• Hunger strike against the education reform
• Minority NGOs demand the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations
• Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about a forthcoming Congress of the Russian Community
• Rigas Balss and Telegraf interview the advisor of the Minister of Education and Science Sergejs Ancupovs
• 980 naturalisation applicants participated in the Latvian language courses free of charge this year
• Eizenija Aldermane foresees that approximately 17,000 – 18,000 persons could be naturalised this year
• Newspapers report on a draft resolution about the necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact
• Pamphlet ‘The Role of Education, Dialogue and Participation in the Promotion of Societal Integration Process by the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks
• Leader of the New Age Aleksejs Ledajevs: strong bilingualism in Latvia is a common goal of the New Age and Latvias First Party

Today a hunger strike organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools has been launched. Newspapers feature statements of some Headquarters’ representatives about their motivation to participate in the hunger strike. One of the participants of the hunger strike, doctor Viktors Dergunovs, for instance, believes that the possibility to study in Russian increases competitiveness of Russian-speaking students. Viktors Dergunovs also believes that Latvians should share power with Russians, grant the Latvian citizenship to all inhabitants in Latvia and give Russian the status of the second state language. The advisor of the Minister of Education and Science Sergejs Ancupovs and the political scientist Marija Golubeva believe that the hunger strike is politicised and has almost no relation to education and its reform.

Today a hunger strike organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools has been launched. Newspapers feature statements of some Headquarters representatives about their motivation to participate in the hunger strike. One of the participants of the hunger strike, doctor Viktors Dergunovs, for instance, believes that the possibility to study in Russian increases competitiveness of Russian-speaking students. Viktors Dergunovs also believes that Latvians should share power with Russians, grant the Latvian citizenship to all inhabitants in Latvia and give Russian the status of the second state language. The advisor of the Minister of Education and Science Sergejs Ancupovs and the political scientist Marija Golubeva believe that the hunger strike is politicised and has almost no relation to education and its reform. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday a number of minority NGOs sent out an open letter, which calls to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. The letter was signed by members of nine NGOs, mainly representatives of the interests of the Russian minority, such as the Latvian Human Rights Committee, Russian Community in Latvia, Latvian Association of Russian Youth, association ‘Dvina’, Russian Community of Jelgava and others.

Yesterday a number of minority NGOs sent out an open letter, which calls to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. The letter was signed by members of nine NGOs, mainly representatives of the interests of the Russian minority, such as the Latvian Human Rights Committee, Russian Community in Latvia, Latvian Association of Russian Youth, association ‘Dvina, Russian Community of Jelgava and others. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features views of the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about a forthcoming Congress of the Russian Community. The Special Tasks Minister expresses concern regarding the goals set by the congress, such as, grant Russian the status of state language, introduce amendments to the Citizenship Law, as well as form the two community state in Latvia. Nils Muiznieks doubts that the Congress will be able to unify all Russians residing in Latvia. Although the representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools claim that they have collected 30,000 signatures for the support for the formation of the new organisation, the Special Tasks Minister, however, states that he has information that these signatures were collected with questionable methods.

Rigas Balss and Telegraf print interviews with the advisor of the Minister of Education and Science Sergejs Ancupovs about the implementation of the education reform and the protest actions against it. Sergejs Ancupovs believes that by adopting the Law on Minority Schools, the government would demonstrate that it does not support assimilation of national minorities. According to the advisor, the law would provide an opportunity to promote national cultures and transition from post-soviet schools to normal national schools. When asked to comment on possible consequences of the education reform, Sergejs Ancupovs states that the reform may influence grades of approximately 10% minority school students who already are not successful students.

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 980 naturalisation applicants participated in the Latvian language courses free of charge this year.

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 980 naturalisation applicants participated in the Latvian language courses free of charge this year. Telegraf

Chas prints an interview with the chairperson of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane, who foresees that approximately 17,000 – 18,000 persons will naturalise this year.

Newspapers write about a draft resolution, prepared by the member of the European Parliament Girts Valdis Kristovskis about the necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact. The representative of the European Nations Group Girts Valdis Kristovskis calls on the European Parliament not to permit Russia to exploit its compatriots, who are illegally situated in the former states of the USSR, as an instrument of political pressure.

