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

• Latvian government crisis
• Latvias First Party and the Minister of Special Task Minister of Societal integration will ask for more explicitdefinitions on the use of Latvian as a language of school instruction in the Law on Education
• Interview with the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Shadurskis
• Latvian National Human Rights Office asks for explanations about letters sent out to minority schools by the police
• Prominent members of the Latvian society about the latest amendments to the Law on Education
• President of Latvia asks to evaluate the communism regimes crimes
• Opinion poll: 60,5% inhabitants of Latvia believe that the society is not united

Prime Minister of Latvia has demanded a resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvia’s First Party). The Prime Minister states that Ainars Slesers’s performance in providing the link between the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers has not been satisfactory. Tomorrow Latvia’s First Party is planning to decide possible withdrawal from the governing coalition. The Union of Greens and Farmers and the party For Fatherlands and Freedom/LNIM do not regard the minority government as a stable formation.

Prime Minister of Latvia has demanded a resignation of the Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (Latvias First Party). The Prime Minister states that Ainars Sleserss performance in providing the link between the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers has not been satisfactory. Tomorrow Latvias First Party is planning to decide possible withdrawal from the governing coalition. The Union of Greens and Farmers and the party For Fatherlands and Freedom/LNIM do not regard the minority government as a stable formation. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvia’s First Party and the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks are planning to ask for more explicit definitions for use of Latvian as language of instruction at the minority schools in the Law on Education. According to the party, amendments to the Law on Education must fully correspond to the previous promises given by the government, which stipulated that 40% of lessons will be taught in minority language, and the schools themselves would decide on the language choice for different subjects.

Latvias First Party and the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks are planning to ask for more explicit definitions for use of Latvian as language of instruction at the minority schools in the Law on Education. According to the party, amendments to the Law on Education must fully correspond to the previous promises given by the government, which stipulated that 40% of lessons will be taught in minority language, and the schools themselves would decide on the language choice for different subjects. Latvijas Avize prints an opinion of the member of Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee Dzintars Abikis, who believes that the position of Nils Muiznieks in the area of minority education is too liberal. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Shadurskis, who states that the Prime Minister fully supports the education reform. According to Karlis Shadurskis, the Ministry of Education and Science will ask the local governments to dismiss those schools directors and teachers, who will support the mass protest actions against the Law on Education. Latvijas Avize

Latvian National Human Rights Office has sent a letter to the Chief of the State Police Janis Zascirinskis, requesting to explain the Riga City Central Police Department actions. In the letters sent to the minority schools  directors, Department’s officials required to supply information on all students who had been absent during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004.

Latvian National Human Rights Office has sent a letter to the Chief of the State Police Janis Zascirinskis, requesting to explain the Riga City Central Police Department actions. In the letters sent to the minority schools directors, Departments officials required to supply information on all students who had been absent during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Vesti Segodnya features the statements of the Riga Municipality Police, the State Police and the State Security Police, denying any connection of these institutions representatives to the action. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Newspapers feature opinions of the prominent members of the society about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. The Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs believes that the education reform provokes antagonistic attitude of the minority youth toward the state.

Newspapers feature opinions of the prominent members of the society about the latest amendments to the Law on Education. The Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs believes that the education reform provokes antagonistic attitude of the minority youth toward the state. Latvijas Avize features the statements of the director of the Riga City Council Education, Youth and Sport department Elmars Vebers, who believes that the education reform will not cause problems in maintaining the ethnic identity of minority students. The ex-President of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis points to the necessity of dialogue between supporters and opponents of the reform. Latvijas Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, speaking at the international summit on genocide, has asked to evaluate the communist regime’s crimes.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, speaking at the international summit on genocide, has asked to evaluate the communist regimes crimes. Diena, Telegraf

According to the opinion poll conducted by the research centre SKDS, 60, 5% inhabitants of Latvia believe that society is not united and only 15% are giving an affirmative answer.

According to the opinion poll conducted by the research centre SKDS, 60, 5% inhabitants of Latvia believe that society is not united and only 15% are giving an affirmative answer. Latvijas Avize

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

• Police investigations of minority school attendance after the unapproved meeting against Education Law amendments
• Leading Latvian-language newspaper commentators criticize the amendments to the Law on Education
• Russian students celebrate Tatjana Day

Newspapers write about unapproved meeting against the education reform 2004 last Friday and the counter-actions from the side of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Police. Karlis Sadurskis believes that minority school teachers should have acted to preclude the latest demonstrations and strikes of students and these who could not do it “should look for an easier job”. On Friday directors of minority schools were reportedly requested in writing by the police to supply information on all students who had been absent that day. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that the action of the police represents interference in the private lives of the minority students is a violation of basic rights and cause for serious concern.

Newspapers write about unapproved meeting against the education reform 2004 last Friday and the counter-actions from the side of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Police. Karlis Sadurskis believes that minority school teachers should have acted to preclude the latest demonstrations and strikes of students and these who could not do it should look for an easier job. On Friday directors of minority schools were reportedly requested in writing by the police to supply information on all students who had been absent that day. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that the action of the police represents interference in the private lives of the minority students is a violation of basic rights and cause for serious concern. Chas and Vesti Segodnya also feature the statement of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools, stating that the threats addressed to the schools directors, students and their parents are not enforceable and that protest actions from the side of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools will follow instantaneously after any attempt to develop any repressive measures. Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature critical commentaries about the amendments to the Law on Education.

Newspapers feature critical commentaries about the amendments to the Law on Education. Diena commentator Askolds Rodins states that the latest amendments to the Law on Education serves only the interests of the extremists, stating that every mistake made in this area will be used by persons who want to hinder social integration. Neatkariga Rita Avize commentator Dainis Lemesonoks believes that both opponents as well as supporters of the reform are only realizing their political goals, which are not the integration of society but increasing support from their respective electorate. Both commentators hope that the President of Latvia would return this law to Saeima for repeated review, if the Saeima will not reject these amendments on the third reading. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Newspapers print articles about the celebration of Russian culture - Tatyana Day - in Riga.

Newspapers print articles about the celebration of Russian culture - Tatyana Day - in Riga. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

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

• Education and societal integration experts about the amendments to the Law on Education
• Over 1,000 participants in unapproved protest action against the amendments to the Law on Education
• Riga Vice-Mayor Sergey Dolgopolov on education reform deadlock
• Representative of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry A. Jakovenko criticizes the amendments to Latvias Law on Education
• RussiaState Council rejects the proposal of the parliamentary group Rodina member Viktors Alksnis to discuss the observation of Russian-speakers human rights in Latvia

Diena features the statements of education and societal integration experts about the amendments to the Law on Education, regarding the decision of the Saeima as ill advised and directed against social integration. The Special Tasks Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks and the director of the Society Integration Foundation Nils Sakss point to the ambiguity and the varied interpretation possibilities of the norm which stipulates that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity. Independent experts from NGOs Ilze Brands Kehris and Irena Freimane are more critical and consider the new amendments a breach of earlier government promises of a 60-40% division between state and minority languages in secondary minority education. The Special Task Minister is planning to meet Saeima MPs and the officials of the Ministry of Education and Science to discuss this issue.

Yesterday approximately 1,000 – 2,000 students, their parents and representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools participated at an unapproved protest action near the Ministry of the Education and Science against the amendments to the Law on Education. Saeima MP and representative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools Jakov Pliner, as reported by

Yesterday approximately 1,000 – 2,000 students, their parents and representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools participated at an unapproved protest action near the Ministry of the Education and Science against the amendments to the Law on Education. Saeima MP and representative of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools Jakov Pliner, as reported by Latvijas Avize, stresses that this protest action was an initiative of Russian-language schools and denies the role of the Defenders of Russian-Language school as the main organizers of this protest action. According to Dienas reporter,the young people interviewed were protesting against the education reform as such and were not informed about the latest amendments to the law. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with Riga Vice-Mayor Sergey Dolgopolov, who believes that discussion about the 2004 education reform has reached a deadlock. According to the Vice-Mayor both sides – the supporters of the reform as well as its opponents - are not able to make concessions and therefore a compromise in this area is impossible.

The representative of Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry A. Jakovenko states that the decision of the Saeima on the amendments to the Law on Education shows that the Latvian legislation is in conflict with the general tendencies in European human rights, where extending the possibilities for minorities to use their mother tongue are allegedly the norm.

The representative of Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry A. Jakovenko states that the decision of the Saeima on the amendments to the Law on Education shows that the Latvian legislation is in conflict with the general tendencies in European human rights, where extending the possibilities for minorities to use their mother tongue are allegedly the norm. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russia State Council has rejected a proposal of the parliamentary group “Rodina” member Viktors Alksnis to invite the Russia Foreign Affairs minister Igor Ivanov to participate at the State Council’s session to discuss the observation of Russian-speakers human rights in Latvia.

Russia State Council has rejected a proposal of the parliamentary group Rodina member Viktors Alksnis to invite the Russia Foreign Affairs minister Igor Ivanov to participate at the State Councils session to discuss the observation of Russian-speakers human rights in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

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

• The Saeima adopts education law amendments restricting the use of Russian in minority secondary schools
• 1,500 people participate in demonstration against the amendments to the Law on Education
• Interview with the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igor Pimenov
• Director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs Atis Lejins on the relationship between Latvia and Russia and the draft report of European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter

Saeima has adopted the amendments to the Law on Education in the second reading, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity. The Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis claims that these amendments are not in conflict with the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and Russian language use in minority schools, accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last summer. Saeima MP Boris Tsilevitch (People’s Harmony Party) brings up the ambiguity regarding which subjects could be defined as relating to the maintenance of minority identity.

Saeima has adopted the amendments to the Law on Education in the second reading, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity. The Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis claims that these amendments are not in conflict with the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and Russian language use in minority schools, accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last summer. Saeima MP Boris Tsilevitch (Peoples Harmony Party) brings up the ambiguity regarding which subjects could be defined as relating to the maintenance of minority identity. Diena commentator Askolds Rodins reflects that the Saeima, by the substantial change of the education reforms provisions nine months before its implementation, is causing not only practical problems but also results in the distancing of the main objective of the reform - social integration. The commentator believes that reform will not be acceptable for a substantial part of society because the action of the state could be perceived as a breach of promise. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Veshernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday approximately 1, 500 people participated in a picket near the Saeima building, organized by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools against the amendments to the Law on Education. They asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the free choice of the language of instruction.

Yesterday approximately 1, 500 people participated in a picket near the Saeima building, organized by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools against the amendments to the Law on Education. They asked for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the free choice of the language of instruction. Chas and Telegraf informs that in order to protest against the amendments to the law a strike at some eight Riga secondary schools is planned for today. Diena, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya

Rigas Balss interviews the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igor Pimenov about the statements of the organization about the education reform and social integration. Igor Pimenov points to the necessity develop a third community, members of which would be able to speak both languages.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs Atis Lejins about the relationship between Latvia and Russia and the latest draft report prepared by the European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Atis Lejins states that until now Latvia has held an appropriate and stable position with regard to Russia, while Russias reluctance to sign the boarder agreement with Latvia shows the necessity to stay attentive to the position also in the future. Commenting the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union, Atis Lejins points to the political membership of the Elisabeth Schrodter (Germanys Green Party), stating that the report reflects only her political sympathies which are not favorable to Latvia.

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

• Saeima Legal Affairs Committee recommends to exclude the restrictions on standing for the European Parliament elections
• Proposed amendments to the Law on Education reduce proportion of minority language in secondary schools
• Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis on obstacles to the 2004 education reform
• European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy discusses the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union
• EP report includes call on Russia to ratify the boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has recommended to exclude 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 in the election law. According to the Head of the Committee Solvita Aboltina, after Latvia’s accession to the EU and NATO the candidacy of these persons for the EP elections can not be considered a security risk for Latvia as a democratic state.

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has recommended to exclude 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 in the election law. According to the Head of the Committee Solvita Aboltina, after Latvias accession to the EU and NATO the candidacy of these persons for the EP elections can not be considered a security risk for Latvia as a democratic state. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Today the amendments to the Law on Education, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity will be reviewed by the Saeima. Russian-language newspapers point out that most of the Saeima MPs are positive towards these amendments and predict a parliamentary majority supporting the amendments. Although this would entail a breech of the promise given by the government that secondary school minority education would allow for 40% of classes to be taught in the minority language, the Minister of Education’s party New Era parliamentary faction has supported the new amendments proposed by the parliamentary committee on education. MP and observer of Latvia to the European Parliament (EP) Boris Tsilevich reportedly informed

Today the amendments to the Law on Education, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity will be reviewed by the Saeima. Russian-language newspapers point out that most of the Saeima MPs are positive towards these amendments and predict a parliamentary majority supporting the amendments. Although this would entail a breech of the promise given by the government that secondary school minority education would allow for 40% of classes to be taught in the minority language, the Minister of Educations party New Era parliamentary faction has supported the new amendments proposed by the parliamentary committee on education. MP and observer of Latvia to the European Parliament (EP) Boris Tsilevich reportedly informed Vesti Segodnya that he hasprepared a letter calling on the officials of the EP to put pressure on the Saeima in order to ensure the safeguarding of the interests of minority students. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis about obstacles to the successful implementation of the 2004 education reform. The Minister points to the necessity of dialogue between the supporters and opponents of education reform in a unified information space and stresses that the actual situation shows that opponents to the reform use a different information space than supporters. Karlis Sadurskis also believes that positive discussion outcome is possible only after depoliticizing the issue.

Newspapers report on the discussion in the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy about the draft report prepared by the European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. The Head of the EP Committee Elmar Brok, reports

Newspapers report on the discussion in the European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy about the draft report prepared by the European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. The Head of the EP Committee Elmar Brok, reports Diena, has stressed that new member states should not have higher demands put on them than EU member states themselves are fulfilling. Telegraf reports that Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris admits that the problems pointed out by Elisabeth Schrodter really do exist but there is a question about the formulation and wording used in the report. Diena, Latvijas Avize

European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy, in a report about the relationship between Russia and the EU, calls on Russia to ratify the boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia immediately.

European Parliaments Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy, in a report about the relationship between Russia and the EU, calls on Russia to ratify the boarder agreements with Latvia and Estonia immediately. Diena