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

• Comments on the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles
• Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks calls police to evaluate activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language schools
• Criticism of Vaira Vike-Freibergas decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education
• Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry about the Latvian legion
• Interview with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins

Newspapers continue discussion about the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, featuring the statements of the Latvian officials. The Head of Saeima’s Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Ina Druviete contrary to Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the granting of the voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections will impede the naturalization process. The ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the Latvian Ambassador to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs predict that Russia will use these recommendations for the Russian campaign against Latvia.

Newspapers continue discussion about the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, featuring the statements of the Latvian officials. The Head of Saeimas Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Ina Druviete contrary to Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the granting of the voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections will impede the naturalization process. The ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the Latvian Ambassador to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs predict that Russia will use these recommendations for the Russian campaign against Latvia. Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Alvaro Gil-Robles. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature articles about the conflicts between Russian and Latvian students in Riga. Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks has appealed to the State Police and Riga Municipal Police calling them to evaluate the activities of the organizers of the protest actions against education reform. The official has also asked the Municipal Police to intensify the patrolling in the districts in which the conflicts have occurred. According to Andrejs Vilks, there have been intensified conflicts between Latvian and Russian students in Riga after the protest campaign.

Newspapers feature articles about the conflicts between Russian and Latvian students in Riga. Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks has appealed to the State Police and Riga Municipal Police calling them to evaluate the activities of the organizers of the protest actions against education reform. The official has also asked the Municipal Police to intensify the patrolling in the districts in which the conflicts have occurred. According to Andrejs Vilks, there have been intensified conflicts between Latvian and Russian students in Riga after the protest campaign. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian-language newspapers criticize the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education.

Russian-language newspapers criticize the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education. Chas features the statements of Estonian and Russian politicians about the education reform 2004. The Secretary General of the Estonian United Peoples Party Anatoly Jegorov believes that the education reform is in conflict with the European minority rights values. Vice speaker of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin criticizes the President of Latvia for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education and claims that by doing so the President has shown that 40% of the children of Latvia are unwanted for the state. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has published information about the participation of the Latvian legion in war crimes during 1941 – 1945. The ministry stresses that there are attempts in Latvia to revise the judgment of the Nuremberg Court, which recognized the activities of the legion as unlawful.

Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry has published information about the participation of the Latvian legion in war crimes during 1941 – 1945. The ministry stresses that there are attempts in Latvia to revise the judgment of the Nuremberg Court, which recognized the activities of the legion as unlawful. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the State secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins about the relations between Latvia and Russia.

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

• Recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga calls to define more exactly several paragraphs of the Law on Education
• Russias State Council Committee organize the discussion about the possibilities to establish the sanctions against Latvia
• About the Latvian language courses offered by the National Program for Latvian Language Training
• Interview with the observer from Latvia to the European Parliament Martinjan Bekasov
• Opinions of minority students learning in Latvian language schools about the education reform 2004

Newspapers feature the recommendations of the Council of Europe First Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gil-Robles in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia. The Commissioner calls Latvia to consider the possibility to grant the voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections, to facilitate the naturalization process and to improve the protection of minorities in Latvia.  Alvaro Gil-Robles also recommends to increase the financial support for the Latvian language trainings and to provide the maintenance of high level education quality during the implementation of education reform.

Newspapers feature the recommendations of the Council of Europe First Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gil-Robles in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia. The Commissioner calls Latvia to consider the possibility to grant the voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections, to facilitate the naturalization process and to improve the protection of minorities in Latvia. Alvaro Gil-Robles also recommends to increase the financial support for the Latvian language trainings and to provide the maintenance of high level education quality during the implementation of education reform. Chas features an interview with the Commissioner. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

Diena prints the statements of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the necessity to define more exactly several paragraphs of the Law on Education. According to the President, it is necessary to clarify the institution, which determines the subjects to be taught in Latvian in minority schools. Several norms delegate this choice to the school itself, but others – to the Ministry of Education and Science. Vaira Vike-Freiberga also suggests amending the paragraph of the law, which stipulates that the state and local governments deliver financial support only for private schools providing education in the state language. According to the President, this paragraph discriminates private minority schools.

Russia’s State Council Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs and the Relations with the Compatriots is planning to organize the discussion about the possibilities to establish the sanctions against Latvia in order to respond to the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the chairman of the Committee Andrej Kokoshin, the suggestions of the participants of the discussion will be taken into account when elaborating two draft laws about the situation of Russian-speaking people in Latvia.

Russias State Council Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs and the Relations with the Compatriots is planning to organize the discussion about the possibilities to establish the sanctions against Latvia in order to respond to the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the chairman of the Committee Andrej Kokoshin, the suggestions of the participants of the discussion will be taken into account when elaborating two draft laws about the situation of Russian-speaking people in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Diena features an article about the Latvian language courses offered for the parents of minority students by the National Program for Latvian Language Training (NPLLT). The NPLLT project coordinator Zaiga Duka believes that the education reform would not be perceived so painfully, if parents of minority students have been learned Latvian language earlier.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the observer from Latvia to the European Parliament Martinjan Bekasov, who believes that the main goal of the governing coalition, adopting the latest amendments to the Law on Education, was to create a conflict situation between Russian and Latvian communities in order to distract the attention from the oncoming social problems connected with the Latvias accession to the European Union.

Diena features opinions of minority students learning in Latvian language schools, about the education reform 2004.

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

• Approximately 8,000 minority students participated in the unapproved protest action against education reform
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga points to the contradictions between several paragraphs of the Law on Education, discriminating minority schools
• Russias State Council is planning to establish economic sanctions against Latvia
• Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa comments the increasing motivation of non-citizens to naturalize
• Interview with the70,000th naturalized non-citizen
• A call for Latvians to express more actively their positive attitude towards education reform

Yesterday approximately 8,000 minority students participated in the unapproved protest action against education reform near the castle of the President of Latvia.

Yesterday approximately 8,000 minority students participated in the unapproved protest action against education reform near the castle of the President of Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize features statements of the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa, who points out the necessity to solve the practical problems regarding the implementation of education reform and to provide all resources essential for minority schools. Chas prints an interview with the head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics. He thinks that protest actions against education reform are a fiasco of the politicians. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints a letter of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the Prime Minister Einars Repse and the Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre. The President of Latvia states that the latest amendments to the Law on Education do not deteriorate or restrict substantially minority rights, at the same time she points out contradictions between several paragraphs of the law that discriminate minority schools.

Russia State Council is planning to review a draft law, which might stipulate the establishment of economic sanctions against Latvia in order to respond to the events related to the education reform.

Russia State Council is planning to review a draft law, which might stipulate the establishment of economic sanctions against Latvia in order to respond to the events related to the education reform. Dienas commentator Aivars Ozolins believes that Russia only uses the education reform as an excuse, but the actual reason of its activities is a desire to maintain Russias influence on Latvia. The commentator prognosticates that the attempts to stop the integration process in Latvia and to provoke ethnic conflicts will continue as a part of the neo-imperialistic policy, realized by Moscow. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Public policy site

Public policy site www.politika.lv publishes an article by the director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa, commenting the increasing motivation of non-citizens to naturalize after the EU accession referendum. Brigita Zepa believes that the latest wave of naturalization embraces non-citizens who have been waiting the automatic granting of citizenship and those, who associate the citizenship with new possibilities, including possibility to find a work in the EU. According to the author, the increasing speed of naturalization could be connected also with the Latvian language courses offered by the Naturalization Board free of charge. For full text see here.

Diena features an interview with Tatjana Lahovica, the 70,000th naturalized non-citizen.

Latvijas Avize features an article by the leader of national-extremists organization Visu Latvijai! Raivis Dzintars, calling Latvians to express their positive attitude towards education reform more actively.

