Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• About 100 people protest against the implementation of the education reform
• Russian MFA criticises statements of the Latvian Prime Minister
• Lauku Avize about the congress of the Latvian First Party

Although the Riga City Council did not issue a permission to organise a picket against the implementation of the education reform, the FHRUL Saeima faction organised a meeting with voters outside the building of the Education Ministry. About 100 people attended the picket. The next protest activity will be held on June 7 at the Railway station square. Diena, Lauku Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry voiced its criticism regarding the statements of Latvian Prime Minister Einars Repse that hostile forces outside Latvia are responsible for tension in Latvia. The Russian MFA states the decision of the Latvian government to continue the implementation of the reform raises natural dissatisfaction among local Russian-speaking population. Diena

Lauku Avize

reports about the congress of the Latvian First Party. Head of the Saeima faction of the Latvian First Party Oskars Kastens stated that the ruling coalition is not so unified any more. He also noted that the party is ready to look for supporters among non-citizens. Nils Muiznieks, who is not a member of the party but was suggested for his post by it, said that his biggest concern is the large number of non-citizens among the youth.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Russia continues to draw attention to the situation of non-citizens in the Baltic States
• Prime Minister Repse has not associated the President of Parex bank with providing funding for protest activities
• Riga City Council did not issue the permission to organise a protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform at the Saeima on 2 June
• Interview with leader of the Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks

When preparing for the EU and Russia summit in St.Petersburg Russia tried to include on the diplomatic agenda the issue concerning the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic states. Russia set a condition: if in the final document the EU wants to talk about the Pridenstr issue, Russia will speak about the situation of Russians in the Baltic states. A Latvian diplomat commented that from the side of Russia it was a tactical step to block the inclusion of the unpleasant issue in the final document. Lately Russia has tried several times to discuss the issue of Russians in the Baltic states on the international arena. In response to the speech of the Vice Speaker of the Russian State Duma Lubova Sliska in the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO, an expert commission will come to Latvia in the fall to examine the situation of non-citizens. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

Prime Minister Einars Repse denies having associated the president of Parex bank, Valery Kargin, with providing funding for anti-Latvian activities aimed at the formation of a two-community society in Latvia. In his turn, Valery Kargin said that the bank could not be viewed as disloyal towards the Latvian state as the bank has provided funding for the NATO summit in Prague and neither he nor the bank has provided funding for political demonstrations or meetings during the last years. Diena, Lauku Avize

The Riga City Council did not issue the permission to organise a protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform outside the Saeima on 2 June. However, FHRUL youth organisation will organise the meeting anyway and expect that about 500 people will attend the meeting. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

talks to the leader of the Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks. He states that there are too many differences between the Socialist party and Equality and therefore there will not be one party – FHRUL – anymore. He believes that if Prime Minister Einars Repse would realise that the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law and Municipality Election Law comply with international requirements and it brings a benefit for him, he would amend these laws.

Vesti Segodnya

comments on examinations for 9th graders. The newspaper notes that although Russian students could take examinations in Russian, the content of some examinations – history, literature – hinted that the Soviet occupation and people who came to Latvia at that time brought much negative for Latvia.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Attempts to destabilise the government are increasing in intensity
• Leader of an NGO: state should provide more support for non-citizens
• Education Law will be amended
• Integration Minister in TV show
• Education Committee of the Riga City Council developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform
• Russian pre-school education in Riga

Diena

reports that attempts to destabilise the government are intensifying. As evidence the newspaper names the activities of the opposition parties against the attempts of the ruling parties to amend the Law on Prevention of Corruption and rumours that this government will collapse soon. Various interviewees named the Union of the Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK as they key organisers of destabilisation, while others named the Peoples Party. The Prime Minister Einars Repse stated that the coalition has never felt stronger. Political commentators surveyed by reports that attempts to destabilise the government are intensifying. As evidence the newspaper names the activities of the opposition parties against the attempts of the ruling parties to amend the Law on Prevention of Corruption and rumours that this government will collapse soon. Various interviewees named the Union of the Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK as they key organisers of destabilisation, while others named the People’s Party. The Prime Minister Einars Repse stated that the coalition has never felt stronger. Political commentators surveyed by Jauna AvizeJauna Avize – chairperson of Latvias Way Janis Naglis, the Union of Farmers and Greens MP Vilis Kristopans and the Peoples Party Board member, political scientist Artis Pabriks all believe that this summer the government will remain in place unchanged. – chairperson of Latvia’s Way Janis Naglis, the Union of Farmers and Greens MP Vilis Kristopans and the People’s Party Board member, political scientist Artis Pabriks all believe that this summer the government will remain in place unchanged. Chas, Vesti SegodnyaChas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena

features an article by one of the leaders of the anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks. The NGO provides Latvian language courses free of charge. Igors Kuzmuks states the poor state language skills are the key obstacle, which prevents in his estimate 700,000 Latvian non-citizens from acquiring Latvian citizenship. According to Igors Kuzmuks the officials attitude towards integration issues is one of the explanations for poor state language skills and the state should provide a more assistance. The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that if the Saeima does not manage to amend the Education Law until the end of the spring session, the government will amend the Law this summer.

The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that if the Saeima does not manage to amend the Education Law until the end of the spring session, the government will amend the Law this summer. Diena

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks took part in the TV show “From the Position of Power.” The Integration Minister voiced his opinion about the protest meeting. He said that the meeting is a serious signal to the government, however, the Minister finds it strange that many non-citizens want to participate in the protests, but do not want to naturalise and have a direct influence on politics. Regarding the statements of the Prime Minister that hostile forces organised the meeting, Nils Muiznieks comments that the Prime Minister went too far and that he would not speak this way.

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks took part in the TV show From the Position of Power. The Integration Minister voiced his opinion about the protest meeting. He said that the meeting is a serious signal to the government, however, the Minister finds it strange that many non-citizens want to participate in the protests, but do not want to naturalise and have a direct influence on politics. Regarding the statements of the Prime Minister that hostile forces organised the meeting, Nils Muiznieks comments that the Prime Minister went too far and that he would not speak this way.

Yesterday the Education Committee of the Riga City Council has developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform. The Council has to collect all information from school by July, develop a database by August and analyse the info by November.

Yesterday the Education Committee of the Riga City Council has developed an activity plan regarding the implementation of the education reform. The Council has to collect all information from school by July, develop a database by August and analyse the info by November. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas

interviews the official of the Riga City Council who is responsible for pre-school education. Many municipal Russian kindergartens do not have classes of Latvian and pre-school teachers do not speak Latvian with kids. The official also states that the tendency for Russian parents to send their children to Latvian kindergartens is decreasing. interviews the official of the Riga City Council who is responsible for pre-school education. Many municipal Russian kindergartens do not have classes of Latvian and pre-school teachers do not speak Latvian with kids. The official also states that the tendency for Russian parents to send their children to Latvian kindergartens is decreasing. Students of the Russian school No 22 are indignant about the reportage of the TV channel LNT about the education reform. Students claim that the LNT did not reflect them in a true light and cut most of the material and arguments out.

Students of the Russian school No 22 are indignant about the reportage of the TV channel LNT about the education reform. Students claim that the LNT did not reflect them in a true light and cut most of the material and arguments out. Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Protest meeting against Latvian education reform in Moscow
• Statement of the Russian MFA on the education reform in Latvia
• Activities of the Integration Minister
• Lauku Avize
talks to the Integration Minister
• Interview with Prime Minister Einars Repse
• Public policy portal discusses education reform

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party “Unified Russia.” Today a second part of the rally will take place.

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party Unified Russia. Today a second part of the rally will take place. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense.

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense. Neatkariga, Chas, BNS

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities.

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities. Vesti Segodnya states that it was not easy to do a lot during 6 months as the Integration Minister is not a member of any party and, second, integration issues have never been the top priority in Latvia. The newspaper notes that the Integration Minister devotes the majority of his time to building dialogue, lately especially with people protesting against the education reform.

Lauku Avize

talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word only from the Education Law this summer. talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word “only” from the Education Law this summer.

Lauku Avize

interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvias enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvia’s enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of Lauku AvizeLauku Avize that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement of Lauku Avize’s of Lauku Avizes journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. The public policy portal

The public policy portal www.politika.lv continues the discussion about the education reform. Public policy fellow Deniss Hanovs looks into the issue concerning the development of Russian identity in Latvia. He notes that in media and peoples minds protest activities were starting to develop long before the protest meeting took place. He also states that the local Russian culture is not able to find its niche and functions in Latvia. According to Deniss Hanovs, the street protest is the only way to raise Russian interest about their culture and it shows that Russian identity in Latvia is in a miserable state.

The head of the Human Rights Institute

The head of the Human Rights Institute Gita Feldhune provides her opinion about the education reform. She stresses that it is not a shame that there are thousand or ten thousand people in the country whose opinion does not comply with the governments stance and that they want to voice their opinion in the moment when they can reach a broader audience.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

• Chas
prints opinions of high officials about the protest meeting
• Protest meeting against the education reform in Moscow
• Lauku Avize
voices its incomprehension about tolerance of officials towards the protest activities
• Discussion Latvian – the Language of the Future was held yesterday
• Interview with the director of the Strategic Research Institute from Moscow
• Neatkariga features an article about left-wing parties
• Russian government demands that Latvia solve minority issues

Chas

provides opinions of high officials regarding the protest meeting against the education reform. Prime Minister Einars Repse states that there was no sense in organising the meeting as the government had already asked the Education Ministry to strike out the word only and people who came to the meeting were misled. The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis says that people who came to the meeting protested against the closure of Russian schools and the Minister stresses that nobody is going to close them. The Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks promised to give his opinion later.

Today the Moscows organisation Unified Russia will organise a protest meeting against assimilation of Russians in Latvia outside the Latvian embassy building in Moscow. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Lauku Avize

voices incomprehension about statements of high officials regarding the education reform and wonders why the state did not interfere with the anti-state activities, that is the protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform.

Yesterday the discussion Latvian – the Language of the Future was held by the Official Language Commission in Riga. The participants discussed the role of Latvian. Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, linguist Ina Druviete admitted that unfortunately the usage of languages is not controlled in the private sphere and regrets that Latvian lawyers tend to act not like advocates and defenders of the Latvian language, but more like prosecutors. Participants also discussed the future of Latvian in the EU. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Vestnesis

Neatkariga

features an interview with the director of the Strategic Research Institute Sergey Oznobischev from Moscow. Sergey Oznobischev took part in the Baltic Forum, which was held last weekend. He says that an average MP of the Russian State Duma believes that Latvian non-citizens are oppressed and their rights are not observed in Latvia. Regarding young people who are non-citizens in Latvia, Oznobischev says that the Latvian state has to make Latvian citizenship attractive for these people, so they see real advantages of being Latvian citizens.

Neatkariga

features an article about two left-wing parties in the Saeima – FHRUL and the Peoples Harmony Party. Their key priorities relate mainly to ethnic issues and it is almost impossible to implement them, due to the opposite stance of the governing parties. FHRUL and the PHP continue to develop draft laws, which are aimed at eliminating differences between the status of citizen and non-citizen, however, none of these draft laws has been accepted. According to these parties, there are 60 differences between the status of Latvian citizen and non-citizen.

As of 9 June the First Baltic Channel, which broadcasts from Russia, will air daily Latvian news. Vesti Segodnya

Monday Russias MPs for the first time presented their report at the Parliamentary Assembly of NATO. The Vice Speaker of the Russian State Duma Lubov Sliska demanded the Latvian government solve minority issues in the country, in particular, the large number of non-citizens and education problems. The Head of the Latvian delegation Guntis Berzins said that the Sliskas report is tendentious. Vesti Segodnya