MINELRES: Minority issues in Latvia, No. 73

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Original sender: Tatyana Bogushevitch <minissues@delfi.lv>


Minority issues in Latvia, No. 73
Prepared by the Latvian Human Rights Committee (F.I.D.H.)
September 13, 2003

Content
- "Education reform 2004": amendments adopted, tensions remain
- Research on minority children in Latvian-language schools: scientific 
or political approach? 
- News of legislation: non-citizens' issues
- Naturalization to become more accessible?
- Latvian language courses cause dissatisfaction
- NGO: no need in the Latvian language courses free of charge?
- Private media wish to broadcast in minority languages
- Non-citizens at student EU-referendum: first lesson on voting


"Education reform 2004": amendments adopted, tensions remain
------------------------------------------------------------

On September 11, the Saeima (Parliament) adopted in the first reading 
amendments to the Education Law and Professional Education Law suggested 
by the government (for more details, see Minority issues in Latvia, No.
71, http://lists.delfi.lv/pipermail/minelres/2003-August/002884.html and
Minority issues in Latvia, No. 72, 
http://relay.delfi.lv/pipermail/minelres/2003-September/002923.html). 
The amendments are aimed at permitting, from September 1, 2004, to teach 
up to 40% of the curricula in state-funded minority secondary schools
and professional schools in minority languages, but not less than 60% -
in Latvian. Although concrete language proportions are not mentioned in
the law, the amendments refer to the governmental regulations adopted in
May 2003 (the wording currently in force stipulates that from September
1, 2004 state-funded secondary education will be provided in Latvian
only). MPs from nationalistic ruling party "For Fatherland and
Freedom"/LNNK and oppositional right-wing People's Party voted against
the amendments. Heated debates are anticipated also at the second and
third reading ("Vesti Segodnya" ("The News Today"), September 12,
http://rus.delfi.lv/news/press/vesti/article.php?id=6250672).

In the meantime, the NGO LASHOR (Association for Support of the
Russian-language Schools in Latvia) insists on abolishing obligatory
language proportions in secondary education for minorities, and suggests
that these proportions are to be determined by each school's council
itself, after consultations with local government (i.e. founder of the
school). Besides, LASHOR suggests to provide more financial support and
allocate more time for teaching Latvian in minority schools, to
stipulate that all state examinations are taken in the language of
teaching of the corresponding subject, to establish the Minority
Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, and to
restore the system of state-financed higher pedagogical education in
minority languages ("Vesti Segodnya" ("The News Today"), September 10,
http://rus.delfi.lv/temp/vesti/vs_05_1255.pdf.

The Minister for Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis declared that
his ministry is ready to abolish the provision of the Education Law
(Section 59 para. 2), according to which only private schools with
Latvian language of instruction are eligible for subsidies from the
state budget, while private schools with minority languages of
instruction are not. In future all properly certified private
educational institutions which implement accredited education programs,
will be able to receive subsidies, the minister says ("Lauku Avize"
("The Rural Newspaper"), September 11). We welcome this initiative, as
the provision currently in force is clearly discriminatory and does not
comply, in particular, with Art.26 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights (see the UN Human Rights Committee�s views in
the case Arieh Hollis Waldman v. Canada, 
Communication No. 694/1996,
http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/b3bfc541589cc30f802568690052e5d6?Opendocument).

After the meeting of protest against minority education reform 2004 took
place without a permit, as a meeting with deputies (see Minority issues
in Latvia, No. 72, 
http://relay.delfi.lv/pipermail/minelres/2003-September/002923.html), 
MPs from the nationalistic ruling party "For Fatherland and
Freedom"/LNNK have submitted amendments to the Law on Meetings, Rallies
and Pickets. They suggest to stipulate that a meeting of electorate with
deputies is to be held in premises (according to the legislation in
force, the format of such meetings is not determined, and deputies are
not required to seek municipality's endorsement for such meetings). The
Saeima has passed the amendments to the parliamentary committees.
Commenting on the draft law, journalist Maris Antonevics states that a
few legislative acts were to be amended not after, but before the
meeting of September 4, because there was an information about it long
before, and the state was able to prevent it ("Lauku Avize" ("The Rural
Newspaper"), September 10).

In the meantime, experts in the field of education from Russia have
visited the Ministry of Education and Science of Latvia. The first day
of the meeting consisted of two parts � presentations by the Ministry's
officials and discussion. An incident occurred during the meeting was
reported by media. Three journalists from the Russian-language media
attended the meeting, but were asked to leave the room just before the
beginning of the discussion by Evija Papule, head of the Integration
Unit of the Ministry. According to the daily "Vesti Segodnya", Mrs
Papule claimed that "the professional seminar was not intended for the
press" ("Vesti Segodnya" ("The News Today"), September 12,
http://rus.delfi.lv/news/press/vesti/article.php?id=6250718).


Research on minority children in Latvian-language schools: scientific 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
or political approach? 
----------------------

The Ministry of Education and Science published a research conducted by
Dr Ina Druviete and Dr Margarita Gavrilina titled "National minority
children in schools with the Latvian language of instruction". The aim
of the research was to "evaluate the increasing tendency of minority
children choosing schools with the Latvian language of instruction, as
well as to elaborate recommendations for officials and teachers". 

The authors do not limit their research to the issue of minority
children in the Latvian-language schools. In the introduction of the
book it is pointed out that "reforms aimed at removal of the linguistic
division of schools are of special importance for the Latvian education
system". 

The authors also pay attention to the very concept of bilingual
education. They start with the statement that "Nowadays it is
recognised, that education in one language can be considered bilingual
education in the case when this language is not mothertongue of
schoolchildren". Besides, it is stressed that "traditionally bilingual
education is education when minority language as a language of
instruction is supplementary to the official language and not vice
versa". 

The researchers also inquired three school principals in order to find
out whether there is a negative psychological impact on minority
schoolchildren learning in the Latvian-language schools. As regards one
Latvian-language school, the authors note that "the director was indeed
amazed to get to know the myth of bilingual children having problems
with their identity..."

There are also recommendations in the book. The concluding one sounds a�
follows: "Use of minority language in a class where most students belong
to majority is to be considered unacceptable... Limited use of minority
language in individual communication when no lesson takes place is
permitted in the case of necessity". 

Our commentary

Indeed, there is a lack of understanding of the essence of bilingual
education in Latvia. This makes speculations of people claiming to be
experts in the field very dangerous and destructive. Yet, filling the
knowledge gap with highly ideological indications seems to be a part of
the state integration policy. This becomes evident if we take into
account that one of the authors, Dr Ina Druviete, is one of the key
policy makers in the area, being one of the ruling party's "New Era"
leaders and chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights
and Public Affairs.   

In our view, it is somewhat bizarre to consider the common education
system, where Latvian is the sole language of instruction, as
monolingual for children for whom this language is mother tongue, and
bilingual for those for whom it is not. The authors never give
references to any scientific researches while propagating such approach.
Yet, if it is claimed to be "traditional" and "generally recognised"
than it would be useful to know by whom. Anyhow, the appeal to back down
the "linguistic division" of schools is nothing else but invitation to
clampdown linguistic diversity.  


News of legislation: non-citizens' issues
-----------------------------------------

The Cabinet of Ministers has submitted to the Saeima a few legislative
acts, which could influence upon the life of minorities in Latvia. In 
particular, amendments to the Law "On the Status of Former USSR
Citizens, Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State" (so-called
Law on Non-Citizens) provide that a non-citizen can be deprived of this
legal status, if s/he has received a permanent residence permit abroad.
The current wording contains a similar provision only in respect of CIS
countries, as well as for those, who become citizens of other states. If
the Saeima adopts the amendments, some non-citizens of Latvia (mainly
living in the Western Europe) could lose a legal link with Latvia and
become "full-fledged" stateless persons.

Besides, the Cabinet suggests to amend the Security Operation Law in
order to cancel obligatory citizenship and state language proficiency
requirements for heads of private security companies � EU citizens. It
means that after the accession EU citizens will be able to work as heads
of private security companies in Latvia, while Latvian non-citizens will
not, as is the case now. Similar provision in respect of heads of
private detective companies is already elaborated.


Naturalization to become more accessible?
-----------------------------------------

The Ministry of Justice has elaborated amendments to the Cabinet
regulations on naturalisation procedure. If the amendments are accepted, 
a person will be entitled to submit documents for naturalisation to any 
regional branch of the Naturalization Board, regardless of his/her place 
of residence. Besides, a person will not have to prove his/her permanent 
residence in Latvia for the last five years; the information will be 
received from the state registries. It should be mentioned also that 
ethnicity record will not be mandatory in the Naturalization Board's
forms.


