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

• Latvian government requests European Court for Human Rights to dismiss the case of Tatjana Zdanoka on lustration law
• Minister of Education opposes the formation of a Minority Education Department within the Ministry of Education and Science
• Peoples Harmony party requests the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the amendments to the law defining the status of non-citizens
• Interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Rihards Piks
• Planned protest actions against the education reform
• Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics discusses the education reform with the ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Studennikov
• Interview with writer Marina Kostenecka on education reform

Latvian government has requested European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) to dismiss the case of Tatjana Zdanoka, because the recently adopted Latvian European Parliament election law grants the rights to stand for 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. Tatjana Zdanoka has applied to the ECHR,  claiming that her voting rights and freedom of speech and association have been violated, when she was deprived of the Riga City Council’s deputy mandate and prohibited to stand as a candidate for Saeima elections on 1997, because of her membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991.

Latvian government has requested European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) to dismiss the case of Tatjana Zdanoka, because the recently adopted Latvian European Parliament election law grants the rights to stand for 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. Tatjana Zdanoka has applied to the ECHR, claiming that her voting rights and freedom of speech and association have been violated, when she was deprived of the Riga City Councils deputy mandate and prohibited to stand as a candidate for Saeima elections on 1997, because of her membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics regards the formation of a Minority Education Department within the Ministry, suggested by the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, as unnecessary, arguing that these issues are already dealt with by the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration, the  Integration Unit within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education’s Advisory Council.

Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics regards the formation of a Minority Education Department within the Ministry, suggested by the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, as unnecessary, arguing that these issues are already dealt with by the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration, the Integration Unit within the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Educations Advisory Council. Diena, Latvijas Avize

The MPs of the Saeima People’s Harmony party parliamentary group have sent a letter to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, requesting not to announce the amendments to the law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”, which foresee that persons who have obtained a residence permit in another country can be deprived of the non-citizen status of Latvia.

The MPs of the Saeima Peoples Harmony party parliamentary group have sent a letter to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, requesting not to announce the amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State, which foresee that persons who have obtained a residence permit in another country can be deprived of the non-citizen status of Latvia. Diena

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Rihards Piks about society integration and relations between Latvia and Russia. The minister points to the greater necessity of protecting the Latvian language, compared to the Russian language, which is spoken by 140 million people all around the world. The Minister also believes that Russia uses Latvia as an instrument in its dialogue with NATO and the EU.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian language schools are planning new protest actions against the educations reform – the general strike of minority students on 15 and 16 April and manifestation on 1 May, when Latvia will be joining the EU.  Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has expressed his regret that the representatives of the Headquarters have not contacted him to start the dialogue yet, and is considering the possibility to initiate a meeting with the leader of the Headquarters Jurijs Petropavlovskis in order to discuss the issue of education reform.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian language schools are planning new protest actions against the educations reform – the general strike of minority students on 15 and 16 April and manifestation on 1 May, when Latvia will be joining the EU. Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has expressed his regret that the representatives of the Headquarters have not contacted him to start the dialogue yet, and is considering the possibility to initiate a meeting with the leader of the Headquarters Jurijs Petropavlovskis in order to discuss the issue of education reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has discussed the issue of education reform with the ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The minister has stated that a moratorium on the education reform is not possible.

Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has discussed the issue of education reform with the ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The minister has stated that a moratorium on the education reform is not possible. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the well-known journalist and writer Marina Kostenecka, who points to several mistakes in the area of implementation of the education reform. The writer believes that one of the biggest problems is the scarcity of teachers ready to teach in Latvian, stressing that the successful implementation of the reform is possible only if the new teachers capable to teach in Latvian are prepared. According to Marina Kostenecka, it is necessary to evaluate the possibilities of each minority school to implement the education reform, but not to withdraw the reform itself, because then the further requirements for Russian as the second state language and for granting citizenship automatically will emerge.

