Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• EU adopts the directive about third country nationals
• Socialist Party leaves FHRUL
• 2,000 signatures against the education reform collected during meeting
• Director of the National Human Rights Office visits Jelgava to talk about the situation of Roma

The Latvian government has agreed to apply to Latvian non-citizens the EU Directive adopted by EU Justice and Interior Ministers on Thursday on the status of permanent residents who are third country nationals. The directive will have no effect on the status of Latvian non-citizens, however, their possibilities and rights could have some improvements in other EU countries. Latvian citizens will have the right to move and work without any restrictions within the EU, while non-citizens will not have these rights.

The Latvian government has agreed to apply to Latvian non-citizens the EU Directive adopted by EU Justice and Interior Ministers on Thursday on the status of permanent residents who are third country nationals. The directive will have no effect on the status of Latvian non-citizens, however, their possibilities and rights could have some improvements in other EU countries. Latvian citizens will have the right to move and work without any restrictions within the EU, while non-citizens will not have these rights. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Socialist Party decided to leave FHRUL. The only party remaining in FHRUL is Equality and it is intending to retain the name of the union.

The Socialist Party decided to leave FHRUL. The only party remaining in FHRUL is Equality and it is intending to retain the name of the union. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

On Saturday, about 2,000 signatures were collected during a protest meeting against the education reform at the square of the Railway station.

On Saturday, about 2,000 signatures were collected during a protest meeting against the education reform at the square of the Railway station. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Director of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers will visit Jelgava to study the situation of Roma in the city. Olafs Bruvers will have meetings with city officials and Roma NGO leaders.

Director of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers will visit Jelgava to study the situation of Roma in the city. Olafs Bruvers will have meetings with city officials and Roma NGO leaders. BNS

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Comments on the decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish the norm stipulating language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television
• Media experts about the decision of the Constitution Court
• Interview with poet and head of the Presidents Official Language Commission Mara Zalite
• Lauku Avize:
increasing number of Russian parents send their children to Latvian kindergartens
• Teacher from Salaspils who was fired due to her insufficient language skills will be re-fired

Diena

comments on the decision of the Constitutional Court to abolish the norm of the Law on Radio and Television which stipulates language restrictions in private broadcasting. Diena states that the decision was unexpected. It proves that the Constitutional Court is capable of reaching decisions without any international pressure. The columnist believes that the decision of the CC will not bring any changes in programmes of Latvian radio and TV stations, however, he fears that full or even partial re-translation of radio programmes of Russia will start and it would result in distorted market of commercials. Another conclusion is that probably the decision will foster social integration, however, there is a risk that it would have a reverse effect – everything depends on the ability of the Saeima to create a legal situation where the mass media which broadcast in Russian do not turn into a voice of Moscow.

Diena

provides opinions of media experts on the abolition of the norm in the Law on Radio and TV. Head of the National Radio and TV Council (NRTC) Ojars Rubenis states the positions of the Latvian language in some regions are not secure yet, therefore alternative means should be considered to prevent airing programmes in Russian or any other foreign language. Researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Signe Martisune believes that the decision is a serious step forward, as it shows that Latvia is able eliminate violations concerning the freedom of speech with local remedies. Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Ina Druviete agrees that the norm had to be abolished, however, there will not be a completely free market. However, commercial stations are not rushing to bring in changes in their programmes – they are waiting for the reaction of the NRTC. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

Vesti Segodnya

comments that it is the first and hopefully not the last victory of national minorities in Latvia.

Chas

reports that Moscow welcomed the decision by the Constitutional Court.

Neatkariga

interviews poet and head of the Official Language Commission Mara Zalite. Regarding the education reform, Mara Zalite says that the word only in the phrase as of 2004 minority students shall study only in the state language was a mistake by the Saeima and successfully used by political forces to initiate protests in society. She stresses that the state should implement a language policy that would bring closer the two communities existing in Latvia. At the same time minorities should feel that nobody threatens their identity.

Lauku Avize

writes that more and more Russian parents want their children to master state language skills already in kindergarten. The newspaper talks to a number of kindergarten teachers about their experience with this issue.

Biology teacher of a Salaspils School Valentina Demidovec, who was dismissed due to her insufficient language skills and then re-hired on the basis of a Courts ruling, received a note from the school administration that her job contract will be terminated on 13 June 2003, as the teacher has violated work discipline. The teacher said that the administration intentionally gave her the weakest classes and constantly conducted inspections. The principle of the school stated that the quality of her classes is very low and students are dissatisfied. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Peoples Party Saeima faction asked for the resignation of the Repses government. The Saeima will vote for this proposal on Thursday. Head of the People Party Atis Slakteris is convinced that the proposal will also be supported by a part of reasonable MPs from other parties. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Chas

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Constitutional Court rules that language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television do not comply with international norms
• Some of protest letters against the education reform turned out to be fake

• Court justifies 4 policemen who beat a Roma man

The Constitutional Court ruled that language restrictions in the Law on Radio and Television, which stipulate that only up to 25% of radio and TV programmes may be aired in a foreign languages, do not comply with the Constitution and international norms and thus are null and void.

