Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Diena
on the status of non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU
• Integration Minister asks General Prosecutors Office to examine an article in the nationalistic newspaper DDD
• Roma NGO will ask with the Corruption Prevention Office to examine expenditures of the National Roma Association

Diena

features an article on the status of Latvian non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU. Latvian non-citizens do not have a clear picture about their status after Latvias accession to the EU, however, they believe that after the accession there will be no major differences between the status of citizens and non-citizens. The recently adopted EU directive on the nationals of the third countries provides for that Latvian non-citizens will have the same social rights as they did before, as well as they will be granted minimal rights which have all long term residents of the EU without EU citizenship. However, non-citizens will not have the right to participate at central and local elections. The Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre says that the directive solves the issue of non-citizens on a practical level, however, legally they still will have the status of stateless persons. Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks believes that rights of non-citizens should not be limited, however, there should be motivation to naturalise.

Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks asked the General Prosecutors Office to examine the article printed in the nationalistic newspaper DDD published by Aivars Garda. The Integration Minister believes that the article kindles national hatred. The newspaper features an article which states that the II World War was started not by Hitler but by Jews, besides the newspaper used a humiliating word for Jews. The General Prosecutors Office will reach decision most probably next week. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about the situation of Roma in Jurmala. Roma NGO Dorsis developed the activity plan aimed at improving the situation of Roma in Jurmala and tried to submit the plan to the Jurmala City Council, however, the Council said that they should look for the help in the National Roma Association led by Normunds Rudevics. Representatives of Dorsis state that during 10 years Rudevichs has not provided any help. Dorsis is planning to apply with the Corruption Prevention Office to find out where the National Roma Association spent the money allotted from the state budget.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Saeima voted against the resignation of the Repses government
• Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about the education reform
• Daugavpils resident filed a claim with the Daugavpils court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents
• Russias TV channel talks about the education reform in Latvia

Yesterday the majority of the Saeima did not support the proposal of the People’s Party asking for the resignation of the Repse’s government. Only 27 MPs from the People’s Party and FHRUL voted for the resignation of the Government. Although before the vote the opposition party -- People’s Harmony Party led by Janis Jurkans stated that it would vote for the resignation, the party did not take part in the vote. The People’s Party commented on that that the New Era is very close with Moscow’s forces.

Yesterday the majority of the Saeima did not support the proposal of the Peoples Party asking for the resignation of the Repses government. Only 27 MPs from the Peoples Party and FHRUL voted for the resignation of the Government. Although before the vote the opposition party -- Peoples Harmony Party led by Janis Jurkans stated that it would vote for the resignation, the party did not take part in the vote. The Peoples Party commented on that that the New Era is very close with Moscows forces. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss,Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena

features an article by Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about issues concerning the education reform. Maria Golubeva has an impression that the lack of a dialogue and fantastic concern of Russians that Latvians want to revenge are not coincidental. She believes that the time has come to re-assess relations between the state and ethnic cultures and get rid of illusions that the primary task of the state is to solve cultural issues. She expresses a hope that the essay contest Borders of My Language are Borders of My worl organised by the NGO Providus will help to find a solution in the PR crisis between the Education Ministry and a part of society. features an article by Dr.hist. Maria Golubeva about issues concerning the education reform. Maria Golubeva has an impression that the lack of a dialogue and fantastic concern of Russians that Latvians want to revenge are not coincidental. She believes that the time has come to re-assess relations between the state and ethnic cultures and get rid of illusions that the primary task of the state is to solve cultural issues. She expresses a hope that the essay contest “Borders of My Language are Borders of My worl” organised by the NGO “Providus” will help to find a solution in the PR crisis between the Education Ministry and a part of society. Daugavpils’ resident Ludmila Staskevicha filed a claim with the Daugavpils’ court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents. One of his interviews with

Daugavpils resident Ludmila Staskevicha filed a claim with the Daugavpils court against the Prime Minister Einars Repse for defamation of Russian-speaking residents. One of his interviews with Lauku Avize the Prime Minister Einars Repse said that now supporters of Moscow are saying their last words and they realise that the Government knows very well who is behind the fifth column and the government keeps an eye on them. Diena, Chas

Vechernaya Riga

reports that the recently produced news programme of the first Baltic Channel (aired from Russia) discussed the education reform in Latvia. The author of the article is dissatisfied with the way the issue was reflected. She writes that it could be concluded from the programme that the education issue has been solved in Latvia. reports that the recently produced news programme of the first Baltic Channel (aired from Russia) discussed the education reform in Latvia. The author of the article is dissatisfied with the way the issue was reflected. She writes that it could be concluded from the programme that the education issue has been solved in Latvia.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Protest activities against the education reform continue
• Interview with the Russian Ambassador
• Head of the Academy of Culture Peteris Lakis about education issues in Latvia
• Representatives of the Latvian Youth Club meet the Integration Minister

Vechernaya Riga

reports that one more protest activity against the education reform took place in Riga yesterday. About 50 people took part in the meeting. The next protest activity will take place after a week outside the buildings of the Saeima, the Education Ministry and the Delegation of the European Commission. Vesti Segodnya

Chas

talks to the Russian Ambassador Igor Studennikov. Regarding the role of Russia in solving issues of Russians in Latvia, he states that Russia draws attention of European and international organisations to education issues, as well as provides material assistance to Russian schools in Latvia.

Chas

talks to the head of the Academy of Culture Peteris Lakis about education issues in Latvia. Regarding the education reform of minority secondary schools, Peteris Lakis states that strong Latvian language skills will enhance students compatibility and the most negative aspect in this issue is over-politicisation of the issue.

Yesterday members of the Latvian Youth Council held discussions with the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks on integration issues. Young people said that actually there are no problems among young people of different nationalities. Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga accounts for her activities
• Disciplinary charges brought against the judge who adopted the sentence in the case of policemen who killed the Roma man
• Article about relations between Latvia and Russia
• Professor Kenins-King about the ethnic situation in Latvia
• Co-chairperson of the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens Vladimir Sokolov provides his arguments why Latvia should be in the EU

The Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave a press conference and accounted for her activities during 4 years. When asked what president should do to help to eliminate the two-communities split in Latvia, the President said that the key task of the President in this sphere is the declaration of the Presidents opinion about a modern, democratic and open Latvia. She said that she had tried to do that, first of all, in all her speeches given on Latvian Independence Day and other occasions and when providing her stance about different issues, for instance, education issues, cultural heritage and the role of a native language in persons development. Latvijas Vestnesis (100603)

Judge Lauma Volberga, who released 4 policemen accused of murdering a Roma man without any sentence, said that she is afraid of a possible revenge from Roma therefore ignored the open court principle (the Judge decided to move to a smaller court room to announce the sentence, practically precluding the closest relatives of the killed man from gaining access to this room and listen to the sentence). Disciplinary charges are brought against the judge. The newspaper believes that the judge should be suspended because of her racial prejudices. The Justice Minister Aivars Aksenoks and chairperson of the Supreme Court Andris Gulans did not comment the decision. Rigas Balss

Diena

features an article about relations between Latvia and Russia. Although the Latvian President has announced that unofficial agreement has been reached to activate relations, some Latvian diplomats are sceptical, as lately Russia uses any opportunity to discuss the situation of Latvian non-citizens at any and all international meetings. According to Diena, the official goal of Russia is to improve the situation of non-citizens, although in reality there are economic interests and a wish to preserve its influence on Latvia.

Lauku Avize

interviews professor of Pacific University Gundars Kenins-King. Regarding the education reform he says that Latvians who want to solve education issues in a bureaucratic manner and Russians who do not care about education of their children are to be blamed for protest activities. He is convinced that the two-community situation in Latvia is created in an artificial way and in the future there will be a one-community society with strong culture and traditions.

Vesti Segodnya

features an article by co-chairperson of the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens Vladimir Sokolov about ethnic democracy in the world and in Latvia. He states that the Latvian state is based on the principles of ethnic democracy. He states that these principles work for the profit of civil servants and not for entrepreneurs, they also hamper any improvements in relations with Russia, as Latvia perceive any Russian attempts to improve the situation of its compatriots in an inadequate manner. Vladimir Sokolov concludes that if the EU is perceived as the union of countries based on principles of consensus, then it is worth to vote for such future.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Newspapers comment on the decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish the norm stipulating language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television
• Interview with State Secretary of the Education Ministry
• Socialist party wants to form their own Saeima faction
• State President meets with MPs

Lauku Avize

comments on the decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish the norm stipulating language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television. The columnist concludes that one concession is followed by another and this is the policy realised in many spheres in the country.

Vesti Segodnya

comments that the decision of the CC is more of a moral victory as it will not bring any practical benefit. Head of the National Radio and TV Council Ojars Rubenis proposes a new concept: introduce a ratio among TV channels and radio stations, for instance, 3 in minority languages and 10 in the state language, in particular, in the places densely inhabited by non-Latvians.

Lauku Avize

talks to the State Secretary of the Education Ministry Sarmite Vegere. She states that the reform will be implemented and insofar as it depends on her there will be no yielding.

The announced intention of the Socialist Party to form its own faction in the Saeima will make impossible the further existence of the faction that is second most popular in recent opinion polls. The FHRUL is presently composed of the Socialist Party and Equality. However, both parties lack the required number of MPs (5) to form an independent faction. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Due to the upcoming presidential elections the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga met with MPs of ruling parties. The President has four top priorities 1) shape a positive image of Latvia; 2) achieve unity of the people and the government; 3) form an ombudsman institution; 4) raise the self-awareness of the people. When asked about her stance towards the education reform, the President did not give a clear answer, but said that words like fight and yielding should not be used when discussing the education reform. The education reform should viewed in a positive way. Chas, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Lauku Avize