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

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus: OSCE fully supports one state language in Latvia
• Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre requests the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer to explain nomination of the two rapporteurs to evaluate minority situation in Latvia
• Prime Minister requests to form a work group for development of the dialogue about the education reform
• Saeima adopts amendments to the law On meetings, walks and pickets
• Saeima rejects proposed amendments to the European Parliament election law
• Amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Foreign Affairs Ministry of Latvia reproaches Russia about distortion of the historical facts
• Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks visits the UN Human Rights Committee session
• Planned general strike of minority students on 15 and 16 April
• Defenders of the Russian-language schools present lemons with the inscription ‘Experience taste of the reform to all Saeima MPs of the right-wing parties
• Interview with the deputy editor-in-chief of Neatkariga Rita Avize Sandris Tocs about the education reform

During his visit to Estonia, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus has stated that the OSCE fully supports existence of one state language in Latvia. OSCE also does not allow for the possibility of renewal of OSCE missions in Latvia and Estonia.

During his visit to Estonia, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus has stated that the OSCE fully supports existence of one state language in Latvia. OSCE also does not allow for the possibility of renewal of OSCE missions in Latvia and Estonia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre has sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer, requesting to explain the decision of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s Monitoring Committee to nominate two rapporteurs to evaluate minority situation in Latvia and implementation of the education reform. The positive rapport of the head of Monitoring Committee Josette Durrieu, who does not supports the renewal of monitoring procedure, was not taken into account when making this decision.

Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre has sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer, requesting to explain the decision of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assemblys Monitoring Committee to nominate two rapporteurs to evaluate minority situation in Latvia and implementation of the education reform. The positive rapport of the head of Monitoring Committee Josette Durrieu, who does not supports the renewal of monitoring procedure, was not taken into account when making this decision. Latvijas Avize

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has asked the Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics to form a work group for developing a dialogue with the non-governmental organizations about implementation of the education reform. The Prime Minister has also suggested to evaluate the possibility of establishing a Minority Education Department within the Ministry.

Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has asked the Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics to form a work group for developing a dialogue with the non-governmental organizations about implementation of the education reform. The Prime Minister has also suggested to evaluate the possibility of establishing a Minority Education Department within the Ministry. Diena, Telegraf

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law “On meetings, walks and pickets” in the last reading, stipulating that outdoor meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates with their electorate, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks, must be coordinated with the municipality. Amendments were supported by 70 deputies from coalition parties, the New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. Municipality’s decision can be appealed in court. If children are participating in the meeting, the organizers should ensure protection of the children’s rights in accordance with the law ‘Protection of the Rights of the Child’.  

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law On meetings, walks and pickets in the last reading, stipulating that outdoor meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates with their electorate, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks, must be coordinated with the municipality. Amendments were supported by 70 deputies from coalition parties, the New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. Municipalitys decision can be appealed in court. If children are participating in the meeting, the organizers should ensure protection of the childrens rights in accordance with the law ‘Protection of the Rights of the Child. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Neatkariga Rita Avize, LAtvijas Avize, Chas

Yesterday Saeima rejected amendments to the European Parliament election law, which stipulated prohibition to stand for 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.

Yesterday Saeima rejected amendments to the European Parliament election law, which stipulated prohibition to stand for 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. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”, stipulating that people who have obtained a residence permit in another country can be deprived of the non-citizen status in Latvia. The MPs from Saeima left-wing parties have asked the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to announce these amendments, naming them as discriminatory.

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State, stipulating that people who have obtained a residence permit in another country can be deprived of the non-citizen status in Latvia. The MPs from Saeima left-wing parties have asked the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to announce these amendments, naming them as discriminatory. Chas, Telegraf

Representative of the Russia embassy to Latvia was summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Latvia to be informed of the Latvia’s attitude towards the statement expressed by Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry after the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, which called it the rehabilitation of persons, convicted by the Nuremberg tribunal. Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has pointed that historical facts have been deliberately distorted, including the verdicts of the Nuremberg tribunal, which were cited selectively. Ministry’s representatives have also pointed to the fact that Russia has not evaluated its own history and has not acknowledged the occupation of Latvia.