In the last month the Ministry of Education received about 1,000 letters voicing protest against the education reform from private persons. The Ministry discovered that one signature is forged, as the alleged writer, when receiving the response letter from the Education Ministry, announced that has not sent any letters. It turned out that about 6 addresses are not residential but business addresses although signed by private persons. The Ministry will hand in the letters to the Prosecutor Office. Diena, Chas

Chas

reports about the decision of the court in the case of 4 policemen, who beat two Roma men when detaining them; one man died from the beating. The court ruled that the death of a man was a coincidence. The newspaper comments that there are no boundaries for policemen. The wife of the killed man will appeal the decision. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Leader of a minority NGO about activity plans of ministries in the respect of human rights and integration issues
• Articles about disagreements between the Socialist Party and Equality

The public policy portal www.politika.lv features an article by the Executive Secretary of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Aleksey Dmitrov about reflection of human rights and integration issues in the activity plan of the Cabinet of Ministers and individual Ministries. He notes that human right and integration issues are included in the activity plans, however, they are not named as priorities of the government and ministries. For instance, the activity plan discusses the implementation of the education reform at minority schools, but does not name it as a priority although it is the most problematic issue in the field of education. Aleksey Dmitrov writes that the activity plan of the Special Task Minister for Integration Affairs caused the biggest surprise. The plan contains only general phrases – “establish a dialogue with minorities,” “planning and implementation of social integration policy,” etc. Development of the National Plan against racism and intolerance is the only concrete activity. The activity plan of the Integration Minister does not say anything about the updating of the Integration Programme, ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and other issues, which were on the Minister’s agenda just after his appointment. Dmitrov concludes with the hope that Nils Muiznieks left these issues out of the activity plan only due to a difficult political situation, not out of changed priorities. 

The public policy portal www.politika.lv features an articleby the Executive Secretary of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Aleksey Dmitrov about reflection of human rights and integration issues in the activity plan of the Cabinet of Ministers and individual Ministries. He notes that human right and integration issues are included in the activity plans, however, they are not named as priorities of the government and ministries. For instance, the activity plan discusses the implementation of the education reform at minority schools, but does not name it as a priority although it is the most problematic issue in the field of education. Aleksey Dmitrov writes that the activity plan of the Special Task Minister for Integration Affairs caused the biggest surprise. The plan contains only general phrases – establish a dialogue with minorities, planning and implementation of social integration policy, etc. Development of the National Plan against racism and intolerance is the only concrete activity. The activity plan of the Integration Minister does not say anything about the updating of the Integration Programme, ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and other issues, which were on the Ministers agenda just after his appointment. Dmitrov concludes with the hope that Nils Muiznieks left these issues out of the activity plan only due to a difficult political situation, not out of changed priorities.
Go to the article (in Latvian)

Chas and Vechernaya Riga feature articles about disagreements within FHRUL and the decision of the Socialist Party to leave the Union.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Ministry of Education develops amendments to the Education Law
• Vechernaya Riga: New Era wants a new City Council in Riga
• Visit of members of social democratic parties from other countries
• Latvian student wins Russian essay contest

Amendments to the Education Law developed by the Ministry of Education foresee a new wording about the education reform at minority schools in 2004. The amendments foresee not only to abolish the word only (in the phrase that classes are held only in the state language) but also include a broader explanation about the governments policy, that is, 40% of classes shall be held in a minority language and 60% in the state language. Diena states that amendments will concern not only minority schools but also Latvian schools. The new amendments also propose to abolish the linkage between teachers salaries and the minimal salary.

Vechernaya Riga

reports that the New Era seriously considers holding extraordinary elections of the Riga City Council. Proposals of the New Era to establish a barrier of 5% of cast votes for parties to be elected the Riga City Council and to reduce the number of deputies are cited as evidence of this presumption. Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya

reports about the visit to Riga of a delegation of European left-wing parties: MPs of the European Parliament and members of social democratic parties from different countries. Members of the delegation were surprised about the high level of nationalism in the Latvian political environment, especially in social democratic parties.

Vechernaya Riga

reports on the essay contest organised by the Association of Russian Language Teachers. The newspaper notes that this year many Latvians took part in the essay contest and also the first prize was awarded a Latvian student.