• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis about possible initiation of administrative cases against organizers of protest actions against the education reform
• About the interview of the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the BBC about observation of minority rights in Latvia
• On extension for ten years of prohibition to stand as candidate for the Saeima and local government elections for ex-staff of the State Security Committee
• Seminar Anti-discrimination in Europe and Latvia: from legislation to practice
• Latvian authorities revoke the denial of entry into Latvia for Russian expert on minorities issues Tatyana Poloskova
• Interview with the Ambassador of Poland to Latvia Tadeusz Fiszbach
• Article about further protest actions against the education reform
• Latvian and minority students from Ventspils schools participate at Latvian language festival

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, after meeting with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, has stated that several administrative cases will be initiated about disturbances of order and violation of rights during protest actions against the education reform. According to the Prime Minister, state security institutions continue to clarify the organizers of the protest actions. Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stressed that it is unacceptable that students are involved in protest actions during scheduled  lessons. 

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, after meeting with President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, has stated that several administrative cases will be initiated about disturbances of order and violation of rights during protest actions against the education reform. According to the Prime Minister, state security institutions continue to clarify the organizers of the protest actions. Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stressed that it is unacceptable that students are involved in protest actions during scheduled lessons. Telegrafs, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers write about the interview of the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the BBC about observation of minority rights in Latvia.

Newspapers write about the interview of the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the BBC about observation of minority rights in Latvia. Latvijas Avize reprints fragments of this interview. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday Saeima Legal Affairs Committee supported amendments to the law, adopted by Saeima in second reading, which stipulates the prohibition to stand as candidate for the Saeima and local government elections and to head nationally important institutions for ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia. The amendments to the law were not submitted to Saeima for review in the third reading due to the lack of quorum for a binding vote in the Committee meeting, because representatives of the People’s Harmony Party refused to vote on the amendments, considering them undemocratic.

Yesterday Saeima Legal Affairs Committee supported amendments to the law, adopted by Saeima in second reading, which stipulates the prohibition to stand as candidate for the Saeima and local government elections and to head nationally important institutionsfor ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia. The amendments to the law were not submitted to Saeima for review in the third reading due to the lack of quorum for a binding vote in the Committee meeting, because representatives of the Peoples Harmony Party refused to vote on the amendments, considering them undemocratic. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an article about the seminar Anti-discrimination in Europe and Latvia: from legislation to practice, organized by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies with financial support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Netherlands. According to the director of the centre Ilze Brands-Kehre, discussions about discrimination in Latvia has become more audible, which is connected both with the issue of the application of the EU directives and with increasing comprehension of this issue in society. Although the concept of discrimination in Latvia is often automatically associated with discrimination of ethnic minorities, the conference stressed that anti-discrimination is in the interest of all actors in society and discrimination can be experienced by anyone, including ethnic majority representatives. The conference touched on issued of migration and anti-discrimination in the employment sector and included views from both employer and employee sides.

Yesterday an entrance visa to Latvia for professor and expert on minority issues of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova was renewed. On Tuesday, Latvian border guars had not allowed her entrance into Latvia, with the motivation that her name is included in a list of undesirable persons. Ministry of Interior spokespersons describe this incident as a technical failure which caused the entrance visa to be annulled. Tatyana Poloskova associates the initial denial of entrance by the Latvian authorities with the broadcast of Latvian TV, in which she was mentioned as an organizer of the protest actions against education reform in Latvia. The social scientist stresses that the goal of her visit was to analyze the efficiency of Russia’s police concerning its compatriots. Russian-language newspapers feature a statement of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia about this incident.

