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U.S. English Foundation Research LATVIA
Language Research8. Miscellaneous: What else can be found about languages and minorities?In 1995 the courts were trusted by some 50% of the residents of Latvia, where by November 1997 that figure had been reduced to 32.5%. Mixed marriages were extremely common, every third marriage overall and every fifth marriage involving a Latvian was mixed (data from 1995). In November 1998 a representative of the party block “Tevzemej un Brivibaj/LNNK” (Fatherland and Freedom) was elected to be the Chairman of Latvia's Parliament. TB/LNNK is a strongly nationalist party, often blocking all initiatives towards normalization of the situation with national minorities. It actively and consistently conducts a policy of strengthening discrimination of “aliens”. According to the research “On the Ways to a Civil Society”, in the beginning of 1998 only 28% of the citizens of Latvia saw the necessity for changes within the Law on citizenship. Approximately 15% thought that this law should be stiffened even more concerning the non-citizens. In January 1998 the President promulgated a new Law on Amnesty, which put citizens and non-citizens on equal terms. In 1998 – over the past two years 2,700 minority teachers were trained for Latvian language lessons. New Latvian handbooks and textbooks were printed. A total of about 12,000 adults and students received Latvian language lessons in different types of courses. On March 3, 2000 several Latvian NGOs, including the Latvian Human Rights Committee, held a public meeting with the members of the Saeima (Parliament) and Riga City Council from the pro-minority coalition “For Human Rights in Integrated Latvia”. March 3, 1991, the date of referendum on the national independence was in fact the last vote involving of the whole population. After that vote, only the citizens of the pre-war Latvia retained the right to vote. During the event a campaign to collect signatures under an appeal to the UN, Council of Europe, European Commission, OSCE, and CBSS began. The aim of this process was to ask the international community to recommend that Latvian authorities ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities signed by Latvia in May 1995. This would hopefully ensure the opportunity to officially use the languages of national minorities in the areas of dense minority population. An added goal was to guarantee the further existence of the state-supported educational system in both the languages of minorities and with effective teaching of the Latvian language. It is also hoped that such actions would help to grant voting rights at municipal elections to the permanent residents of Latvia who do not have Latvian citizenship, but have lived in Latvia 5 years or more. (http://racoon.riga.lv/minelres/archive//03282000-21:26:25 13361.html)
Updated (April 2000) On March 9, 2000 the weekly “Izglitiba un Kultura” (Education and Culture) published statutes of competition announced by Dr. Slucis1 called “For contribution to national-patriotic education in schools.” Five awards of 1,000 LVL (~USD 1,690) each were promised to teachers who elaborated teaching aids about “the genocide against the Latvian nation in the 20th Century” and whose pupils participated in different activities (including public events) and showed their knowledge about “the Latvian nation's historical suffering, the greatest tragedy of this century; Russian occupation and its consequence, 700,000 civil invaders who still live in Latvia illegally.” While the contest is a private undertaking of Dr.Slucis, it is worth mentioning that the weekly “Izglitiba un Kultura” is considered an organ of the Ministry of Education. Ironically, invitations to participate in the competition were sent also to the schools with Russian as the language of instruction. The award (1,000 LVL) approximately equals to a teacher's average annual salary in Latvia.
1 Dr. Slucis is an American Latvian widely known because of his radical nationalistic views. Updated (September 2001) In March 2001 the “Vieda” publishing house has announced competition “The way to the new world or the real nationalism and true culture – the only guarantee of the Latvians' survival and development.” The “Vieda” offered students and schoolchildren to think over the following topics:
Schoolchildren, students and other persons under 30 were offered to write a composition. Possible topics:
The best 72 compositions were published in a book called “Nevienam mes Latviju nedodam” (We do not give Latvia to anyone) and were sent to the leaders of the state. Besides, authors of the best compositions received money awards. The first was of 100 LVL (~USD 165), an average 10-month state grant for a state budget-funded student.
