• Newspapers continue to discuss proposals to suspend the naturalisation process and to ‘audit those who already naturalised
• Executive Director of the Riga City Council refuses to authorise a protest action planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools
• Telegraf reproaches the Ministry of Education and Science for attempts to stifle the dialogue with minorities representatives
• Diena discusses implementation of the minority education reform in Jekabpils Secondary School Nr.2

Newspapers continue to discuss proposals to suspend the naturalisation process and to ‘audit’ already naturalised persons.

Newspapers continue to discuss proposals to suspend the naturalisation process and to ‘audit already naturalised persons. Latvijas Avize prints an opinion of the MP Karlis Sadurskis (New Era), who allows for changes in the naturalisation procedure in case political agreement is attained. The MP believes that the fact that naturalisation applicants is allowed to retake particular parts of naturalisation exams indicates a problem within the process itself. Sadurskis also believes that a definite period of time should be established, during which a person can be deprived of the right to Latvian citizenship if she/he demonstrates disloyalty to the state or incites the national hatred, and if these facts are legally established. The chairman of the Peoples Party Atis Slakteris states that his party has not discussed the issue of naturalisation yet, and therefore proposals recently made by Aleksandrs Kirsteins were his private initiative. Slakteris adds that the naturalisation procedure could be changed only in case violations of law during the process were established. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

The Executive Director of the Riga City Council Eriks Skapars refused to authorise a protest action, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools on 4 May, the anniversary day of the Proclamation of Latvia’s Independence. The Headquarters planned to protest against the non-ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the National Minorities. According to the Russian-language newspaper

The Executive Director of the Riga City Council Eriks Skapars refused to authorise a protest action, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools on 4 May, the anniversary day of the Proclamation of Latvias Independence. The Headquarters planned to protest against the non-ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the National Minorities. According to the Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya, the protest action will take place despite the Skapars refusal to authorise it. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf reproaches the Ministry of Education and Science for the attempts to stifle the dialogue with minorities representatives on minority education issues. The newspaper points to the several working groups on different minority education issues, which exist only formally. The goal of one of these working groups was to develop a draft Law on Minority Schools.

Diena discusses implementation of the minority education reform in Jekabpils Secondary School Nr.2. According to the newspaper, a teacher of mathematics and a teacher of physics have different opinions on the reforms impact on quality of education. The teacher of mathematics states that quality of education is deteriorating, as an average mark of the students in mathematics has decreased, while the teacher of physics is convinced that there is no difference between learning in Russian or in Latvian languages. Director of the school, Aleksandrs Deinis, after comparing average marks of students of the grade 10 for the last three years, made a conclusion that implementation of the education reform has not influenced students attainment, and that explanation of the marks decrease in the maths class should be looked for elsewhere. The director also points out that implementation of the minority education reform is not supported by approximately one half of the parents and one third of the students.

• Minister of Justice: there are no plans to change the naturalisation procedure
• Committee of the European Parliament adopts recommendations on observation of minority and non-citizens rights in the EU
• Project Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Inese Supule about a possibility of ethnic conflict in Latvia
• BBC World Service journalist Angus Roxburgh responds to the criticism of his article on implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about the Riga Belarussian Elementary School

‘The Cabinet of Ministers is not planning to change the naturalisation procedure or to suspend the naturalisation process as such,’ stated the Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina yesterday, responding to a wish to suspend the naturalisation process expressed by some politicians and organisations.

‘The Cabinet of Ministers is not planning to change the naturalisation procedure or to suspend the naturalisation process as such, stated the Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina yesterday, responding to a wish to suspend the naturalisation process expressed by some politicians and organisations. Vesti Segodnya features opinion of the head of Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration Andris Berzins, who is also convinced that the naturalisation procedure should not be changed, and that such a step would not promote society integration. The MP is also concerned about a possible opening of the Citizenship Law, as it could cause sharp discussions in the Parliament. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament adopted several recommendations concerning observation of minority rights in the EU, and rights of the non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia. The EU member states and the European Commission are recommended to extend the non-citizens rights, among other also granting those voting rights in municipal elections. The MEPs also call the European Commission to create a working group for studying the mass non-citizenship issues, while EU member states are asked to speed up the naturalisation process. The Committee recommends Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without reservations, as well as to accede to the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages.

