Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Protest meeting against the education reform
• Polish school in Riga
• Baltic Forum takes place in Latvia
• Interview with a Russian businessman, participant of the Baltic Forum
• New Eras remains most popular political party

Friday the protest meeting against the education reform took place in Riga. About 6,000 people attended the meeting. No violent incidents were reported. The organizers say that if the education reform is not abolished a broader protest activity “Empty schools” will take place in the fall. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia announced that it has collected 57,000 signatures against the reform.

Friday the protest meeting against the education reform took place in Riga. About 6,000 people attended the meeting. No violent incidents were reported. The organizers say that if the education reform is not abolished a broader protest activity Empty schools will take place in the fall. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia announced that it has collected 57,000 signatures against the reform. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Diena comments that the meeting shows that there has been lack of information about the reform.

Diena comments that the meeting shows that there has been lack of information about the reform.

Diena

features an article about a Polish school in Riga, which is one of the minority schools that already implement a curriculum with 60% of classes taught in Latvian. features an article about a Polish school in Riga, which is one of the minority schools that already implement a curriculum with 60% of classes taught in Latvian. DienaDiena talks to students and teachers of the Polish schools. The newspaper notes that students and teachers of this school speak all 3 languages - Latvian, Russian and Polish - fluently. Students and teachers are aware of the importance of Latvian language skills, while taking care to preserve their national identity. talks to students and teachers of the Polish schools. The newspaper notes that students and teachers of this school speak all 3 languages - Latvian, Russian and Polish - fluently. Students and teachers are aware of the importance of Latvian language skills, while taking care to preserve their national identity.

Chas

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya report that the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks attended the economic conference Baltic Forum. The Integration Minister advocated for Latvias membership in the EU and stated that the EU will bring positive effects for minorities as well. report that the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks attended the economic conference “Baltic Forum.” The Integration Minister advocated for Latvia’s membership in the EU and stated that the EU will bring positive effects for minorities as well.

Lauku Avize

interviews one of participants of the Baltic Forum, Vice President of Russias Business and Industry Chamber Igor Jurgen. He believes that there will be good relations between Latvia and Russia as the period of self-identification of Latvians is over and 40% of population being Russian-speaking is not considered an obstacle for Latvias EU membership any more, adding also that Russians who live in Latvia do not want to return to Russia. He notes that the Russian government sometimes has an impression that the Latvian government does not trust its Russian population, however, the Russian government will not use any intervention methods except for work through international organisations. Igor Jurgen says that the situation of Russians should not be exaggerated in the Baltic States and that Latvia should just observe international norms. interviews one of participants of the “Baltic Forum,” Vice President of Russia’s Business and Industry Chamber Igor Jurgen. He believes that there will be good relations between Latvia and Russia as the period of self-identification of Latvians is over and 40% of population being Russian-speaking is not considered an obstacle for Latvia’s EU membership any more, adding also that Russians who live in Latvia do not want to return to Russia. He notes that the Russian government sometimes has an impression that the Latvian government does not trust its Russian population, however, the Russian government will not use any intervention methods except for work through international organisations. Igor Jurgen says that the situation of Russians should not be exaggerated in the Baltic States and that Latvia should just observe international norms. According to an opinion poll the most popular party in May remains the New Era, followed by FHRUL, the People’s Party, the Union of Farmers and Greens and People’s Harmony Party. FF/LNNK and the Latvian First Party did not overcome the 5% barrier.

According to an opinion poll the most popular party in May remains the New Era, followed by FHRUL, the Peoples Party, the Union of Farmers and Greens and Peoples Harmony Party. FF/LNNK and the Latvian First Party did not overcome the 5% barrier. Diena

Integration and Minority Information Service"

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

• Protest meeting against the education reform takes place today
• Prime Minister about the protest meeting
• American Ambassador about the education reform
• Interview with the representative of Russian intelligentsia, journalist Marina Kostenecka
• Latvian Song Festival will feature a parade of minority choirs and dance groups
• Interview with the chairperson of the Latvian Belorussian Association

A part of minority school parents and teachers believe that the protest meeting will result in cancellation of the education reform. If it does not happen until the fall, there would be another, more serious protest activity. However, the Prime Minister Einars Repse assures that the meeting will not change anything in the governments stance towards the education reform. Neither the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis nor the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks will attend the meeting. Diena

Diena

features an article by Laila Pakalnina about relations between Russians and Latvians in light of the debate concerning the education reform. She notes that Russian and Latvian adults do not have common information space, while todays Russian and Latvian kids make friends with each other and get along very well. She calls on Latvians not to perceive the protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform as representative opinion of all Russians, and not to return to the relationship model of Soviet times: us and them.

Chas

columnist Leonid Fedesoyev writes that it is up to everybody to go or not to go to the protest meeting, however, all who care about non-Latvian schools should go to the meeting. He calls on people to be organised and do not agree to any provocations.

Rigas Balss

suggests to avoid going through or to the Esplanade (the place where the protest meeting will take place) for security reasons.

Chas

provides excerpts from the interview of the Prime Minister Einars Repse with the National Radio. Regarding the protest meeting against the education reform the Prime Minister Einars Repse said it is the last such kind of activity organised by hostile forces as Latvia very soon will be a member of the EU and NATO. He also called on people not to send their children to the meeting. Latvijas Vestnesis

Vesti Segodnya

interviews the American Ambassador Brian Carlson. Regarding the education reform, Ambassador Carlson stresses how important is to know the language of the country where a person lives and notes that parents who want that their children study only in Russian negatively influence their future. The journalist who interviewed Ambassador Carlson turned out to be a non-citizen and the Ambassador expressed interest to participate personally at the journalists naturalisation procedure.