Updated (February 2002) In January, Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Andris Berzins signed a joint order for establishing a Latvian Language Commission. The Commission was founded in order to identify the situation of the official language and to develop recommendations for strengthening the status of the Latvian language. On the table is also the question of language requirements for governmental offices (applicants have to prove proficiency in the Latvian language since 1994). The President reiterated her December declaration saying that these language requirements should be abolished. She is in favor of an amendment to the current regulations, which were established in 1994. Estonia, which also had the same kind of language requirements, abolished them in November last year. As a chairperson of the new Language Commission has been appointed famous poetess Mara Zalite. The Commission is planned to work for three years. It is not yet clear whether or not minority languages will be on the Commission agenda, although the aim is include members from different groups of society.
Updated (July 2002) On June 15, 2002 the left wing union FHRUL held its party conference. The union hopes to get at least 20 percent of seats in the 8th Saeima and to participate in forming the next government. The conference adopted a program, which would grant Latvian citizenship to all non-citizens who have expressed such a wish, Russian should have the status of an official language in those municipalities where the share of Russian-speaking residents exceeds 20 percent and non-citizens should be granted the right to participate in municipal elections. The program did not mention Latvia's potential membership in NATO. The Union is not against; however, it disagrees with the amount of money to be allotted for security purposes from the state budget. (Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii) Updated (September 2002) Vesti Segodnja wrote about a phone survey conducted by the television company “TV5” during a discussion between two politicians Juris Dobelis (FF/LNNK) and Boris Tsilevich (FHRUL) whether the Russian language should be granted official status in Latvia. The show was in Latvian and thus the newspaper anticipated that people who took part in the survey were Latvians. The results were amazing when 44 percent of people said ‘yes’ to granting Russian the status of the state language. Updated (October 2002) INFORMATIVE MATERIALS IN RUSSIAN The Central Electorate Commission rejected the proposal of FHRUL to print informative materials for elections in the Russian language as well. However, FHRUL printed an election manual in the party's pre-election newspaper and will distribute it to readers of the Russian language press. (Chas, September 26) QUESTIONS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF LEADING PARTIES “Chas” sent twenty political parties a letter with five questions essential for its readers. The questions were following:
Thirteen out of twenty parties provided their responses. Here you can find the summary of answers of the most popular parties: The New Era 1) Naturalization is an individual process 2) The Latvian language is the sole state language and the “NE” does not support the idea to grant Russian the status of the official language in some municipalities 3) The reform is very necessary, but more active preparation measures should be taken 4) “NE” supports Latvia's membership to the EU and NATO 5) Latvia is interested in independent and democratic Russia FHRUL 1) Citizenship should be granted to all persons who were born in Latvia or who are family members of citizens 2) Grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where the number of non-Latvians exceeds 20 percent 3) The reform must be postponed 4) Supports the EU, no clear answer about NATO 5) Relations should be friendly Latvia's Way 1) According to legislation in force, everybody has the right to naturalize, the Prime Minister calls on everybody who feels connected to the country to naturalize 2) The Russian language will play its role in such spheres as culture, communication and literature 3) The party believes that all secondary school graduates should speak Latvian, Russian and English fluently 4) Supports Latvia's membership to the EU and NATO 5) Good relations with Russia one of the top priorities of foreign policy The First Party 1) The naturalization procedure should guarantee that a new citizen knows the state language and history 2) Latvian is the state language, other languages are granted the status of minority languages 3) The readiness of schools for the reform should be reviewed and then the reform should continue 4) The EU and NATO are priorities but not ends in themselves 5) Relations with Russia - as with any other country FF/LNNK 1) Yes 2) Russian one of several minority languages 3) Yes 4) Supports Latvia's membership to the EU and NATO 5) A treaty on the state border should be signed; mutually beneficial relations The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers' Union 1) Latvian legislation provides all possibilities to naturalize 2) Russian has the status of a language of one ethnic group residing in Latvia 3) The reform is necessary for the integration of society but additional funding should be allotted 4) Should become a full-fledged EU member and receive 100 percent subsidies for agriculture 5) A constructive dialogue The People's Party 1) Yes, the education system should motivate non-citizens to learn the Latvian language and culture 2) The status of a language of a national minority residing in Latvia 3) Definitely yes 4) Latvia's membership to the EU and NATO, the only long-term guarantee of Latvia's independence 5) The first step should be made by Russia Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, October 4, 2002 Newspaper “Diena” devoted a page to a discussion about naturalization and non-citizen issues in Latvia. Representatives of seven leading parties were asked two questions:
