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

• Prime minister on the recent protest actions against the education reform
• Dmitry Rogozin comments on the statements of Latvian officials
• New protest activities planned
• State Agency for Work with Diaspora can be created soon in Russia
• Janis Urbanovics about the goals of the education reform
• An article about the Russian-language portals in Latvia
• Conference about Latvias future at the Liepaja school
• Article of the extreme right-wing organization All for Latvia!

According to the prime-minister Indulis Emsis, the recent protest actions against the education reform will not change the government’s stance on this issue. He stresses the need for the continued dialog with the teachers, principles, students and their parents.

According to the prime-minister Indulis Emsis, the recent protest actions against the education reform will not change the governments stance on this issue. He stresses the need for the continued dialog with the teachers, principles, students and their parents. Vesti Segodnya

The Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin has commented on the statements of Latvian officials accusing Russia in the support of the protest activities against the education reform. Rogozin has denied the possibility that Russia, as any other foreign state, is able to organize manifestations with the participation of thousands of students. He believes that after 1 May the EU will make Latvia to observe minority rights.

The Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin has commented on the statements of Latvian officials accusing Russia in the support of the protest activities against the education reform. Rogozin has denied the possibility that Russia, as any other foreign state, is able to organize manifestations with the participation of thousands of students. He believes that after 1 May the EU will make Latvia to observe minority rights. Vesty Segodnya

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have decided to submit application to the Riga City Council for permit on organizing manifestation near the Freedom’s Monument on 1 May.

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have decided to submit application to the Riga City Council for permit on organizing manifestation near the Freedoms Monument on 1 May. Chas

The director of the Russian Institute of Union of Independent States Konstantin Zatulin has informed about the possible creation of the State Agency for Work with Diaspora. Judicial and political protection of the Russian-speaking population outside Russia is one of the possible functions of the agency.

The director of the Russian Institute of Union of Independent States Konstantin Zatulin has informed about the possible creation of the State Agency for Work with Diaspora. Judicial and political protection of the Russian-speaking population outside Russia is one of the possible functions of the agency. Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article of the chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics, who argues that the true objective of the education reform is political revenge of Latvian officials for the necessity to learn Russian during the period of Soviet occupation.

Diena prints an article about the Latvian Russian-language Internet portals, which display Russias flag and slogans like Russian Latvia, Russian Schools are our Stalingrad!, and who popularize views opposing the Latvian official national policies. Most of the websites are anonymous.

Latvijas Avize reports on the conference Latvian society in 10 years organized by Liepaja Secondary School No.8 and the Liepaja Centre for Social and National Integration. The optimistic prognoses have been made by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks, and by the head of the Integration Department of the Ministry on Education and Science Evija Papule. Evija Papule, for example, believes that in 10 years Europeans will study Latvias positive experience in the area of minority education reform.

Latvijas Avize features an article of the head of extreme right-wing organization All for Latvia! about pro-Russian political forces in Latvia, stressing the need for the victory of the nationalistic parties in the next Saeima elections.

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

• Protest activities on 15 and 16 April gathered less participants than was promised
• Courts decision in Aleksandrs Gilmanss case
• Latvian authorities accuse Russia of supporting protest actions against the education reform
• Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks doubts possibility of a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools
• Riga City Councils officials propose harsher penalties for organizers of the non-sanctioned mass events
• Situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states is being discussed at the negotiations between Russia and the EU
• An article about relations between the Headquarters and schools supporting the education reform
• Interview with Dzintra Hirsa, former director of the State Language Centre

Diena writes that around 2, 000 of students (4% of the total number of minority students) missed lessons on Tuesday in protest against the education reform, but on Friday – 10-20 students from each school, supporting the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-language Schools. According to the Russian language newspapers, on Friday 5,000-10,000 people participated in the protest activities. Diena reminds that the Headquarters leaders earlier promised to gather up to 50,000 participants. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

On Friday, hundreds of students (according to

On Friday, hundreds of students (according to Chas – 2,000 persons) gathered near the Court building where the case of the Riga City Councils deputy from FHRUL Aleksandrs Gilman was examined. Gilman was accused of the administrative violation of the rules of mass events organization (disturbing transport movement), while organizing protest actions against the education reform on 5 February. The court ruled to impose a fine of 80 lats, while Gilman is planning to appeal. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report on the statements of the Latvian authorities about the role of Russia in organizing protest activities against the education reform. During her visit to China, the President of Latvia has stated to the media agency

Newspapers report on the statements of the Latvian authorities about the role of Russia in organizing protest activities against the education reform. During her visit to China, the President of Latvia has stated to the media agency ITAR-TASS that these activities are mostly inspired by Moscows politicians. The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has stated to the Latvian radio that people trained in the organization of mass activities have come to Latvia from Russia. The head of Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks has accused Russia in supporting of the opponents of the education reform. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Latvijas Avize

The Special Task Minister on Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks doubts a possibility of establishing a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, as this is an unregistered organization. According to the minister, the dialog should be made with students and teachers since they are willing to discuss the issue. He believes that the government, society and media should provide all possible support to the schools supporting the education reform.

The Special Task Minister on Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks doubts a possibility of establishing a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, as this is an unregistered organization. According to the minister, the dialog should be made with students and teachers since they are willing to discuss the issue. He believes that the government, society and media should provide all possible support to the schools supporting the education reform. Latvijas Avize

Representatives of the Riga City Council have proposed amendments to the Criminal Law and the Code of Administrative Violations, which stipulate harsher penalties for repeated organization of  the non-sanctioned mass events. Regarding the Criminal Law, proposals stipulate an increase of the maximum term of imprisonment from 6 to 10 years. In its turn, Code of Administrative Violations, if amended, would stipulate fine up to 10 000 lats. According to the head of the Riga City Council’s Security and Order Committee , the police is deciding on whether to persecute the organizers of the protest events last Thursday. The official is also planning to ask the Department on Education, Youth and sports to deprive teachers, who have participated in the protest activities, of annual Riga City Council’s extra payments to the teachers.

Representatives of the Riga City Council have proposed amendments to the Criminal Law and the Code of Administrative Violations, which stipulate harsher penalties for repeated organization of the non-sanctioned mass events. Regarding the Criminal Law, proposals stipulate an increase of the maximum term of imprisonment from 6 to 10 years. In its turn, Code of Administrative Violations, if amended, would stipulate fine up to 10 000 lats. According to the head of the Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee , the police is deciding on whether to persecute the organizers of the protest events last Thursday. The official is also planning to ask the Department on Education, Youth and sports to deprive teachers, who have participated in the protest activities, of annual Riga City Councils extra payments to the teachers. Latvijas Avize, Chas

The situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States is being discussed between EU and Russia for possible inclusion into the mutual agreement, which Russia has requested as a condition for signing the supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it to all new EU member states. According to the representatives of the European Commission, this request of Russia is ungrounded since the Baltic States have fulfilled all political criteria of the EU.

The situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States is being discussed between EU and Russia for possible inclusion into the mutual agreement, which Russia has requested as a condition for signing the supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it to all new EU member states. According to the representatives of the European Commission, this request of Russia is ungrounded since the Baltic States have fulfilled all political criteria of the EU. Diena, Chas

Diena prints an article by Aleksandrs Sabanovs, who refers to the information provided by the directors of the Russian-language schools supporting the education reform. The directors report the cases when they had been strictly criticized for supporting the education reform by the Russian-language press. Some directors also report on the cases when representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have threatened the school administration for not supporting the Headquarters activities and supporting the education reform.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with Dzintra Hirsa, the former director of the State Language Centre. Dzintra Hirsa is concerned about preservation of the Latvian language under the conditions of growing English languages use.

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

• About protest actions against the education reform
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis asks law enforcement organizations to investigate threats received by teachers, parents and students
• Chairman of the Security Police Janis Reiniks: Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools are not capable of controlling the situation
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga calls on Russia to sign a boarder agreement with Latvia
• Suggestion to deprive teachers, who participated in the protest actions against the education reform, of their additional payments
• More articles on the call of the European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles on Sweden to influence Latvian integration policy more actively

According to the police information, approximately 5,000 students and their parents participated in the protest actions against the education reform yesterday in Riga. Approximately 1,000 minority students participated in the protest actions in Daugavpils, and several hundreds in Liepaja. During the protest action the MPs from the For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Jakovs Pliners and Vladimirs Buzajevs submitted a letter to the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, requiring to establish a moratorium on the education reform and to begin a constructive dialogue with the representatives, nominated by the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools. According to the minister, both MPs refused his invitation to discuss the issue of education reform already yesterday, stating that their goal was only to deliver a letter.

