• LAShOR conducted a festival of Russian culture and education in Latvia
• ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga: citizens who care about Latvian should vote against the initiative at the referendum on 18 February

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report about the closing events of a festival of Russian culture and education in Latvia conducted by Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction (LAShOR). Various events and competitions among students, teachers and schools got conducted since the beginning of December 2011. The festival is conducted in Latvia for the 12th year.

Diena prints an interview with the ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Commenting the up-coming national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia, Mrs Vike-Freiberga states that everyone who cares about Latvian language should take part in the referendum and vote against the initiative. Mrs Vike-Freiberga believes that this referendum is a reference point for another Russias propaganda campaign against Latvia.

• Opinion poll: 62,7% Latvian citizens will take part in the referendum on 18 February
• Researcher Marija Golobeva: part of responsibility of escalation of ethnic tensions in Latvia lies on the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte

According to an opinion poll conducted by Latvijas Fakti in January, 62,7% Latvian citizens will take part in the referendum on the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia on 18 February. 28% of those who will take part in the referendum are planning to support the initiative, while 62,4% will vote against it. 87,1% of ethnic Latvian respondents stated that they will vote against the initiative and 6,3% for. 73,2% of ethnic non-Latvian respondents stated that they will vote for the initiative and 10,2% against. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Chas prints an interview with a researcher of the Centre for Public Policy Providus Marija Golobeva on ethnic tensions in Latvia. Ms Golubeva criticizes ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte for the new integration program. Ms Golubeva states that civil society organisations which were chosen to take part in the process of elaboration of the program could not impact its content. Instead of inviting the candidates nominated by the ethnic minorities NGOs to the council on the programs elaboration, the Ministry picked the organisations on its own. And the attitude of the Minister Elerte was such as you can discuss the program but we already made a political choice and will follow it. Ms Golobeva also believes that part of responsibility of escalation of ethnic tensions in Latvia between ethnic Russians and ethnic Latvians lies on Sarmite Elerte and settings of the integration program.

• MP Ilma Cepane: introduction of second state language it is a threat for preservation and further development of Latvian language
• Head of the Association of World Citizens in Germany Ingrid Schittich published an article about non-citizens in Latvia
• Rating of the major political parties continue to fall

Chas prints an interview with the head of the Saeimas Legal Committee, MP Ilma Cepane (Unity). Mrs Cepane believes that introduction of second state language in Latvia would narrow the area of Latvian language usage and it is a threat for preservation and further development of the state language. Mrs Cepane believes that introduction of Russian language as the second state language would be a jump of 30 years back into the Soviet times.

Vesti Segodnya reports about an article published by a head of the Association of World Citizens (AWC) in Germany Ingrid Schittich about non-citizens in Latvia. Mrs Schittich is concerned that European and international organisations pay little attention to the problem of large scale non-citizenship in Latvia and do almost nothing to encourage its resolution. Mrs Schittich believes that it is wrong to speak about united Europe if there such unfairness towards some of its residents and violation of democratic principles.

According to the latest opinion poll conducted by “Latvijas fakti”, rating of all major political parties has decreased. The biggest drop in the rating of the Zatler’s Reforms Party – presently supported only by 2,6% of residents. Before the Saeima’s elections in September this party was supported by 14% of residents. The Concord Centre is supported by 19,9%, the Unity by 16,2%, the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM by 8%, and the Union of Greens and Farmers by 7,3%.

According to the latest opinion poll conducted by Latvijas fakti, rating of all major political parties has decreased. The biggest drop in the rating of the Zatlers Reforms Party – presently supported only by 2,6% of residents. Before the Saeimas elections in September this party was supported by 14% of residents. The Concord Centre is supported by 19,9%, the Unity by 16,2%, the nationalists union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM by 8%, and the Union of Greens and Farmers by 7,3%. Chas

• Nils Muiznieks got elected to the post of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
• Ex-Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens: Sarmite Elerte could personally try to integrate Vladimirs Lindermans
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article with academic and researcher Brigita Zepa

A candidate from Latvia Nils Muiznieks got elected to the post of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Nils Muiznieks started his human rights career in Latvia as the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, later he was appointed to the post of the first Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Affairs in Latvia. During the recent years Nils Muiznieks was the head of the Centre of Social and Political Studies of the University of Latvia and the head of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).

A candidate from Latvia Nils Muiznieks got elected to the post of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. Nils Muiznieks started his human rights career in Latvia as the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, later he was appointed to the post of the first Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Affairs in Latvia. During the recent years Nils Muiznieks was the head of the Centre of Social and Political Studies of the University of Latvia and the head of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). Latvijas Avize, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Ex-Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens commenting a statement made by the adviser to the Minister of Culture on integration issues Sarmite Elerte that every ethnic Latvian should integrate at least one ethnic Russian resident,  stated that Mrs Elerte could make an example and integrate Vladimirs Lindermans. As reported, Mr Lindermans is one of the initiators of the collection of signatures for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Kastens said that if Mrs Elerte would succeed in Linderman’s integration, all persons who work on integration issues in Latvia would have to leave their posts and close their organisations.

Ex-Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens commenting a statement made by the adviser to the Minister of Culture on integration issues Sarmite Elerte that every ethnic Latvian should integrate at least one ethnic Russian resident, stated that Mrs Elerte could make an example and integrate Vladimirs Lindermans. As reported, Mr Lindermans is one of the initiators of the collection of signatures for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Mr Kastens said that if Mrs Elerte would succeed in Lindermans integration, all persons who work on integration issues in Latvia would have to leave their posts and close their organisations. Chas

Vesti Segodnya prints an article with academic and researcher Brigita Zepa. According to Mrs Zepa, historical memories are the factor which unites residents of any country the most tightly. However, in Latvia ethnic Latvian and Russian residents have different memories and perceptions about the past events. Mrs Zepa believes that it is very important to find common historical memories and values for Latvian residents in order to ensure consolidation of the society.

• Concord Centre and the nationalists union ready to come to a common agreement in order to insure secure, predictable and democratic society
• European Free Alliance will conduct a campaign supporting granting Russian language status of an official EU language

Yesterday, after a meeting with the President of Latvia Andris Berzins, leaders of the parties the Concord Centre and the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM Janis Urbanovics and Raivis Dzintars stated that they can come to a common agreement on a minimum of issues in order to insure living in secure, predictable and democratic society. According to Raivis Dzintars, despite essential differences of opinion between the two parties, the society must be given a signal that these differences should be left at the political level and should not be carried on the streets.

Yesterday, after a meeting with the President of Latvia Andris Berzins, leaders of the parties the Concord Centre and the nationalists union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM Janis Urbanovics and Raivis Dzintars stated that they can come to a common agreement on a minimum of issues in order to insure living in secure, predictable and democratic society. According to Raivis Dzintars, despite essential differences of opinion between the two parties, the society must be given a signal that these differences should be left at the political level and should not be carried on the streets. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

A European political party European Free Alliance (EFA) will conduct a campaign supporting granting Russian language status of an official EU language. Such initiative comes from the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. The initiative foresees granting status of official EU language also to those European languages which do not have their own state in the EU. The EFA is planning to conduct signatures of European residents for support of such initiative.

A European political party European Free Alliance (EFA) will conduct a campaign supporting granting Russian language status of an official EU language. Such initiative comes from the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. The initiative foresees granting status of official EU language also to those European languages which do not have their own state in the EU. The EFA is planning to conduct signatures of European residents for support of such initiative. Chas, Telegraf, Diena