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

• USA Senator John McCain criticizes Russia about its attempts to exert pressure on Latvian government
• Planned ultimate protest action against the education reform
• Newspapers continue discussion about the latest amendments to the Law on Education
• European Peoples parties congress adopts a resolution condemning the totalitarian regime of communism
• Conflict between Russian and Latvian school pupils
• Council of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM condemns the Saeima decision, allowing to stand for the European Parliament electionsfor ex-officials of the State Security Committee

During the security policy conference in Munich, USA Senator John McCain has castigated Russia for attempts to manipulate the Russian minority in Latvia and to impede the import of the energetic recourses to Latvia, therefore exerting a pressure on the democratic government of the country.

During the security policy conference in Munich, USA Senator John McCain has castigated Russia for attempts to manipulate the Russian minority in Latvia and to impede the import of the energetic recourses to Latvia, therefore exerting a pressure on the democratic government of the country. Diena

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools are planning to organize ultimate protest action against the education reform at 11 February, 2004 near the Castle of the President of Latvia. Until the 12 of February President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga is eligible to return the law to the Saeima for repeated screening. For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Vice speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin have already called for the President of Latvia not to announce these amendments.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools are planning to organize ultimate protest action against the education reform at 11 February, 2004 near the Castle of the President of Latvia. Until the 12 of February President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga is eligible to return the law to the Saeima for repeated screening. For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Vice speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin have already called for the President of Latvia not to announce these amendments. Chas features a commentary by Leonyd Fedoseyev, who believes that the latest protest activities of the Latvian Russians indicate not an escalation of ethnic confrontation, but rather a conflict between the state power and the social group whose interests have been rudely ignored. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers continue discussion about the latest amendments to the Law on Education, allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools.

Newspapers continue discussion about the latest amendments to the Law on Education, allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. Neatkariga Rita Avize publishes statements of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis. Russian language newspapers feature the statements of the head of the parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners, which offers two alternatives to the education reform. According to Jakovs Pliners, the state has to grant an opportunity for minority schools council to determinate the level of bilingualism and the subjects to be taught in Latvian, or to provide that only Latvian language, literature, and three subjects by the schools choice shall be taught in Latvian. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

European People’s parties’ congress, following the initiative of the observer of Latvia to the European Parliament (EP) Liene Liepina, has adopted a resolution which condemns the totalitarian regime of communism. The document will be submitted also to the EP.

European Peoples parties congress, following the initiative of the observer of Latvia to the European Parliament (EP) Liene Liepina, has adopted a resolution which condemns the totalitarian regime of communism. The document will be submitted also to the EP. Diena

Rigas Balss features an article about the conflict between students of Riga Secondary School No. 34 and the Primary School of Agenskalns, who both have Latvian and Russian pupils. According to the students of the Primary School, since the beginning of the campaign against the education reform, its active opponents Russian students from Riga Secondary School No. 34 have frequently bullied Latvian students from the Primary School. In their turn, Russian students say that Latvians provoke them. The head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks is being pessimistic about the whole affair and allows that the wave of the reciprocal hate will spread to other schools in Riga.

Council of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has adopted a statement, condemning the decision of the Saeima to cancel the prohibition to stand for the European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991.

Council of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has adopted a statement, condemning the decision of the Saeima to cancel the prohibition to stand for the European Parliament electionsfor ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. Vesti Segodnya

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

• Discussions about the new government
• European Commission (EC) will not prepare any recommendations regarding the education reform
• Problems in the area of the education reform implementation
• Deputies of the Russia State Council discuss possible economic sanctions against Latvia
• Connection between the Venstpils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools activist and the Russias State Council deputy speaker
• Saeima MP Boris Tsilevich points to the lack of discussion about the education reform
• Commentary of the political analyst Vladimir Grjaznevich (Russia) on the latest protest actions against the education reform in Latvia
• Seminar Ethnic cleavage in referendum on the Latvias accession to the European Union
• Embassy of Uzbekistan in Latvia opens a Sunday school

New government of Latvia could be established on the basis of five Saeima right-wing political parties. This initiative of People’s Party and Latvia’s First Party has been already supported by the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and the Union of Greens and Farmers.

New government of Latvia could be established on the basis of five Saeima right-wing political parties. This initiative of Peoples Party and Latvias First Party has been already supported by the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and the Union of Greens and Farmers. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

During the press conference the Spokesman for EU Enlargement Jean-Christophe Filori has reportedly stated that education system of Latvia is an interior affair of the state and not within the competence of the EC. Spokesman also stressed that the opinion of EC regarding observation of minority rights in Latvia has not changed, and that EC believes that Latvia complies with all EU standards in this area.

During the press conference the Spokesman for EU Enlargement Jean-Christophe Filori has reportedly stated that education system of Latvia is an interior affair of the state and not within the competence of the EC. Spokesman also stressed that the opinion of EC regarding observation of minority rights in Latvia has not changed, and that EC believes that Latvia complies with all EU standards in this area. Latvijas Avize

According to the information of the Ministry of Education and Science, the educational programs of approximately 40% minority schools already correspond to the requirements of the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. The schools directors, interviewed by

According to the information of the Ministry of Education and Science, the educational programs of approximately 40% minority schools already correspond to the requirements of the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. The schools directors, interviewed by Diena journalist, have pointed to radical negative changes in the attitude of minority students and their parents towards the reform over the last year, as one of the main problems.

Deputies of the Russia State Council have discussed the latest amendments to the Law on Education adopted by the Saeima. Several MPs have reportedly pointed to the necessity to adopt the law which would stipulate economic sanctions against Latvia.

Deputies of the Russia State Council have discussed the latest amendments to the Law on Education adopted by the Saeima. Several MPs have reportedly pointed to the necessity to adopt the law which would stipulate economic sanctions against Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvian foreign policy experts believe that actions against the education reform have been partly organized in Moscow. This statement is motivated by the fact that the leader of Venstpils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs is also an assistant to theRussia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin.

Latvian foreign policy experts believe that actions against the education reform have been partly organized in Moscow. This statement is motivated by the fact that the leader of Venstpils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs is also an assistant to theRussias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin. Diena

Chas featuresan article by the Saeima MP Boriss Tsilevich, who points to the lack of discussion in the area of education reform.

Diena features a commentary of the political analyst of the magazine Expert Severo-Zapad Vladimir Grjaznevich (Russia) about the latest protest actions against the education reform in Latvia. Vladimir Grjaznevich believes that the protest actions are mainly directed against the new political reality for Russian-speaking youth, where there is no bright future for ‘Russian-speaking political organizations retaining nostalgia for the USSR. According to the author, the actual situation in the area of minority languages has become more balanced in the Baltic States over the last 10 years.

Latvijas Avize features an article about the seminar Ethnic cleavage in referendum on the Latvias accession to the European Union. According to the researcher of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Inese Supule, the most dangerous dividing factor is the attitude of Russian-speaking youth towards the national values, which has become aggressively negative over the last years. Media expert Sergejs Kruks has stated that the main problem is the unsuccessful communication between government and ethnic minorities or the lack of this communication.

Embassy of Uzbekistan in Latvia has opened a Sunday school, in order to provide an opportunity for Uzbek youth to study their mother tongue and traditions.

Embassy of Uzbekistan in Latvia has opened a Sunday school, in order to provide an opportunity for Uzbek youth to study their mother tongue and traditions. Diena

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

• Latvian government resigns
• Saeima adopts amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language in minority schools
• Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education
• European Court for Human Rights delivers a judgment in the case of Russia army former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia
• Society integration experts and politicians about the education reform
• National-extremists organization Visu Latvijai! is planning to establish a council for the support of education reform

Prime Minister Einars Repse announced the resignation of the government, motivating this decision by the incapacity of the minority government to pass resolutions and to retain the posts of ministers. Prior to the Prime Minister’s announcement, Saeima’s opposition has asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis. The Saeima has also adopted amendments to the Law on Education stipulating the increase of teachers’ financial reward not foreseen by the state budget.

Prime Minister Einars Repse announced the resignation of the government, motivating this decision by the incapacity of the minority government to pass resolutions and to retain the posts of ministers. Prior to the Prime Ministers announcement, Saeimas opposition has asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis. The Saeima has also adopted amendments to the Law on Education stipulating the increase of teachers financial reward not foreseen by the state budget. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. Approximately 5000 minority students participated at the protest action against the education reform near the Saeima building during the review of amendments.

Yesterday Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language at minority schools. Approximately 5000 minority students participated at the protest action against the education reform near the Saeima building during the review of amendments. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers feature a critical statement of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the Ministry, the amendments allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language will cause the education quality deterioration for Russian-speaking students. MFA of Russia calls Latvia to develop a constructive dialogue with the Russian-speaking community, and to elaborate a new version of the education reform,

Russian language newspapers feature a critical statement of Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. According to the Ministry, the amendments allowing only up to 40% of instruction in minority language will cause the education quality deterioration for Russian-speaking students. MFA of Russia calls Latvia to develop a constructive dialogue with the Russian-speaking community, and to elaborate a new version of the education reform, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

European Court for Human Rights has dismissed the claim of Russia former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia about the violation of his human rights. According to the information of the Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, complaint of the former military was about refusal of the Latvian institution to register his marriage, and to register him as a father of the child, based on the fact that he had not got a valid residence permit. Aleksandrs Kolosovsky believed that Latvia has violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private life and home) and the Article 12 (the right to marry and to found a family).

European Court for Human Rights has dismissed the claim of Russia former military Aleksandrs Kolosovsky against Latvia about the violation of his human rights. According to the information of the Latvian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, complaint of the former military was about refusal of the Latvian institution to register his marriage, and to register him as a father of the child, based on the fact that he had not got a valid residence permit. Aleksandrs Kolosovsky believed that Latvia has violated Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to respect for private life and home) and the Article 12 (the right to marry and to found a family). Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

Diena features statements of society integration experts about the education reform, who point to the necessity of promoting discussion between the state institutions and minority schools, explaining the essence of the education reform. According to the Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS researcherIndra Dedze, instead of searching for someone to blame for the protests, Ministry of Education and Science should evaluate the positive practices of minority schools in the area of education reform implementation and ask those schools what kind of help is needed. Rigas Balss features discussion of the Saeima MPs Dzintars Abikis (Peoples Party), Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM), Jakovs Pliners (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) and writer Marina Kostenecka about the latest developments in the area of education reform. Diena, Rigas Balss

National-extremist’s organization Visu Latvijai! (All for Latvia!) has informed about the establishment of the council for the support of education reform.

National-extremists organization Visu Latvijai! (All for Latvia!) has informed about the establishment of the council for the support of education reform. Latvijas Avize

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

• Saeima reviews amendments to the Law on Education
• Minority students protest against the education reform
• Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis rejects a possibility to grant the rights for local governments to determine the ratio of minority language use in schools
• Representative of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly will examine the observation of the minorities right to education in their mother tongue
• Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis explains involvement of the State Police officials in gathering information on minority students
• Russia State Council adopts a call to Latvia to reject amendments to the Law on Education
• Interview with the former head of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa

Today the amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language, will be reviewed by Saeima in the last reading. Governing coalition and two opposition parties – People’s Party and Latvia’s First Party – have expressed support to the amendments.

Today the amendments to the Law on Education, allowing up to 40% of instruction in minority language, will be reviewed by Saeima in the last reading. Governing coalition and two opposition parties – Peoples Party and Latvias First Party – have expressed support to the amendments. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature articles about the minority students’ protest action against the amendments to the Law on Education near the Saeima building today. Prime Minister Einars Repse and President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga have condemned  involving children in the consummation of political goals.

Newspapers feature articles about the minority students protest action against the amendments to the Law on Education near the Saeima building today. Prime Minister Einars Repse and President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga have condemned involving children in the consummation of political goals. Chas informs about meetings between students and schools administrations in several minority schools, where the school directors asked students not to participate in the protest actions. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis rejects a possibility to grant the rights to participate in the determination of the ratio of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools to several local governments. Minister believes that there is a necessity for unified education system in the state, especially in the area of Latvian language acquisition.

Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis rejects a possibility to grant the rights to participate in the determination of the ratio of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools to several local governments. Minister believes that there is a necessity for unified education system in the state, especially in the area of Latvian language acquisition. Latvijas Avize

Representative of the Monitoring Committee of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu and the expert on the International Law Eric Jurgens will visit Latvia in order to examine the observation of minority right to get education in their mother tongue.

Representative of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu and the expert on the International Law Eric Jurgens will visit Latvia in order to examine the observation of minority right to get education in their mother tongue. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis met the members of Saeima Defence and Internal Affairs Committee and the Government Review Committee to explain  involvement of the State Police officials in gathering information about the minority students participating in the protest actions against the education reform 2004. According to Maris Gulbis, police officials just wanted to clarify the number of students who were planning to participate in the protest actions against the education reform on 22 and 23 January, so that they could prepare for order maintenance during the actions. They did not have intentions of persecuting minority students.

Yesterday Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis met the members of Saeima Defence and Internal Affairs Committee and the Government Review Committee to explain involvement of the State Police officials in gathering information about the minority students participating in the protest actions against the education reform 2004. According to Maris Gulbis, police officials just wanted to clarify the number of students who were planning to participate in the protest actions against the education reform on 22 and 23 January, so that they could prepare for order maintenance during the actions. They did not have intentions of persecuting minority students. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

Russia State Council has adopted a call to Latvia to reject amendments to the Law on Education, which stipulate the transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all schools of Latvia. President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stated that she is not surprised about the adoption of such a call, but the Prime Minister of Latvia Einars Repse has evaluated it as a rude intervention in the internal affairs of Latvia.

Russia State Council has adopted a call to Latvia to reject amendments to the Law on Education, which stipulate the transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all schools of Latvia. President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stated that she is not surprised about the adoption of such a call, but the Prime Minister of Latvia Einars Repse has evaluated it as a rude intervention in the internal affairs of Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas features an interview with the former head of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa, who believes that education reform might not be postponed because it is essential for the society integration.

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

• State officials seek compromise in the area of education reform
• 5,000 – 6,000 minority students expected at protest rally
• Five police officials reprimanded for gathering information on minority students
• Education State Inspection recommendations to minority schools
• State officials opinions about Russias recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia
• Interview with Duma Deputy Speaker Dmitry Rogozin

Yesterday, following an initiative by Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, a discussion took place on the amendments to the Law on Education in which the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov, MPs of Saeima opposition party People’s Harmony Party and head of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Janis Strazdins participated.  According to the Saeima Speaker, the Minister of Education and Science has been requested to prepare a new, compromise version of the amendments to the Law on Education, which should be discussed at a similar meeting today.

Yesterday, following an initiative by Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre, a discussion took place on the amendments to the Law on Education in which the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov, MPs of Saeima opposition party Peoples Harmony Party and head of the Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Janis Strazdins participated. According to the Saeima Speaker, the Minister of Education and Science has been requested to prepare a new, compromise version of the amendments to the Law on Education, which should be discussed at a similar meeting today. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

TheHeadquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools inform that they expect some5,000 – 6,000 minority students from 35 schools of Riga and Ventspils to participate at a protest action against the education reform tomorrow, when the Saeima is planning to adopt the amendments to the Law on Education in third reading. There are 158 minority schools in Latvia. Russian language newspapers feature the statement of the Council of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Coordination, supporting the activities of the Headquarters

TheHeadquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools inform that they expect some5,000 – 6,000 minority students from 35 schools of Riga and Ventspils to participate at a protest action against the education reform tomorrow, when the Saeima is planning to adopt the amendments to the Law on Education in third reading. There are 158 minority schools in Latvia. Russian language newspapers feature the statement of the Council of Nongovernmental Organizations Coordination, supporting the activities of the Headquarters. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

State Police has reprimanded five police officials involved in the information gathering about the minority students participating at protest actions against the education reform 2004. The head of State Police have also offered an apology to the directors of minority schools.

State Police has reprimanded five police officials involved in the information gathering about the minority students participating at protest actions against the education reform 2004. The head of State Police have also offered an apology to the directors of minority schools. Diena, Telegraf, Chas

The Ministry of Education Education State Inspection has suggested to minority schools to encourage their students not to participate in protest actions against the 2004 education reform and to ask students to make up for unattended classes. According to the deputy head of the Education State Inspection Valda Puise, the institution is not preparing to inspect the attendance.

The Ministry of Education Education State Inspection has suggested to minority schools to encourage their students not to participate in protest actions against the 2004 education reform and to ask students to make up for unattended classes. According to the deputy head of the Education State Inspection Valda Puise, the institution is not preparing to inspect the attendance. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize features state officials opinions about the set of recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia, issued by Russia to the European Commission. State secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins believes that attempt of Russia to link the issue of minority rights observation in Latvia to the extension of the partnership agreement between Russia and EU to the new member states of EU is unfounded and must be refused. Saeima MP Anta Rugate (Peoples Party) evaluates these recommendations as intervention in Latvias internal affairs. Saeima MP Ina Druviete (New Era) states that Russia thus is objecting to the EU experts basic statements and so questions the very competence of the EU.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin (block „Rodina) about the observation of minority rights in Latvia.