According to the police information, approximately 5,000 students and their parents participated in the protest actions against the education reform yesterday in Riga. Approximately 1,000 minority students participated in the protest actions in Daugavpils, and several hundreds in Liepaja. During the protest action the MPs from the For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Jakovs Pliners and Vladimirs Buzajevs submitted a letter to the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, requiring to establish a moratorium on the education reform and to begin a constructive dialogue with the representatives, nominated by the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools. According to the minister, both MPs refused his invitation to discuss the issue of education reform already yesterday, stating that their goal was only to deliver a letter. Rigas Balss informs that Juris Radzevics is not planning to cancel the education reform, but suggests to take extra measures in its implementation, like, for example, dividing minority classes into smaller groups so that lessons in the Latvian language are better understood by the students. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has made an official statement, asking the law enforcement institutions to investigate information, provided by the teachers, children and parents about threats received from the ‘unfriendly towards Latvia forces’, who are trying to ensure their participation in the protest actions against the education reform. According to the Prime Minister, his Cabinet of Ministers will not give in to the pressure.

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has made an official statement, asking the law enforcement institutions to investigate information, provided by the teachers, children and parents about threats received from the ‘unfriendly towards Latvia forces, who are trying to ensure their participation in the protest actions against the education reform. According to the Prime Minister, his Cabinet of Ministers will not give in to the pressure. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chairman of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believes that the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools are not capable any more to control the situation, and that level of aggressiveness during the protest actions, organized by the Headquarters, is increasing. Four administrative protocols have been filed against the representatives of FHRUL for the unapproved protest actions’ organization.  Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics is planning to discuss a possible review of the legislation in order to prevent ‘organized lesson-skipping’ in the future.

Chairman of the Security Police Janis Reiniks believes that the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools are not capable any more to control the situation, and that level of aggressiveness during the protest actions, organized by the Headquarters, is increasing. Four administrative protocols have been filed against the representatives of FHRUL for the unapproved protest actions organization. Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics is planning to discuss a possible review of the legislation in order to prevent ‘organized lesson-skipping in the future. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has called on Russia to sign a boarder agreement with Latvia, at the same time stressing that pressure from Russia’s side on Latvia has increased recently due to Latvia’s close accession to the EU.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has called on Russia to sign a boarder agreement with Latvia, at the same time stressing that pressure from Russias side on Latvia has increased recently due to Latvias close accession to the EU. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Riga City Council’s Security and Order Committee has suggested to deprive teachers, who failed to show up at schools due to the participation in the protest actions against the education reform, of their additional payments.

Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee has suggested to deprive teachers, who failed to show up at schools due to the participation in the protest actions against the education reform, of their additional payments. Diena

There are more articles in the newspapers about the call of the European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles on Sweden, as a big authority for the Baltic countries, to influence Latvian integration policy more actively, in order to help solving the problem of non-citizens.

There are more articles in the newspapers about the call of the European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Gil-Robles on Sweden, as a big authority for the Baltic countries, to influence Latvian integration policy more actively, in order to help solving the problem of non-citizens. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

• Students strike against the education reform takes place today
• Appeal of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to the minority students parents
• European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Hill-Robles calls on Sweden to influence the Latvian integration policy more actively
• Response of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• Directors of nine Latvian- and Russian-language Riga schools condemn activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools
• Directors of Liepaja minority schools receive anonymous letters
• Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has repeatedly refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform
• Russia submitted a memorandum to the European Commission, agreeing to sign a supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union
• Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics discusses the education reform with the mayors of Latvias biggest towns
• Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs on the future of the Russian community in Latvia
• Tatjana Zdanoka explains her political position, publicly answering a letter which blames her for destabilizing situation in the country
• Information day in the Naturalization Boards Centre of Methodology and Examination

Newspapers print articles about the students’ strike against the education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools taking place today.

Newspapers print articles about the students strike against the education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools taking place today. Diena writes about the planned protest actions against education reform in Daugavpils. The Education board of Daugavpils has issued an instruction, demanding a letter from parents of the students who want to participate in the protest actions, in which they consent to bear responsibility for the conduct of their children. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis is asking parents of the minority students to consider issue of their children’s security before allowing them to participate in the strike against the education reform.

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis is asking parents of the minority students to consider issue of their childrens security before allowing them to participate in the strike against the education reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize

European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Hill-Robles has called on Sweden, as a big authority for the Baltic countries, to influence Latvian integration policy more actively, in order to help solving the problem of non-citizens. According to the commissioner, such a big number of people restricted from participation in the political life, creates a dangerous precedent in Europe. He believes it is necessary to grant automatic citizenship to the newborn children, and to allow non-citizens to vote at the municipal elections. Latvia should put more trust into its own residents, says Alvaro Hill-Robles.