Representative of the Russia embassy to Latvia was summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Latvia to be informed of the Latvias attitude towards the statement expressed by Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry after the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, which called it the rehabilitation of persons, convicted by the Nuremberg tribunal. Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry has pointed that historical facts have been deliberately distorted, including the verdicts of the Nuremberg tribunal, which were cited selectively. Ministrys representatives have also pointed to the fact that Russia has not evaluated its own history and has not acknowledged the occupation of Latvia. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Vesti Segodnya writes about the visit of the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks to the UN Human Rights Committee session. The Minister has stated that the education reform in Latvia complies with the international human rights standards.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools is planning to organize the general strike of minority students on 15 and 16 April.

Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools is planning to organize the general strike of minority students on 15 and 16 April. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools presented lemons with the inscription ‘Experience taste of the reform’ to all MPs of Saeima right-wing parties, as a protest action.

Yesterday representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools presented lemons with the inscription ‘Experience taste of the reform to all MPs of Saeima right-wing parties, as a protest action. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Chas features an interview with the deputy editor-in-chief of the Latvian newspaper Neatkariga Rita Avize Sandris Tocs, who believes that moratorium on education reform is the only possible way to reduce strain in the society.

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

• State Security Police about extremist organizations in Latvia
• Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Jurij Fedotov points to the violation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia
• Saeima New Era parliamentary group does not support amendments to the European Parliament elections law
• 12 minority schools will not be ready for transition to the Latvian language of instruction by 1 September
• Chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens V. Sokolovs about society integration
• Interview with the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Leader of Latvia Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks visits European Parliament
• Commentary about the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools

State Security Police believes that the number of extremist organizations could increase after Latvia’s accession to the EU. According to the chairman of the Security Police Janis Reiniks, the organizations of right extremists as well as organizations of left extremists have achieved a new quality, for example, by involving children in their activities.

State Security Police believes that the number of extremist organizations could increase after Latvias accession to the EU. According to the chairman of the Security Police Janis Reiniks, the organizations of right extremists as well as organizations of left extremists have achieved a new quality, for example, by involving children in their activities. Diena

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Jurij Fedotov has pointed to the violation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia during the UN Human Rights Committee session. According to the Minister, the main problem areas are the conservation of the non-citizens’ problem, which indicates a long-term deficit of democracy, and the implementation of the education reform in Latvia. Jurij Fedotov believes that although it is necessary to know the Latvian language, ‘there must be also a possibility to get education of full value in mother tongue’. Today the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks will report on the achievements in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Jurij Fedotov has pointed to the violation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia during the UN Human Rights Committee session. According to the Minister, the main problem areas are the conservation of the non-citizens problem, which indicates a long-term deficit of democracy, and the implementation of the education reform in Latvia. Jurij Fedotov believes that although it is necessary to know the Latvian language, ‘there must be also a possibility to get education of full value in mother tongue. Today the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks will report on the achievements in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia. Telegraf, Chas

Saeima’s parliamentary group the New Era is not planning to support the proposal of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM parliamentary group to make amendments to the European Parliament election law, prohibiting to stand for 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. Hence the amendments to the European Parliament law most likely will not be possible.

Saeimas parliamentary group the New Era is not planning to support the proposal of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM parliamentary group to make amendments to the European Parliament election law, prohibiting to stand for 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. Hence the amendments to the European Parliament law most likely will not be possible. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Head of the Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Guntis Vasilevskis has stated that 12 minority schools will not be ready for transition to Latvian as language of instruction by 1 September, and 16 minority schools have recognized some difficulties.

Head of the Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Guntis Vasilevskis has stated that 12 minority schools will not be ready for transition to Latvian as language of instruction by 1 September, and 16 minority schools have recognized some difficulties. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers print article by the chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens V.Sokolovs about society integration. According to Sokolovs, the integrated society is possible only after granting the citizenship to all children, born since the 1991, automatically without parents’ application, and granting the citizenship by registration to those who have got education in Latvia since restoration of the state independence, regardless of the instruction language.

