• Number of people who renounce Latvian Citizenship increases
• NRA reports on positive effects of the minority education reform on students of a Secondary School in Jelgava
• Leader of the Jewish Community about education in Latvia
• Rigas Balss: the Latvian First Party is the only party which declares that it orients to voters from all ethnic groups
• Chas writes that the Mezmalas Secondary School will review exclusion of a student from school because he was collecting signatures against the implementation of the minority education reform

According to the data provided by the Naturalisation Board a number of people who renounce Latvian citizenship is increasing. The people who renounce Latvian citizenship are young, educated and many of them are Latvians, while those who renounce Latvian citizenship among non-Latvians are mainly older people. In total 1760 people have renounced Latvian citizenship since 1999.

According to the data provided by the Naturalisation Board a number of people who renounce Latvian citizenship is increasing. The people who renounce Latvian citizenship are young, educated and many of them are Latvians, while those who renounce Latvian citizenship among non-Latvians are mainly older people. In total 1760 people have renounced Latvian citizenship since 1999. Diena, NRA, Telegraf

NRA reports on the effects of the minority education reform on students of the Secondary School No 6 in Jelgava. The director of the school states that the school had done everything to make the implementation of the reform successful: teachers attended courses, new teaching aids were acquired, and discussions with students and their parents were hold. The analysis of the academic success level of students reveals that the academic success of students in subjects which last year were taught in Russian but this year in Latvian has improved. The director concludes that on the whole the attitude towards the reform is positive.

Latvijas Avize talks to the Executive Director of the Riga Jewish Community Gita Umanovska. She suggests that in the future the proportion of the usage of the Russian language at schools should be reduced, that is those children who are not Latvians and not Russians should not study in Russian. She states that measures should be taken to ensure that non-Latvian children would be accepted and feel comfortable at Latvian schools.

Rigas Balss writes about the forthcoming municipal elections. The newspaper states that all parties focus on specific ethnic groups, but the Latvian First Party, which has openly stated that it addresses people from all ethnic groups. The Latvian First Party has declared that it will form a Minority Department and Advisory Council, which would represent members of minorities, if the party is elected in the Riga City Council.

Chas reports about a case of a pupil of the 12th grade of the Mezmalas Secondary School Jevgenijs Sazonovs. He is accused in offending a teacher, although he states that he did not offended her. The pupil argues that accusations are false and made because he was collecting signatures of other pupils against the implementation of the minority education reform. The Board of Schools Teachers will review a possibility to exclude Jevgenijs Sazonovs from school in its todays meeting.

 

• About 500 people took place in the protest action against the implementation of the minority education reform yesterday
• Saeima turns down the amendments to the Law on Education submitted by left-wing parties
• First Baltic Channel fined for violating the State Language Law
• Recently established parties try to attract voters by giving nationalistic promises
• FHRUL and FF/LNIM reveal their programmes for municipal elections in Riga
• Russian language environment in Daugavpils attracts foreign students and investors

Yesterday about 400 – 500 (according to various sources) people took part in the protest action against the implementation of the minority education reform at the buildings of Saeima and the Ministry of Education and Science. The Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete met with participants of the protest meeting. Ina Druviete stated that she is ready to hold discussions with all schools that experience difficulties or want to talk to her. The Minister stressed that in fact it is not a reform but a transfer to one unified education system. While the former education minister Karlis Sadurskis in conversation with a

Yesterday about 400 – 500 (according to various sources) people took part in the protest action against the implementation of the minority education reform at the buildings of Saeima and the Ministry of Education and Science. The Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete met with participants of the protest meeting. Ina Druviete stated that she is ready to hold discussions with all schools that experience difficulties or want to talk to her. The Minister stressed that in fact it is not a reform but a transfer to one unified education system. While the former education minister Karlis Sadurskis in conversation with a Rigas Balss journalist argued that protests are a part of pre-election campaign of left wing parties and after the municipal elections there will be no protests. Diena, NRA, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday Saeima turned down the amendments to the Law on Education submitted by the left-wing parties. The proposed amendments stipulated that self-administrative bodies of education institutions would have the right to choose subjects to be taught in the state language.

Yesterday Saeima turned down the amendments to the Law on Education submitted by the left-wing parties. The proposed amendments stipulated that self-administrative bodies of education institutions would have the right to choose subjects to be taught in the state language. Latvijas Avize, Diena, Vesti Segodnya

The National Radio and TV Council has imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 500 (EUR 715) on the commercial TV channel First Baltic for violating the State Language Law. The channel aired two movies in Russian without subtitles. Besides, the Council is deciding whether broadcast of this TV channel should be suspended for a week because the Channel did not provide the subtitles in Latvian for commercials.