European Council Human Rights Commissioner Alvaro Hill-Robles has called on Sweden, as a big authority for the Baltic countries, to influence Latvian integration policy more actively, in order to help solving the problem of non-citizens. According to the commissioner, such a big number of people restricted from participation in the political life, creates a dangerous precedent in Europe. He believes it is necessary to grant automatic citizenship to the newborn children, and to allow non-citizens to vote at the municipal elections. Latvia should put more trust into its own residents, says Alvaro Hill-Robles. Diena

Vesti Segodnya publishes response of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to the invitation to meet representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools. Prime minister regards such meeting as useful, especially taking into consideration that a working group under the guidance of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics was established for development a constructive dialogue with minority students, parents and organizations representing them. FHRUL has also invited the prime minister to participate at the ceremony, during which opponents of the education reform are planning to submit a petition expressing a negative attitude towards the reform.

Directors of nine Latvian and Russian language Riga schools have appealed to the society, calling to ignore the protest actions against the education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools. Directors call the protest actions ‘immoral’, and express indignation about attempts of the Headquarters to involve teachers in those.

Directors of nine Latvian and Russian language Riga schools have appealed to the society, calling to ignore the protest actions against the education reform, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools. Directors call the protest actions ‘immoral, and express indignation about attempts of the Headquarters to involve teachers in those. Diena points to the lack of informative activities for parents, promised by the Minister of Education and Science. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Directors of Liepaja minority schools have received copies of the unsigned letter with the logotype of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools. The letter requests directors not to create obstacles for the students who want to express their attitude against the education reform, and not to restrict their freedom of participation in the protest actions.

Directors of Liepaja minority schools have received copies of the unsigned letter with the logotype of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools. The letter requests directors not to create obstacles for the students who want to express their attitude against the education reform, and not to restrict their freedom of participation in the protest actions. Telegraf

Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks repeatedly refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform, planned on 16 April by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools. According to the activist of the Headquarters Gennadijs Kotovs, application to the Riga City Council, asking for permission to organize this protest meeting, will be resubmitted again today.

Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks repeatedly refused to authorize a protest meeting against the education reform, planned on 16 April by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools. According to the activist of the Headquarters Gennadijs Kotovs, application to the Riga City Council, asking for permission to organize this protest meeting, will be resubmitted again today. Chas

According to the information possessed by

According to the information possessed by Diena, Russia has submitted a memorandum to the European Commission, confirming its resolution to sign a supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, therefore applying it to all new EU member states. Russia will sign the protocol on condition that the EU undertakes to satisfy Russias requirements, including revision of the Russian-speakers status in the Baltic States. Russian Information Agency Novosti quotes the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov saying that all new member states of EU should acknowledge that they will fulfill requirements of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics and the mayors of the Latvian biggest towns in order to discuss implementation of the education reform. According to the mayors, the greatest part of minority schools in Ventspils, Daugavpils, Rezekne, Valmiera, Jelgava and Jurmala are prepared for the reform’s implementation. Juris Radzevics acknowledged that the state will be forced to apply appropriate sanctions if violations of law take place during the protest actions.

Newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics and the mayors of the Latvian biggest towns in order to discuss implementation of the education reform. According to the mayors, the greatest part of minority schools in Ventspils, Daugavpils, Rezekne, Valmiera, Jelgava and Jurmala are prepared for the reforms implementation. Juris Radzevics acknowledged that the state will be forced to apply appropriate sanctions if violations of law take place during the protest actions. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Vesty segodnya publishes article by the FHRUL MP Jakovs Pliners and Dr. ped. Valerijs Buhvalovs about the future of the Russian community in Latvia. Using a Russian-language school in Kalnciems as an example, authors claim that state integration program has put Russian-language schools on the verge of extinction – schools do not have enough pupils, and soon will encounter a shortage of teachers. According to Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs, defending schools from the ‘forceful Latvianization is not enough to preserve ethnic identity and Russian culture. They believe a new law on ‘ethnic-cultural autonomy is necessary, which would stipulate, among other conditions, education from pre-school to university available in the Russian language with the intensified studies of Latvian; official status of the Russian language in the areas inhabited by the Russian minority in substantial numbers; and creation of the Advisory Council of the Russian communities at the Saeima, which would evaluate the draft laws concerning the Russian minority.

