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

• Defenders of Russian-language schools plan to appeal to the EU member states governments
• Parliamentarian discussions of the European Parliament (EP) election law
• Students of the Riga Zolitude secondary school are forbidden to participate at the protest actions against the education reform
• EP Draft resolution condemns totalitarian communist regimes

During their congress in February or March defenders of Russian-language schools are planning to adopt an appeal to the EU member states’ governments and international organizations, asking to condemn the assimilating policy of the Latvian government in the area of minority education. Meanwhile, MP Vladimir Buzajev (FHRUL) informed that the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools is planning to organize the action “Empty Schools” on May 1, 2004, calling on minority students to boycott all lessons which are taught in Latvian.

During their congress in February or March defenders of Russian-language schools are planning to adopt an appeal to the EU member states governments and international organizations, asking to condemn the assimilating policy of the Latvian government in the area of minority education. Meanwhile, MP Vladimir Buzajev (FHRUL) informed that the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools is planning to organize the action Empty Schools on May 1, 2004, calling on minority students to boycott all lessons which are taught in Latvian. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Discussion of the planned review of the European Parliament (EP) election law continues, highlighting the divided attitude within the governing coalition to the prohibition to stand for the EP 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. The decision depends on the vote of New Era MPs, who disagree on the issue.

Discussion of the planned review of the European Parliament (EP) election law continues, highlighting the divided attitude within the governing coalition to the prohibition to stand for the EP 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. The decision depends on the vote of New Era MPs, who disagree on the issue. Latvijas Avize prints an article by the head of the New Era parliamentary group Krisjanis Karins about the matter. The newspaper publishes interview with the Head of the EPs Information Bureau in Latvia Philippe Kamaris. According to Mr Kamaris during the drafting of the EP election law the introduction of the prohibition is a matter of national legislation, but once the law is adopted it will be the competence of the European Commission to examine the observation of EU standards in the national legislation. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Vechernaya Riga writes about the prohibition for the students of the Riga Zolitude secondary school to participate in protest actions against the 2004 education. The school director Svetlana Slivenko holds that the children should not participate in the political games of the adults. The director says that non-attendance of school with the goal to participate in actions against the education reform will be considered unjustified absences.

The European Parliament (EP) European People’s Party and European Democrats parliamentary groups are preparing a resolution condemning totalitarian communism regimes. If the resolution is adopted, EP will recognize the equality of all victims of totalitarian regimes. The resolution will also require the establishment of a European research and documentation centre and the introduction of a special commemoration day for the victims of the totalitarian communist regimes.

The European Parliament (EP) European Peoples Party and European Democrats parliamentary groups are preparing a resolution condemning totalitarian communism regimes. If the resolution is adopted, EP will recognize the equality of all victims of totalitarian regimes. The resolution will also require the establishment of a European research and documentation centre and the introduction of a special commemoration day for the victims of the totalitarian communist regimes. Diena, Latvijas Avize

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

• Abolition of prohibition to stand for European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the SovietRepublic of Latvia less unlikely after parliamentary discussions
• Interview with Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks on education reform
• Comments on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to grant civil servants status to school directors
• Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools agreed call to participate in a demonstration against the education reform
• Planned meeting of the Latvian Ambassador to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter
• Criticism of extreme expressions bythe Head of the National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins
• US researchers view about reasons for low risk of armed revolt by Russian-speaking people in Latvia

The Saeima may decide to repeal a 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. The parliamentary groups of Latvia’s First Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia have expressed their support for this abolition. According to the Head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina (New Era), some representatives of that party may also favour this decision, thus making abolition more likely. 

The Saeima may decide to repeal a 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. The parliamentary groups of Latvias First Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia have expressed their support for this abolition. According to the Head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina (New Era), some representatives of that party may also favour this decision, thus making abolition more likely. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Diena features Saeima MPs and experts statements on the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to grant civil servants status to schools directors from September 1, 2004. The Minister Karlis Sadurskis claims that this proposal has nothing to do with citizenship, although only citizens may be civil servants and instead simply aims to improve the quality of education. The Head of Latvias First Party parliamentary group Oskars Kastens believes that this proposal is not the best instrument for the improvement of the schools directors performance. The Head of the Saeima parliamentary group of the Union of Greens and Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has expressed incomprehension about the number of reforms announced lately by the Minister of Education and Science. Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS researcherIndra Dedze believes that the hasty proposal indicates the Ministers desire to soon realize a couple of reforms in which he is not expecting sufficient support from the schools. Diena

Latvijas Avize features an interview withSpecial Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks about the 2004 minority education reform. Nils Muiznieks states that in his view there are three groups of education reform opponents in Latvia: those who are principled opponents to the reform and who will remain in opposition no matter what policies are suggested by the government; parents who are troubled about the fall of the quality of instruction at the Russian-language schools; and parents who are not informed about the real aims of the reform.

Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools has heeded the call of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools asking Russian-speaking people to participate at the picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004.

Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools has heeded the call of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools asking Russian-speaking people to participate at the picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas

The Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris is planning to meet the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter to discuss the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union.

The Ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris is planning to meet the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter to discuss the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya criticizes the statements made by the Head of National Broadcasting Council of Latvia Imants Rakins to the national-extremist newspaper DDD. Newspaper stresses that Imants Rakins expressed view that Latvias decolonisation process is just is unacceptable for a state official.

Researchers of University of Maryland believe that the risk of Russian-speaking people organising an armed revolt in Latvia today is insignificant and continues to decrease. They motivate this statement with the improvement of the political and economic situation, the lack of unity among Russian-speaking people and the strategy of the leaders of Russian political parties to choose the mechanism of political discussions.

Researchers of University of Maryland believe that the risk of Russian-speaking people organising an armed revolt in Latvia today is insignificant and continues to decrease. They motivate this statement with the improvement of the political and economic situation, the lack of unity among Russian-speaking people and the strategy of the leaders of Russian political parties to choose the mechanism of political discussions. Vechernaya Riga

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

• Interview with Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Gap in law obstructs the naturalization of non-citizens children
• Municipal voting rights recommended in the report of European Parliament on Immigration, integration and employment
• Newspapers report on Finnish article about the attempt of Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia through the EU
• Interview with activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools
• Draft report of the European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Special Task Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks about current events in the area of society integration and the future plans of the Special Task Ministers Secretariat. The Special Task Minister believes that it is not possible to grant voting rights at the municipal elections for non-citizens during the actual Saeimas term of office and calls on non-citizens to naturalize. Nils Muiznieks states that it is more necessary to motivate non-citizens to naturalize than to grant them additional political rights. The Minister also believes that the proportion of 40% subjects to be taught in minority language and 60% in Latvian must be established in the Law on Education.

Telegraf writes about the gap in the law, making difficult the registration of non-citizens children as citizens of Latvia. In a case described by the newspaper, the officials of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs have denied the application by a mother who just passed the exams of naturalization herself for the registration of her child as a citizen of Latvia, motivating their decision with stipulation that such an opportunity is available only for children, whose both parents are non-citizens. Special Task Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that there is no reason for the refusal to register this child as a citizen of Latvia.

Newspapersfeature articles about recommendations included in the report of European Parliament (EP) on “Immigration, integration and employment”. The EP recommends granting voting rights at municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents.

Newspapersfeature articles about recommendations included in the report of European Parliament (EP) on Immigration, integration and employment. The EP recommends granting voting rights at municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Newspapers report on an article in the Finnish newspaper “Helsingin Sanomat”, which points to the attempt by Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia in the area of minority rights observation using the EU as a mediator. According to the “Helsingin Sanomat”, the EU itself is in a difficult situation because it lacks sufficient mechanisms to pressure Russia into accepting that the framework aqgreement of cooperation between EU and Russia also apply to new member states.

Newspapersreport on an article in the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, which points to the attempt by Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia in the area of minority rights observation using the EU as a mediator. According to the Helsingin Sanomat, the EU itself is in a difficult situation because it lacks sufficient mechanisms to pressure Russia into accepting that the framework aqgreement of cooperation between EU and Russia also apply to new member states. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Chas features an interview with the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools Vadim Gailish about the planned protest actions of this organization against the 2004 education reform.

Telegraf prints the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union.

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

• Politicianson the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga on proposal to allow only citizens of Latvia to be school directors
• Protest against new education law amendments
• Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss about the participation of non-citizens at the municipal elections
• Establishment of a Russian language examination centre

Politicians comment on the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement) in an article published by

Politicians comment on the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement) in an article published by Latvijas Avize, regards this report as imprecise and tendentious, and reproaches Elisabeth Schrodter for not differentiating between the ethnic minorities and for placing Russians in a favourable position. Inese Vaidere also believes that the granting of voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections would not promote social integration but deform it. Chas features a full text of the draft report of Elisabeth Schrodter and statements of various MPs. Latvijas Avize, Chas

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga judges positively the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to reserve the right to occupy the position of school director exclusively for citizens and to grant them civil servants’ status. According to the President, education is important enough at the national level to justify such restrictions.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga judges positively the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to reserve the right to occupy the position of school director exclusively for citizens and to grant them civil servants status. According to the President, education is important enough at the national level to justify such restrictions. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Riga City Council has received an application from the deputy of the Riga City Council Genadij Kotov (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) asking for a permit to organize a picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. On this day, Saeima will examine 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. According to Mr Kotov, the proposed amendments are an attempt to abolish the progress achieved in the area of minority education policy.

Riga City Council has received an application from the deputy of the Riga City Council Genadij Kotov (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) asking for a permit to organize a picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. On this day, Saeima will examine 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. According to Mr Kotov, the proposed amendments are an attempt to abolish the progress achieved in the area of minority education policy. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss believes that the elections of  the municipal councils in 2005 will be the last municipal elections without the participation of non-citizens. According to the Vice-mayor, after accession to the European Union Latvia could not escape from adopting European standards in this field.

Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss believes that the elections of the municipal councils in 2005 will be the last municipal elections without the participation of non-citizens. According to the Vice-mayor, after accession to the European Union Latvia could not escape from adopting European standards in this field. Chas

A Russian language examination centre is established at the University of Latvia, offering the opportunity to pass the Russian language exam and to get a certificate, acknowledging Russian language skills.

A Russian language examination centre is established at the University of Latvia, offering the opportunity to pass the Russian language exam and to get a certificate, acknowledging Russian language skills. Latvijas Avize, Chas

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

• Discussion about amendments to the Law on Education, proposed by the Saeima Education and Science Committee
• Latvian and European Parliament MPs on the report about Latvias preparedness to join to the European Union
• About the granting of voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections
• Russia engages in court proceeding against Latvia by Russian ex-militarys family at the European Court for Human Rights
• Latvias First Party about proposal to grant civil servants status to school directors
• Interview with the Chairperson of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere
• Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-LanguageSchools and the statements by the Minister of Education and Science

Newspapers discuss amendments to the Law on Education, proposed by the Saeima Education and Science Committee, which stipulate that all instruction in minority secondary schools from the grade 10 must be provided in Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects and those which are related to the maintenance of minority identity.  Opposition politician Jakov Pliner (FHRUL) regards this amendment as deviation from the previously planned legislation changes, replacing the foreseen 40% subjects to be taught in minority language with only 10%.

Newspapers discuss amendments to the Law on Education, proposed by the Saeima Education and Science Committee, which stipulate that all instruction in minority secondary schools from the grade 10 must be provided in Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects and those which are related to the maintenance of minority identity. Opposition politician Jakov Pliner (FHRUL) regards this amendment as deviation from the previously planned legislation changes, replacing the foreseen 40% subjects to be taught in minority language with only 10%. Vesti Segodnya features the statements of school directors about this proposal. Diena, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features Latvian MPs and European Parliament MPs statements on the report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schroedter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. According to Rihards Piks, Latvian representative at the EU Convention, the biggest discontent was caused by the conclusions of Elisabeth Schroedter about the extent of corruption in Latvia and the education reform of 2004. Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with Elisabeth Schroedter.

Yesterday the Saeima rejected a proposal of the parliamentary faction FHRUL to grant voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections. Latvian observer to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevich believes that in the future pressure will increase from international institutions for the extension of non-citizens’ rights. According to the observer, the European Parliament has included a recommendation to grant  voting rights at the municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents in the report “Immigration, integration and employment.”

Yesterday the Saeima rejected a proposal of the parliamentary faction FHRUL to grant voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections. Latvian observer to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevich believes that in the future pressure will increase from international institutions for the extension of non-citizens rights. According to the observer, the European Parliament has included a recommendation to grant voting rights at the municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents in the report Immigration, integration and employment. Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russia has officially engaged in the court proceeding initiated by Russian ex-military Vikulov’s family against Latvia at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) about the violation of their human rights when expelled from Latvia. The Vikulov family members are citizens of Russia.

Russia has officially engaged in the court proceeding initiated by Russian ex-military Vikulovs family against Latvia at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) about the violation of their human rights when expelled from Latvia. The Vikulov family members are citizens of Russia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvia’s First Party is planning to meet the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis in order to discuss his proposal to grant civil servants’ status to schools directors from September 1, 2004. Latvia’s First Party, in comments by the head of the party’s parliamentary group Oskars Kastens, regards this proposal as premature.

Latvias First Party is planning to meet the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis in order to discuss his proposal to grant civil servants status to schools directors from September 1, 2004. Latvias First Party, in comments by the head of the partys parliamentary group Oskars Kastens, regards this proposal as premature. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf features an interview with the Head of Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement) about the education reform and the proposal to confer civil servants status on school directors.

Diena publishes commentary of Centres for Public Policy PROVIDUS researcherIndra Dedze on the response of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis to the recent vandalism act at the Ministry of Education and Science, when the Minister has blamed the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) for motivating minority representatives to join in destructive actions. The author believes that the Ministers statements deepen the gap between Latvians and Russians, and hinder the societal integration process. Russian-language newspapers print an official LASHOR response to the Ministers statements. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas