• Proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education restrict the use of languages in private universities

The Ministry of Education proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which, if adopted, will be equally applied to state-run and private universities. The amendments envision that languages other than Latvian can be used in education process at universities in four instances: teacher is a guest lecturer; teaching foreign students; teaching foreign languages; in cultural studies. In all other instances education will be conducted in the state language. Currently, private universities are free to choose the language of instruction. Valery Nikiforov, professor of private university Baltic International Academy stated that these amendments narrow down opportunities of private universities and interfere with language use in private sphere. The amendments are seen as an attempt to lobby the interests of the state-run universities, who would like to attract foreign and minority students at the expense of private universities.

The Ministry of Education proposed amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which, if adopted, will be equally applied to state-run and private universities. The amendments envision that languages other than Latvian can be used in education process at universities in four instances: teacher is a guest lecturer; teaching foreign students; teaching foreign languages; in cultural studies. In all other instances education will be conducted in the state language. Currently, private universities are free to choose the language of instruction. Valery Nikiforov, professor of private university Baltic International Academy stated that these amendments narrow down opportunities of private universities and interfere with language use in private sphere. The amendments are seen as an attempt to lobby the interests of the state-run universities, who would like to attract foreign and minority students at the expense of private universities. Vesti Segodnya

• Valdis Zatlers: Latvia needs full-fledged citizens

In the interview with the Latvian Radio, the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers has stated that he does not endorse the proposal of the Latvian Human Rights Committee to grant Latvia’s non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. Valdis Zatlers believes that Latvia needs full-fledged citizens, while granting partial rights to non-citizens would not solve the problem of non-citizenship.

In the interview with the Latvian Radio, the President of Latvia, Valdis Zatlers has stated that he does not endorse the proposal of the Latvian Human Rights Committee to grant Latvias non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections. Valdis Zatlers believes that Latvia needs full-fledged citizens, while granting partial rights to non-citizens would not solve the problem of non-citizenship. Chas, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

• Chas interviews Boris Cilevics on PACEs last session

Chas published interview with Boriss Cilevics, Latvia’s representative at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). During the PACE’s last session, the Council of Europe’s human rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg held a meeting with Latvian delegation in order to discuss the slow rate of naturalization and the problem of mass statelessness. According to Boriss Cilevics, the Commissioner will visit Latvia this autumn in order to see the situation himself and to convince Latvian government to grant citizenship to all newborns in Latvia, to simplify naturalization and to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. PACE’s resolution on Combating anti-Semitism in Europe is relevant to Latvia, as it cited developments in the Baltic states, and called for all CoE countries to not endorse the construction of monuments or holding of ceremonies celebrating those guilty of genocide or crimes against humanity during the World War II.

Chas published interview with Boriss Cilevics, Latvias representative at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). During the PACEs last session, the Council of Europes human rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg held a meeting with Latvian delegation in order to discuss the slow rate of naturalization and the problem of mass statelessness. According to Boriss Cilevics, the Commissioner will visit Latvia this autumn in order to see the situation himself and to convince Latvian government to grant citizenship to all newborns in Latvia, to simplify naturalization and to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. PACEs resolution on Combating anti-Semitism in Europe is relevant to Latvia, as it cited developments in the Baltic states, and called for all CoE countries to not endorse the construction of monuments or holding of ceremonies celebrating those guilty of genocide or crimes against humanity during the World War II.

 

• Latvian Human Rights Committee has sent a letter to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers with an appeal to support a proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections

Yesterday, the Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) has sent a letter to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers with an appeal to support a proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The LHRC expressed its belief that the President would be able to explain to the residents of Latvia that allowing non-citizens to participate in municipal elections would not cause conflict between state and municipalities but would ease interethnic tensions.

Yesterday, the Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) has sent a letter to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers with an appeal to support a proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The LHRC expressed its belief that the President would be able to explain to the residents of Latvia that allowing non-citizens to participate in municipal elections would not cause conflict between state and municipalities but would ease interethnic tensions. Vesti Segodnya

• Latvijas Avize reports that Knut Vollebaek has been appointed for the post of the OSCEs High Commissioner on National Minorities

Latvijas Avize reports that Knut Vollebaek from Norway has been appointed for the post of the new OSCEs (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) High Commissioner on National Minorities. In official letter to the High Commissioner The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia has done a lot for society integration, democratisation and protection of human rights and is ready to share with its positive experience with Georgia, Moldova and others OSCEs members states.