FF/LNNK believes that citizenship should not be advertised but its acquisition should be based on person's wish and beliefs. Regarding the consequences of Latvia's membership to the EU, Aija Predele (MP of FF/LNNK) said that it should foster integration in the country. Maris Kalve from FHRUL stated that simpler requirements for the acquisition of Latvian citizenship should be introduced. About the impact of the EU membership on naturalization, he said that after becoming a EU member, Latvia would have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. The Latvian Social Democrats MP Viola Lazo criticized the current ethno-policy, which is not acceptable either by minorities or the core nation and said that the only way out is to correct the admitted mistakes. Firstly, it is inevitable to define the term “national minority” and to determine rights and obligations of minorities in Latvian legislation and secondly, to look for international sources to fund repatriation of those persons who want to go back to their native countries. Ilmars Mezs, from the New Era, believed that the vast number of non-citizens harms Latvia's interests, however, mass or automatic naturalization would be even worse. According to him, Latvia's membership to the EU will not bring any changes in regard to naturalization; however, it could foster non-citizens' motivation to acquire Latvian citizenship. People's Party MP Anta Rugate believed that the vast number of non-citizens brings no good for any country; however, Latvia is in a special situation. Decision to become a Latvian citizen should be taken individually and education is the most essential way to motivate non-citizens to naturalize. Election candidate from Latvia's Way, the Head of the Naturalization Board, Eizenija Aldermane agreed that the great number of non-citizens brings harm to Latvia so all activities launched by the Naturalization Board – information campaigns, Latvian language courses, etc. – should continue. Ms Aldermane was convinced that the EU membership would increase the tempo of naturalization. Ruta Bendere from the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers' Union said that the Union would continue to support integration of Latvian society. “Panorama Latvii” interviewed FHRUL MP Boris Tsilevich. When asked what consequences Latvia's membership in the EU will have on national minorities residing in Latvia, Boris Tsilevich stated that the EU is an organization formed to facilitate free trade and nothing more. However, the EU adopted the Race Directive in 2000, implementation of which could cause difficulties for Latvia. According to Mr. Tsilevich, national minorities should benefit from periods when Latvia is trying to become a member of international organizations and is forced to adopt norms, which are in compliance with international standards. Source: September 27, 2002, Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT “Lauku Avize” interviewed Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. She called upon all citizens of Latvia to fulfill their duty and take part in the elections. When asked about Latvia's relations with Russia, the President stated that Latvia does not have any problems with Russia. The President emphasized that Latvia made necessary amendments to the legislation concerning citizenship and election rights to align it with international standards. She believes that the Latvian Citizenship Law is one of the most liberal in Europe. She also said that the promises to the Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease naturalization procedures (to equalize state language examinations at a secondary school with naturalization language tests) and to lower the state fee for naturalization for several categories of applicants were achieved. According to the President everybody has the right to naturalize in Latvia, but if there is no wish to become a Latvian citizen, the person can leave the country. The Latvian Government and the USA as well are ready to help those people who do not feel well in Latvia to return to their home countries. Vaira Vike-Freiberga agreed that the number of non-citizens in Latvia is too high, but noted that it is due to historic circumstances. Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, October 1, 2002
Updated (December 2002) A NEW SPECIAL TASK MINISTER FOR SOCIETAL INTEGRATION A new Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that Latvia has achieved a lot in the field of minority issues. The first task of the Minister will be activation of a dialogue between the state and national minorities. He is planning to form the Advisory Council on National Minorities. Second task will be the examination of the National Program for Social Integration. Third, cultural foundations should start accounting for the received funding not only for the State Control but for the government as well. Muiznieks believes that awareness campaigns and Latvian language courses will foster the speed of naturalization and that non-citizens should feel that the country needs them. He agrees that the Russian language should have a certain status in Latvia; namely, the status of a minority language and its usage in municipalities should be recognized on a judicial level. Regarding the education reform in 2004, Muiznieks says that many schools are not ready for the switch; however, he believes that the state should ensure that all people, including students of Russian schools, should be competitive and able to find their place in life. Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, November 27, 2002, Telegraf
Updated (January 2003) During the on-line discussion in December Minister Muiznieks said he would have never agreed to accept the post if he had been convinced that it is just a decoration and no real activities can be implemented. According to Muiznieks, integration implies two aspects: cooperation and participation. He noted that one of the tasks of his Ministry is to fight against forcible assimilation. He also described three myths that Russians and Latvians have about each other and integration. Latvians believe that: 1) Latvia cannot go on with the current demographic situation in the country (so many Russians) 2) Russians do not want to integrate and learn Latvian 3) Muiznieks will introduce two state languages, zero option citizenship and will open the border to the East Russians believe that: 1) Everything what was promised during the “Awakening” actually is the continuation of two-language situation in the Soviet style and it will be implemented in the future 2) Latvian is a very difficult language 3) Muiznieks will introduce two state languages, zero option citizenship and will open the border to the East Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, December 17, 2002
Updated (October 2003) The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles, visited Latvia in order to prepare a report on human rights situation in the country. He recommended to Latvia the following:
According to Olafs Bruvers, the head of the Latvian National Human Rights Office, the recommendation of the Commissioner to grant voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections was his private opinion, not the official stance of the Council of Europe. Bruvers also stressed that these recommendations were not based on an in-depth analysis of the situation in Latvia. According to an MP, Anta Rugate, granting of voting rights to non-citizens would decrease their motivation to naturalize. Ina Druviete, the head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee, stated that fulfilling of these recommendations would hinder the process of social integration and decrease the motivation to learn the Latvian language. Kristine Juckovica, the Prime Minister's press secretary, informed that Latvia will not fulfill the recommendation of the Commissioner to grant voting rights to non-citizens since there are opportunities for them to naturalize. Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, October 7 and 8, 2003, Rigas Balss, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Lauku Avize Updated (January 2004) THE RESULTS OF THE 2002, 2003 SURVEY According to the most recent survey (November 2002 – February 2003), 96 percent of Latvians and 87 percent of Russian and the other ethnic minority groups believe it is important that all Latvian residents were fluent in the Latvian language. However, many residents of Latvia (56 percent of Latvians and 83 percent of Russian) also share the opinion that everyone should speak Russian. The statistics about English are as follows: 80 percent of Latvians, 64 percent of Russians and 65 percent of the other ethnic minorities consider knowledge of this language as necessary. These numbers indicate a more tolerant attitude towards multilingual environment in the country. The survey also shows that the number of people speaking the language has been growing since 1996. The most significant change has been noticed among those with no Latvian language skills. Their number has decreased by more than 10 percent. Source: Mercator, Working Paper No. 12, The Evolutionary Process of Laws on the State Language, Education, and Naturalization: A Reflection of Latvia's Democratization Process, by Dr. Aija Priedite, 2003, http://www.ciemen.org/mercator/index-gb.htm Updated (March 2004) RECOMMENDATIONS OF MR. GIL-ROBLES According to the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles, non-citizens should be granted the voting right at the municipal level. Saeima MP, Aleksandrs Kirsteins, (People's Party) believes that this proposal is not acceptable for Latvia. He also stated that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be ratified only after Russia would officially acknowledge Latvia's occupation. The observer to the European Parliament, Boris Tsilevitch, (People's Harmony Party) believes that the recommendations of the First Commissioner have clearly pointed to the link between society integration and the extension of the minority rights. Meanwhile the former Special Task Minister for Society Integration, Nils Muiznieks, predicts that the voting right for non-citizens will not be granted during this Saeima and the Law on Education will not be revised. Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, Vesti Segodnya, February 16, 2004 Updated (April 2004) The Latvian public policy site “politika.lv” (http://www.policy.lv/) presents a policy paper entitled Latvian Language Proficiency and the Integration of Society (102 pages) written by Svetlana Djackova from the Center for Public Policy PROVIDIUS in 2004. You can access the document on http://www.politika.lv/polit_real/files/lv/latvzin_sabint_en.pdf Updated (October 2006) NATIONAL MINORITY FESTIVAL
Since 1995, seventeen festivals have been held with nearly 10,000 participants from fourteen ethnic groups. The festivals were originally supported by the Soros Foundation-Latvia, the Naturalization Board and private donors but recently they have received financing from the state and local government budgets.
The organizers of the festival have mostly focused on regions with larger proportions of national minority residents but lately also ethnic Latvians have expressed their interest in the "Zelta Komoinš" as they see the opportunity to learn more about the traditional culture of ethnic groups living in Latvia. On the other hand, non-Latvians participants have said that they wish to become more involved in Latvian environment and to establish more extensive contacts with their Latvian peers.
Source: State Report Submitted by Latvia Pursuant to Article 25, paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, October 11, 2006 http://www.coe.int/t/e/human_rights/minorities/1._general_presentation/1._news/N Updated (January 2007) A VIEW ON EDUCATION HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS
On 7 October 2006, Latvia held its ninth parliamentary elections since regaining independence in 1991. For the first time in 10 years, the party that represents the ethnic Russians abandoned railing against the law on education.
The legislation, which has been repeatedly amended since adoption by Parliament in 1998, aims at gradually increasing Latvian as the language of instruction in all state schools. For years, the law served as a rousing voting incentive for Latvia's Russian minority, which makes up nearly 30 percent of the population.
In 2004, the news of parliamentary approval for an amendment to the law mandating that 60 percent of classes in all minority high schools, beginning in the 10th grade, be taught in the Latvian language sent much of the Russian community into a storm of protest. Angry parents, teachers and children took to the streets; They marched outside the Education Ministry shouting through megaphones and waving gigantic posters that read "Hands off Russian schools" and "No to the reform."
Many wondered if the issue would be raised again during this year's election campaign but the streets of Riga were almost quiet.
"Finally, a success story for Latvia - the minority education reform is no longer a political issue," said parliamentarian and former education minister, Ina Druviete, who represents the center-right New Era party. "It wasn't even mentioned during the pre-elections this year."
However, this wasn't the case during the 2002 general elections, when the country's Russians were quaking with apprehension over proposed amendments to the education law. In response, the party For Human Rights in a United Latvia, the Pied Piper of Russian minority rights, promised to defend the use of Russian language in minority schools to attract the voters.
The party got 19 percent of the vote, behind only New Era, which won 23.9 percent. Subsequently, discussion over the proposed minority education reform made the top of parliament's agenda.
For the next two years, opposition to the language law was conducted in a diplomatic and sensible manner. That is, until members of the unofficial radical organization Shtab (Russian Schools Defense Headquarters) joined the legislative battle.
In mid-2004, just months before the reform was scheduled for introduction, Alexander Kazakov, the Shtab leader, rallied thousands of schoolchildren to protest the language law. However, his actions were stopped and later he was deported as "a threat to the state."
Yet, despite Shtab's radical efforts against the reform, the so-called 60/40 Law was introduced on 1 September 2004. It was a historic moment in Latvian state's history: ethnic Russian children, along with children of every other minority group, walked into classrooms with Latvian writing on the board.
Two years later, the law has been fully adopted in high schools across the country. Besides a few failed legislative efforts against the constitutionality of the law, little protest has been heard.
The time has passed...
"It's hard to protest against something that has already begun," says Svetlana Djackova, a specialist in minority issues at the Latvian Center for Human Rights. Adding that, "in 2004, society was completely split over the issue. But since it has become less politicized, tensions have decreased."