Newspapers print article by the chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens V.Sokolovs about society integration. According to Sokolovs, the integrated society is possible only after granting the citizenship to all children, born since the 1991, automatically without parents application, and granting the citizenship by registration to those who have got education in Latvia since restoration of the state independence, regardless of the instruction language. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Rigas Balss features an interview with the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about society integration and implementation of the education reform. According to the minister, the main causes of the confrontation in the area of education reform are changes in status of Russians and Russian language in Latvia, fears of Russian teachers for their jobs, and the battle for electorate between the left political forces.

Vesti Segodnya writes about the visit of the leader of Latvia Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks to the European Parliament (EP), in order to discuss the issue of observation of minorities rights in Latvia. According to the observer from Latvia to the EP Martijans Bekasovs, during the meetings with Alfreds Rubiks the MPs of the EP have stated that any attempts to change the EP election law will cause very negative attitude from Brussels.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article by commentator Viktors Avotins about the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools, different opinions, expressed by participants during the Congress, and attempts of the FHRUL to use the Congress for its own purely political purposes.

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

• Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion passes without incidents
• For Human Rights in the United Latviaplans to propose to the European Parliament to grant Russian language status of the official EU language
• Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia about the possible amendments to the law on the European Parliament elections
• State Security police will evaluate appeal, published by the newspaper of the Latvian National Front DDD, for possible incitement to ethnic hatred
• Interview with the Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga on relationship between Russia and Latvia to the French newspaper Le Figaro
• Latvijas Avize on possible ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Article about observation of minority rights in Latvia and the future role of Latvian and Russian languages in the EU
• Russian newspaper Versija names Ainars Slesers and Nils Miznieks as secret organizers of the protest actions against education reform in Latvia

The Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion has passed without incidents. Few hundreds of former legionnaires and their families’ members participated at the memorial service and laid flowers at the Freedom monument. Approximately 60 young people participated in the procession organized by the nationalist youth organization “Klubs 415” (“Club 415”).

The Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion has passed without incidents. Few hundreds of former legionnaires and their families members participated at the memorial service and laid flowers at the Freedom monument. Approximately 60 young people participated in the procession organized by the nationalist youth organization Klubs 415 (Club 415). Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) is planning to propose to the European Parliament to change the language policy in the EU, granting status of official language to EU minority languages, including Russian. According to the leader of the FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka, status of the Russian language is a cornerstone of the FHRUL policy realized within the EU.  The Union is also intending to form a united EU Russians’ party. Political scientist Zanete Ozolina says it is unlikely that the official status for all minorities’ languages in the enlarged EU will be granted, given that there are already 30 official languages.

Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) is planning to propose to the European Parliament to change the language policy in the EU, granting status of official language to EU minority languages, including Russian. According to the leader of the FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka, status of the Russian language is a cornerstone of the FHRUL policy realized within the EU. The Union is also intending to form a united EU Russians party. Political scientist Zanete Ozolina says it is unlikely that the official status for all minorities languages in the enlarged EU will be granted, given that there are already 30 official languages. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) is planning to challenge the results of the European Parliament (EP) elections, if the amendments to the EP election law, stipulating 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, will be adopted. If the amendments to the law were adopted, the prohibition to stand for the EP elections would apply to Juris Bojars and Janis Adamsons, the candidates of Latvia Social Democratic Party and to the leader of the FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka. The deputy candidate to the EP from FHRUL Miroslavs Mitrofanovs believes that For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has proposed these amendments in order to provoke disagreement in the governing coalition.

Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) is planning to challenge the results of the European Parliament (EP) elections, if the amendments to the EP election law, stipulating the prohibition to stand for the EP 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, will be adopted. If the amendments to the law were adopted, the prohibition to stand for the EP elections would apply to Juris Bojars and Janis Adamsons, the candidates of Latvia Social Democratic Party and to the leader of the FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka. The deputy candidate to the EP from FHRUL Miroslavs Mitrofanovs believes that For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has proposed these amendments in order to provoke disagreement in the governing coalition. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

State Security police will evaluate the appeal, published by the newspaper of the Latvian National Front “DDD”, for the possible incitement to ethnic hatred. The appeal calls for Latvians to ‘follow the example of Azerbaijanis and to send occupants away from Latvia before the bloodshed started’. 

State Security police will evaluate the appeal, published by the newspaper of the Latvian National Front DDD, for the possible incitement to ethnic hatred. The appeal calls for Latvians to ‘follow the example of Azerbaijanis and to send occupants away from Latvia before the bloodshed started. Diena

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin about the perspectives of Russia-Latvia relationship. According to Dmitry Rogozin, the foreign policy of Russia will not change, and the defense of the compatriots rights will stay a priority also in the future. Rogozin believes that the only possibility to resolve the situation of the education reform is to start a dialogue with the representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools.

Latvijas Avize reprints the fragments of the interview with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga about the relationship between Latvia and Russia and the education reform in Latvia, published by the French newspaper Le Figaro. The President believes that Russias reproofs about minority rights violations in Latvia may be explained by desire to keep Latvia under its guardianship.

Latvijas Avize features an article by the commentator Vilnis Zarins, who says that ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia cannot be discussed separately from the evaluation of the occupation consequences.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about the observation of minority rights in Latvia and the future role of Latvian and Russian languages in the EU.

Russian newspaper

Russian newspaper Versija (Version) has spread the information that the protest actions against the education reform in Latvia, including the recent protest action of national-bolsheviks near the embassy of Latvia in Moscow, were organized by the (at that time former) deputy Prime Minister of Latvia Ainars Slesers (Latvias First Party), who wanted to use the language conflict as the means of getting back to power. According to the newspaper, he was assisted by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks (at that time also former). Deputy Prime Minister of Latvia Ainars Slesers called information ‘invented madness, and refused from further comments. Diena

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

• Governing parties sign the coalition treaty
• Riga Administrative Court cancels the ban on organizing the procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion
• Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs submits a note of protest to Russia
• Representatives of German Bundestag Committee visit Saeima
• Proposal of Saeima For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM parliamentary group to amend the European Parliament (EP) election law
• Riga minority schools have designed new educational programs
• Statements of the leader of the Latvian National Front (LNF) Aivars Garda
• About the ‘post-colonial identity of Latvia and society integration
• Latvijas Avize on possible ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Article by Maija Krumina about the recent Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools

Yesterday the three governing parties signed the coalition treaty, stipulating functions of the coalition parties’ factions, prime minister’s rights and obligations, as well as foreseeing the establishment of the coalition board. The board will include the Prime minister, two representatives of the Union of Farmers and Greens parliamentary faction, and three representatives of the Latvia’s First Party and Peoples Party’s factions each. The treaty stipulates that unanimous support of all members of the coalition board will be necessary for making amendments to the State Constitution and several laws, including Parliament Election law, law on State Language, law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”, “Law on Election of City Council, Regional Council and Parish Council”, if amendments concern the enlargement of the electorate, and amendments to the “Law on Education”, which concern the education reform.

Yesterday the three governing parties signed the coalition treaty, stipulating functions of the coalition parties factions, prime ministers rights and obligations, as well as foreseeing the establishment of the coalition board. The board will include the Prime minister, two representatives of the Union of Farmers and Greens parliamentary faction, and three representatives of the Latvias First Party and Peoples Partys factions each. The treaty stipulates that unanimous support of all members of the coalition board will be necessary for making amendments to the State Constitution and several laws, including Parliament Election law, law on State Language, law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State, Law on Election of City Council, Regional Council and Parish Council, if amendments concern the enlargement of the electorate, and amendments to the Law on Education, which concern the education reform. Rigas Balss, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

Riga Administrative Court has cancelled the ban of the Riga City Council to organize the procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion. The leader of the nationalist youth organization “Klubs 415” (“Club 415”) Guntis Dilevs has stated that the planned procession will take place today. Union “Visu Latvijai” (“All for Latvia”) is also planning to commemorate legionnaires by laying flowers at the Freedom monument.

Riga Administrative Court has cancelled the ban of the Riga City Council to organize the procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion. The leader of the nationalist youth organization Klubs 415 (Club 415) Guntis Dilevs has stated that the planned procession will take place today. Union Visu Latvijai (All for Latvia) is also planning to commemorate legionnaires by laying flowers at the Freedom monument. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a note to the Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing a protest about the recent protest action of Russia national-bolsheviks against the education reform in Latvia near the embassy of Latvia in Moscow. The participants of this protest action threw burning objects at the embassy building and chained themselves to the fence of the embassy. Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the Russia authorities not to allow the recurrence of such actions in the future.

Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted a note to the Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing a protest about the recent protest action of Russia national-bolsheviks against the education reform in Latvia near the embassy of Latvia in Moscow. The participants of this protest action threw burning objects at the embassy building and chained themselves to the fence of the embassy. Latvia Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called the Russia authorities not to allow the recurrence of such actions in the future. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the representatives of German Bundestag Committee on the Affairs of the European Union visited Saeima European Affairs Committee. Ethnic policy of Latvia was discussed during the meeting.

Yesterday the representatives of German Bundestag Committee on the Affairs of the European Union visited Saeima European Affairs Committee. Ethnic policy of Latvia was discussed during the meeting. Latvijas Avize

Newspapers write about the proposal of Saeima For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM parliamentary group to amend the European Parliament (EP) election law. Proposed amendments stipulate 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.

Newspapers write about the proposal of Saeima For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM parliamentary group to amend the European Parliament (EP) election law. Proposed amendments stipulate the prohibition to stand for the EP 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. Diena features the opinion of representatives from the New Era and the Peoples Party, regarding this proposal as overdue. Saeima MP Aleksandrs Kabanovs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) has stated that such proposal could cause the grave consequences for Latvia. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

According to the information of the Riga City Council’s Education, Youth and Sports department, all Riga minority schools have designed new educational programs, defining subjects, which will be taught in Latvian, and specifying the teachers who will teach it. The representatives of the department believe that there will be no need for the individual transition plans for schools, but rather for the individual support  to the teachers who still doubt their own ability to teach in Latvian.

According to the information of the Riga City Councils Education, Youth and Sports department, all Riga minority schools have designed new educational programs, defining subjects, which will be taught in Latvian, and specifying the teachers who will teach it. The representatives of the department believe that there will be no need for the individual transition plans for schools, but rather for the individual support to the teachers who still doubt their own ability to teach in Latvian. Diena

Vesti Segodnya writes about the statements of the leader of the Latvian National Front (LNF) Aivars Garda, published by the newspaper of the LNF DDD, stressing that the leader of the LNF publicly calls his supporters to violence. In this article Aivars Garda states that LNF demands establishment of the armed Latvian self-defense forces, because ‘Russian-speaking fascists understand only force.

Newspapers reprint fragments of the article by Ingars Rudzitis, MA student at the Boston University’s College of Communication, published at the public policy portal

Newspapers reprint fragments of the article by Ingars Rudzitis, MA student at the Boston Universitys College of Communication, published at the public policy portal www.politika.lv , about the ‘post-colonial identity of Latvia and society integration. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an article about the possible ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. The author of the article believes that Latvia does not have to ratify the Convention, because ‘there are no minorities in Latvia.

Chas prints an article by Maija Krumina about the recent Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools and society integration. The author writes about two types of the education reform opponents – radical and moderate. According to the author, representatives of the moderate type have more or less adapted to the existing social and political reality, and many of them are citizens of Latvia. Ideas of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools are supported by those radically-oriented Russian-speakers, who experience more pronounced political and socioeconomic inequality (lack of citizenship, unstable economic situation, lost of perspective in life).