Latvian language courses cause dissatisfaction
----------------------------------------------

Daily "Neatkariga Rita Avize" ("The Independent Morning Newspaper", 
September 8) has published an article concerning the quality of the 
Latvian language courses, provided by the Naturalization Board (for 
more information, see Minority issues in Latvia, No. 67, 
http://lists.delfi.lv/pipermail/minelres/2003-May/002705.html). 
These courses are held for naturalisation applicants free of charge.

As the author notes, people attending the courses are not satisfied with
the curricula. They claim it is too complicated, and they are not able
to prepare for the examination. Press secretary of the Naturalization
Board Liga Lusko explains that people should have certain knowledge of
the Latvian language to attend these courses. 

Deputy head of the Naturalization Board Janis Kahanovics stressed that
all the programmes have been approved, and there is no reason to
complain, the Latvian language teacher is not to be replaced either. The
director of the company "Lated", which runs the courses, stated that
there will always be unsatisfied persons, and it does not depend on
teacher. Yet, it is emphasised in the article, people would like to know
why the quality of the courses cannot be improved, taking into account
the financial resources allocated by the government to the programme.


NGO: no need in the Latvian language courses free of charge?
------------------------------------------------------------

The NGO "Prata Speks" ("The Power of Mind") sent a letter of concern to 
the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. 
The letter was signed by deputy head of the NGO Igor Kuzmuk. The NGO
claims that the state does not provide any support to the project of 
teaching the Latvian language free of charge. 

"Prata Speks" has undertaken the initiative of organising 6 groups for
teaching the Latvian language free of charge. The courses were attended 
by 120 persons, mainly of middle age, in the period from September until 
May. About 850 persons are registered as those wishing to attend the 
courses, and the number is increasing. Minister for the Special Task in 
the Field of Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks appreciated the
initiative and offered support in elaboration of a draft application for
the competition announced by the State Integration Foundation. Yet,
according to the rules, only licensed educational establishment were
declared eligible. Besides, the NGO could not look for partners, as the
projects could only be submitted by one applicant.

The NGO perceives such practice as a sign of the state's unwillingness 
to give a helping hand to people wanting to learn the Latvian language. 
Mr Kuzmuk also inquires information about the prospects of receiving 
financial support from the European institutions.


Private media wish to broadcast in minority languages
-----------------------------------------------------

According to the daily "Chas" ("The Hour", September 12), nine private 
radio companies and three television companies have requested the
National Council on Radio and Television to allow them to change their
concepts and enlarge the amount of broadcasting in languages other than
Latvian. It is possible, since the Constitutional Court declared the 25%
language quota for broadcasting in languages other than Latvian
unconstitutional (see Minority issues in Latvia, No. 70, 
http://lists.delfi.lv/pipermail/minelres/2003-June/002804.html). 
It seems that the requests will be considered by new members of the
Council, who are to be elected by the Saeima in October.


Non-citizens at student EU-referendum: first lesson on voting
-------------------------------------------------------------

Latvian Student Union held a student EU referendum in 22 Latvian high
schools on September 9. 10,635 (10,2%) of all students, both citizens 
and non-citizens, participated in the event ("Telegraf" ("The
Telegraph"), September 11, 
http://rus.delfi.lv/archive/article.php?id=6241765&ndate=1063227600&categoryID=2078302). 
"Telegraf" notes, that high-schools where Russian-speaking students are
in majority, are mostly Eurosceptical � 73,06% voted against. Aigars
Freimanis, director of the public opinion research company "Latvijas
Fakti" ("Latvian Facts") pointed out that negative voting by students �
non-citizens could be a revenge for exclusion from the real voting on
September 20. 

We welcome the decision to allow non-citizens to vote at least at the
student referendum. It demonstrates that Latvian youth is more tolerant 
to non-citizens than the state is. In the meantime, this tolerance could
be proved by more "real" action � at least some years ago non-citizens
studying at the University of Latvia and some other high schools could
not vote at the elections of student self-government.

---------------
Compiled by:

Tatyana Bogushevitch
Yuri Dubrovsky
Gennady Kotov
Alyona Babitch
Milada Fomina
Milana Fomina

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