According to Druviete, the term "reform" is misleading, as the Latvian government has been taking steps toward bilingual minority schools since before independence. Education authorities developed a plan to introduce Latvian Language as a subject in all minority schools, from Lithuanian to Russian already in 1988. Its goal, Druviete explains, was to eliminate Latvia's linguistically segregated and unequal education system.
In 1995, the government introduced the first elements of bilingual education - based on programs used in Canada and the United States - where the minority language serves as the basic tongue of instruction and Latvian as a "course complement". Gradually, the state increased the number of subjects to be taught in Latvian. Since 1999, minority schools have been free to develop their own curricula, as long as they meet state standards. The only requirement is that all minority high-school students take their final examinations in the Latvian language.
According to the Central Statistical Bureau, early in 2006 Russians constituted 28.5 percent of the population, Belarussians 3.8 percent, Ukrainians 2.4 percent, Poles 2.4 percent, and Lithuanians 1.4 percent. The numbers of minority schools roughly correspond to these figures.
"Now every school in Latvia shares a unified system of education," Druviete says. Nevertheless, many would agree that the system is far from perfect.
For example, Riga's Secondary School No. 40, which is known as one of the country's best minority high schools made up of Riga's most qualified teachers and its academic curriculum competes with that of Russian minority schools across the Baltics, faces an obstacle in its pursuit excellence: the 60/40 Language Law, says its head principal, Galina Yefremova.
She adds: "I'd rather call [the education reform] a project instead of a program because it demands more experience and plenty of correction. Nobody has taught us how to do anything. We were just told that starting in 2004, 60 percent of subjects would be taught in Latvian. That was all."
Other teachers agree. Jelena Rubens, for instance, teaches culture, which includes music, literature, and art, and she delivers her lessons in Latvian. Although Rubens describes her Latvian proficiency as nearly perfect and says she seldom struggles to communicate with students, she also believes her pupils would learn more from classes taught in Russian. She explains that at a very early age, children create a picture of the world within their minds, and this picture can only be perceived through the native language. "This is why the education process, if taught in a foreign language, is damaged a little. It takes much more time and effort for students to understand the world as seen through another language." Rubens adds that, in order for a child to fully absorb the subject of study, not only must he or she be proficient in the language of instruction, but he or she must also comprehend the essence of what is being taught.
Jelena Givovarova, a much younger colleague of Rubens, says teachers struggle more than students with Latvian. She says her students seldom complain about the language law. When the 60/40 Law was introduced to 10th graders in 2004 - teenagers whose lives mirrored Latvia's budding independence - most had been learning the state language since they started school. It's the ethnic Russian teachers, most of whom grew up speaking Russian in communist Latvia, who struggle to master the Latvian language.
Moreover, they lack teaching resources; Latvian textbooks are of a poor quality. Teachers, as they say, have to spend hours online looking for the correct answers in Russian and then translating them into Latvian for students.
According to Yefremova, the new system is badly lacking in proper resources and methodology. "This is why our teachers work like horses," she says, her cheeks flushed with emotion. "I've done my utmost to make this procedure easier for the teachers and students. Nobody in the government helps them. The EU, the Education Ministry - They do nothing." Parliamentarian Druviete rejects this claim. "There are many state-financed classes to help teachers become proficient in Latvian," she says. "Plus, the government has developed a special agency whose main task is to ensure that minority schools have the proper textbooks. We offer a number of education models, and a good teacher will find the appropriate one for her students."
In her opinion, the reform has so far been successful. "Of course there are some shortcomings, as with any new program," she says, adding that when she served as education minister from 2004 to April 2006, "I spoke personally with teachers and parents about their concerns, and was very glad that I managed to solve some problems."
Djackova, referring to Latvian Center for Human Rights interviews with Russian parents and teachers, says their main concern is over the quality of education. "Many parents are concerned that their children are being robbed of knowledge, and do not see any opportunity to influence the education system," she says. "That was the main problem with this reform: there was little opportunity for Russian parents and teachers to discuss and design the language program. The state should have done more to involve them in the process."
"But the reform has already been passed," she adds. "We can only work on improving it."
