• Commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis
• Former Advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble talks about ethnic relationships in Estonia and Latvia and Russias future ethnic policy in the Baltic States
• Member of an NGO names pros and cons of naturalisation

Newspapers feature commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The commentator of

Newspapers feature commentaries on the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. The commentator of Neatkariga Rita Avize Viktors Avotins and the commentator of Chas Leonids Fedosejevs point to the lack of legal justification of the decision. ‘It could be concluded that the governing parties are afraid of political opposition and hence deal with it from their power position, concludes Viktors Avotins. Vesti Segodnya and Chas print the statement of the coordination board of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. It says that the decision of the government is legal nihilism and adds that the union is planning to challenge the decision at court. While the journalist of Latvijas Avize Voldemars Krustins believes that the Latvian government has arrived at the only possible decision. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Indulis Emsis who believes that Latvian citizenship will never be granted to all residents at their registration as it is proposed by the representative of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics. According to Indulis Emsis, the Citizenship Law will not be amended.

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an interview with the researcher and the former Advisor of the USA government Pol Gouble about ethnic relationships in Estonia and Latvia and Russias future ethnic policy in the Baltic States. According to Pol Gouble, exceptions towards the Russian minority are more often in Latvia than in Estonia. The researcher also believes that Russia will make very serious attempts to achieve recognition of the Russian language as the official language of the EU and resultantly Latvia and Estonia will have to change their language policies as well. According to Pol Gouble, Russia wants to use the EU institutions to achieve granting Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the co-chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens Sokolovs on naturalisation. The co-chairman believes that a possibility to acquire the citizenship of the European Union and possibilities to travel without visa and work in EU countries are the main benefits of naturalisation.

• Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
• Latvijas Avize interviews the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks
• Court finds no grounds to initiate a case against the chairperson of the Society Integration Foundation Board accused in defamation of a member of a national radical organisation
• Two Russian organisations call other organisations to unite for the preservation of education in the Russian language
• National Archive presents the book ‘Migrants in Latvia
• Competition on the best publication on minority culture and language concluded
• Vesti Segodnya points at misrepresentations and interpretations in the encyclopaedia ‘Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World
• Chas columnist looks what Russian children write about Latvia

For the first time in the history of Latvia the Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Jurijs Petropavlovskis successfully passed naturalisation tests, however, for a long time was under the examination of the Security Police which had to confirm whether he is eligible for naturalisation. The Security Police issued a positive conclusion, however, the Cabinet of Ministers, which usually is the last formal instance in the process of naturalisation, decided not to grant him Latvian citizenship.

For the first time in the history of Latvia the Cabinet of Ministers has refused to award Latvian citizenship to the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis who applied for Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Jurijs Petropavlovskis successfully passed naturalisation tests, however, for a long time was under the examination of the Security Police which had to confirm whether he is eligible for naturalisation. The Security Police issued a positive conclusion, however, the Cabinet of Ministers, which usually is the last formal instance in the process of naturalisation, decided not to grant him Latvian citizenship. Diena writes that the government does not have strong legal arguments why it did not awarded him Latvian citizenship. The Minister of Justice Vineta Muizniece argues that his activities do not correspond the pledge of loyalty towards the state which should be given by a naturalisation applicant. The lecturer of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits believes that it is not sufficient argument because a person may not be punished for his political affiliation. Latvijas Avize, NRA, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. He stated that he was resolved to do everything in his power to develop mutually-favourable relations between Latvia and Russia. The President and the Ambassador agreed that Latvian-Russian relations had great potential, for instance, in the fields of business, tourism, culture and other sectors, which had not been fully reached yet.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny presented his credentials to the President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. He stated that he was resolved to do everything in his power to develop mutually-favourable relations between Latvia and Russia. The President and the Ambassador agreed that Latvian-Russian relations had great potential, for instance, in the fields of business, tourism, culture and other sectors, which had not been fully reached yet. Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize interviews the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks. ‘…Latvia can be an example for other countries. We should be proud of what we have achieved. We should not play games with rules set by others anymore, we have to write our own rules, said the Minister referring to his meeting with the Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles. The Minister believes that Latvias co-operation with Rolf Ekeuss, Alvaro Gill-Robles and European countries in general has not been rather successful, therefore he implements more aggressive policy. Artis Pabriks notes that in Latvia many minority rights, such as social, economic and cultural, are also granted to immigrants, therefore Latvia can be an example for other European countries. Regarding the issue whether the opponent of the education reform Jurijs Petropavlovskis should be granted Latvian citizenship, Artis Pabriks says that he is convinced that he should not be granted citizenship. Artis Pabriks adds that it is possible to open the Law on Citizenship to introduce amendments.

The Riga Court of Vidzeme District refused to initiate a case on the basis of a complaint submitted by the member of the National Front, headed by Aivars Garda, against the businessman and chairperson of the Society Integration Board Sol Bukingolts. Liene Apine accused Sol Bukingolt in her defamation in the mass media: he questioned whether Saeima should employ her as she is connected with the radical and national organisation.

The Riga Court of Vidzeme District refused to initiate a case on the basis of a complaint submitted by the member of the National Front, headed by Aivars Garda, against the businessman and chairperson of the Society Integration Board Sol Bukingolts. Liene Apine accused Sol Bukingolt in her defamation in the mass media: he questioned whether Saeima should employ her as she is connected with the radical and national organisation. Chas

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia and the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools have issued a call to other organisations related to the Russian culture to join together to fight for the preservation of education in the Russian language.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia and the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian Language Schools have issued a call to other organisations related to the Russian culture to join together to fight for the preservation of education in the Russian language. Сhas

Yesterday the National Archive presented its books published in 2004. One of the books is written by Janis Riekstins ‘Migrants in Latvia’ and received the following comment from archive’s staff ‘his book is the evidence of tolerance. Migration not only has changed the ethnic composition in Latvia, but also has given current non-citizens many social privileges. However, we have accepted them.’

Yesterday the National Archive presented its books published in 2004. One of the books is written by Janis Riekstins ‘Migrants in Latvia and received the following comment from archives staff ‘his book is the evidence of tolerance. Migration not only has changed the ethnic composition in Latvia, but also has given current non-citizens many social privileges. However, we have accepted them. Latvijas Vestnesis

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration concluded the competition on ‘The best publication in the press on the opportunities to develop culture and language of a minority.’

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration concluded the competition on ‘The best publication in the press on the opportunities to develop culture and language of a minority. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya comments on the information printed in the encyclopaedia ‘Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World by John Harpers Publishing, 2004. The newspaper points at a number of contradictory statements and misrepresentation of facts concerning Latvia. For instance, the newspaper states that obviously an author who feels affinity towards Russian-speakers wrote the section ‘Citizenship, however, the newspaper also notes that the book gives wrong number of people who are naturalised in Latvia; also according to the encyclopaedia, the parliamentary party for Freedom and Fatherland/LNIM is among extremist groups and parties.

The columnist of

The columnist of Chas looks into essays written by students of a minority schools on the topics related to the upcoming Latvias Independence Day. The columnist concludes that essays written by Russian children show that they do not feel at home either in Latvia or any other country.

 

• Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles visits Latvia
• Latvia celebrates the Day of Tolerance today
• Russian language press reports on the examination of minority schools
• Vesti Segodnya comments on statements of the Foreign Affairs Minister in his interview with the commercial television channel LNT
• FHRUL has developed draft amendments to the Law on Education
• Vesti Segodnya: state authorities support activities of national radicals
• Security Police concludes that the activist of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis may naturalise
• NRA: parties continue demonstrate their ethnic belonging even running for municipal elections
• Polish community in Latgale celebrates the Day of Polands Independence

After a one-day visit to Latvia the Council’s of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights  Alvaro Gill-Robles stated that the issues related to the big number of non-citizens in the country and ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities are most topical issues and advises Latvia to solve them. The Commissioner met with a number of state officials and minority representatives. After his meeting with representatives of minority schools, the Commissioner did not say that he had noticed any problems in the implementation of the education reform. He stated that minority rights to education and culture should be respected, however, all citizens should speak the state language. Regarding Commissioner’s call to ratify the Framework Convention, the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks assured that Latvia wants to ratify the Convention. However, the Minister stressed that it is more important to motivate non-citizens to naturalise than give them the right to participate in municipal elections.

After a one-day visit to Latvia the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Alvaro Gill-Robles stated that the issues related to the big number of non-citizens in the country and ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities are most topical issues and advises Latvia to solve them. The Commissioner met with a number of state officials and minority representatives. After his meeting with representatives of minority schools, the Commissioner did not say that he had noticed any problems in the implementation of the education reform. He stated that minority rights to education and culture should be respected, however, all citizens should speak the state language. Regarding Commissioners call to ratify the Framework Convention, the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks assured that Latvia wants to ratify the Convention. However, the Minister stressed that it is more important to motivate non-citizens to naturalise than give them the right to participate in municipal elections.