Yesterday an entrance visa to Latvia for professor and expert on minority issues of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministrys Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova was renewed. On Tuesday, Latvian border guars had not allowed her entrance into Latvia, with the motivation that her name is included in a list of undesirable persons. Ministry of Interior spokespersons describe this incident as a technical failure which caused the entrance visa to be annulled. Tatyana Poloskova associates the initial denial of entrance by the Latvian authorities with the broadcast of Latvian TV, in which she was mentioned as an organizer of the protest actions against education reform in Latvia. The social scientist stresses that the goal of her visit was to analyze the efficiency of Russias police concerning its compatriots. Russian-language newspapers feature a statement of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia about this incident. Telegraf refers to the head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks, who points to the radical expressions of Tatyana Poloskova about violation of Russians rights in Latvia and her active collaboration with the minorities political organizations in Latvia and stresses that she cannot be regarded as a neutral scientist. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The official newspaper

The official newspaper Latvijas Vestnesis features an interview with the Ambassador of Poland to Latvia Tadeusz Fiszbach, who states that Polish schools in Latvia have already adapted to the conditions of the education reform and teach their children in Latvian and Polish. According to the ambassador, this is the principle that has strengthened a sense among Polish youth of common belonging to Latvia. Latvijas Vetsnesis

Chas informs about further protest actions against the education reform planned by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools.

Today students from Ventspils schools participate at Latvian language festival, whose purpose is to develop and improve student’s language skills and to promote the integration of minority schools’ students in a Latvian environment.

Today students from Ventspils schools participate at Latvian language festival, whose purpose is to develop and improve students language skills and to promote the integration of minority schools students in a Latvian environment. Latvijas Avize

 

• Approximately 15000 – 20000 people participated in the protest actions against the education reform
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the protest actions against the education reform
• Ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs
• More than 500 children participated at Minorities Children and Youth Sport Festival
• Riga City Councils deputy Aleksandrs Gilmans on the role of Russian language in Latvia in the context of possible accession of Russia to the EU
• Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin about the status of Russian language

According to police information, approximately 15 000–20 000 minorities’ representatives participated at the protest action against the education reform in Riga, and 500 – in Liepaja, on 1May. A conflict between National Democratic Party, who organized the unauthorized walk against the education reform in Liepaja, and the municipal police developed when policemen asked the leader of the party Jevgenijs Osipovs to discontinue the unauthorized activities. Two activists of the party have been detained and put under administrative arrest from 7 till 8 days, but Jevgenijs Osipovs has escaped. Protest action took place also in Daugavpils.

According to police information, approximately 15000–20000 minorities representatives participated at the protest action against the education reform in Riga, and 500 – in Liepaja, on 1May. A conflict between National Democratic Party, who organized the unauthorized walk against the education reform in Liepaja, and the municipal police developed when policemen asked the leader of the party Jevgenijs Osipovs to discontinue the unauthorized activities. Two activists of the party have been detained and put under administrative arrest from 7 till 8 days, but Jevgenijs Osipovs has escaped. Protest action took place also in Daugavpils. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Chas features statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the protest actions against the education reform. During the interview to the Latvian Radio the president has said that the goal of the protest actions is to project a negative image of Latvia to its neighborhood in the European community.

The verdict of the Supreme Court in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs was that he is guilty of the war crimes committed in 1944 as accused, sentencing him to 1 year and 8 months imprisonment, which is equivalent to the time he has already spent in prison during the pre-trial investigation.

The verdict of the Supreme Court in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs was that he is guilty of the war crimes committed in 1944 as accused, sentencing him to 1 year and 8 months imprisonment, which is equivalent to the time he has already spent in prison during the pre-trial investigation. Latvijas Avize

More than 500 children participated at Minorities’ Children and Youth Sport Festival, organized by the Latvian Olympic Academy. Previously Russian-language newspapers printed the article of the representative of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Tatjana Favorska calling to boycott the festival. She motivated her call by the fact that the government continuously ignores claims of the education reform’s opponents.

