• ECRI published its new report on Latvia
• President of Latvia Andris Berzins supports the proposal to grant the Orthodox Christian and Old Believers Christmas the status of a bank-holiday in Latvia
• Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis assigned all the ministries and other state institutions to prepare proposals for promotion of consolidation of society

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its new report on Latvia. According to the report, while there have been positive developments, issues of concern remain: firstly important budget cuts affecting the Ombudsman and secondly the situation of the Roma. In the report, ECRI has made a number of recommendations to the Latvian authorities, three of which require priority implementation and will be revisited by ECRI in two years’ time: endow the Ombudsman’s Office with sufficient funds and human resources, and improve its accessibility in different languages and in the different regions of Latvia; ensure a focus of the Policy Guidelines for the Integration of Society in Latvia on anti-discrimination and an open and integrated society, and provide for sufficient and timely financial resources, coordination and involvement of all relevant actors in the implementation of the guidelines; close any remaining special classes for Roma, integrate Roma pupils in mainstream classes and address the high representation of Roma children in special needs’ schools.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) published its new report on Latvia. According to the report, while there have been positive developments, issues of concern remain: firstly important budget cuts affecting the Ombudsman and secondly the situation of the Roma. In the report, ECRI has made a number of recommendations to the Latvian authorities, three of which require priority implementation and will be revisited by ECRI in two years time: endow the Ombudsmans Office with sufficient funds and human resources, and improve its accessibility in different languages and in the different regions of Latvia; ensure a focus of the Policy Guidelines for the Integration of Society in Latvia on anti-discrimination and an open and integrated society, and provide for sufficient and timely financial resources, coordination and involvement of all relevant actors in the implementation of the guidelines; close any remaining special classes for Roma, integrate Roma pupils in mainstream classes and address the high representation of Roma children in special needs schools. Vesti Segodnya

Report on Latvia is available at:

Report on Latvia is available at: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/monitoring/ecri/library/PressReleases/100-21_02_2012_Latvia_en.asp#TopOfPage

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins supports the proposal to grant the Orthodox Christian and Old Believers’ Christmas (7 January) the status of a bank-holiday in Latvia. The faction of the Concord Centre (CC) is planning to submit the corresponding draft amendments to the Saeima repeatedly. The leader of the CC, Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs believes that granting Orthodox Christmas status of official holiday is not ethnic or linguistic issue because there are many Orthodox ethnic Latvians and representatives of other ethnicities. But at the same time, it would be a good signal especially for Russian speaking residents. However, the two parties of the governing coalition – the Unity and the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM  - do not support the proposal. The Zatler’s Reforms Party, in its turn, proposes the draft amendments to the Labour Law allowing the employees to take one extra holiday in a year on their discretion. Representatives of the Orthodox, Lutheran and Catholic churches in Latvia, in an interview with

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins supports the proposal to grant the Orthodox Christian and Old Believers Christmas (7 January) the status of a bank-holiday in Latvia. The faction of the Concord Centre (CC) is planning to submit the corresponding draft amendments to the Saeima repeatedly. The leader of the CC, Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs believes that granting Orthodox Christmas status of official holiday is not ethnic or linguistic issue because there are many Orthodox ethnic Latvians and representatives of other ethnicities. But at the same time, it would be a good signal especially for Russian speaking residents. However, the two parties of the governing coalition – the Unity and the nationalists union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM - do not support the proposal. The Zatlers Reforms Party, in its turn, proposes the draft amendments to the Labour Law allowing the employees to take one extra holiday in a year on their discretion. Representatives of the Orthodox, Lutheran and Catholic churches in Latvia, in an interview with Diena, also support granting the Orthodox Christmas status of a bank-holiday. Chas, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis assigned all the ministries, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the State Chancellery, and Society Integration Foundation to prepare the concrete proposals for promotion of consolidation of society during two weeks. The proposal should be connected with opportunities to learn Latvian language, with civil education program, and with establishment of ties with Latvians living abroad.

The Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis assigned all the ministries, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the State Chancellery, and Society Integration Foundation to prepare the concrete proposals for promotion of consolidation of society during two weeks. The proposal should be connected with opportunities to learn Latvian language, with civil education program, and with establishment of ties with Latvians living abroad. Latvijas Aviz

• Latvian high officials and MPs started discussions about further actions in integration policy
• 420 persons signed the Goodwill Manifesto
• Vesti Segodnya criticizes well-known lawyer Andris Grutups for anti-Semitic statements

Latvijas Avize reports that Latvian high officials and MPs started discussions about further actions in integration policy. At a meeting with the Parliamentary Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee representatives of the Ministry of Culture informed about plans to conduct various activities for promotion of integration during the year. The activities will concern Latvian language courses for ethnic non-Latvians, promotion of participation in civil society, inclusive education of Roma, and other initiatives. It is also planned to establish the National Integration Centre which will provide various services for non-Latvians such as legal assistance, social workers assistance, consultant about state language learning and labour issues. The MP Raivis Dzintars (All for Latvia/FF-LNIM) and the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre), in their turn, conducted a discussion with students of Latvian and Russian language schools in Ogre (city near Riga). Mr Dzintars and Mr Usakovs stated that they want to be an example for the society that despite the different views it is possible to hold conversation and maintain human relations with each other.

420 persons signed the Goodwill Manifesto aimed at the consolidation of the society by 21 February. As reported, the Manifesto was written by a Lutheran pastor and it got supported by the President of Latvia Andris Berzins and many well-known persons and politicians. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya criticizes well-known lawyer Andris Grutups for anti-Semitic statements made in an interview with Neatkariga. In the interview, Mr Grutups stated that irresponsible consolidation measures by the government have driven the country into extreme poverty, and the people are asking why life is harder now than during the Soviet era and are searching for whom to blame, and the present economic crisis could easily turn into an ethnic crisis. Mr Grutups believes that Vladimirs Lindermans (initiator of the collection of signatures for granting Russian the status of a state language) with a wild energy does everything to antagonise the two peoples (Latvians and Russians) in Latvia. Mr Grutups sees Lindermans as one Jewish revolutionary, who has ignited safety matches next to the gasoline barrel. Vesti Segodnya also notes that no politician or political force has condemned Mr Grutups for these statements.

• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy
• Sarmite Elerte: the duty of every ethnic Latvian is to speak Latvian language with every Latvias resident
• Supreme Court refused the claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist of Latvian citizenship

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) believes that the referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia is a symptom that one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy. Mr Usakovs believes that people had emotional reasons voting for granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Usakovs considers that granting the Orthodox and Old Believers’ Christmas (7 January) status of official holiday in Latvia and allowing Russian speakers to submit written applications to local governments in their native language would be a big step towards the consolidation of the society and would help to overcome psychological barrier.

The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (Concord Centre) believes that the referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia is a symptom that one-quarter of the society is dissatisfied with the situation in the country and ethnic policy. Mr Usakovs believes that people had emotional reasons voting for granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Usakovs considers that granting the Orthodox and Old Believers Christmas (7 January) status of official holiday in Latvia and allowing Russian speakers to submit written applications to local governments in their native language would be a big step towards the consolidation of the society and would help to overcome psychological barrier. Diena, Neatkariga

According to a freelance advisor of the Prime Minister on integration issues Sarmite Elerte, the results of the referendum on the status of state language mean that Latvian language should be strengthened as the foundation for consolidation of society. Mrs Elerte believes that it is a duty of every ethnic Latvian to speak Latvian language with every Latvia’s resident and to help with joy every representative of ethnic minorities whose state language proficiency is not so fine yet. Mrs Elerte believes that integration can be considered as successful only if a person feels belonging to civil community and to state national community, where Latvian language and ethnic Latvian identity is a connecting element.

According to a freelance advisor of the Prime Minister on integration issues Sarmite Elerte, the results of the referendum on the status of state language mean that Latvian language should be strengthened as the foundation for consolidation of society. Mrs Elerte believes that it is a duty of every ethnic Latvian to speak Latvian language with every Latvias resident and to help with joy every representative of ethnic minorities whose state language proficiency is not so fine yet. Mrs Elerte believes that integration can be considered as successful only if a person feels belonging to civil community and to state national community, where Latvian language and ethnic Latvian identity is a connecting element. Diena

The Supreme Court has refused a claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist Uldis Berzins of Latvian citizenship. Mr Berzins has accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007 and kept Latvian citizenship. Despite the fact that acquisition of dual citizenship is not allowed by Latvian legal acts, Mr Berzins did not want to rescind Latvian citizenship voluntary because besides work in Sweden he continues cooperation with Latvia. Such decision of the Court is a precedent in Latvia.

The Supreme Court has refused a claim of the Office of Citizenship and Naturalisation Affairs to deprive a well-known Latvian scientist Uldis Berzins of Latvian citizenship. Mr Berzins has accepted Swedish citizenship in 2007 and kept Latvian citizenship. Despite the fact that acquisition of dual citizenship is not allowed by Latvian legal acts, Mr Berzins did not want to rescind Latvian citizenship voluntary because besides work in Sweden he continues cooperation with Latvia. Such decision of the Court is a precedent in Latvia. Neatkariga

• Overwhelming majority of Latvian citizens voted against granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia
• Politicians and experts stress the importance to begin dialogue

Newspaper reports about the results of the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. 821,722 or 74,8% of citizens voted against the amendments, while 273,347 or 24,88% of citizens supported the proposal granting state language status to Russian. In total, 1,098 593 or 70,73% of citizens took part in the referendum which is the highest voters’ turnout since the Saeima’s elections in 1993. The biggest support for Russian as a state language was in Latgale region (Eastern part of Latvia): 62,369 or 44,02% voted for the amendments. The majority of citizens of the biggest cities in Latgale supported the amendments. Thus, 34,419 or 85,18% of Daugavpils’ residents, 11,395 or 85,18% Rezekne’s residents, and 1,324 or 90,25 Zilupe’s residents voted for the amendments. In Riga, the majority of citizens -193,976 or 61,59% voted against the amendments, while 119,621 or 37,98% of citizens voted in favour.