Yesterday the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs of the European Parliament adopted several recommendations concerning observation of minority rights in the EU, and rights of the non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia. The EU member states and the European Commission are recommended to extend the non-citizens rights, among other also granting those voting rights in municipal elections. The MEPs also call the European Commission to create a working group for studying the mass non-citizenship issues, while EU member states are asked to speed up the naturalisation process. The Committee recommends Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without reservations, as well as to accede to the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas prints an interview with the Project Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Inese Supule about a possibility of an ethnic conflict in Latvia. According to Supule, a growing competition between the ethnic communities can be observed, and further development of the situation depends upon decisions made by politicians. The researcher believes that at present, politicians often provoke the ethnic conflict. At the same time, Supule points to the results of the Institutes study which indicate that Latvians and Russians share similar life styles and both groups are oriented toward a good relationship. When commenting on implementation of the minority education reform, Supule notes that the stakeholders (minority students, parents and teachers) were from the very beginning not involved in the discussions about the reform.

Chas prints a response of the BBC World Service journalist Angus Roxburgh to the Latvian journalists critics of his article ‘Latvian Lessons Irk Russians. As reported, the article mainly reflected opinion of the teacher of history of the Riga Secondary School Nr.22, Natalia Skestere. She believes that Russian language is being gradually squeezed out of schools in Latvia, and will soon be spoken only at home. The teacher admitted that she teaches her subject only in Russian, which is a violation of the Law on Education. Skestere argued that Latvian language proficiency of Russian students is not sufficient to comprehend complex ideas. The BBC journalist also quoted the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks, who believes that the minority education reform provides minority children with an opportunity to speak two languages fluently. Angus Roxburgh stresses that the goal of the article was not to criticise the teacher, or the Latvian government, but to demonstrate objective facts, among them the real problems of the Russian-speaking students, caused by the reforms implementation. According to the journalist, teachers of the Riga Secondary School Nr.22 are trying to do their best, but they are forced to use Russian in lessons frequently as students do not understand the material in Latvian.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about the Riga Belarussian Elementary School. According to the schools director Anna Ivane, the goal of the school is to introduce the students to the Belarussian culture, at the same time achieving their successful integration into Latvian society.

• Latvian Press Association concerned over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas
• Security Police examine statements of MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• PACE forwards 2 resolutions on the situation of minorities in Latvia for their review at the Legal Committee
• Interview with professor Leo Dribin
• Latvijas Avize comments on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Russia pays growing attention to its policy on compatriots

The Latvian Press Association has expressed its concern over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper

The Latvian Press Association has expressed its concern over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas. The newspaper is alleged for printing articles calling to national hatred. The authors of the statement are concerned that the attempts of the state to restrict media will result in restrictions on the freedom of expression. While Chas prints the views of members of political parties the New Era and FF/LNIM. Maris Grinblats (FF/LNIM) says that he welcomes the initiation of a criminal case against Chas and hopes that other cases will follow. While Edgars Jaunups (the New Era) believes that up till now the Security Police did not pay a sufficient attention towards publications that call to national hatred. Diena

Yesterday the newspaper

Yesterday the newspaper Chas received a response from the State Security Police to its application. The newspaper questioned whether a number of statements of MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the Peoples Party) call to national hatred. The Security Police replied that currently the Security Policeare conducting examination of these statements.

Chas reports that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe forwarded 2 resolutions on the situation of minorities in Latvia to the Legal Committee. The Legal Committee has to develop a report on these resolutions. As reported, the resolutions were drafted by 20 members from different countries and called attention to the minority education reform and the situation of Latvian non-citizens. Boris Tsilevich comments that the decision to forward resolutions to the Legal Committee is the best decision possible. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya talks to minority expert Leo Dribin. The Professor stresses that inter-ethnic relations is a complicated and sensitive issue in all countries and refers to experiences of several countries, such as France, Northern Ireland, Macedonia and others. Leo Dribins states that the attitude of a state towards minority education shows states level of tolerance towards minorities in general. He admits that some oppositions and tensions on ethnic grounds will remain forever, however, he believes that it is possible to minimise them and it is a responsibility of the state to do it.

Latvijas Avize comments on the news that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will be ratified till July. The author of the article believes that in Latvia only Livs and Roma should be the subjects of the Convention because ‘they speak Latvian and their loyalty to Latvia is not under doubts.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Russian State Duma focuses on the development of its policy on compatriots. The newspaper notes that also the Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russias policy on compatriots should be given a priority in the states domestic policy.

Latvijas Avize holds a discussion with Latvias Russian writers Marina Kostenecka and Arturs Punte about the role of intelligentsia in promotion societal integration. Both writers agree that literature and writers have lost their social role in the modern society. Arturs Punte admits that there is the lack of Russian intelligentsia in Latvia, however, he hopes the situation will change in the future.

 

 

• MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins proposes to suspend naturalisation process for several months and ‘audit already naturalised persons
• MP Valerijs Agesins criticises the draft amendments to the Immigration Law
• 45 representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools were detained by the Estonian Boarder Guard Services last Saturday

In his speech given on the occasion of the party’s congress, the People’s Party member and MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins proposed to suspend naturalisation for several months and ‘audit’ already naturalised persons. The MP believes that persons, who have cheated in naturalisation exams, should be deprived Latvian citizenship. According to the MP, citizenship should be granted only to those, who have integrated into society. He also believes that the practice, when an applicant for Latvian citizenship has the right to re-take naturalisation exam several times, should be discontinued. The party did not support Kirsteins’ proposals.

In his speech given on the occasion of the partys congress, the Peoples Party member and MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins proposed to suspend naturalisation for several months and ‘audit already naturalised persons. The MP believes that persons, who have cheated in naturalisation exams, should be deprived Latvian citizenship. According to the MP, citizenship should be granted only to those, who have integrated into society. He also believes that the practice, when an applicant for Latvian citizenship has the right to re-take naturalisation exam several times, should be discontinued. The party did not support Kirsteins proposals. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas prints an article by the Member of the Latvian Parliament Valerijs Agesins (the Peoples Harmony Party). The MP sharply criticises the draft amendments to the Immigration Law, recently supported by the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee. As reported, the amendments stipulate that when a foreigner receives a residence permit in Latvia, s/he should present the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs a signed declaration which confirms that s/he respects the Latvian language, culture and traditions and will pass the Latvian language exam. Valerijs Agesins believes that these amendments contradict the Constitution of Latvia. According to the author, the Peoples Harmony Party will call the President of Latvia stop promulgation of the amendments. If the President promulgates the amendments, party would file the claim at the Constitutional Court of Latvia and international institutions.

45 representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools (including 37 students) were detained by the Estonian boarder guards last Saturday. The representatives of the Headquarters planned to participate in the protest action against the implementation of minority education reform in Latvia, which took place in Tallinn last Saturday. According to one of the detainees V.Rafaelskis, the boarder guards did not provide any explanations on the reasons of detention.

45 representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools (including 37 students) were detained by the Estonian boarder guards last Saturday. The representatives of the Headquarters planned to participate in the protest action against the implementation of minority education reform in Latvia, which took place in Tallinn last Saturday. According to one of the detainees V.Rafaelskis, the boarder guards did not provide any explanations on the reasons of detention. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities may be ratified by Saeima till the parliaments summer holidays
• Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament did not adopt recommendations regarding the observation of minority rights in Latvia
• Russian official: the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may renew minority rights monitoring in Latvia
• Chas continues to write about the review of the Jurijs Petropavlovskis complaint by the Petition Committee of the European Parliament
• National-radical youth organisation Visu Latvijai! calls to suspend naturalisation and to implement stronger naturalisation provisions

The governing coalition has agreed that the minority definition should be elaborated till the end of May. Hence the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified by Saeima till the parliament’s summer holidays.

The governing coalition has agreed that the minority definition should be elaborated till the end of May. Hence the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified by Saeima till the parliaments summer holidays. Diena, Latvijas Avize

The Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament has removed the issue about the adoption of the recommendations regarding the observation of minority rights in Latvia from its agenda. A number of members of the European Parliament drafted the recommendations which declared that the Russian-speaking minority feels discriminated in Latvia and called Latvia to speed-up naturalisation and grant Latvian non-citizens the right to learn in their mother tongue.

The Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament has removed the issue about the adoption of the recommendations regarding the observation of minority rights in Latvia from its agenda. A number of members of the European Parliament drafted the recommendations which declared that the Russian-speaking minority feels discriminated in Latvia and called Latvia to speed-up naturalisation and grant Latvian non-citizens the right to learn in their mother tongue. Latvijas Avize

The Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma Konstantin Kosachev admits that by the end of the year the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may take decision on the renewal of minority rights monitoring in Latvia. According to the Russian official, the position of Russian MPs that there are violations of minority rights receives a growing support among MPs from other countries.

The Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian State Duma Konstantin Kosachev admits that by the end of the year the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe may take decision on the renewal of minority rights monitoring in Latvia. According to the Russian official, the position of Russian MPs that there are violations of minority rights receives a growing support among MPs from other countries. Chas

Chas continues to write about the review of the claim submitted by Jurijs Petropavlovskis, member of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and defender of Russian-language schools, at the Petition Committee of the European Parliament. The author of the article, the editor-in-chief of Chas Ksenija Zagovorskaya believes that the EU could adopt norms on the observation of minority rights in Latvia if Latvia hampers naturalisation.

Yesterday the national-radical youth organisation

Yesterday the national-radical youth organisation ‘Visu Latvijai! issued a statement addressed to the New Era, the Peoples Party and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM calling these parties to suspend naturalisation and implement stronger requirements for naturalisation. Chas