The National Radio and TV Council has imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 500 (EUR 715) on the commercial TV channel First Baltic for violating the State Language Law. The channel aired two movies in Russian without subtitles. Besides, the Council is deciding whether broadcast of this TV channel should be suspended for a week because the Channel did not provide the subtitles in Latvian for commercials. Telegraf

Diena comments on recently formed parties running for municipal elections. The daily writes that the two parties - Latvias Forge and To Our Latvia – which were formed just couple months ago try to attract support of nationalistically thinking people by giving promises to work on the behalf of the Latvian people and the state.

Rigas Balss prints a discussion between two candidates for post of Mayor of the Riga City Council Jurijs Petropavlovskis (the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and also a member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools) and Janis Birks(FF/LNIM). Janis Birks reproaches the Headquarters and Jurijs Petropavlovskis in particular for involving children in protest activities. Jurijs Petropavlovskis replies that this question is not related to the discussion topic [municipal elections] and adds that ‘unfortunately, right now I do not have any time to work for the Headquarters. When asked why people should vote for FHRUL or FF/LNIM, Jurijs Petropavloskis says that those people who want a ‘normal market situation in the country should vote for FHRUL, while Janis Birks states that people should vote for FF/LNIM because ‘we have always defended the interests of Latvians.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about Daugavpils – the second biggest city in Latvia. Daugavpils is the city where the number of Latvians is the lowest in comparison to other cities. The member of the Daugavpils City Council Ilya Podkolzins argues that national minorities are the wealth of Latvia and that after Latvias accession to the EU and thanks to the big Russian-speaking community in the city, the number of foreign students who want to study the Russian language in Daugavpils has significantly increased. He adds that the amount of foreign investments has increased as well.

• Society Integration Foundation presents its Society Harmony Award to the official of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule
• Police stopped and inquiredpupils calling to participate in the protest actions against the minority education reform
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article arguing against the implementation of the minority education reform
• Leader of Social Democrats calls Russian speakers to vote for his party
• Popularity ratings of political parties in Riga in January

Yesterday the Integration Society Foundation presented its Society Harmony Award to the official of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule and to the Valka’s Branch of the Red Cross. The goal of the award is to recognise people and institutions that have contributed to consolidation of the society. The nomination of Evija Papule, who is the Head of the Integration Department of the MoES and one of the main responsible persons for the implementation of the minority education reform, has raised dissatisfaction among a number of minority representatives and the Russian language press. While Evija Papule in the article featured by the daily

Yesterday the Integration Society Foundation presented its Society Harmony Award to the official of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule and to the Valkas Branch of the Red Cross. The goal of the award is to recognise people and institutions that have contributed to consolidation of the society. The nomination of Evija Papule, who is the Head of the Integration Department of the MoES and one of the main responsible persons for the implementation of the minority education reform, has raiseddissatisfaction among a number of minority representatives and the Russian language press. While Evija Papule in the article featured by the daily Diena says that the state is courageous to nominate an official for this award. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the police stopped and asked to provide written reports from 4 pupils, active members of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The pupils distributed leaflets calling to participate in the protest rally, which takes place today.

Yesterday the police stopped and asked to provide written reports from 4 pupils, active members of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The pupils distributed leaflets calling to participate in the protest rally, which takes place today. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

MP Yakovs Pliners and teacher Valerijs Buhvalovs publish an article about the minority education reform. The authors argue that the reform is immoral and it will definitely have a negative effect on children.

MP Yakovs Pliners and teacher Valerijs Buhvalovs publish an article about the minority education reform. The authors argue that the reform is immoral and it will definitely have a negative effect on children. Vesti Segodnya

Chas prints an interview with the leader of the Latvian Socialist Democratic Workers Party Janis Dinevics. He calls Russian speakers to vote for his party because it acts in the interests of all residents of Riga irrespectively of their ethnicity.

Newspapers print popularity ratings of political parties among residents of Riga in January. According to the poll conducted by the company SKDS the most popular party at the end of January was the New Era (12.5%), followed by the Latvian Socialist Democratic Workers Party (11.4%), the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (10.9%), FF/LNIM (9,5%) and the People’s Party (8.6%). However, according to the poll conducted by the company Latvijas Fakti at the beginning of January the most popular party was the union FHRUL (15.8%), followed by the New Era (14%), Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (8.8%), People’s Harmony Party (8.8%), FF/LNIM (8.2%), Latvia’s Way (7%) and the Latvian First Party (5.8%).