The Russian language press comments that Latvian officials ‘again did not listen to the Commissioner’s calls.’

The Russian language press comments that Latvian officials ‘again did not listen to the Commissioners calls. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Today Latvia celebrates the Day of Tolerance.

Today Latvia celebrates the Day of Tolerance. Rigas Balss reports that people interviewed by the newspaper are convinced that in Riga members of a Latvian multi-ethnic society are getting along very well irrespectively of their skin colour and language. Conflicts are caused by misunderstandings and ignorance. The newspaper writes that according to surveys the tolerance level in Latvia is rather high and there are no such conflicts as for instance in the Netherlands. While Chas columnist Fedoseyev states that there was a lack of information about the events organised in the framework of this event and accuses the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration in being inactive.

Chas reports that in October inspectors of the Ministry of Education and Science have examined 78 minority schools. Inspectors have not registered any serious violations, but have noted some problematic issues, such as: activists of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools are active at minority schools; there is a lack of the textbooks etc. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya comments on the interview of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks with the commercial television channel Latvian Independent Television. When asked about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities the Foreign Affairs Minister said that there are immigrants and minorities in Latvia and the Convention will not apply towards immigrants (people who arrived to Latvia from the USSR from 1944-1991). The newspaper concludes that the Minister wants to solve minority issues by ignoring them.

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia has developed draft amendments to the Law on Education. The draft amendments stipulate that schools have a free choice of subjects to be studied in the Latvian language.

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia has developed draft amendments to the Law on Education. The draft amendments stipulate that schools have a free choice of subjects to be studied in the Latvian language. Chas

Chas claims that activities of the member of the National Front Aivars Garda who fights for de-occupation of Latvia receive increasing support of state authorities, for instance, the national television broadcasted interview with two member of the National Front about de-occupation of Latvia, there is poster with a common photo of a group of MPs, including the former Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis, and members of the National Party. The newspaper continues with asking the views of a number of MPs, such as Juris Dalbins, Peteris Simsons, Leopolds Ozolins and others on decolonisation. The surveyed MPs support decolonisation, however, have different opinions on the ways and methods how to achieve it. The Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks says ‘people like Garda talk about decolonisation because they do not believe that diverse people can live together in this country. My task is to promote consolidation of society and show that it is possible.

After a long investigation the Security Police has admitted that the opponent to the education reform and activist of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis corresponds to the criteria set in the Law on Citizenship for the acquisition of Latvian citizenship through naturalisation.

After a long investigation the Security Police has admitted that the opponent to the education reform and activist of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis corresponds to the criteria set in the Law on Citizenship for the acquisition of Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Diena

While

While Chas reports that Jurijs Petropavlovskis received a letter from the State Revenue Service. He is asked to fill in declaration on his sources of incomes for the last three years.

NRA briefly comments on parties strategies for the upcoming municipal elections. The columnist concludes that it is idiotic that parties demonstrate their ethnic belonging even when running for municipal elections.

The Polish community in Kraslava celebrated its National Independence Day together with the member of Polish diplomats.

The Polish community in Kraslava celebrated its National Independence Day together with the member of Polish diplomats. Chas

 

 

 

• Interview with the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Telegraf continues the investigation of the case of the Zaharovs who are refused by the OCMD to register their daughter
• Union of the Christians and Democrats has developed their definition of the term ‘minority
• Comments on the President Vaira Vike-Freibergas decision not to promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television
• Unknown news agency reports that Russia has radically changed her policy towards Latvia
• Riga City Council is looking for a space to build a mosque
• Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry concerned over the tendency of the diminishing usage of the Russian language in the Baltic States

Vesti Segodnya talks to the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks who recently took part in the meeting of EU Integration Ministers which took place in the Netherlands. The Minister says that due to the murder of the movie director Theo van Gog the situation in the Netherlands was rather tense and the key issue in the Netherlands is the co-living of Europeans and Muslims. The Minister notes that Latvia is in a much better position because there are very few extremist organisations and they are rather weak. Nevertheless, the Minister admits that there are quite many extremists among both Latvians and Russians. When asked about the future of the Secretariat, Nils Muiznieks replies that the issues concerning inter-ethnic relations will remain topical in the future and he hopes that representatives of all parties understand that. He adds that he has not heard that any party wants to close the Secretariat.