Neatkariga

features an interview with the representative of Russian intelligentsia, journalist Marina Kostenecka. She believes that Latvians consciously make Russians feel lower class people. She has discovered that the majority of soldiers in the Latvian army are Russians because Latvians go to the University rather than serve in the army. Marina Kostenecka is convinced that huge changes have taken place in the field of Latvian learning in last 10 years, but Latvians do not want to see that.

The parade of minority choirs and dance groups will take place this year in the framework of the Latvian Song Festival. It is foreseen that all minorities will be presented in this parade. Neatkariga

Neatkariga

features an interview with the chairperson of the Belorussian Association Svitanek Vyacheslavu Teleshu. He tells about the origins of the Association in Latvia, Belorussian school and problems.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Status of Latvian non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU
• Protest meeting against the education reform to hold tomorrow
• Riga City Council meets with principles of Russian schools
• Student exchange project between a Russian and a Latvian school
• Essay contest The Borders of My Language are the Borders of My World announced

According to the EU directive, after Latvia’s accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens could have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, their status will be the same as of EU permanent residents. The Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks reported about the EU directive to Latvian MPs in the sitting of the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Committee. The directive foresees that permanent residents of the EU will have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, there will be some restrictions for them, for instance, permanent residents will not have the right to stay in another country as long as EU citizens. It is possible that Latvian non-citizens will have to re-acquire the status of permanent residents, as according to the EU directive permanent resident status is awarded to a person who has lived in a country for 5 years and has a legal income, which is not social security allowance. People’s Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich is concerned that it could lead to a situation when there will be 2 types of non-citizens in Latvia. The government is concerned that non-citizens could have broader rights than citizens do, for instance, regarding free labour movement. To the question of the opposition parties whether naturalisation process will be eased after Latvia’s accession to the EU, the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks said that non-citizens should not hope for that as they should have motivation to naturalise.

According to the EU directive, after Latvias accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens could have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, their status will be the same as of EU permanent residents. The Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks reported about the EU directive to Latvian MPs in the sitting of the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Committee. The directive foresees that permanent residents of the EU will have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, there will be some restrictions for them, for instance, permanent residents will not have the right to stay in another country as long as EU citizens. It is possible that Latvian non-citizens will have to re-acquire the status of permanent residents, as according to the EU directive permanent resident status is awarded to a person who has lived in a country for 5 years and has a legal income, which is not social security allowance. Peoples Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich is concerned that it could lead to a situation when there will be 2 types of non-citizens in Latvia. The government is concerned that non-citizens could have broader rights than citizens do, for instance, regarding free labour movement. To the question of the opposition parties whether naturalisation process will be eased after Latvias accession to the EU, the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks said that non-citizens should not hope for that as they should have motivation to naturalise. BNS, Lauku Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena

reports about the upcoming protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform. After an inquiry, it can be concluded that both schools the ones which are ready as well as the ones which are not will take part in the meeting. FHRUL and Peoples Harmony Party in Liepaja and Daugavpils will provide buses for people who want to come to Riga and take part in the meeting. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia is responsible for security at the meeting. reports about the upcoming protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform. After an inquiry, it can be concluded that both schools the ones which are ready as well as the ones which are not will take part in the meeting. FHRUL and People’s Harmony Party in Liepaja and Daugavpils will provide buses for people who want to come to Riga and take part in the meeting. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia is responsible for security at the meeting. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, TelegrafVechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Riga City Council held a meeting with 8 principles of Russian schools in Riga to discuss readiness of their schools for the reform. A principle of one school admitted that the key problem is the lack of clear policy from the Education Ministry. The newspaper states that officials of the Council did not have complete information about the reform either.

Yesterday the Riga City Council held a meeting with 8 principles of Russian schools in Riga to discuss readiness of their schools for the reform. A principle of one school admitted that the key problem is the lack of clear policy from the Education Ministry. The newspaper states that officials of the Council did not have complete information about the reform either. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena

reports about the student exchange project between a Russian school in Daugavpils and a Latvian School in Sabile. Last year students from Daugavpils visited Sabile and lived with Latvian families for a week. This week the delegation from Sabile came to Daugavpils. Students are satisfied with the opportunity to live in Latvian environment and acquire Latvian. reports about the student exchange project between a Russian school in Daugavpils and a Latvian School in Sabile. Last year students from Daugavpils visited Sabile and lived with Latvian families for a week. This week the delegation from Sabile came to Daugavpils. Students are satisfied with the opportunity to live in Latvian environment and acquire Latvian.

Diena

features an article by journalist Aleksandr Shabanov Why I do not take part in the protest meeting. His key argument is that the protest activities and meeting are a provocation, which aims to bring Latvia closer to Russia. features an article by journalist Aleksandr Shabanov “Why I do not take part in the protest meeting.” His key argument is that the protest activities and meeting are a provocation, which aims to bring Latvia closer to Russia. The public policy portal

The public policy portal www.politika.lv announced the essay contest The Borders of My Language are the Borders of My World with the aim to have diverse opinions about bilingual education, the role of native language and foreign languages. Students irrespective of their nationality, native language and area of study, are invited to take part in the contest. The public policy centre Providus, the Norwegian Embassy and the Education Ministry support the project.