Vesty Segodnya publishes a response of the leader of the Equality party Tatjana Zdanoka to the letter, which blames her for destabilizing political situation in the country and endangering school children, sending them out to the streets to protest against the country they live in, and against the President of Latvia. Author of the letter is a Russian woman, who had married a politically repressed Latvian during his exile in Siberia, and later repatriated together with her husband. Tatjana Zdanoka defends her position, saying that children do not protest against their native country, they simply demand respect towards themselves and their parents, the right to study in their native tongue, and the right to the best possible way of Latvian language acquisition.

Rigas Balss writes about the information day in the Naturalization Boards Centre of Methodology and Examination.

• Planned protest actions against the education reform
• Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Councils Education, Youth Affairs and Sports department Guntis Helmanis calls not to participate in the protest actions
• Interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Rihards Piks
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga will not have an adviser on nationalities issues in the nearest future
• Appeal to the teachers to support establishment of moratorium on the education reform
• FHRUL worries about Russian-speakers not being informed about the EP election process

Newspapers write about the oncoming protest actions against the education reform. For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) has resubmitted an application to the Riga City Council, asking for permission to organize a protest meeting on 16 April. Yesterday Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools already organized an action, during which leaflets calling minority students to participate in the strike and other protest actions against the education reform were distributed.

Newspapers write about the oncoming protest actions against the education reform. For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) has resubmitted an application to the Riga City Council, asking for permission to organize a protest meeting on 16 April. Yesterday Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools already organized an action, during which leaflets calling minority students to participate in the strike and other protest actions against the education reform were distributed. Chas prints an article by the Saeima MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) about the goals of the protest actions, organized by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council’s Education, Youth Affairs and Sports department Guntis Helmanis has made an appeal to minority schools teachers and students’ parents, calling them to evaluate carefully possible participation of students in the protest actions against the education reform. Guntis Helmanis stresses that the municipality security units cannot ensure safety of the children during the actions. The chairman also points to the fact that participation in the protest actions impedes  students’ preparation to the end of the school year’s tests, and may influence their performance negatively.

Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Councils Education, Youth Affairs and Sports department Guntis Helmanis has made an appeal to minority schools teachers and students parents, calling them to evaluate carefully possible participation of students in the protest actions against the education reform. Guntis Helmanis stresses that the municipality security units cannot ensure safety of the children during the actions. The chairman also points to the fact that participation in the protest actions impedes students preparation to the end of the school years tests, and may influence their performance negatively. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Rihards Piks, who believes that political relationship between Russia and Latvia will not improver immediately. According to the minister, Russia needs time to get used to the new status of Latvia after its accession to the NATO and the EU.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga will not have an adviser on nationalities’ issues in the nearest future. According to the Head of the Chancery of the President Martins Bondars, the president already has a non-staff adviser on society integration issues, and there is a Special Task Minister for Society Integration, therefore there is no immediate need for another adviser, although this position may be renewed in the future. Previous president’s adviser on nationalities’ issues Olgerts Tipans left his post at the President’s Chancery at the end of last year.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga will not have an adviser on nationalities issues in the nearest future. According to the Head of the Chanceryof the President Martins Bondars, the president already has a non-staff adviser on society integration issues, and there is a Special Task Minister for Society Integration, therefore there is no immediate need for another adviser, although this position may be renewed in the future. Previous presidents adviser on nationalities issues Olgerts Tipans left his post at the Presidents Chancery at the end of last year. Latvijas Avize

Chas features a statement of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools and Russian-language school teachers society, calling all schools in Latvia to support the request of the Riga Secondary School Nr. 40 teachers to establish a moratorium on the education reform.

Newspapers write about appeal of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia to inform about possible violations in the process of the European parliament election.

Newspapers write about appeal of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia to inform about possible violations in the process of the European parliament election. Latvijas Avize journalist Aija Calite criticizes statements of the FHRULs leader Tatjana Zdanoka that Russian-speakers are not informed about the EP election because information campaign takes place only in Latvian. Journalist points to the fact that only citizens can participate at the EP election, and that each naturalization applicant must pass a Latvian language exam. Aija Calite believes that the true goal of these statements is to challenge, and possibly to annul the elections results in case they are unfavorable for FHRUL. Representative of the union Miroslavs Mitrofanovs states that FHRUL will request to set a new date for election, if there is a large amount of complaints on lack of information from voters. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize