Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Government will amend the Education Law in summer
• Russian students at the higher education establishment
• Article about the Armenian Community in Latvia
• 247 projects received by the Integration Foundation
• 80% people choose to indicate their nationality in passports
• Minority youth under bigger risk to get infected with HIV/AIDS
• Newspapers about the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Political party ratings

The Government is planning to amend the Education Law applying Article 81 of the Constitution (right of government to adopt legislation while Parliament is out of session). The new norm will state that as of 1 September 2004 minority secondary schools should have the share of studies in the state language as provided for by legal norms, instead of the existing norm of the Education Law which states that all secondary schools will teach only in the state language as of 2004. Diena

Neatkariga

features an article about the higher education institution – the Baltic Russian Institute -- where students of different nationalities study together. The studies are conducted in two languages – Russian and Latvian. Some of Russians who study at the Institute state that they would prefer to study at Latvian higher education institutions, however, they are afraid that their Latvia language skills would be insufficient.

Neatkariga

talks to the leader of the Armenian Community in Latvia Eduard Sislan. The Community was officially formed in 2000 and its key task is integration of Armenians into Latvian society. Eduard Sislan stresses that the Community has developed very good co-operation ties with Armenian communities in other countries and Latvian political and non-governmental organisations. Armenians live mainly in Riga, where there are about 2,500 Armenians. About 85% of Armenian children go to Latvian schools. According to Eduard Sislan the rate of Latvian citizens among Armenians has grown. He concludes that Armenians do not see any difficulties concerning integration into Latvian society.

The Integration Foundation received 247 project applications for the tender of projects in the field of ethnic integration. Neatkariga

About 80% of people who receive new type of passport prefer to indicate their nationality, although according to the new legal norms this is no longer mandatory. Neatkariga

Yesterday a book presentation on HIV/AIDS infected Russian youth in Estonia and Latvia was made in Riga by the author, who is lecturer of educational psychology and development at St. Patricks College in Dublin. According to the lecturer, integration programmes of both countries Estonia and Latvia may lead to a serious risk of social exclusion among Russian youth in Estonia and Latvia and that their implementation may foster the growth of infection with HIV/AIDS among the Russian youth. However, the lecturer noted that there are some positive aspects in Latvia, such as, cultural and sport events for minority children. Vesti Segodnya

Jauna Avize

interviews the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. When asked about the most difficult moment in these 4 years, the President states that the moment when she discussed the necessity to abolish language requirement for persons running for seats in office from the Election Law was not very pleasant. She realised that the norm contradicted the Constitution and international norms, however, none of the parties supported her.

Vesti Segodnya

publishes an article The Mistake of the President. The newspaper stresses that the President has ignored non-Latvians during her 4 presidency years. The author of the article is not convinced whether the President will correct her mistake in case of her re-election.

No major changes have occurred in political party ratings in June – the most popular party is the New Era, the Peoples Party and FHRUL, followed by the Union of Greens and Farmers, FF/LNNK and Peoples Harmony Party. The Latvian First Party would not get the required 5% of ballots if the Saeima elections were to take place in June. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

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

• Interviews with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
  
• Naturalisation Board conducts a study on the motives why people do not naturalise
• Opponents of the education reform: if the education reform is not postponed, people will not vote for the EU
• Conference on integration issues held yesterday
• Saeima faction of FF/LNNK held a sitting with the Education and Justice Ministers
• Law on Radio and TV re-opened
• Interview with the deputy of the Rabbi in Latvia Arje Bekers

Diena

interviews the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. When asked what her priorities in foreign policy for the next 4 years will be, the President states that there is still a lot to do regarding Latvias way towards the EU and NATO. She believes that relations with Russia will change after Latvia completes ratification of both agreements with the EU and NATO. After that Russia will not be able to continue the dialogue with Latvia in such a tone it did up till now. Regarding priorities in domestic policy, the President says that her previous priorities – court system, police and customs – will remain her top priorities for the next 4 years as well. The President agrees that Latvia still has many duties to fulfil in the field of social integration, however, Latvia is making progress in the field. She approves the education reform, but is planning to examine whether schools, which have to implement the reform, have sufficient resources and teaching aids. She considers that some schools should be allowed to have more flexible implementation schedule.