Newspaper reports about the results of the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. 821,722 or 74,8% of citizens voted against the amendments, while 273,347 or 24,88% of citizens supported the proposal granting state language status to Russian. In total, 1,098 593 or 70,73% of citizens took part in the referendum which is the highest voters turnout since the Saeimas elections in 1993. The biggest support for Russian as a state language was in Latgale region (Eastern part of Latvia): 62,369 or 44,02% voted for the amendments. The majority of citizens of the biggest cities in Latgale supported the amendments. Thus, 34,419 or 85,18% of Daugavpils residents, 11,395 or 85,18% Rezeknes residents, and 1,324 or 90,25 Zilupes residents voted for the amendments. In Riga, the majority of citizens -193,976 or 61,59% voted against the amendments, while 119,621 or 37,98% of citizens voted in favour. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga

Commenting the results of the referendum, the President Andris Berzins stated that it is time to begin a dialogue with each other on how to overcome suspicions, offences and misunderstanding in order to deny the radicals an opportunity to manipulate the society in the future. The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs also stated that it is important to start dialogue between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers and politicians must change their rhetoric in order not to aggravate ethnic tensions in the country. The majority of politicians and experts interviewed by newspapers also stressed the importance of the dialogue and integration.

Commenting the results of the referendum, the President Andris Berzins stated that it is time to begin a dialogue with each other on how to overcome suspicions, offences and misunderstanding in order to deny the radicals an opportunity to manipulate the society in the future. The Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs also stated that it is important to start dialogue between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers and politicians must change their rhetoric in order not to aggravate ethnic tensions in the country. The majority of politicians and experts interviewed by newspapers also stressed the importance of the dialogue and integration. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Russian language newspapers call to vote for the second state language, while Latvian language newspapers call to vote against it
• Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska: referendum radicalised the society
• Ministry of Education and Science presented its action plan for consolidation of society
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about attitude of ethnically mixed marriages towards the referendum

Newspapers continue to print opinions of various experts, public persons and politicians about the up-coming referendum of the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. The three biggest Latvian language newspapers –

Newspapers continue to print opinions of various experts, public persons and politicians about the up-coming referendum of the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. The three biggest Latvian language newspapers – Diena, Latvijas Avize and Neatkariga issued with headline on the front page calling to vote against the amendments, while, Russian language newspapers – Chas and Vesti Segodnya – are calling from the front page to vote for the amendments. Another national Russian language newspaper, Telegraf, refrained from openly taking sides in the referendum.

Chas prints an interview with the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Anhelita Kamenska. Ms Kamenska believes that the up-coming referendum on the status of Russian language has radicalised the society, while voicing moderate views on the current language situation is unpopular. She believes that assigning Russian, spoken by a significant part of the population, the status of a foreign language was short-sighted. According to Ms Kamenska, a range of issues remain that will need to be addressed in the future, including the accessibility of public information in Russian, proportionality of state language requirements for different posts and professions, and attempts to change Labour Law to prohibit disproportionate foreign language requirements for employees. Ms Kamenska also criticizes the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte stating that her activities in the process of elaboration of the integration program had a damaging effect on ethnic relations.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Education and Science presented its action plan for consolidation of society. The main accents of the plan are introduction of multicultural principles in education process on all levels, promoting knowledge about civil society and interaction in studies and sports. According to a representative of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Sigita Zankovska-Odina, the action plan has many valuable initiatives, however, it looks like it was elaborated in a rush and published couple of days before the referendum on the status of Russian language with a populist aim. 

Yesterday, the Ministry of Education and Science presented its action plan for consolidation of society. The main accents of the plan are introduction of multicultural principles in education process on all levels, promoting knowledge about civil society and interaction in studies and sports. According to a representative of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Sigita Zankovska-Odina, the action plan has many valuable initiatives, however, it looks like it was elaborated in a rush and published couple of days before the referendum on the status of Russian language with a populist aim. Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an article about attitude of ethnically mixed marriages towards the referendum on the status of Russian language. The majority of interviewed families have the same attitude on how to vote in the referendum. However, some couples acknowledged that there are disagreements regarding the issue. According to the Central Statistical Bureau, there were 1,418 mixed marriages in Latvia in 2010.