Newspapers print popularity ratings of political parties among residents of Riga in January. According to the poll conducted by the company SKDS the most popular party at the end of January was the New Era (12.5%), followed by the Latvian Socialist Democratic Workers Party (11.4%), the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (10.9%), FF/LNIM (9,5%) and the Peoples Party (8.6%). However, according to the poll conducted by the company Latvijas Fakti at the beginning of January the most popular party was the union FHRUL (15.8%), followed by the New Era (14%), Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (8.8%), Peoples Harmony Party (8.8%), FF/LNIM (8.2%), Latvias Way (7%) and the Latvian First Party (5.8%). Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• European Court of Human Rights turned down 2 complaints over Latvification of last names as ungrounded
• National Radio and TV Council states that no legal grounds exist to deny provisionof information on municipal elections in Russian
• Education Minister plans a reform in primary education
• Interview with human rights expert Ineta Ziemele
• Article about parents choice of schools
• Presidents Official Language Commission celebrates its three-year anniversary
• Documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions presented yesterday

The European Court of Human Rights turned down two applications versus Latvia over Latvification of foreign last names in IDs as ungrounded. The petitioners claimed that Latvification of their last names violates their rights to privacy and family life. The petitioners were dissatisfied that according to Latvian legislation their last names – Mentzen and Kuharec – were spelled in their passports in accordance with Latvian grammar rules. The European Court of Human Rights stated that although spelling of personal names in person’s ID may be considered intervention in one’s private and family life, the intervention was grounded because Latvian authorities have not violated their competence in spelling personal names.

The European Court of Human Rights turned down two applications versus Latvia over Latvification of foreign last names inIDs as ungrounded. The petitioners claimed that Latvification of their last names violates their rights to privacy and family life. The petitioners were dissatisfied that according to Latvian legislation their last names – Mentzen and Kuharec – were spelled in their passports in accordance with Latvian grammar rules. The European Court of Human Rights stated that although spelling of personal names in persons ID may be considered intervention in ones private and family life, the intervention was grounded because Latvian authorities have not violated their competence in spelling personal names. Diena, NRA, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports that in the response to an inquiry submitted by MP Aleksandrs Bartashevichs regarding legitimacy of the Central Election Commissions decision to stop provision of information about the forthcoming municipal elections in Russian, the National Radio and TV Council have stated that there are no legal obstacles to provision of information on municipal elections in Russian.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete has developed a draft project of a new reform. This reform is planned to take place in primary schools – both Latvian and minority schools. Regarding changes at minority schools, the reform provides reduction of the number of mathematic and native language classes.

Telegraf interviews professor Ineta Ziemele, one of the authors of the report on human rights in Latvia in 2003. Regarding the situation of minorities, Ineta Ziemele states that the most topical issue – the minority school reform – is neither bad nor good from a legal perspective, however, she notes that successful implementation of the reform depends on the ability to take an individual approach towards each minority school.

Diena prints a series of articles on parents choices of schools for their children. In todays edition the newspaper tells a story of a non-Latvian family who had decided to send their daughter to a Latvian school. However, teachers of the school talked the mother into sending the girl to a Russian school. The teachers argued that although girls Latvian language skills were sufficient she would have difficulties to ‘feel comfortable among children of other mentality.

The President’s Official Language Commission celebrated its three-year anniversary yesterday. The Commission presented two publications – ‘Latvian Language – Expansion of the Borders’ and a brochure developed by ethnologist Ilmars Mezs about statistics regarding the Latvian language. The latter is available in English.

The Presidents Official Language Commission celebrated its three-year anniversary yesterday. The Commission presented two publications – ‘Latvian Language – Expansion of the Borders and a brochure developed by ethnologist Ilmars Mezs about statistics regarding the Latvian language. The latter is available in English. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the National Minority Department of the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a presentation of two documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions.

Yesterday the National Minority Department of the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a presentation of two documentaries and brochures on the Russian wedding traditions. Vesti Segodnya

 

 

 

 

 

• Interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board
• Possible political choices of recently naturalised Latvian residents
• Chas: only if Latvian non-citizens have the right to participate in municipal elections Latvia can be called a democratic country
• Participants of the rally ask to give Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections
• Social Integration Minister discusses societal integration issues in Latvia with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools announced its future protest activities against the minority education reform
• Two men calling students to take part in the protest meetings against the minority education reform detained
• Vesti Segodnya comments on the Framework Document on the Strengthening of Civil Society in Latvia
• Book on human rights published in Latvia
• Report on the implementation of EU basic rights in Latvia in 2003 notes that Latvia experiences serious violations in the field of human rights
• Interview with MP Peteris Tabuns