According to the study initiated by the Naturalisation Board and funded by the Finnish Embassy reasons why people do not want to naturalise are different in different regions of Latvia, therefore, in the future naturalisation awareness and promotion campaigns should be focused on specific target groups – according to the age groups and location. Out of 7,000 non-citizens a large share believes that they should be awarded Latvian citizenship automatically. This opinion prevails in Riga and Kurzeme, while non-citizens in Zemgale name their poor knowledge of history as the key reason for remaining in the status of non-citizen. Non-citizens in Vidzeme do not naturalise because they want to keep their privileges in obtaining visa to the CIS countries, while non-citizens in Latgale believe that their state language skills are too low. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks announced that his Secretariat will focus on promotion Latvian citizenship among young Latvian non-citizens. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Headquarter for the support for Russian schools held a rally. Diena reports that a new slogan appeared on the scene: if the education reform is not postponed, the Headquarter will call on people to vote against the EU. About 150-200 took part in the rally. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Lauku Avize reports that yesterday the conference Integrated Civic Society in Latvia and Latvias Integration into the European Democratic Space was held in Riga. There were almost no representatives of national minorities despite the fact that the lions share of discussed issues concerned integration of non-Latvians. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks said that his Secretariat will develop a new programme on Social Integration in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya notes that Nils Muiznieks seriously distressed those politicians who believe that there will be no problems in the field of integration in the future. The Integration Minister expressed his deep concern about the vast number of people (110,000) under the age of 27 who have not naturalised. Political scientist Artis Pabriks suggested paying more attention to issues concerning minority children education at kindergartens. Associated Professor of the University of Latvia Peteris Tabuns pointed out the negative influence and role of the Russian printed press. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

reports that the Saeima faction of FF/LNNK asked the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Justice Minister Aivars Aksenoks to take part in factions sitting. MPs of the FF/LNNK faction voiced their dissatisfaction with proportion of subjects taught in the state and minority languages at minority schools after implementation of the education reform. They believe that classes taught in the state language should be more than 60% of the curriculum as provided for by present norms, however, the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that 60% classes held in the state language will ensure sufficient level of state language skills for minority students. Another concern of FF/LNNK was whether after Latvias accession to the EU Latvian citizens will have fewer rights than Latvian non-citizens. Telegraf

As the Constitutional Court ruling annulled the norm in the Law on Radio and TV stipulating that only up to 25% of programmes may be aired in foreign languages, MPs opened the Law on Radio and Television to introduce amendments. The key discussion subjects again were issues concerning language. The head of the National Radio and TV Council Ojars Rubenis suggested to award frequencies on the basis of a competition and one of the pre-requisites would be broadcast in the state language. Ojars Rubenis is not concerned that there will be no applicants as the frequencies can remain unfilled. Peoples Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich suggested to ask competent lawyers to develop a completely new law which would comply with all European directives and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. He suggests that there should be 2 laws: one for commercial TV and radio stations and one for public. Telegraf

Lauku Avize

talks to the deputy of the Rabbi in Latvia Arje Bekers. He reports that there are about 10,000 Jews in Latvia and stresses that relations between the Jewish Community and Latvian society are very good.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Parents will continue to chose nationality for their children
• Interview with Director of Minority Department Irina Vinnika
• Rally against occupation and colonisation of Latvia
• III Roma congress will be hold on Saturday in Riga
• Newspapers comment on the results of opinion poll about two-community society in Latvia
• Russian newspapers continue discussions about the education reform
• Russias official criticises the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the issue concerning the choice of nationality for a new-born child. The effective procedure stipulates that parents of a new-born child when providing data to the Resident Register are demanded to state nationality of a child. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that the state should not impose the choice of childs nationality on parents. However, all other members of the Cabinet supported the effective procedure. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

interviews recently appointed the director of the Minority Department at the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Irina Vinnika. Her key tasks will be: 1) co-ordination of state support for minority organisations; 2) follow that this support works for development of these organisations; 3) preserve identity of national minorities. Additional task for the whole Secretariat is elimination of racial discrimination. Regarding ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Irina Vinnika says that the Convention should be ratified, but after the referendum on Latvias accession to the EU and with several reservations. She believes that the education reform should be implemented, however, a dialogue with all parties should be ensured.