Newspapers write about a draft resolution, prepared by the member of the European Parliament Girts Valdis Kristovskis about the necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact. The representative of the European Nations Group Girts Valdis Kristovskis calls on the European Parliament not to permit Russia to exploit its compatriots, who are illegally situated in the former states of the USSR, as an instrument of political pressure. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports on the study ‘The Role of Education, Dialogue and Participation in the Promotion of Societal Integration, edited by the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks. The Minister hesitates to call it ‘a serious academic work, however, he believes that it could be very useful study aid for teachers and students. The study compiles nine lectures presented by the Foreign Affairs Minister, historian Juris Ciganovs and representative of the Societal Integration Secretariat Denis Hanovs on citizenship, language and gender equality issues.

‘The common goal of the religious movement New Age

‘The common goal of the religious movement New Age and the Latvias First Party is to strengthen bilingualism in Latvia, stated the leader of the New Age Aleksejs Ledajevs in the interview with the national radical newspaper DDD. Latvias First Party denies any relation to the statement and points to the party programme, which states that the Latvian language is the only state language. Aleksejs Ledajevs in the interview with the daily newspaper Diena denies his own statement, explaining that a journalist of the DDD has rather freely interpreted his statement. Diena

• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis talks about the protest actions against the education reform
• Draft resolution on a necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact
• Latvijas Avize reports on the conference for Russian-speakers ‘Integration –Possibilities for Future
• Russia refuses to grant a political asylum to the leader of the national bolshevik organisation Pobeda (‘Victory) Vladimirs Lindermans

‘1 September will be a serious challenge for the national policy, as well as its direction towards the implementation of the Latvian language and societal integration,’ stated the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis after the meeting with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. At the same time the Prime Minister also stressed that the escalation of violence will not be permitted.

‘1 September will be a serious challenge for the national policy, as well as its direction towards the implementation of the Latvian language and societal integration, stated the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis after the meeting with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. At the same time the Prime Minister also stressed that the escalation of violence will not be permitted. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The member of the European Parliament (EP) Girts Valdis Kristovskis has prepared a draft resolution about the necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact. The goal of the draft document is to show that Germany and USSR divided Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Finland and Bessarabia between themselves; deprived these states sovereignty, their political and civil rights, and that consequences of the pact are still present today.  The Union for Europe of the Nations Group plans to appeal with the EP and will call to evaluate Molotov –Ribentroph pact.

The member of the European Parliament (EP) Girts Valdis Kristovskis has prepared a draft resolution about the necessity to evaluate the secret Molotov – Ribentroph pact. The goal of the draft document is to show that Germany and USSR divided Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Finland and Bessarabia between themselves; deprived these states sovereignty, their political and civil rights, and that consequences of the pact are still present today. The Union for Europe of the Nations Group plans to appeal with the EP and will call to evaluate Molotov –Ribentroph pact. Diena, Chas

Latvijas Avize reports on a conference for Russian-speakers ‘Integration –Possibilities for Future, organised by Vidzeme Development Agency in Seda (a town in the North-Eastern part of Latvia). During the conference the research ‘What Do I Know About the Europe? was presented. The research revealed that only 8% of Russian-speaking inhabitants of Vidzeme are well informed about Latvias accession in the EU and what new possibilities are available now.

Russia has refused to provide political asylum to the leader of the national Bolshevik organisation

Russia has refused to provide political asylum to the leader of the national Bolshevik organisation Pobeda (‘Victory) Vladimirs Lindermans. Therefore, he could be expelled from Russia to Latvia. Vladimirs Lindermans comments that the decision is in conflict with a decision issued by the Russia Prosecutor General Office which stipulated that he will not be expelled to Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis meets with minority schools directors
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga comments on the implementation of the education reform and possible conflicts during the protest actions
• State Security Police evaluate a possibility to initiate a criminal case for distributing warnings about possible ‘mass affray between Latvian and Russian students
• Head of For Human Rights in the United Latvia parliamentary group Jakovs Pliners about the education reform and possible ethnic conflicts
• Increase in the number of naturalisation applications
• Aleksandrs Kazakovs talks about goals of the Congress of the Russian Community
• Vesti Segodnya reports on the results of the research ‘Ethnic Tolerance and Societal Integrationin Latvia

‘Two languages of instruction in minority schools do not worsen the quality of education. That is already proved by good grades received by minority school students in centralised exams,’ stated directors of minority schools from Bauska, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga and Ventspils during the meeting with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. However, directors stressed that some measures should be continued or introduced, for instance, ensure Latvian language training for minority school teachers, form special classes for those students whose Latvian language proficiency is insufficient, and establish positions of methodologists of bilingual education in each minority school.

‘Two languages of instruction in minority schools do not worsen the quality of education. That is already proved by good grades received by minority school students in centralised exams, stated directors of minority schools from Bauska, Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga and Ventspils during the meeting with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. However, directors stressed that some measures should be continued or introduced, for instance, ensure Latvian language training for minority school teachers, form special classes for those students whose Latvian language proficiency is insufficient, and establish positions of methodologists of bilingual education in each minority school. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga met the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks and representatives of state security institutions. The officials discussed the readiness of minority schools to implement the education reform and possible conflicts which could take place during the protest actions on September 1. Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that warnings issued by opponents of the education reform about possible conflicts during the protest actions are ungrounded. According to the Chairman of the Sate Security Police Janis Reiniks, the State Police pay particular attention to the forthcoming protest actions. The Chairman is convinced that the Riga City Council should not authorise the protest meeting on 1 September, because Headquarters for the Defence of Russian –language Schools is not capable of ensuring public order.

Yesterday the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga met the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks and representatives of state security institutions. The officials discussed the readiness of minority schools to implement the education reform and possible conflicts which could take place during the protest actions on September 1. Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that warnings issued by opponents of the education reform about possible conflicts during the protest actions are ungrounded. According to the Chairman of the Sate Security Police Janis Reiniks, the State Police pay particular attention to the forthcoming protest actions. The Chairman is convinced that the Riga City Council should not authorise the protest meeting on 1 September, because Headquarters for the Defence of Russian –language Schools is not capable of ensuring public order. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vetsi Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

State Security Police evaluate a possibility to initiate a criminal case against the statement of the Executive Committee of the Congress of the Russian Community, which says that the rock concert organised by the Ministry of Education and Science on 1 September may cause ‘mass affray between Latvian and Russian students.’ When discussing whether the Riga City Council should authorise protest actions, members of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee regarded the statement as a call to ethnic conflict.

State Security Police evaluate a possibility to initiate a criminal case against the statement of the Executive Committee of the Congress of the Russian Community, which says that the rock concert organised by the Ministry of Education and Science on 1 September may cause ‘mass affray between Latvian and Russian students. When discussing whether the Riga City Council should authorise protest actions, members of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee regarded the statement as a call to ethnic conflict. Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss

Vesti Segodnya prints statements by the Head of parliamentary group of For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners about the necessity of the education reform and possible ethnic conflicts. Jakovs Pliners believes that if there are any ethnic conflicts after September 1, the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis should take the responsibility for that. According to Pliners, the Prime Minister should have either democratised the education reform, established a moratorium on it or developed a dialogue with a discussion group formed by the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools.

The Naturalisation Board has received 9501 naturalisation applications during the first six months of this year, while 6224 non-citizens are naturalised during this period.  The number of applications, received by the Board during the same period last year, was two times smaller – 4710.

The Naturalisation Board has received 9501 naturalisation applications during the first six months of this year, while 6224 non-citizens are naturalised during this period. The number of applications, received by the Board during the same period last year, was two times smaller – 4710. Telegraf

Vesti Segdonya features an opinion of the activist of the Executive Committee of the Congress of the Russian Community (CRC) Aleksandrs Kazakovs about goals of the Congress, which will take place on 11 September. According to Aleksandrs Kazakovs, the Congress supports the two-community society because it is Latvias reality. Aleksandrs Kazakovs hopes that about 980,000 people – ethnic Russians, Russian-speakers and Russian-speaking Latvians – will become members of the CRC.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the results of the research ‘Ethnic Tolerance and Societal Integrationin Latvia conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences.

• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis meets minority schools directors
• Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks authorises one of the protest actions against the education reform
• Member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka plans to form a the National Minority Group of the European Parliament
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins talks about the future relationship between Russia and Latvia

Today the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will meet directors of minority schools from Daugavpils, Bauska, Ventspils and Riga to discuss the implementation of the bilingual education and the readiness of minority schools for the new school year.

Today the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will meet directors of minority schools from Daugavpils, Bauska, Ventspils and Riga to discuss the implementation of the bilingual education and the readiness of minority schools for the new school year. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

The Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has authorised one of the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The continuous protest action will take place in the centre of Riga from 23 August till 3 September.

The Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has authorised one of the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The continuous protest action will take place in the centre of Riga from 23 August till 3 September. Rigas Balss, Chas

The member of the European Parliament (EP) from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka is planning to form the National Minority Group of the European Parliament. The goal of the new organisation will be topicalisation of issues concerning Latvian non-citizens at the European level.

The member of the European Parliament (EP) from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka is planning to form the National Minority Group of the European Parliament. The goal of the new organisation will be topicalisation of issues concerning Latvian non-citizens at the European level. Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf features an interview with the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about the future relationship between Russia and Latvia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that the dialogue with Russia should be directed to more practical issues, for example, signing a social agreement.

• Union’s For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) parliamentary grouphas developedamendments to the Law on Education stipulating the establishment of a moratorium on the education reform
• Riga City Council plans toissue a permission to organise the protest actions against the education reform
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga talks about a possibility of conflictbetween opponents to the education reform and the police
• Baltic Institute of Social Sciences presents the study ‘Ethnic Tolerance and Societal Integrationin Latvia’
• Baltic States plan to co-operate in the area of societal integration
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will meet directors of minority schools
• Member of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo talks about the African culture and integration of persons of African origin in the Latvian society

The Union’s For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) parliamentary group has developed amendments to the Law on Education. The amendments stipulate the establishment of a moratorium on the education reform and keeping the previous ratio betwee the languages of instruction. The FHRUL hopes that the Saeima will adopt the amendments in its extraordinary session on 26 August.

The Union’s For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) parliamentary group has developed amendments to the Law on Education. The amendments stipulate the establishment of a moratorium on the education reform and keeping the previous ratio betwee the languages of instruction. The FHRUL hopes that the Saeima will adopt the amendments in its extraordinary session on 26 August. Chas, Telegraf

After all the Riga City Council most likely will authorise the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence for Russian-language Schools. The State Security Police announced that they do not see that the protest actions could cause any threats of public disorder. However, the executive committee of the Congress of the Russian Community has issued a statement where they state that the rock concert organised by the Ministry of Education and Science on 1 September may cause ‘mass affray between Latvian and Russian students’ and call on Russian and Latvian musicians not to take part in it.

After all the Riga City Council most likely will authorise the protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarters for the Defence for Russian-language Schools. The State Security Police announced that they do not see that the protest actions couldcause anythreats of public disorder. However, the executive committee of the Congress of the Russian Community has issued a statement where they state that the rock concert organised by the Ministry of Education and Science on 1 September may cause ‘mass affray between Latvian and Russian students’ and call on Russian and Latvian musicians not totake part in it. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an interview with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga.the President is convinced that there isa number of political powers which want to see confrontation between participants of protest actions against the education reform and the police. The President, however, doubts whether confrontations are what parents want.

Newspapers report on the results of the research

Newspapers report on the results of the research ‘Ethnic Tolerance and Societal Integrationin Latvia’ conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences. One of the conclusions of the study is that Latvians do not feel as a majority, therefore they feel under threat, which results in intolerance towards other groups. At the same time the Russian-speaking part of society can not be considereda typical minority because they consitute a comparatively large part of society (37%).Besides the Russian language is self-sufficient in many areas of life, although the status of the Russian language has changed. The research also shows that 77% Latvians do not support Russian to be a second state language and76% Latvians support the implementation of the education reform. While 84% non-Latvians support granting the Russian language the status of the second state language and 68% non-Latviansdo not support the implementation of the education reform. Vesti Segodnya features a critical comment on the results of the research,which stressthat the study does not contain any valuable information about the racial and ethnic intolerance in Latvia and solutions to it. Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Estonian Minister for Population and Ethnic Affairs Paul-Eerik Rummo has revealed intentions of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to co-operate in the area of societal integration. The declaration about the co-operation will be signed in September or October this year.

The Estonian Minister for Population and Ethnic Affairs Paul-Eerik Rummo has revealed intentions of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania to co-operate in the area of societal integration. The declaration about the co-operation will be signed in September or October this year. Telegraf

Chas, referring to unofficial sources of information, reports that the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis will meet directors of minority schools on 19 August.

Rigas Balss prints an interview with the leader of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo about the African culture and integration of persons of African origin in the Latvian society. Christopher Ejugbo believes that in Latvia there are strong stereotypes about Africa and people of African origin.