More than 500 children participated at Minorities Children and Youth Sport Festival, organized by the Latvian Olympic Academy. Previously Russian-language newspapers printed the article of the representative of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Tatjana Favorska calling to boycott the festival. She motivated her call by the fact that the government continuously ignores claims of the education reforms opponents. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize reprints fragments of the article by Riga City Councils deputy Aleksandrs Gilmans, published in the Latvian internet portal delfi.lv. The deputy discusses the role of Russian language in Latvia in the context of the future possible EU enlargement towards Russia, stating that the bureaucratic system of the EU tends to expand and that Russia is one of the most attractive states for it. According to Aleksandrs Gilmans, the role of Russian language in Latvia will increase significantly when the inevitability of this event will become obvious.

Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin during the Russian language festival Russian Word, which took place in St. Petersburg, has stated that the Baltic States are afraid to grant a status of the state language to Russian, and promised that Russian shortly would become and official language of the EU.

Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin during the Russian language festival Russian Word, which took place in St. Petersburg, has stated that the Baltic States are afraid to grant a status of the state language to Russian, and promised that Russian shortly would become and official language of the EU. Latvijas Avize

 

• Russia expels Latvian diplomat
• The Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics offers flexibility in bilingual teaching of the subjects
• Teachers, who participated in protest actions against the education reform, will not be deprived of the additional payments
• Plans of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools regarding manifestation on 1 May
• The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presents its 2003 annual report on human rights
• Discussion about possible increase of ethnic tensions in Latvia
• Daugavpils City mayor Rita Strode on implementation of the education reform
• 150 students from a Riga Secondary school point to the need for the close involvement of professionals in education policies
• International conference Old-Believers in Latvia: historical experience, culture and modern processes in the society
• Neatkariga Rita Avize stresses the need for justifying the education reform to the public

Russia has expelled Latvian diplomat in response to Latvia’s expulsion of the Russian diplomat.

Russia has expelled Latvian diplomat in response to Latvias expulsion of the Russian diplomat. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Vesti Segodnya prints statement of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics that social tensions regarding education reform arise from the lack of information and constructive dialog, which were not ensured by the previous government. The Ministry of Education and Science is considering following activities in order to intensify learning of the Latvian language: increase of Latvian language lessons by one hour a week for 10th grade students; dividing classes into two groups during Latvian language lessons; publication of special methodological literature, establishment of bilingual education centre. In order to ease learning of exact subjects, the Ministry offers to apply flexibility in teaching subjects bilingually – for example, if the program foresees four lessons a week, three of them may be taught in minority language, and one – in Latvian.

The Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council has decided not to deprive the teachers participating in protest actions against the education reform of the additional payments.

The Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council has decided not to deprive the teachers participating in protest actions against the education reform of the additional payments. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools hope to gather about 30,000 people at the manifestation against the education reform on 1 May. At the press conference, the members of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools representing students and parents have informed journalists on the objectives of manifestation. On 1 May, the protest action against education reform organized by the Headquarters will be held also in Liepaja.

The Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools hope to gather about 30,000 people at the manifestation against the education reform on 1 May. At the press conference, the members of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools representing students and parents have informed journalists on the objectives of manifestation. On 1 May, the protest action against education reform organized by the Headquarters will be held also in Liepaja. Diena, Chas

The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies (LCESC) has published its annual report on human rights in Latvia. According to the LCESC, human rights violations in prisons and mental facilities, police, illegal immigrants’ camps as well problems in the area of minority rights are topical human rights problems. The report points to the social tensions over education reform and still large number of non-citizens. Among the positive trends, creation of additional incentives for naturalization and establishment of the work group for elaboration of the amendments to the Citizenship Law in order to ease restrictions of children’s’ rights to citizenship, are noted.

The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies (LCESC) has published its annual report on human rights in Latvia. According to the LCESC, human rights violations in prisons and mental facilities, police, illegal immigrants camps as well problems in the area of minority rights are topical human rights problems. The report points to the social tensions over education reform and still large number of non-citizens. Among the positive trends, creation of additional incentives for naturalization and establishment of the work group for elaboration of the amendments to the Citizenship Law in order to ease restrictions of childrens rights to citizenship, are noted. Latvijas Avize refers to the director of the LCESC Ilze Brands Kehris pointing to the fact that the problems in the area of minority rights have not changed significantly over the last years, including still not ratified the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. Regarding the education reform, Ilze Brands Kehris stated that the government has not listened to minority opinion during the elaboration of the education reform. Latvijas Vestnesis, Latvijas Avize

Rigas Balss publishes report on the discussion between activist of the Headquarters for Defense of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis (Equality), MPs Nikolajs Kabanovs (FHRUL) and Karlis Sadurskis (Jaunais Laiks), and Janis Sils (Klubs 415). The aim of the discussion was to clarify if ethnic tensions in Latvia are increasing. Jurijs Petropavlovskis believes that there is no conflict between Latvian and Russian communities, but rather between Russian community and the Latvian establishment. Nilolajs Kabanovs calls protest actions against the education reform ‘the biggest public initiative in Latvia modern history since regaining independence, when people actively participate in political life. Karlis Sadurskis thinks there is no ethnic conflict in Latvia, but it is being ‘organized on purpose. Juris Sils says about the protest actions against the education reform that ‘all the fuss is really about creating an ethnic conflict between Latvians and Russians.

Chas interviews the Daugavpils City mayor Rita Strode about the education reform. Rita Strode believes that political discussions on the education law and the proportions of language use have had negative impact on the relations between students and teachers, and on integration process as a whole, and insists on the gradual reforms implementation. The mayor points to the lack of state support for organization of additional Latvian language lessons. The municipality supports Latvian language training in kindergartens and in the Youth School, as well as acquisition of study materials. 6 of 11 schools are fully prepared for switch to bilingual education. 2 schools are not able to ensure teaching of 60% subjects in the state language. According to the data of Education Board, 72% of teachers are not ready to teach their subjects bilingually.

Chas prints the letter signed by 150 students form a Riga Secondary school protesting against the existent language proportion, defined in the Education Law. The students claim that it is necessary to involve professionals in elaboration of the specific methods of teaching in a non-native language.

Yesterday the international conference “Old-Believers in Latvia: historical experience, culture and modern processes in the society” was opened at the Latvian Academy of Science. There are approximately 70,000-80,000 Old-believers living in Latvia.

Yesterday the international conference Old-Believers in Latvia: historical experience, culture and modern processes in the society was opened at the Latvian Academy of Science. There are approximately 70,000-80,000 Old-believers living in Latvia. Chas

Neatkariga Rita Avize columnist Viktors Avotins believes that it order to stop the protest actions, it is necessary to publicly justify the necessity of the education reform, and to prove that it is thoroughly prepared for implementation.

• The Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europes Parliamentary Assembly has decided not to renew monitoring on human rights in Latvia
• Russian State Duma has adopted statement criticizing minority policies in Latvia
• Tatjana Zdanoka and Vladimirs Buzajevs from the party Equality deny Moscows support to the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools
• Multicultural Fair in Daugavpils
• The Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools call minority organizations not to participate in the integration activities and advisory councils organized by the government
• The chairman of the Riga Jewish Community Arkadijs Suharenko on the situation of Jewish community in Latvia and the education reform
• Demographic statistics: the number of immigrants to Latvia from Russia and the Union of Independent States is growing
• Latvijas Avize columnist criticizes the call of the Russian society in Latvia to other minority organizations to boycott minority children and youth sports festival
• The Russian version of information portal TVNET.lv will be established
• Chas reviews information about Russian policies in Diaspora published in Russian media

Yesterday the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly has supported the conclusion by reporters Erik Jurgenss and Kimo Sasi who have stated that there is no the need for the renewal of the European Council’s monitoring in Latvia. The Committee has decided to continue a post-monitoring dialog with Latvia pointing to the three main problematic areas: conflict over the education reform, still non-ratified Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities, and slow pace of naturalization. According to the head of the  Latvian delegation Andris Berzins, only representative of Russia has voted for the renewal of monitoring in Latvia. The members of Russian delegation have proposed to renew monitoring, and according to the Council of Europe’ rules this request had to be examined. According to

Yesterday the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europes Parliamentary Assembly has supported the conclusion by reporters Erik Jurgenss and Kimo Sasi who have stated that there is no the need for the renewal of the European Councils monitoring in Latvia. The Committee has decided to continue a post-monitoring dialog with Latvia pointing to the three main problematic areas: conflict over the education reform, still non-ratified Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities, and slow pace of naturalization. According to the head of the Latvian delegation Andris Berzins, only representative of Russia has voted for the renewal of monitoring in Latvia. The members of Russian delegation have proposed to renew monitoring, and according to the Council of Europe rules this request had to be examined. According to Telegraf, the General Secretary of the Council of Europe Valter Schvimmer has pointed to the necessity to pay attention to the practical tasks of the education reforms implementation. He proposed establishment of bilingual minority schools, like in Austria and Slovenia, as a possible solution. Diena, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Russian State Duma with 430 votes adopted a special statement criticizing Latvian minority and education policy. The party Rodina (Homeland) headed by Dmitry Rogozin has initiated the statement. The statement stresses that half a million of Latvian population lacks citizenship, and the fact the State Language Law stipulates Russian language as the foreign language. According to the statement, the national integration program promotes assimilation, and Latvia is systematically ignoring recommendations of international organizations. Attention is drawn to the students’ mass protest actions against the education reform, and it is stressed that the government ignores the problem. Dmitry Rogozin has invited the deputies not to  apply ratification of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the EU, to Latvia.

Yesterday the Russian State Duma with 430 votes adopted a special statement criticizing Latvian minority and education policy. The party Rodina (Homeland) headed by Dmitry Rogozin has initiated the statement. The statement stresses that half a million of Latvian population lacks citizenship, and the fact the State Language Law stipulates Russian language as the foreign language. According to the statement, the national integration program promotes assimilation, and Latvia is systematically ignoring recommendations of international organizations. Attention is drawn to the students mass protest actions against the education reform, and it is stressed that the government ignores the problem. Dmitry Rogozin has invited the deputies not to apply ratification of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the EU, to Latvia. Vesti Segodnya interviews Dmitry Rogozin on this issue. Latvijas Avize, Chas

At the press conference, Tatjana Zdanoka and Vladimir Buzajevs from the party “Equality” have denied any Moscow’s support to the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools and claimed that Headquarters’’ members are being politically repressed.

At the press conference, Tatjana Zdanoka and Vladimir Buzajevs from the party Equality have denied any Moscows support to the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools and claimed that Headquarters members are being politically repressed. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday in Daugavpils, the National Programme for the Latvian Language Training has organized the first Multicultural Fair with participation of amateur groups. The event was held within the framework of Phare-financed project. Promotion of the cultural traditions of ethnic communitites living in Latgale has been the objective of the event.

Yesterday in Daugavpils, the National Programme for the Latvian Language Training has organized the first Multicultural Fair with participation of amateur groups. The event was held within the framework of Phare-financed project. Promotion of the cultural traditions of ethnic communitites living in Latgale has been the objective of the event. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have adopted the statement calling minority organizations representing Russian-speaking community in Latvia to follow the example of the Russian society in Latvia and not to participate in integration activities and advisory councils organized by the government, as, according to the Headquarters, these events do not ensure the true dialog with the Russian community.

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have adopted the statement calling minority organizations representing Russian-speaking community in Latvia to follow the example of the Russian society in Latvia and not to participate in integration activities and advisory councils organized by the government, as, according to the Headquarters, these events do not ensure the true dialog with the Russian community. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvijas Avize interviews the chairman of the Riga Jewish Community Arkadijs Suharenko on the situation of the Jewish community and the education reform. Arkadijs Suharenko states that around 20% of Jews in Latvia are socially unprotected and receive the Jewish communitys support. Arkadijs Suharenko also believes that the language proportion 60/40, stipulated by the education laws amendments, should not be changed. If I was in the governments place, I would offer social support to the teachers who will not be able to continue working after the reforms implementation, and would provide an opportunity for them to change qualifications.

Media feature Latvian demographic statistics. Over the last year, the size of population has decreased by 12,300. The death rate has exceeded the birth rate by 11,400 residents, while the number of emigrants exceeded the number of immigrants by 900. According to the information provided by the Central Statistical Bureau, around 4000 Russia’s citizens, 600 citizens of Belarus, and more than 700 Ukrainian citizens have arrived to Latvia over the last 9 years. The data of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office and the Naturalization Board show that immigrants from the East mostly apply for the permanent or temporary residence permit, while few of them pass naturalization procedure. According to the representative of the International Migration Organization Ilmars Mezs, the number of immigrants from Russia and the Union of Independent States will increase in the future. He explains this trend with a higher quality of life in Latvia as compared with Russia.

Media feature Latvian demographic statistics. Over the last year, the size of population has decreased by 12,300. The death rate has exceeded the birth rate by 11,400 residents, while the number of emigrants exceeded the number of immigrants by 900. According to the information provided by the Central Statistical Bureau, around 4000 Russias citizens, 600 citizens of Belarus, and more than 700 Ukrainian citizens have arrived to Latvia over the last 9 years. The data of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office and the Naturalization Board show that immigrants from the East mostly apply for the permanent or temporary residence permit, while few of them pass naturalization procedure. According to the representative of the International Migration Organization Ilmars Mezs, the number of immigrants from Russia and the Union of Independent States will increase in the future. He explains this trend with a higher quality of life in Latvia as compared with Russia. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas

Latvijas Avize columnist Maris Antonevics criticizes the invitation of the chairperson of the Russian society in Latvia to other minority organizations to boycott minority children and youth sports festival to be held in Latvia for the 14th time. According to the columnists information, no other organization has recalled its participation in the festival.

Vesti Segodnya informs about Russian version of the information portal TVNET.lv, which will be established after 1 May. The portal provides information on topical events in Latvia and abroad. Vesti Segodnya

Chas reprints information about Russian policies in Diaspora from Russian media.

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

• Russia and EU sign protocol on the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the EU, applicable to all new EU member states
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis makes equivocal statement on possible Peoples Harmony Party membership in government
• The Chairman of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy of the Russian Federation Sergey Karaganov states that Russia will continue to pressure the EU regarding Russian-speakers situation in Latvia
• Ministers Nils Muiznieks and Ainars Bastiks invite non-citizens to register their children as Latvian citizens
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis hopes to involve intelligentsia in the discussions over minority education reform
• Press quotes the statements of Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to the German newspaper Spiegel Online
• Meeting with school students parents organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools
• Interview with Ambassador of Israel to Latvia and to Lithuania Gary Koren
• Minority representatives on Latvias accession to the EU
• A representative of the Ventspils Non-Citizens Affairs Council believes that schools are not ready for education reform

Yesterday Russia signed the protocol on the treaty on collaboration with the EU, applicable also to the new EU member states. It states that the EU and the Russian Federation consider membership in the EU as a firm guarantee of human rights and protection of persons belonging to national minorities and that both sides are committed to continue this protection.

Yesterday Russia signed the protocol on the treaty on collaboration with the EU, applicable also to the new EU member states. It states that the EU and the Russian Federation consider membership in the EU as a firm guarantee of human rights and protection of persons belonging to national minorities and that both sides are committed to continue this protection. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews the chairman of the Council for Foreign and Defense Policy of Russian Federation, the advisor of the Presidents assistant on foreign affairs, the Institute of Europe Deputy Director Sergey Karaganov about the relations between Russia and the EU. The Russian official states that the protocol signed by Russia and the EU is not the final conclusion of Russia and the EU on the situation of Russian-speakers rights and that Russia will continue its pressure on the EU regarding Russian-speakers in Latvia.

According to media agency

According to media agency LETA, Prime Minister Indulis Emsis made a statement allowing for Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) participation in the government. The statement was allegedly made in response to MP from PHP Aleksandrs Bartasevics warnings in Lauku Avize on Tuesday that the party may not continue support for the government if there will be no concessions on minority education reform. The representative of the Prime Minister Ilona Lice issued an equivocal statement to the effect that Indulis Emsis has not allowed for, has not denied, has not confirmed such a possibility but has only said that it is not on the present agenda. The head of the Saeima PHP faction Janis Urbanovics has declared that the PHP has not decided to request the governments demission and that MP Bartacevicss statement does not reflect the view of all party members. Diena, Telegraf, Chas, Rigas Balss

The Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Minister’s for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks are planning to send 15,000 letters to eligible non-citizen children’s parents inviting them to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens. On 1 April there were 17,036 children in Latvia who have the right to Latvian citizenship. According to research conducted by the Naturalization Board 35% of parents are not informed about the opportunity to register their children as Latvian citizens.

The Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Ministers for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks are planning to send 15,000 letters to eligible non-citizen childrens parents inviting them to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens. On 1 April there were 17,036 children in Latvia who have the right to Latvian citizenship. According to research conducted by the Naturalization Board 35% of parents are not informed about the opportunity to register their children as Latvian citizens. Latvijs Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis, Telegraf

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has stated that he hopes to involve the intelligentsia in discussions over the minority education reform, while stressing that intense dialogue is taking place presently, but the government will not back off from its stance that all school graduates must be proficient in the state language.

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has stated that he hopes to involve the intelligentsia in discussions over the minority education reform, while stressing that intense dialogue is taking place presently, but the government will not back off from its stance that all school graduates must be proficient in the state language. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize and Vesti Segodnya quote statements made by Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to the German newspaper Spiegel Online where he says that he is almost grateful to Russia for its silly policy. According to Emsis, Russia-created obstacles for trade with Latvia would promote Latvias orientation to Europe. Indulis Emsis has also said that many representatives of Russian-speaking minority who came to Latvia during Russian occupation dont want to learn the Latvian language. Therefore Latvia has made the decision that all Latvias residents, primarily students, should learn the language.

On Monday, representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have distributed leaflets with calls like “this will be the last warning”, “1 May is our decisive struggle!” in the Riga Anninmuiza Cultural Centre, with the participation of about 120 parents whose children study in schools in Riga Kurzeme distict, representatives of ministries and Riga City Council.

On Monday, representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have distributed leaflets with calls like this will be the last warning, 1 May is our decisive struggle! in the Riga Anninmuiza Cultural Centre, with the participation of about 120 parents whose children study in schools in Riga Kurzeme distict, representatives of ministries and Riga City Council. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya interviews the ambassador of Israel to Latvia and to Lithuania Gary Koren on the issues of anti-Semitism, relations between Latvia and Israel and ethno-political situation in Israel. The Ambassador stated that there are some tendencies of anti-Semitism in Latvia, but no anti-Semitism at the official level.

Diena features an article about attitudes of minority representatives towards Latvias accession to the EU. While some of them (for example, the chairman of the Azerbaidjan Society in Latvia Alirza Guseinovs) point to the increased opportunities for Latvias economic development, others (the president of the Russian Community in Latvia Vjaceslavs Altuhovs) mention social tensions and the reduction of the psychological connection to Russia. The head of Minority Affairs Department of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Secretariat Irina Vinnika believes that minority concerns derive from social, not ethnic problems.

Chas prints an article of a representative of the Ventspils Non-Citizens Affairs Council who believes that schools are not ready for the switch to bilingual education and the 2004 education reform. She stresses the education problems of below average achievers.