Yesterday the nationalistic NGO Latvian National Front held a rally at the Freedom Monument in Riga. About 100 people demanded that Russia acknowledges Latvias occupation by the USSR, as well as the Saeima and the Government should free Latvia from civil occupants. Chas, Lauku Avize

The Roma NGO Gloss will hold the III Roma Congress on 21 June in Riga. The key discussion subjects will be the attitude of Roma towards Latvias accession to the EU, economic programme, issues concerning education and culture, fight with corruption. Vechernaya Riga

Lauku Avize

comments on the results of the opinion poll which stated that almost a half of Latvian residents believe that the two-community society will continue its existence in Latvia in the future as well. The columnist of Lauku Avize states that the company SKDS which conducted the survey should have find out the arguments which made people think this way, otherwise the results of the opinion poll work in favour for forces which want to see two community society in Latvia. In its turn Chas comments that the opinion poll shows the evaluation of state integration policy by Latvian society.

Vechernaya Riga

and Chas continue discussion about the implementation of the education reform with parents of Russian students and teachers. People are determined to continue protest activities.

Yesterday in St.Peterburg Deputy of Russian Foreign Affairs Minister stated that the Council of Europe should pay more attention to issues of Russian-speakers in the Baltic countries. Chas

Chas

features an article about the problems Latvia faces in the field of integration and states that the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not work very effectively with these issue in her 4 presidency years. The newspaper concludes that the President will have to solve these issues if she is re-elected.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Aleksandr Shabanov comments on the decision of the Constitution Court to abolish the norm in the Law on Radio and TV
• Integration Secretariat presents its new premises
• Opinion poll: two contradicting communities will continue their co-existence in Latvia
• Racism in Latvia

Diena

features an article by Aleksandr Shabanov about the decision of the Constitution Court on abolishment the norm in the Law on Radio and TV, which stipulated that only up to 25% of radio programmes may be aired in foreign languages. Aleksandr Shabanov forecasts that most probably more and more radio programmes produced in Russia will be aired in the Latvian market of radio programmes if the Saeima does not introduce any obstacles for re-translation of these programmes. He notes that something should be done in the field of Latvian language learning and advice Russian radio stations to produce programmes in simple Latvian language and air them in the best show times.

Lauku Avize

reports that yesterday the official opening of the new premises of the Secretariat for Societal Integration Affairs took place. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks said that he has a very good team and 40% of his staff are non-Latvians. The newspaper provides financial data regarding formation of the Secretariat. Chas

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS, almost a half of surveyed people believe that the situation that there is two-community society in Latvia will continue their co-existence in the future as well. The opinion regarding this issue has not changed since 1998 when the SKDS conducted a similar poll. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

features an article about racism in Latvia. The newspaper writes that the official stance is that there is no racism in Latvia, however, the newspaper carries out its interviews with representatives of different nationalities and looks into studies of experts. The newspaper concludes that the lack of clear and open racial expressions is due the lack of racial minorities in Latvia.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• National Human Rights Office presents its annual report
• Interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds
• Russian journalist Irina Vinnika appointed director of the Minority Department at the Integration Ministry

The National Human Rights Office presented its annual report to the Saeima. Last year the Office received 1151 complaints from physical persons. People mostly complain about issues concerning living conditions, violations in courts, social guarantees and inhuman conditions in prisons. Regarding discrimination on national and ethnic grounds, the Office reviewed only few cases: violence of the employees of the security company Falks towards Roma in a café and pre-election clips of the Freedom Party where they reflected dark skinned men in a way which kindles national hatred. Vesti Segodnya

Vechernaya Riga talks to political scientist, associated professor of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds about the situation of Russians in Latvia. He believes that protest activities against the education reform is a result of the states integration policy which does not admit that people could have another point of view other than governments. He states that Latvia inherited two strong communities from the Soviet times and the government during 12 years of independence did not take the necessary measures to form a unified society in Latvia. He concludes that the formation of the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs is the first step of the Repses government in correcting mistakes concerning integration issues made by previous governments.

Diena

features an article about journalist Irina Vinnika who just recently started to work for the Ministry of Societal Integration as director of the Minority Department. Her key task will be strengthening of minority NGOs.