Telegraf continues the investigation of the case of the Zaharovs who are refused by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Department to register their daughter who was borns in Latvia in July 2004. The mother of the girl is a Latvian non-citizen and the father is a Russian citizen. The officials refuse to register the girl and give her any status, thus depriving her the right to use medical services, receive state allowances, attend kindergarten. The parents have applied with the Administrative Court.

Latvijas Avizes columnist Maris Antonevics comments on the President Vaira Vike-Freibergas decision not to promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television which foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster. The columnist questions whether the President is under the influence of Zhdanoka and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia.

The Union of the Christians and Democrats has developed their definition of the term ‘minority, ’ which according to the Union is necessary for ratification of the Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Their definition says that ‘a national minority is a people or an ethnic group residing in the territory of a country and which do not have their own state.’

The Union of the Christians and Democrats has developed their definition of the term ‘minority, which according to the Union is necessary for ratification of the Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Their definition says that ‘a national minority is a people or an ethnic group residing in the territory of a country and which do not have their own state. Vesti Segodnya

Chas reports that according to the information provided by the independent news agency Independent Media Service Russia has radically changed her policy towards Latvia. The news agency states that Russia is ready to remove the issue concerning minority rights from the agenda if Russia has bigger influence on the economy of Latvia. However, the newspaper doubts authenticity of the news and notes that there was no information about such news agency on the internet.

Vesti Segodnya writes that according to unofficial sources the Riga City Council is looking for a space to build a mosque for Muslims living in Riga. The construction of mosque will be partly financed by the Riga City Council.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has expressed its concern regarding the diminishing usage of the Russian language in the Baltic States in the fields of education, culture and information.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has expressed its concern regarding the diminishing usage of the Russian language in the Baltic States in the fields of education, culture and information. Vesti Segodnya

• President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television
• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia will run for municipal elections
• Study on the usage of languages in the television and radio presented
• Diena follows the implementation of the education reform at minority schools in practice
• Conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television which foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster.  The President believes that the amendments contradict the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers, which provides that the government may issue normative acts only if the main directions of the provisions’ context are defined in the authorisation provided by the law. According to the President, the authorisation is too broad, which enables the government to issue respective legal norms. While

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not promulgate the amendments to the Law on Radio and Television which foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster. The President believes that the amendments contradict the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers, which provides that the government may issue normative acts only if the main directions of the provisions context are defined in the authorisation provided by the law. According to the President, the authorisation is too broad, which enables the government to issue respective legal norms. While Vesti Segodnya reports that the President also noted the state language should be protected with other means and without intervention into private businesses. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis is the first candidate on the list of candidates running for municipal elections from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. Jurijs Petropavlosvkis is a Latvian non-citizen and according to Latvian legislation does not have the right to run for municipal elections. The leader of FHRUL Tatyana Zdanoka believes that about 15-20% and not only Russians but also Latvians will support FHRUL in Riga.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Jurijs Petropavlovskis is the first candidate on the list of candidates running for municipal elections from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. Jurijs Petropavlosvkis is a Latvian non-citizen and according to Latvian legislation does not have the right to run for municipal elections. The leader of FHRUL Tatyana Zdanoka believes that about 15-20% and not only Russians but also Latvians will support FHRUL in Riga. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The presentation of the study ‘Language Use in Latvian Radio and Television: Legislation and Practice’ conducted in the framework of studies funded by the public policy Providus took place on Friday. The author of the study, former researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Signe Martisune has come to conclusions that restrictions set on the usage of minority languages do not foster integration.

The presentation of the study ‘Language Use in Latvian Radio and Television: Legislation and Practice conducted in the framework of studies funded by the public policy Providus took place on Friday. The author of the study, former researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Signe Martisune has come to conclusions that restrictions set on the usage of minority languages do not foster integration. Chas

Diena follows the implementation of the education reform and visits one of minority school in Bauska (the Southern part of Latvia). Although the school, students and teachers admit that there are several problems, in general the minority school in Bauska is successfully implementing the reform.

The conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga. The majority of participants concluded that Russia although have lost her former influence continues to form relations with the Baltic countries on Russia’s former positions therefore a successful dialogue is not achievable.

The conference on the relations between Latvia and Russia took place on Friday in Riga. The majority of participants concluded that Russia although have lost her former influence continues to form relations with the Baltic countries on Russias former positions therefore a successful dialogue is not achievable. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya