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

• Saeima revokes the prohibition to stand for the European Parliament electionsfor ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the SovietRepublic of Latvia
• Former Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about the future of Secretariat
• State Security Police arrests possible vandals
• Different statements about the latest amendments to the Law on Education
• Ventspils Police Department requests explanations about protest action against education reform from the student of Ventspils secondary school
• Peoples Harmony Party asks Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis to name the person or persons who made the decision about repressive measures towards the minority schools students
• Russia calls for renewal of CEPAs monitoring procedure in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia
• Political analyst Artis Pabriks on dilemmas of democracy, ethnic policy and EU enlargement
• Interview with the RussiaState Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin

Saeima has adopted amendments to the European Parliament election’s law, revoking the prohibition to stand for the European Parliament elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. In the future, according to the head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina, the prohibitions to stand for Saeima and local government elections will also have to be revoked.

Saeima has adopted amendments to the European Parliament elections law, revoking the prohibition to stand for the European Parliament electionsfor ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. In the future, according to the head of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee Solvita Aboltina, the prohibitions to stand for Saeima and local government elections will also have to be revoked. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature the statements of the Ex-Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about his experience working in the government of Einars Repse, and the future of the Special Task Minister’s Secretariat after his resignation. According to the Special Task Minister, the dissolution of the Secretariat could cause not only the incomprehension of international partners, but also the impediment of the society integration process. Temporarily the duties of the Special Task Minister are assigned to the Minister for Justice Aivars Aksenoks (New Era).

Newspapers feature the statements of the Ex-Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about his experience working in the government of Einars Repse, and the future of the Special Task Ministers Secretariat after his resignation. According to the Special Task Minister, the dissolution of the Secretariat could cause not only the incomprehension of international partners, but also the impediment of the society integration process. Temporarily the duties of the Special Task Minister are assigned to the Minister for Justice Aivars Aksenoks (New Era). Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

State Security Police has arrested two young inhabitants of Daugavpils on suspicion of their possible participation in the vandalism act at the Ministry of Education and Science, allegedly carried out in protest against the education reform 2004. One of the detainees is a national-bolsheviks’ supporter Alina Lebedeva, whose first encounter with the police was in 2001, when she had slapped Charles, Prince of Wales in the face with a red carnation during his visit to Latvia. Other detainee, Aleksandrs Gridasovs, was one of the two national-bolsheviks who handcuffed themselves to a fence across the street from one of the most popular polling stations in Riga in March 2001, protesting against the ineligibility of the non-citizens to vote in local elections. Both young people deny participation in the vandalism act.

State Security Police has arrested two young inhabitants of Daugavpils on suspicion of their possible participation in the vandalism act at the Ministry of Education and Science, allegedly carried out in protest against the education reform 2004. One of the detainees is a national-bolsheviks supporter Alina Lebedeva, whose first encounter with the police was in 2001, when she had slapped Charles, Prince of Wales in the face with a red carnation during his visit to Latvia. Other detainee, Aleksandrs Gridasovs, was one of the two national-bolsheviks who handcuffed themselves to a fence across the street from one of the most popular polling stations in Riga in March 2001, protesting against the ineligibility of the non-citizens to vote in local elections. Both young people deny participation in the vandalism act. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis in order to discuss the education reform and the attitude of the left-wing politicians towards amendments to the Law on Education. Vaira Vike-Freiberga has evaluated the latest amendments to the Law on Education as a compromise. Left–wing politicians and Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools do not support amendments, saying the public opinion was not taken into account. The Headquarters also calls defenders of Russian-language schools to participate in meeting with the deputies next to Saeima building, and near the President’s Castle on the day of the law review in the final reading.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis in order to discuss the education reform and the attitude of the left-wing politicians towards amendments to the Law on Education. Vaira Vike-Freiberga has evaluated the latest amendments to the Law on Education as a compromise. Left–wing politicians and Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools do not support amendments, saying the public opinion was not taken into account. The Headquarters also calls defenders of Russian-language schools to participate in meeting with the deputies next to Saeima building, and near the Presidents Castle on the day of the law review in the final reading. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russian language newspapers write about activities of Ventspils Police Department, requested explanations about protest action against education reform last December from the one of the students who allegedly organized it. According to head of the Central District of Ventspils Police Department Andrejs Stepanovics, the district has a reason to believe that the Law on Meetings, Processions and Pickets was broken during the action as it was directed by an unregistered NGO. The student faces the penalty of 100 Ls if proved guilty.

Russian language newspapers write about activities of Ventspils Police Department, requested explanations about protest action against education reform last December from the one of the students who allegedly organized it. According to head of the Central District of Ventspils Police Department Andrejs Stepanovics, the district has a reason to believe that the Law on Meetings, Processions and Pickets was broken during the action as it was directed by an unregistered NGO. The student faces the penalty of 100 Ls if proved guilty. Telegraf, Chas

Saeima MPs from the People’s Harmony Party has send a letter to the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis, asking to initiate an official investigation in order to clarify who among the State Police officials has made a decision to request the minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004.

Saeima MPs from the Peoples Harmony Party has send a letter to the Minister for Interior Maris Gulbis, asking to initiate an official investigation in order to clarify who among the State Police officials has made a decision to request the minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Chas

Russia State Council deputy speaker and the member of Russia state delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (CEPA) Dmitry Rogozin (block „Rodina”) is planning to achieve the renewal of CEPA’s monitoring procedure in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to Dmitry Rogozin, this issue will be reviewed during the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly at 3 March, 2004.

Russia State Council deputy speaker and the member of Russia state delegation to the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (CEPA) Dmitry Rogozin (block „Rodina) is planning to achieve the renewal of CEPAs monitoring procedure in the area of observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to Dmitry Rogozin, this issue will be reviewed during the meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly at 3 March, 2004. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena features an article by political analyst, member of the Peoples Party Artis Pabriks on dilemmas of democracy, ethnic policy and EU enlargement. According to the politologist, the language, migration and diverse cultures coexistence problem is a priority not only for Latvia, but also for other Central and Western Europe Countries. Artis Pabriks believes that in the heart of Europe crisis of democracy is ripening, which is tightly connected with the failures in the area of ethnic policy, and with the anxiety about the European Union enlargement.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin („Rodina).

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

• Latvias First Party withdraws from the governing coalition
• January ratings of ministers
• Parliamentary Committee accepts new amendments to the Law on Education
• Russian criticizes Latvia in the Council of Europe
• Leader of Latvian Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks challenges the EU accession referendum
• Daugavpils teachers open letter to the Ministry of Education and Science
• Prime Minister believes that ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia should not be barred from standing for European Parliament elections
• Project on Roma education in Valmiera
• Diena reports on Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat discussion about minority rights in Latvia and Estonia

Yesterday Latvia’s First Party informed about its withdrawal from the governing coalition, recalling its government members the Minister for Economics, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs. This move comes as a response to the Prime Minister’s dismissal of Latvia’s First Party leader Ainars Slesers from the post of the deputy Prime Minister, which the party council declared unfounded. Prime Minister Einars Repse has stated that he will continue leading a minority government, whose parties together represent 45 votes in the 100-member Saeima.

Yesterday Latvias First Party informed about its withdrawal from the governing coalition, recalling its government members the Minister for Economics, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs. This move comes as a response to the Prime Ministers dismissal of Latvias First Party leader Ainars Slesers from the post of the deputy Prime Minister, which the party council declared unfounded. Prime Minister Einars Repse has stated that he will continue leading a minority government, whose parties together represent 45 votes in the 100-member Saeima. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

A Latvijas fakti (Latvian Facts) opinion poll indicates that the rating of Prime Minister Einars Repse has decreased from 20,5 points in December till 13,7 points in January. Other New Era party representatives’ ratings also fell.  The Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis’s popularity has decreased from -3,6 to -9,4 points and the Minister for Regional Development and Municipalities Ivars Gaters’s rating decreased from -3,6 to -9 points. However, the most popular member of government in January was the Minister for the Interior Maris Gulbis, also from the New Era, at a rating of 52,8 points.  The second and third most popular ministers remain Minister of Culture Inguna Ribena and Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete.  Although slightly better than in December, the most negative rating in January -- -26,1 -- was retained by Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (before the recent dismissal). 

A Latvijas fakti (Latvian Facts) opinion poll indicates that the rating of Prime Minister Einars Repse has decreased from 20,5 points in December till 13,7 points in January. Other New Era party representatives ratings also fell. The Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskiss popularity has decreased from -3,6 to -9,4 points and the Minister for Regional Development and MunicipalitiesIvars Gaterss rating decreased from -3,6 to -9 points. However, the most popular member of government in January was the Minister for the Interior Maris Gulbis, also from the New Era, at a rating of 52,8 points. The second and third most popular ministers remain Minister of Culture Inguna Ribena and Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete. Although slightly better than in December, the most negative rating in January -- -26,1 -- was retained by Deputy Prime Minister Ainars Slesers (before the recent dismissal). Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Chas

The Saeima Education, Science and Culture Committee has accepted new amendments to the Law on Education, explicitly allowing up to 40% of instruction to take place in a minority language and granting the right to choose the subjects to be taught in the minority language to the schools themselves.

The Saeima Education, Science and Culture Committee has accepted new amendments to the Law on Education, explicitly allowing up to 40% of instruction to take place in a minority language and granting the right to choose the subjects to be taught in the minority language to the schools themselves. Chas features the opinion of their audience about the education reform. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Russian delegation to the Council of Europe has distributed a letter, criticizing Latvia for adopting laws that discriminate against minorities and requesting Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The Russian delegation to the Council of Europe has distributed a letter, criticizing Latvia for adopting laws that discriminate against minorities and requesting Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Diena,

Leader of Latvian Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks has applied to the Constitutional Court challenging the EU accession referendum on the basis that non-citizens could not participate in the referendum.

Leader of Latvian Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks has applied to the Constitutional Court challenging the EU accession referendum on the basis that non-citizens could not participate in the referendum. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

The directors of Daugavpils schools are allegedly preparing an open letter to the Ministry of Education and Science, stating that the transition to the instruction mainly in Latvian language in this city is impossible at the moment and calling for the delay of the implementation of the education reform.

The directors of Daugavpils schools are allegedly preparing an open letter to the Ministry of Education and Science, stating that the transition to the instruction mainly in Latvian language in this city is impossible at the moment and calling for the delay of the implementation of the education reform. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize features the statements of Prime Minister Einars Repse, who agrees that Latvia should not prohibit ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to stand for the European Parliament elections. According to the Prime Minister, such a prohibition could damage the international interests of Latvia.

The project “Qualitative education for Roma children” has been launched in Valmiera. The project foresees the organization of teachers’ seminars and Roma parents’ meetings, the translation of books in Roma language and their donation to various institutions.

The project Qualitative education for Roma children has been launched in Valmiera. The project foresees the organization of teachers seminars and Roma parents meetings, the translation of books in Roma language and their donation to various institutions. Latvijas Avize

Diena reports on the discussion in the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat about the observation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia.

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

• After critique by President governing coalition MPs prepare new amendments to the Law on Education
• Alternative amendments to the Law on Education, prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• Investigation of police request to minority schools to supply information on students absent from school during protest meeting
• First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles about minority rights in Latvia
• Interview with the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin
• Spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils city students against education reform 2004
• Ex-State Secretary of the United States of America Madeleine Albright visits Latvia and comments on Latvias relations with Russia

Saeima governing coalition MPs have prepared new amendments to the Law on Education in third reading, which explicitly will include to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools, as accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last May. Yesterday Presidents of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga evaluated the amendments, adopted by the Saeima in the second reading, as “exceptionally awkwardly formulated” and promised to return the amendments for renewed review in the Saeima if accepted without change in a third reading. 

Saeima governing coalition MPs have prepared new amendments to the Law on Education in third reading, which explicitly will include to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools, as accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last May. Yesterday Presidents of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga evaluated the amendments, adopted by the Saeima in the second reading, as exceptionally awkwardly formulated and promised to return the amendments for renewed review in the Saeima if accepted without change in a third reading. Latvijas Avize features the statements of the Special Task Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks regarding the return to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and Russian language use in minority schools as the most optimal solution. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

An alternative proposal of amendments to the Law on Education has been prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner and Vladimir Buzajev. According to these MPs, five subjects including Latvian language and literature should be required to be taught in Latvian, but the determination of the ratio of Latvian and Russian language use should be in the competence of the school. The MPs also state that the right to choose the language of the examination should be granted.

An alternative proposal of amendments to the Law on Education has been prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner and Vladimir Buzajev. According to these MPs, five subjects including Latvian language and literature should be required to be taught in Latvian, but the determination of the ratio of Latvian and Russian language use should be in the competence of the school. The MPs also state that the right to choose the language of the examination should be granted. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

State police has initiated an official investigation into the alleged police request to minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Although a copy of the letter sent to Riga Secondary School No. 22 was published, the Riga City Central Police Department claims that the police administration has not ordered to perform such actions. Latvian National Human Rights Office made a statement that such a police inquiry into schools is unfounded and could be seen as an infringement of freedom of speech and assembly.

State police has initiated an official investigation into the alleged police request to minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Although a copy of the letter sent to Riga Secondary School No. 22 was published, the Riga City Central Police Department claims that the police administration has not ordered to perform such actions. Latvian National Human Rights Office made a statement that such a police inquiry into schools is unfounded and could be seen as an infringement of freedom of speech and assembly. Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the minority rights issues in Latvia are more complicated than in the other Baltic States. In interview to the Russian news agency “RIA Novosti” Alvaro Gil-Robles has pointed to the large number of non-citizens living in Latvia, stating that the national majority must ensure the smooth societal integration of minority instead of organizing “extraordinary exams of history and language”.  

First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the minority rights issues in Latvia are more complicated than in the other Baltic States. In interview to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti Alvaro Gil-Robles has pointed to the large number of non-citizens living in Latvia, stating that the national majority must ensure the smooth societal integration of minority instead of organizing extraordinary exams of history and language. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin about the attitude of Russian officials to the latest amendments to the Law on Education. President of Russia Vladimir Putin, alleges Dmitry Rogozin, believes that the participation of minority students in the protest actions shows the rampant violation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Dmitry Rogozin, Russia is preparing to once more bring the observation of minority rights in Latvia to the attention of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils students against the 2004 education reform.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils students against the 2004 education reform. Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

The ex-Secretary of State of the United States of America Madeleine Albright is visiting Latvia and

The ex-Secretary of State of the United States of America Madeleine Albright is visiting Latvia and Diena and Telegraf publish interviews with her. Among various issues, Ms Albright expressed agreement with the present Secretary of State Colin Powells recent critical remarks concerning the state of democracy in Russia. She also expressed the belief that relations between Latvia and Russia will improve after Latvia will join NATO. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Latvijas Avize

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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