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. Eizenija Aldermane looks back at the first years of the Naturalisation Board and her assignment for the post. She reports that within 10 years since naturalisation was launched 3506 persons have been refused naturalisation. When talking about the present situation, the Head of the Board says that due to the increasing number of applications for naturalisation, the Board is working in an extreme regime: the capacity of the Board is to serve 15,000-16,000 people a year, while last year the Board worked with 21,000 applicants. She believes that such tempo will continue 4-5 years and after that the tempo will depend on the situation in the labour market. When asked about the strengthening of the Citizenship Law, Eizenija Aldermane believes that specific norms or national programme, which would provide unified requirements regarding Latvian language proficiency, should be developed. Eizenija Aldermane confirms that now the level of Latvian language proficiency of people who are applying for Latvian citizenship is low – about 25% of applicants are not able to pass a language test first time. She is also concerned about increasing attention paid to people who are recently naturalised – so called ‘new citizens. She believes that it is an awkward term and that only the term citizens should be used irrespectively of a place and time of the acquisition of citizenship.

Yesterday the rally organised by the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian) took place at the building of the delegation of the European Commission to Latvia. Participants asked to give Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections.

Yesterday the rally organised by the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian) took place at the building of the delegation of the European Commission to Latvia. Participants asked to give Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. Chas

Telegraf writes that in four last years 39,691 persons have acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The newspaper wanders on the influence of these ‘new citizens on a political situation in the country after municipal elections and asks views of several sociologists and political scientists. The majority of experts believe that ‘new citizens will vote on the basis of parties ethnicity, while the former Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks states that also a right-wing party Latvias Way could receive support of ‘new citizens.

Chas prints an article on the situation of non-Latvians, in particular that they do not have the right to participate in municipal elections. The author of the article believes that elections in which one third of the Latvias population does not have the right to participate may not be called democratic and argues that all Latvias residents who have lived in Latvia till 15 October 1991 should have the right to participate in elections.

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij. The officials discussed a number of societal integration issues, including the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The officials agreed to have meetings on regular basis. The main goals of these meetings will be discussions of social integration issues in Latvia.

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis held a meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij. The officials discussed a number of societal integration issues, including the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The officials agreed to have meetings on regular basis. The main goals of these meetings will be discussions of social integration issues in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools announced its future plans and presented a video-clip against the minority education reform. The Headquarters will organise a protest meeting against the minority education reform on 10 February at the building of Saeima.

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools announced its future plans and presented a video-clip against the minority education reform. The Headquarters will organise a protest meeting against the minority education reform on 10 February at the building of Saeima. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday two men calling students to take part in protests against the minority education reform were detained. The two men agitated students of the Anninmuiza Secondary School to take part in protest activities. The two men could not present any identification documents, therefore they were taken to a police precinct to draw up the protocol.

Yesterday two men calling students to take part in protests against the minority education reform were detained. The two men agitated students of the Anninmuiza Secondary School to take part in protest activities. The two men could not present any identification documents, therefore they were taken to a police precinct to draw up the protocol. Rigas Balss

Vesti Segodnya comments on the Framework Document on the Strengthening of Civil Society in Latvia developed by the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration. The author of the article argues that no civil society is possible if one third of the countrys population are non-citizens. The author of the article concludes that in fact no funding is needed to develop a consolidated civil society, but first of all a sincere wish of the government to develop a society where all its members have equal rights should be present.

The report on the implementation of EU basic rights in Latvia in 2003 notes that Latvia experiences serious violations in the field of human rights. Although in Latvia human rights are mainly associated with minority rights, the report indicates violations in other areas of human rights as well: violence in family, violence against children, cruel attitudes towards inmates, etc.

The report on the implementation of EU basic rights in Latvia in 2003 notes that Latvia experiences serious violations in the field of human rights. Although in Latvia human rights are mainly associated with minority rights, the report indicates violations in other areas of human rights as well: violence in family, violence against children, cruel attitudes towards inmates, etc. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

Diena reports that a new book on human rights ‘International Norms and Human Rights in Latvia: Abstraction or Reality by professor Ineta Ziemele has been published.

Latvijas Avize’s editor-in-chief interviews MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM). Peteris Tabuns agrees with the editor-in-chief that there are only two MPs in Saeima who continue to talk about decolonisation and naturalisation – him and Juris Dobelis. The MP warns that the current naturalisation speed is critical and in couple years ‘we will come to a critical point – already now there are 25 red MPs in Saeima.’ Tabuns is convinced that national issue should be raised again, however, he notes that ‘Latvians have become too inert.’

Latvijas Avizes editor-in-chief interviews MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM). Peteris Tabuns agrees with the editor-in-chief that there are only two MPs in Saeima who continue to talk about decolonisation and naturalisation – him and Juris Dobelis. The MP warns that the current naturalisation speed is critical and in couple years ‘we will come to a critical point – already now there are 25 red MPs in Saeima. Tabuns is convinced that national issue should be raised again, however, he notes that ‘Latvians have become too inert.