition has never felt stronger. Political commentators surveyed by reports that attempts to destabilise the government are intensifying. As evidence the newspaper names the activities of the opposition parties against the attempts of the ruling parties to amend the Law on Prevention of Corruption and rumours that this government will collapse soon. Various interviewees named the Union of the Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK as they key organisers of destabilisation, while others named the People’s Party. The Prime Minister Einars Repse stated that the coalition has never felt stronger. Political commentators surveyed by Jauna AvizeJauna Avize – chairperson of Latvias Way Janis Naglis, the Union of Farmers and Greens MP Vilis Kristopans and the Peoples Party Board member, political scientist Artis Pabriks all believe that this summer the government will remain in place unchanged. – chairperson of Latvia’s Way Janis Naglis, the Union of Farmers and Greens MP Vilis Kristopans and the People’s Party Board member, political scientist Artis Pabriks all believe that this summer the government will remain in place unchanged. Chas, Vesti SegodnyaChas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena

features an article by one of the leaders of the anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks. The NGO provides Latvian language courses free of charge. Igors Kuzmuks states the poor state language skills are the key obstacle, which prevents in his estimate 700,000 Latvian non-citizens from acquiring Latvian citizenship. According to Igors Kuzmuks the officials attitude towards integration issues is one of the explanations for poor state language skills and the state should provide a more assistance. The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that if the Saeima does not manage to amend the Education Law until the end of the spring session, the government will amend the Law this summer.

The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that if the Saeima does not manage to amend the Education Law until the end of the spring session, the government will amend the Law this summer. Diena

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks took part in the TV show “From the Position of Power.” The Integration Minister voiced his opinion about the protest meeting. He said that the meeting is a serious signal to the government, however, the Minister finds it strange that many non-citizens want to participate in the protests, but do not want to naturalise and have a direct influence on politics. Regarding the statements of the Prime Minister that hostile forces organised the meeting, Nils Muiznieks comments that the Prime Minister went too far and that he would not speak this way.

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks took part in the TV show From the Position of Power. The Integration Minister voiced his opinion about the protest meeting. He said that the meeting is a serious signal to the government, however, the Minister finds it strange that many non-citizens want to participate in the protests, but do not want to naturalise and have a direct influence on politics. Regarding the statements of the Prime Minister that hostile forces organised the meeting, Nils Muiznieks comments that the Prime Minister went too far and that he would not speak this way.

Yesterday the Education Committee of the Riga City Council has developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform. The Council has to collect all information from school by July, develop a database by August and analyse the info by November.

Yesterday the Education Committee of the Riga City Council has developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform. The Council has to collect all information from school by July, develop a database by August and analyse the info by November. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

interviews the official of the Riga City Council who is responsible for pre-school education. Many municipal Russian kindergartens do not have classes of Latvian and pre-school teachers do not speak Latvian with kids. The official also states that the tendency for Russian parents to send their children to Latvian kindergartens is decreasing. interviews the official of the Riga City Council who is responsible for pre-school education. Many municipal Russian kindergartens do not have classes of Latvian and pre-school teachers do not speak Latvian with kids. The official also states that the tendency for Russian parents to send their children to Latvian kindergartens is decreasing. Students of the Russian school No 22 are indignant about the reportage of the TV channel LNT about the education reform. Students claim that the LNT did not reflect them in a true light and cut most of the material and arguments out.

Students of the Russian school No 22 are indignant about the reportage of the TV channel LNT about the education reform. Students claim that the LNT did not reflect them in a true light and cut most of the material and arguments out. Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Protest meeting against Latvian education reform in Moscow
• Statement of the Russian MFA on the education reform in Latvia
• Activities of the Integration Minister
• Lauku Avize
talks to the Integration Minister
• Interview with Prime Minister Einars Repse
• Public policy portal discusses education reform

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party “Unified Russia.” Today a second part of the rally will take place.

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party Unified Russia. Today a second part of the rally will take place. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense.

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense. Neatkariga, Chas, BNS

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities.

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities. Vesti Segodnya states that it was not easy to do a lot during 6 months as the Integration Minister is not a member of any party and, second, integration issues have never been the top priority in Latvia. The newspaper notes that the Integration Minister devotes the majority of his time to building dialogue, lately especially with people protesting against the education reform.

Lauku Avize

talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word only from the Education Law this summer. talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word “only” from the Education Law this summer.

Lauku Avize

interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvias enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvia’s enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of Lauku AvizeLauku Avize that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement of Lauku Avize’s of Lauku Avizes journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. The public policy portal

The public policy portal www.politika.lv continues the discussion about the education reform. Public policy fellow Deniss Hanovs looks into the issue concerning the development of Russian identity in Latvia. He notes that in media and peoples minds protest activities were starting to develop long before the protest meeting took place. He also states that the local Russian culture is not able to find its niche and functions in Latvia. According to Deniss Hanovs, the street protest is the only way to raise Russian interest about their culture and it shows that Russian identity in Latvia is in a miserable state.

The head of the Human Rights Institute

The head of the Human Rights Institute Gita Feldhune provides her opinion about the education reform. She stresses that it is not a shame that there are thousand or ten thousand people in the country whose opinion does not comply with the governments stance and that they want to voice their opinion in the moment when they can reach a broader audience.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Chas
prints opinions of high officials about the protest meeting
• Protest meeting against the education reform in Moscow
• Lauku Avize
voices its incomprehension about tolerance of officials towards the protest activities
• Discussion Latvian – the Language of the Future was held yesterday
• Interview with the director of the Strategic Research Institute from Moscow
• Neatkariga features an article about left-wing parties
• Russian government demands that Latvia solve minority issues

Chas

provides opinions of high officials regarding the protest meeting against the education reform. Prime Minister Einars Repse states that there was no sense in organising the meeting as the government had already asked the Education Ministry to strike out the word only and people who came to the meeting were misled. The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis says that people who came to the meeting protested against the closure of Russian schools and the Minister stresses that nobody is going to close them. The Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks promised to give his opinion later.

Today the Moscows organisation Unified Russia will organise a protest meeting against assimilation of Russians in Latvia outside the Latvian embassy building in Moscow. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Lauku Avize

voices incomprehension about statements of high officials regarding the education reform and wonders why the state did not interfere with the anti-state activities, that is the protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform.

Yesterday the discussion Latvian – the Language of the Future was held by the Official Language Commission in Riga. The participants discussed the role of Latvian. Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, linguist Ina Druviete admitted that unfortunately the usage of languages is not controlled in the private sphere and regrets that Latvian lawyers tend to act not like advocates and defenders of the Latvian language, but more like prosecutors. Participants also discussed the future of Latvian in the EU. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Vestnesis

Neatkariga

features an interview with the director of the Strategic Research Institute Sergey Oznobischev from Moscow. Sergey Oznobischev took part in the Baltic Forum, which was held last weekend. He says that an average MP of the Russian State Duma believes that Latvian non-citizens are oppressed and their rights are not observed in Latvia. Regarding young people who are non-citizens in Latvia, Oznobischev says that the Latvian state has to make Latvian citizenship attractive for these people, so they see real advantages of being Latvian citizens.

Neatkariga

features an article about two left-wing parties in the Saeima – FHRUL and the Peoples Harmony Party. Their key priorities relate mainly to ethnic issues and it is almost impossible to implement them, due to the opposite stance of the governing parties. FHRUL and the PHP continue to develop draft laws, which are aimed at eliminating differences between the status of citizen and non-citizen, however, none of these draft laws has been accepted. According to these parties, there are 60 differences between the status of Latvian citizen and non-citizen.

As of 9 June the First Baltic Channel, which broadcasts from Russia, will air daily Latvian news. Vesti Segodnya

Monday Russias MPs for the first time presented their report at the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO. The Vice Speaker of the Russian State Duma Lubov Sliska demanded the Latvian government solve minority issues in the country, in particular, the large number of non-citizens and education problems. The Head of the Latvian delegation Guntis Berzins said that the Sliskas report is tendentious. Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• High officials about the protest meeting
• Philologist comments on the education reform
• Rock group files a claim against the organisers of the protest meeting
• Corruption Prevention Office has recalled its claim against the Peoples Harmony Party
• Justice Ministry proposes to pay heath and life insurance to state language inspectors
• Security Police initiated a criminal case about comments on the Internet which incite racial hatred
• Interview with famous journalist from Russia Aleksandr Lubimov

Telegraf prints comments of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks regarding the protest meeting against the education reform last Friday. The President states that in a democratic society people have rights to express their opinions, however, she still believes that the education reform will bring only positive effects for non-Latvian children. The Integration Minister says that after the meeting he concluded that the government has to have a dialogue with the Association for the Support for Russian Schools and national minorities and solve problems of those schools, which are not ready for the reform.

Telegraf prints comments of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks regarding the protest meeting against the education reform last Friday. The President states that in a democratic society people have rights to express their opinions, however, she still believes that the education reform will bring only positive effects for non-Latvian children. The Integration Minister says that after the meeting he concluded that the government has to have a dialogue with the Association for the Support for Russian Schools and national minorities and solve problems of those schools, which are not ready for the reform.

Regarding the protest activities against the education reform, the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis comments that the number of collected signatures against the reform do not mean anything and that the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulations concerning the standard of secondary education and these regulations will be implemented. He adds that a referendum probably would be the best solution, as it would put an end to all speculations.

Regarding the protest activities against the education reform, the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis comments that the number of collected signatures against the reform do not mean anything and that the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulations concerning the standard of secondary education and these regulations will be implemented. He adds that a referendum probably would be the best solution, as it would put an end to all speculations. Lauku Avize

Neatkariga

features an article by philologist Mara Saturina about the education reform. She writes that recent events show that a two-community society starts forming in Latvia and members of both communities are very unwilling to integrate into another community. She believes that the education reform could be a step towards integration and parents should be happy that their children will speak Latvian fluently. She concludes that the education reform is the last chance and if it is not implemented, then there is only abyss. features an article by philologist Mara Saturina about the education reform. She writes that recent events show that a two-community society starts forming in Latvia and members of both communities are very unwilling to integrate into another community. She believes that the education reform could be a step towards integration and parents should be happy that their children will speak Latvian fluently. She concludes that the education reform is the last chance and if it is not implemented, then there is only “abyss.” Latvian rock group Livi will file a claim against the Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia for performing their song without permission in the protest meeting on 23 May. The musicians state “it is profanation of our ideals of independence and freedom and the Latvian history and after all - us “Livi”.”

Latvian rock group Livi will file a claim against the Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia for performing their song without permission in the protest meeting on 23 May. The musicians state it is profanation of our ideals of independence and freedom and the Latvian history and after all - us Livi. Diena, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Corruption Prevention Office has recalled its claim against the People’s Harmony Party after the Party re-submitted its corrected financial report.

The Corruption Prevention Office has recalled its claim against the Peoples Harmony Party after the Party re-submitted its corrected financial report. Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Justice Ministry submitted amendments to the state budget. The new amendments foresee that state language inspectors will have state-paid health and life insurance. Although since 1995 there have been no violent attacks on language inspectors, they continue to receive threatening phone calls.

The Justice Ministry submitted amendments to the state budget. The new amendments foresee that state language inspectors will have state-paid health and life insurance. Although since 1995 there have been no violent attacks on language inspectors, they continue to receive threatening phone calls.

The Security Police has initiated a criminal case against 16-year-old resident of Riga on the basis of the youth’s comments on the Internet. The Security Police believes that his comments incited national and racial hatred and expressed threats to organise terror acts during the Eurovision Song Festival.

The Security Police has initiated a criminal case against 16-year-old resident of Riga on the basis of the youths comments on the Internet. The Security Police believes that his comments incited national and racial hatred and expressed threats to organise terror acts during the Eurovision Song Festival. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

interviews famous journalist from Russia Aleksandr Lubimov. He states that people have to respect the country where they live and study its language. Lubimov notes that many ordinary people in Russia are concerned about lives of Russians in the Baltic States, however, the Russian government has very limited possibilities to have a serious influence on this issue. When asked whether there is an order to the Russian television to show the Baltic States only in a negative light, Lubimov says that he has not heard anything about that.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Reflection of the protest meeting against the education reform
• Interview with Latvian journalist about the education reform
• Interview with American political scientist

Vechernaya Riga

features articles about the protest meeting against the education reform, which took place last Friday. One of the articles looks into reflection of the meeting on TV channels. The newspaper states that the private commercial channel TV3 when reporting about the meeting showed a number of children who did not have a clue of what the meeting was about and thus disillusioned its audience. Regarding the National TV, the newspaper states that it showed uninterested reportage, while the commercial channel LNT was really interested in arguments of people who took part in the protest meeting, however, LNT reported that only 3,000 people took part in the meeting. Vechernaya Riga concludes that almost all TV channels are Russo-phobic.

Chas

provides excerpts from news about the protest meeting against the education reform published or given by local and foreign newspapers and news agencies. All foreign news agencies – Associated Press, Reuters, Euronews – estimated that about 10,000 people took part in the meeting.

Chas

interviews Neatkarigas deputy editor-in-chief Sandris Tocs. He states that the goal of the reform is clear and legitimate, however, the implementation of the reform should be gradual, qualitative and serious. He reproaches the Latvian government for doing nothing in the field of social integration in Latvia. He states that the Latvian government is afraid that Europe will discover the real situation in Latvia and that finally Latvian society will wake up and start demanding responsibility from the government. He concludes that Russians should have organised protest activities a long time ago.

Vesti Segodnya

interviews political scientist Dmitry Simes who came to Riga to attend the Baltic Forum. He states that he does not want to give any judgement about the situation of national minorities in Latvia, however, if somebody wants to succeed, s/he has to study in the language of a country s/he lives. Regarding citizenship, he says that the large number of non-citizens and no activities from the governments side will have a negative effect on the whole society.