Source: Elizabeth Celms. "Quiet Revolution in the Classroom" Transitions Online, October 30, 2006 http://www.tol.cz/look/TOL/section.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=4&tpid=24
Updated (June 2007) RUSSIAN SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS MINORITY LANGUAGE IN THE EU
A member of the European Parliament from Latvia, Tatyana Zdanoka, has called on the European Union to recognize Russian as one of traditional ethnic minority languages. Ms. Zdanoka claims that, following the accession of the Baltic States to the EU in 2004, about 6 million Russian-speakers reside in the EU.
Source: Integration and Minority Information Service of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, June 22, 2007 Chas, Vesti Segodnya Updated (July 2007) INTERVIEW WITH INGA LIEPA, HEAD OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS MINISTER FOR SOCIAL INTEGRATION
Head of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, Inga Liepa, has given an interview about integration issues in Latvia to a REGNUM correspondent.
REGNUM: There has been a lot of debate in the Baltic countries on how integration of non–title nations is going on. First of all, the matter concerns integration of Russians... It is said that the process of integration must be bilateral and take into account not only interests of the national state, but interests of the non–title nation as well.
We in Latvia have stopped debating the issue long ago. We comprehend it perfectly well that the process of integration is actually broader than naturalization, which means receiving citizenship. The question does not only concern whether an individual knows the Latvian language and has a Latvian passport with him. The most important factor is if the individual feels himself as a member of the Latvian society - a Latvian citizen not by passport, but by common goals with the state. A Russian or a Ukrainian may not become Latvians, but it is important for the state that all citizens have common goals to make the society and citizens united.
REGNUM: Does it mean to make Latvia a mono–ethnic country?
No, it does not. Latvia signed the Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and intends to observe it fully. For us, it is important not to assimilate various nationalities, but prevent them from ethnic conflicts. But the process is reciprocal: society must take care of its citizens and their comfort, including the national one, and citizens must try by their behavior and activity correspond with the goals of society. The state is trying to unite individuals not by ethnic, but by social goals. We grant equal rights to members of all national alliances or organizations: they always participate in discussing laws and national programs. Within last ten years support for national minorities organizations increased by ten times.
REGNUM: Several years ago, there was a significant public conflict around closure of Russian–medium schools in Latvia. Has it calmed down by now?
Latvian officials have always said that the noise around closure of Russian schools is mostly artificial. Several years ago, not only schools with teaching in Russian were closed but Latvian, Ukrainian, Belarusian schools were closed as well, as there was a decrease in birth rate in mid–1990s, and there was no one to go to school in early 2000s. At present time, there are 727 schools with teaching in Latvian, 148 with teaching in Russian, 92 bilingual schools and 7 schools with teaching in other languages.
REGNUM: What is the key problem for people of non–title nationality to integrate into Latvian society?
I think this depends on age. Youth finds it easy to get accustomed to new conditions: they have no problems with Latvian, English or other foreign language; they are good in adapting to the labor market and do not get lost. On the other hand, the elderly people find it more difficult. There are people who refuse to understand that the Soviet Union does not exist any longer and they are living in another country. We are trying to make any resident of the country feel as a citizen, but nobody can force a person do something. Everyone decides whether to swim a river across or stay ashore. And the role of the state is to establish bridges and islands to make it easier for a person to cross the river.
Source: REGNUM News Agency online, July 24, 2007 www.regnum.ru/english/860596.html
Updated (November 2007) RUSSIA INSISTS ON LATVIA TO GIVE THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE OFFICIAL STATUS
Alexander Chepurin, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department on Relations with the Russian Diaspora, has proclaimed that Moscow is inclined insist on Latvia giving the Russian language official status. The diplomat added that Latvia, where native Russian speakers account for at least 30 percent of the population, is the only ex-Soviet country to treat Russian as a foreign language. Other states, while maintaining only one state language, have given Russian varying degrees of recognition. Chepurin said Russia would raise the issue of the Russian language in Latvia at bilateral meetings and international forums. Source: Novosti (Russian News and Information Agency), November 6, 2007 http://en.rian.ru/russia/20071106/86889684.html
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