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

• The President of Latvia has announced the amendments to the Education law
• Latvijas Avizes columnist Aija Calite comments the video clip against education reform
• Netakarigas columnist Aigars Dabolins about integration and education reform
• Alexander Shabanov about a familys experience regarding Latvian education system

The President of Latvia has announced the amendments to the Education law. According to the President, there are no legal or practical obstacles for the Law’s implementation. She has also stated that this year the changes will affect only the 10th grade’s students and that in most cases the number of subjects to be taught in Latvian will be increased only by two. The President has suggested to define more specifically that minority language schools themselves are able to choose 40% of subjects to be taught in minority language. She has suggested to change the principle that the state should provide a support to all the schools independently of their observation of language norms. Meanwhile the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools have organized protest actions in Riga.

The President of Latvia has announced the amendments to the Education law. According to the President, there are no legal or practical obstacles for the Laws implementation. She has also stated that this year the changes will affect only the 10th grades students and that in most cases the number of subjects to be taught in Latvian will be increased only by two. The President has suggested to define more specifically that minority language schools themselves are able to choose 40% of subjects to be taught in minority language. She has suggested to change the principle that the state should provide a support to all the schools independently of their observation of language norms. Meanwhile the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools have organized protest actions in Riga. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga, Chas, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by columnist Aija Calite about the video clip with the Pink Floyd song Another Brick in the Wall. The clip has been distributed among the protest activists against education reform. According to Calite, the clip deepens the conflict situation.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article by Aigars Dabolins about integration issues and education reform. The author believes that integration policy is a very difficult task especially in the two-society state like Latvia. He analyses three different models of integration and concludes that for a long time Latvians have pretended not to be interested in the problems of the Russian-speaking population. Dabolins considers that Russians living Latvia are a very important resource for the development of the society. He believes that the state should explain education reform in a friendly atmosphere and to listen to the Russian-speakers point of view.

Diena features an article by Alexander Shabanov analyzing a familys experience regarding education reform. In this case, the mother has decided to send her son to a Latvian school only because of the allegedly decreasing quality of education in Russian language schools. According to the students mother, her child is loosing his Russian identity after visiting Latvian language kindergarten.

 

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

• Planned protest actions against the education reform
• Latvijas Avize publishes an article about minority definition
• Vechernaya Riga publishes an interview with the Russian Ambassador Igor Studennikov

If the President of Latvia announces the amendments to the Education law, protest actions will be organized around the 1st of May, which is an official day of Latvia’s accession to the European Union, promise Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools.

If the President of Latvia announces the amendments to the Education law, protest actions will be organized around the 1st of May, which is an official day of Latvias accession to the European Union, promise Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga

Latvijas Avize publishes an article about minority definition. Journalist Inara Murniece points out that minority definition is not included in Latvian legislation. She stresses that UN Declaration on the Rights of persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities does not include a minority definition, and is quoting minority definition that is included within the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The author informs about four different minority definitions elaborated by the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration. This article includes two different opinions of Ineta Ziemele, international and human rights expert of Riga Graduate School of Law and Ina Druviete, Head of the Saeimas Human Rights and Social affairs committee. Ineta Ziemele says that Russian-speaking population living in Latvia is not a real minority, and that if we are talking about the minority rights protection, it is important to help Ukrainians, Byelorussians, Jews ant others to really regain their ethnic identity. Ina Druviete believes that from the socio-linguistic point of view it is possible to talk about the Russian-speaking minority in Latvia, but although definition of minority status is an important ideological and political issue, it has little practical importance.

Vechernaya Riga publishes an interview with Russian Ambassador Igor Studennikov. Asked about the best model for integration of Russian speakers into Latvian society, Ambassador Studennikov stresses that the best way is the one acceptable to the people themselves. His advice for those individuals who decided to stay in Latvia is to obtain the Latvian citizenship. Regarding the visa requirements introduced by the Russian government for the non-citizens of Latvia, he explains that this decision was a response to the Latvian governments decision to introduce the visa regime with Russia. As for the Russias attitude towards the education issues, Ambassador points out that Russian government is funding training of the Russian language teachers in Russia, participation of Latvian children in various competitions in Russia, and supply of textbooks. According to the Ambassador, right now the next shipment of textbooks in Russian to Latvian schools is being planned.