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

• Interview with Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament
• Eizenija Aldermane, Head of Naturalisation Board, about the status of third country citizens after Latvias accession to EU
• Russian experts will participate in discussion on education reform
• Mock EU referendum among students: overwhelming support overall, but non-citizen students against
• Vesti Segodnya about EU criticism of Latvias failure to elaborate plan against discrimination of Russian-speakers on labour market within Development Plan
• Demand for NGOs free-of-charge Latvian language courses
• Chas continues discussion about education reform
• Court decides that Belorussian citizen born in Latvia may appeal his expulsion to the Supreme Court

Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament in an interview with

Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament in an interview with Lauku avize affirms that the issue of naturalisation in Latvia is within the competence of the state itself and not the EU.

Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of Naturalisation Board, in a

Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of Naturalisation Board, in a Lauku Avize interview discusses the status of long-term residents and third country citizens after Latvias accession to EU.

A Russian delegation of six experts will participate in a discussion about the education reform concerning minority schools in Latvia. The experts have invited by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science.

A Russian delegation of six experts will participate in a discussion about the education reform concerning minority schools in Latvia. The experts have invited by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science. Vesti Segodnya

In the shadow referendum among students organized in several large universities yesterday, almost 60% of students votes “yes” to Latvia’s accession to the EU. 

In the shadow referendum among students organized in several large universities yesterday, almost 60% of students votes yes to Latvias accession to the EU. Vesti segodnya notes that among the non-citizen students who participated in the mock referendum, a large majority (73%) were against joining the EU. Vesti segodnya, Chas, Rigas Balss, Diena, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya comments on the talks in Riga between representatives of the EU and the Latvian delegation on Latvias Development Plan within the EU. The newspaper contends that the EU representatives were critical of Latvias failure to heed the recommendation to elaborate a special plan for promoting employment among Russian speakers. Government representatives from Latvia in turn, were critical of the EU representative contention that there may be discrimination against Russian-speakers on the labour market.

Telegraf reports that many readers called in regarding the information that the NGO Prata Speks (Force of Mind) offered Latvian language courses free of charge. According to the newspaper this indicates that there is strong interest among non-Latvian speakers to learn Latvian, but not enough opportunities provided by the state. The NGO, which until now offered courses in Riga, has announced that it will start organizing courses in Liepaja as well.

Chas continues discussion about the education reform and states that Latvian-language newspapers misinform their readers about the issue.

Riga Regional Court has ruled that a Belorussian citizen who is born in Latvia and has been residing in Latvia may submit an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs expulsion decision.

Riga Regional Court has ruled that a Belorussian citizen who is born in Latvia and has been residing in Latvia may submit an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs expulsion decision. Vechernaya Riga

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

• Deputy of European Parliament asks the European Commission to evaluate education reform
• More minority students get education in schools with Latvian language of instruction
• Proposals of the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction
• Vesti Segodnya reports German newspapers view that Russians, Byelorussians and Ukrainians in Latvia will become the largest Russian-speaking minority in the EU

Nelly Maes, the deputy of the European Parliament from Belgium has sent the request to the European Commission asking to evaluate if the education reform in Latvia conforms to European values of cultural and linguistic diversity and fundamental rights.

Nelly Maes, the deputy of the European Parliament from Belgium has sent the request to the European Commission asking to evaluate if the education reform in Latvia conforms to European values of cultural and linguistic diversity and fundamental rights. Lauku Avize

An increasing number of minority students study in schools with Latvian language of instruction. According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science, about 9% of students have chosen Latvian as the language of instruction. According to

An increasing number of minority students study in schools with Latvian language of instruction. According to a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science, about 9% of students have chosen Latvian as the language of instruction. According to Lauku Avize, encouraging minority children to study in schools with Latvian language of instruction should not be a priority of the state education policy. Ina Druviete, the Head of theSaeima Human Rights Committee and one of authors of the survey, believes that the number of minority children in a class should not exceed 50%, since that would allegedly endanger the Latvian language environment. Diena, Lauku Avize

Russian-language newspapers publish the new education reform proposals of the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction.  Another suggestion is that the Ministry of Education and Science establish a department of minority education.

Russian-language newspapers publish the new education reform proposals of the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction. Another suggestion is that the Ministry of Education and Science establish a department of minority education. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodna refersto an article in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that 677000 Russians and 150000 Byelorussians and Ukrainians will became residents of the EU when Latvia joins the EU, thus becoming the largest Russian-speaking minority in the EU. The German paper also comments on the Latvian education reform.

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

Rating of New Era party drops

Rating of New Era party drops

About the meeting against education reform

About the meeting against education reform

Chas reports that Russian Foreign Ministry finds EU more responsive to Russian concerns regarding minority rights in Latvia and Estonia

Vechernaya Riga about prospective expulsion of a resident of Latvia with citizenship of Belorussia

Kargin: Parekss Banka has no connections to party BITE

Kargin: Parekss Banka has no connections to party BITE

Opinion polls show that he rating of party New Era in August has fallen by 4%, but is still the most popular party, having the support of 19% of voters. The Union of Greens and Farmers rate 10,6%, Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK 6,1% and the First Party 5,2%. Opposition parties ratings are: Peoples Party 11,9%, For Human Rights in United Latvia 7%, Equality 3,3% Socialist Party 1,1%. The extra-parliamentary LSDSP shows a rating just above the barrier for entering parliament: 5,1%. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segondya, Chas, Telegraf

Discussion about the September 4th meeting against education reform continues. Lauku Avize asserts that politicians and the police did not react adequately against the protestors, who the newspaper holds to be guilty of libel against the state and the Latvian people.Russian-language newspaperscriticise the submission to the Saeima by party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, which proposes to not allow such meetings with deputies in parks or other public spaces. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segondya, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga

Chas

reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has expressed the opinion that the EU recently more frequently responds to Russian concerns about the observance of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia.

Vechernaya Riga

reports on the prospective expulsion of a citizen of Belorussia from Latvia. The man was born in Latvia and his family are also Latvian residents, but in 1993 he automatically acquired the citizenship of Belorussia, because at the time he was a military in Belorussia. According to Genadij Kotov, politician and human rights activist, in this case the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will be in breech of both Latvian and international law.

Valerij Kargin, the president of Parekss Banka, denies Janis Jurkans allegations that he is connected to the foundation of the new party BITE. Vesti Segondya informs that the new party could be registered until September 22nd. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segondya

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

• Non-citizens dissatisfied with Latvian courses

Russian-language media continues discussion about the education reform

Bill Miller, MP of Great Britain: minority voters should vote for accession to the EU

Telegraf interviews with Janis Jurkans, the leader of Peoples Solidarity party, about education reform and the alterations into coalition For Human Rights in United Latvia

Non-citizens are dissatisfied with the teaching of Latvian courses offered by the Naturalisation Board. While non-citizens complain about the complexity of courses and the lack of teaching methodology, officials of Naturalisation Boards explain that those who participate in these courses need to have previous basic knowledge of Latvian, since otherwise there is no possibility to master a language in 2,5 months. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Russian-language media continues discussion about the education reform, reporting about the rock concert against the reform and actions by the Headquarters for the defence of Russian schools. Chas also publishes an articleby sociolinguist Gatis Dilans presenting the concept of linguistic nationalism. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Bill Miller, Labourite MP of Great Britain, who insists that the EU will help to guarantee the rights of minorities in Latvia, and therefore minority voters should vote for accession to the EU. He observes that the fact that the non-citizens -- one third of the inhabitants of Latvia -- do not have the right to participate in deciding such a vital issue is not defensible.

Telegraf

prints an interview with Janis Jurkans, the leader of Peoples Solidarity party. Jurkans states that all inhabitants of Latvia should accept that Latvian is the state language, while the state, considering language an important aspect of integration, should provide the possibility to all to acquire it at a high level. He also contends that the departure of Jakov Pliner from the Peoples Solidarity party and the establishment of the new party BITE is related to the desire of Parekss Banka to have more left-wing organisations friendly to the bank participating in the municipal elections.

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

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, on Latvias accession to the EU

Interview with Krista Prets, MP of European Parliament about the situation of non-citizens in Latvia after EU membership

Lauku Avize

about education reform

Per Stanman, MP of European Parliament: Russia should apologise to Latvia

Diena

features an interview with Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission. The Commissioner stresses, that the EU will not ask Latvia to meet any new requirements on minority rights, because it is not the competency of EU, but the Council of Europe. He also stresses that the existent EU policy towards Russia defines relations with this country as a good neighbour and not as with a member of the EU. features an interview with Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission. The Commissioner stresses, that the EU will not ask Latvia to meet any new requirements on minority rights, because it is not the competency of EU, but the Council of Europe. He also stresses that the existent EU policy towards Russia defines relations with this country as a good neighbour and not as with a member of the EU.

Lauku Avize

reports on the discussion 1852 kilometres from Tukums till Brisele. Gains and Losses with the Accession to the EU, organised by the newspaper, which reflects the opinion of Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission about Latvias membership in EU. reports on the discussion “1852 kilometres from Tukums till Brisele. Gains and Losses with the Accession to the EU,” organised by the newspaper, which reflects the opinion of Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission about Latvia’s membership in EU.

Vesti Segondya

features an interview with Krista Prets, MP of the European Parliament, representing the group of social democrats and socialists. The MP asserts that the issues of citizenship and naturalisation are within the competence of each state, but admits that in the case of Latvia, the EU would have to assist in solving these issues, because there are to many non-citizens in Latvia. features an interview with Krista Prets, MP of the European Parliament, representing the group of social democrats and socialists. The MP asserts that the issues of citizenship and naturalisation are within the competence of each state, but admits that in the case of Latvia, the EU would have to assist in solving these issues, because there are to many non-citizens in Latvia.

Lauku avize

prints a critical article on the public meeting against education reform, including the opinions of participants about the preparedness of Russian-language secondary schools to teach 60% of subjects in Latvian. The article also states that participants of the protest meeting demand state language status for the Russian language. In addition, the newspaper informs, Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools has tabled suggestions about minority education in Latvia to theAdvisory Council on Minority Education issues. prints a critical article on the public meeting against education reform, including the opinions of participants about the preparedness of Russian-language secondary schools to teach 60% of subjects in Latvian. The article also states that participants of the protest meeting demand state language status for the Russian language. In addition, the newspaper informs, Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools has tabled suggestions about minority education in Latvia to theAdvisory Council on Minority Education issues. Expressing apologies to Latvia about past Soviet misdeeds would promote democracy in Russia, the legal follower of the USSR, emphasised Pier Stanman, MP of European Parliament from Sweden, at the conference “EU – Closer to Society” organised by the party New Era. He thinks that Russia should assume the responsibility not solely of Soviet-era deportations but also of about the low level of welfare of the citizens of Baltic countries.

Expressing apologies to Latvia about past Soviet misdeeds would promote democracy in Russia, the legal follower of the USSR, emphasised Pier Stanman, MP of European Parliament from Sweden, at the conference EU – Closer to Society organised by the party New Era. He thinks that Russia should assume the responsibility not solely of Soviet-era deportations but also of about the low level of welfare of the citizens of Baltic countries. Lauku avize