• LTV7 programme “Private Affair”: the Ombudsman distorted the translation of the Article 13 of the Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities

The Ombudsman presented a study “Bilingual Education”. LTV7 programme “Private Affair” reporting about the study drew attention to the fact that the Ombudsman’s distorted translation of the Article 13 of the Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities. The translation of the Article 13 into Latvian by the Ombudsman’s Office says that the number of school subjects taught in state language should be "substantially increased" in secondary schools and the research findings suggest that the more "progressive" the increase, the better for the child. However, the official text of the Recommendation in English language use the word “gradual” in regards to the increase of state language in secondary schools: “(…) the number of subjects taught in the State language, should gradually be increased. Research findings suggest that the more gradual the increase, the better for the child.” Established OSCE translation into Latvian also uses the term "gradual", not "substantial". In an interview with LTV7, the Ombudsman Juris Jansons refused to admit that the Latvian translation is misleading. He also claims that the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors agrees with his position on education of national minorities. Vesti Segodnya

 

• Government adopted guidelines for state language policy 2015-2020
• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with a journalist and initiator of the movement of European Russians in Latvia Igors Vatolins

• Vesti Segodnya reports about a discussion on the current mood of Russian residents in Latvia

Yesterday, the government has adopted guidelines for state language policy 2015-2020 elaborated by the Education and Science Ministry. According to the Education Minister Ina Druviete, despite that situation with positions of Latvian language has improved it is still difficult for Latvian language to compete with other languages. Therefore, Latvia should care about language’s protection. The guidelines include commitment to increase usage of Latvian language by ethnic non-Latvians in communication with state institutions. As a positive aspect, the guidelines mention the fact that number of persons receiving the state language proficiency certificate increased during past 15 years. Regarding the education system, guidelines say that competitiveness level of Latvian language proficiency can be ensured by the existing ethnic minority education system. At the same time, some aspects of the education system – for instance curriculum for bilingual education - should be improved. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with a journalist and initiator of the movement of European Russians in Latvia Igors Vatolins. Commenting results of the recent parliamentary elections, Mr Vatolins says that a big role which affected the choice of voters in the elections belongs to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and his policy as it has facilitated consolidation of ethnic Latvian electorate to vote for so-called “ethnic Latvian parties” - the Unity, the Greens and Farmers, and the National Union. Mr Vatolins also believes that ethnic Russian electorate became more passive and many ignored the elections. As one of the problems, he mentions that there is still a lack of political nation in Latvia and part of residents feel alienated. Mr Vatolins believes that a challenge for Latvia’s democracy is to overcome ethnic voting. He also says that Russian language in Latvia should be granted special status such as status of regional or ethnic minority language. Thus, the state would acknowledge that Russian language along with Latvian language represents the wealth of Latvia, and this could also benefit the country.

Vesti Segodnya reports about a discussion on the current mood of Russian residents in Latvia organised by Information business centre of Sankt-Petersburg in Riga. Participants of the discussion - Russian community activists, shared their opinion why the activity of Russian residents in Latvia is low and how to preserve identity of Russians in Latvia. Some participants agreed that one of the reasons of low activity is the formation of middle class of Russian speakers who are stable voters of the Concord Centre and who are almost impossible to engage in the public activities. The participants also discussed that today people are more concerned about their daily problems and that Russian NGOs are too fragmented.

• Head of the Saeima’s Concord faction Janis Urbanovics: the Concord wants to become real social-democratic party composed of 60% ethnic Latvians and 40% ethnic non-Latvians
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics blacklisted one more famous Russia’s showman and actor

Neatkariga interviews the head of the Saeima’s Concord faction Janis Urbanovics. Commenting the past elections results, Mr Urbanovics acknowledged that the Concord lost a part of its ethnic Latvian and Russian speaking electorate. The reason, he believes, is the party’s neutral position regarding events in Ukraine because some ethnic Latvians might have wanted to see more critical position towards Russia in relation to Ukraine, others - more supportive position towards Russia’s activities. According to Mr Urbanovics, the Concord wants to become real social-democratic party and its composition would reflect ethnic proportion in Latvia – 60% of ethnic Latvians and 40% - ethnic non-Latvians. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics declared one more famous Russia’s showman and actor 'persona non grata' banning him from entry to Latvia. This time, the Minister blacklisted the actor because of his statements inciting hatred towards Ukrainians and homosexuals. As reported, in July, before the opening of a musical festival “New Wave” organised by Russia’s producers, the Minister included into the “black list” three famous Russia’s pop-singers known to be public supporters of Russia’s policy towards Ukraine. Neatkariga, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

• Employers will not be allowed to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the labour agreements if those are not necessary for work duties

Yesterday, the Saeima supported in the final reading the draft amendments to the Labour Law. Among the other provisions, the amendments stipulate that employers are not allowed to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the labour agreements if those are not necessary for work duties. As reported, such amendments elaborated with a view to protect job applicants from unreasonable language requirements. Currently it is also forbidden to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the job announcements. Latvijas Avize

• Baltic Institute of Social Sciences discussed with the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee a study on integration of non-citizens
• Vesti Segodnya interviews well-known Russian speaking entrepreneurs about the reasons of low support to local Russian NGOs

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences discussed with the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee a study on integration of non-citizens. Authors of the study concluded that status of Latvian non-citizen is connected with negative emotions and facilitates alienation from the state. Non-citizens have subjective sense of discrimination which is not connected with restrictions of social, economic, or political rights but with the status itself. Commenting the results of the study, the MP Valdis Liepins questioned whether these people understand that they were born not in the independent Latvia but in the Soviet Union. He also stated that not only non-citizens but also Russian speaking citizens are oriented towards the USSR and Russia.

Vesti Segodnya interviews well-known Russian speaking entrepreneurs in Latvia about the reasons of low support to local Russian NGOs. According to the interviewed entrepreneurs, they do not refuse sponsorship and charity but choose only those directions considered to be more important for the society or interesting personally for themselves. Some entrepreneurs think that so-called Russian projects are not so important or they do not know about such projects or fund their own projects. The entrepreneurs also are not confident that their funding will be spent properly.