• Chas: collection of signatures for support of granting Russian language status of a state language is the break of the year

Chas names the most important events in Latvian politics during the 2011. As the break of the year the newspapers names the collection of signatures for support of the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Almost 200,000 citizens supported such initiative. As the mistake of the year the newspaper names non-inclusion of the Concord Centre in the governing coalition. The National Identity, Civil Society and Integration Policy Guidelines for 2012-2018 elaborated by the Ministry of Culture Chas names the document of the year.

• Concord Centre submitted its proposals to the Citizenship Law

The Concord Centre submitted its proposals to the Citizenship Law stipulating grant of Latvian citizenship to all children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 (restoration of state independence). The CC also proposed to remove all the restrictions for dual citizenship and to allow the rights to have dual citizenship with all countries.

The Concord Centre submitted its proposals to the Citizenship Law stipulating grant of Latvian citizenship to all children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 (restoration of state independence). The CC also proposed to remove all the restrictions for dual citizenship and to allow the rights to have dual citizenship with all countries. Chas

• Regulations envisage teaching of 40% of subjects in Latvian language in primary ethnic minority schools

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved regulations on subjects taught in Latvian language in ethnic minority schools elaborated by the Ministry of Education and Science. According to the regulations, at least 40% of subjects in primary ethnic minority schools should be taught in Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya

• World without Nazism prepares a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights about status of non-citizen in Latvia.

Association World without Nazism (composed of Russian-speaking NGOs from different countries) is preparing a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights calling to evaluate status of non-citizen in Latvia. The organisation wants to achieve that the status of non-citizen is acknowledged as unlawful and to push the Latvian authorities to change the legal acts. Latvijas Avize

• Saeima refused the draft Constitutional amendments stipulating granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia
• Ministry of Culture presented integration plan
• MP Nikolajs Kabanovs excluded from the Latvian delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for signing in support of Russian language

 

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft Constitutional amendments stipulating granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. This means that the national referendum on the issue will be initiated. The MPs from the Concord Centre left the Parliaments hall before the beginning of voting in such a way abstaining from the voting. According to the opinion poll conducted by TNS Latvia, 38% of Latvian residents would vote for the initiative granting Russian status of a state language at the national referendum, while 57% of respondents would vote against it. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

Despite the fact that there is no common agreement between the Ministry of Culture (MC) and the Ministry of Education and Science the division of responsibilities regarding integration issues, the MC yesterday presented its plan on integration of the society. The MC is planning to work in several directions and the main direction is Latvian language. It is planned to provide state language courses for non-citizens and recently arrived immigrants and promote usage of Latvia language. The second direction concerns promotion of civic participation of students and young people. The third direction: inclusion of ethnic minorities in the traditionally ethnic Latvian cultural events. The fourth direction: establishment of common social memory promoting sense of belonging to Latvia and Europe. The fifth direction is strengthening of connections with Latvians living abroad. The sixth direction concerns integration particularly in Latgale region (the Eastern part of Latvia). And the seven direction concern ethnic Roma residents. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Saeima excluded the MP Nikolajs Kabanovs (Concord Centre) from the Latvian delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The MPs argued that their decision is justified by the fact the Mr Kabanovs broke the deputys oath signing for the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya