Minority issues in Latvia, No. 71
August 16, 2003
Content
- "Education reform 2004": law amended, problem not solved
- Attacks on the Secretariat of the Minister for Integration
- Does education in minority languages exist in Europe?
- Naturalisation becomes slower and slower
- Switch to professional army could foster naturalisation
- The Society Integration Foundation allocates financial support within the Phare framework
- Non-citizens on Latvia's membership in the EU
- Nationalism and anti-Semitism: good and bad racism?
- The education reform as the states help in developing Russian identity?
- Essay contest: minister does not accept other viewpoints
- Roma in Latvia: victims of discrimination
- Minister comments on criticism
"Education reform 2004": law amended, problem not solved
Protest actions against the education reform 2004 (switch to instruction mainly in
Latvian in minority secondary schools) will be continued actively in September.
Minority activists from different organizations have announced that the next meeting
against the reform will take place on September 4 in the centre of Riga. The national
security services have already declared that there are no obstacles for holding a
meeting then ("Vesti Segodnya" ("The News Today"), August 9). However, executive
director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks has refused to approve the application
for the meeting, because, in his view, it could disturb traffic in the centre of the
city. The organisers are going to appeal the decision in court; in any case, they are
ready to hold the event as a meeting with pro-minority parliamentary and municipal
deputies (this kind of meeting does not require prior approval by authorities).
Some members of the Headquarter for the support of Russian schools have suggested
linking the problems of education in minority languages with the referendum on joining
the European Union to be hold on September 20. In their view, the voters belonging to
ethnic minorities should vote in favour only if the EU institutions will pay attention
to the issue and help to solve it. Other members Headquarter do not support this idea.
In the meantime, head of the delegation of European Commission in Latvia Andrew Rasbash
believes that the education policy is in the scope of national legislation; however, it
is necessary to follow recommendations expressed in the 2002 Regular Report on Latvias
progress towards accession, e.g. to involve minority representatives in any relevant
decision-making process (Minority issues in Latvia, No. 57, "Telegraf" ("The
Telegraph"), July 15).
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia amended the Education Law on August 12
(according to Article 81 of the Constitution, the government is entitled to amend the law
in cases of urgent necessity between parliamentary sessions; such amendments are to be
accepted by the Parliament later). The law (para. 9 sub-para. 3 of the Transitional
Provisions) stipulated that from September 1, 2004 all state-supported secondary education
must be "in the state language only". The amended wprding goes that from September 1, 2004
all state-supported secondary education must be in the state language in accordance with
the standards of the state secondary education. After the standards were amended in May
2003, it has been stipulated that after the end of the transition period (2004-2006), not
less than 5 subjects in minority secondary schools (besides the Latvian language and
literature) are to be taught in Latvian. Another provision stipulates that up to 40% of
the curricula could be taught in minority languages, therefore, not less than 60% is to
be taught in Latvian. The school can determine the subjects to be taught in Latvian
itself. Since the year 2007 all the state examinations and tests are to be passed in
Latvian.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Education and Science has approved the support
programme for minority schools, which includes informing parents of schoolchildren
about the education reform with parents, allocation of resources for study literature,
teaching aid and education of teachers. The programme will be supported by the state
budget and, possibly, the Society Integration Foundation ("Diena" ("The Day"), July 10).
In the meantime, the Yelgava City Council (Yelgava is the fourth biggest city in Latvia,
where more than 40% of residents are non-Latvians) has decided to merge two
Russian-language schools. Activists of the schools' councils strongly object the
decision and are ready to bring a case against the municipality before the court ("Chas"
("The Hour", August 9).
Our commentary
In our view, minority activists do not have any reason for stopping the protests. As
earlier, the government does not even try to start a dialogue about the reform. One more
evidence for it is the support programme: the Ministry of Education and Science is not
going to discuss the reform, it is going to inform about it. Activities of the Yelgava
City Council clearly demonstrate that the opinion of minorities will not be taken into
account in the field of education.
As regards the amendment to the Education Law, a lot depends on its further implementation.
On one hand, of course, auhtorization for the Cabinet to determine language proportions in
minority secondary education within the framework of education standards could help to
avoid nationalistic passions in the Saeima. On the other hand, minorities are not
represented in the government. It reduces even theoretical possibilities to be heard, when
the reform is discussed.
Attacks on the Secretariat of the Minister for Integration
On August 7, two parliamentary factions of ruling parties ("For Fatherland and Freedom"/LNNK
and Union of Greens and Farmers) suggested to abolish the position of the Minister for the
Special Task in he Field of Integration Affairs and his Secretariat for the economy of
budget resources. The position was created last autumn after the parliamentary elections in
order to promote social integration, protect ethnic minorities and eliminate racial
discrimination in Latvia. Nils Muiznieks, prominent human rights activist and former
director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, was appointed the
minister (see Minority issues in Latvia, No. 59 and No. 60).
The Prime Minister Einars Repse (the New Era party) agreed to discuss the idea. He stated
that activities of the Secretariat should be analysed carefully. His party colleague, head
of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs Ina Druviete claimed many
matters of concern in the Secretariat's work. In particular, Irina Vinnik was appointed as
the head of the Minority Affairs Department, despite she conducted repetitions of the
minority cultural festival "Latvian Wreath" in Russian only some time ago. Alexei Dimitrov
(former editor of our newsletter T.B.) was appointed as the lawyer of the Secretariat,
despite he was executive secretary of the Latvian Human Rights Committee, non-governmental
organisation collaborating actively with pro-minority political forces. Igor Pimenov,
leader of the NGO LASHOR (Association for Support of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia)
is a member of the Advisory Council created by the Minister. In Mrs Druviete's opinion,
such persons cannot promote social integration ("Lauku Avize" ("The Rural Newspaper"),
August 9).
At the moment when the discussion began, Mr Muiznieks was on visit in Siberia to meet
ethnic Latvians residing in Russia. He commented that liquidation of the Secretariat
cannot create a big economy of budget resources, as financial help from abroad and its
administration costs constitute the biggest part of the secretariat's budget (approx.70%).
Besides, the Secretariat plans to reduce its budget for the next year ("Diena" ("The Day"),
August 9). As regards officials of the Secretariat, all of them are professionals
appointed after an open competition, and no discrimination on the basis of their ethnic
origin or political convictions could be acceptable ("Chas" ("The Hour"), August 8).
On August 11, Mr Muiznieks met the Prime Minister, and they decided that the Secretariat
will continue its work. During his press conference the minister mentioned that Mrs
Druviete would like to be the minister herself, and this was the main reason for her
disappointment. After Mr Muiznieks had left for Geneva to participate in the session of
the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as the head of the Latvian
delegation, another press conference was held on August 12. Four heads of different
parliamentary committees (Ina Druviete, the New Era party on human rights and public
affairs, Janis Strazdins, the Union of Greens and Farmers on education, culture and
science, Inese Vaidere, "For Fatherland and Freedom"/LNNK on foreign affairs and Anta
Rugate, the People's Party on the implementation of the Citizenship Law) declared that
they are not satisfied with the Secretariat's work. The main accusations were the
following: the persons working there speak in Russian to visitors; the Secretariat
conflicts with the Association of Ethnic Cultural Associations regarding the state
support. This Association receives annual grant from the state budget apart from other
minority cultural NGOs; the Secretariat plans to stipulate that from the year 2004 all
minority cultural NGOs will have the equal status in respect of the state support. Once
again it was mentioned that some of staff members are "disloyal" towards the state
ethnic policy. MPs pointed out that the minister does not have the right to raise the
issue of ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National
Minorities, as it is the prerogative of the Saeima. Heads of parliamentary committees
asked the Prime Minister to reconsider his position in respect of the Secretariat
("Chas" ("The Hour"), August 13).
Our commentary
We hoped that the creation of the Secretariat for Integration would become the first
step towards starting effective dialogue with ethnic minorities. We are sorry to watch
the initially declared idea turning to be another piece of "democracy on export".
The ruling politicians, claiming that the institution responsible for the integration
policy is not allowed to have say about education in minority languages or ratification
of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, demonstrate that
the role of the Secretariat was intended as purely decorative. If so, we can agree with
Mrs Druviete that there is no need to keep it.
Still, we are shocked by the methods used by MPs to cut the integration attempts by Mr
Muiznieks. Their actions monitoring the language of the rehearsals, questioning the
loyalty of the staff, keeping dossiers on their past etc. makes us think that the
political culture of the right-wing political elite would be more pertinent in the year
1937 and not in a modern European state claiming to be democratic.
As regards the attacks on the former editor of the "Minority Issues in Latvia" Alexei
Dimitrov, doubting his right to work for a ministry due to his past of a human rights
activist, than this demonstrates that the very principles of political liberalism in
Latvia are still perceived as somewhat unacceptable and bizarre.
Does education in minority languages exist in Europe?
The Russian-language newspaper "Chas" ("The Hour") published an article on July 8,
devoted to the issue of education in minority languages in the European countries.
As "Chas" pointed out, Minister for the Special Task in the Field of Integration
Affairs Nils Muiznieks, Minister for Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and
chairman of the ruling New Era party's parliamentary faction Arturs Krisjanis Karins
permanently stress that there is no experience of state maintaining schools of ethnic
minorities in Europe and so it can not be justified in Latvia. "Chas" proved them
wrong and offered a short review of the European states' experience supporting
financially schools with minority language of instruction.
The newspaper describes the example of Finland: it is possible there to study not only
in Finnish, but also in Swedish. In Norway, ethnic minorities the Finns and the Saams
can study in their native language. In Spain, there is a number of regions where the
law allows to choose the appropriate model of education. In the Netherlands, ethnic
minorities (Arabs and Turks) may use the system of "doubling": the subjects are studied
in two languages Dutch and Arabic or Turkish. In Romania, Hungarians, Germans and Serbs
are allowed to study in their native language at all levels of education, including
colleges and universities.
As Boris Tsilevich, MP representing the pro-minority People's Harmony Party, commented,
there are no strict legal norms in Europe, but there is so called "soft law", general
standards and good practices. Many European countries offer the possibility of education
in minority languages even where the share of minorities is much lower than in Latvia.
Mr Tsilevich noted, that the elimination of the existing and well-functioning education
system in minority languages is a phenomenon: the only recent examples of such practice
is the closing of Albanian schools during the regime of Miloshevitch and of Kurdish
schools in Iraq during the regime of Saddam.
The newspaper published also the answer of Minister for Special Task in the Field of
Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks on July 17. He pointed out that he still believes that
the reform is in compliance with international law, but declared that the dialogue
regarding the essence of the reform should be conducted involving teachers and minority
activists.
Naturalisation becomes slower and slower
According to data of the Naturalisation Board, in January-June 2003 the citizenship of
Latvia through naturalisation procedures has been granted to 3535 persons, in 2002 to
9844 persons. In 1999 the citizenship was granted to 12,427 persons, in 2000 - to 14,900
persons, in 2001 - to 10,637 persons (see website of the Naturalization Board). Thus, the
rate of naturalisation becomes slower and slower.
Since last year, secondary school graduates are offered a possibility to present their
results of the centralised examination in the Latvian language instead of taking the
Latvian language test when applying for the Latvian citizenship through naturalisation.
According to the data of the Naturalisation Board, last year only 91 out of 7,501 graduates
made use of this opportunity (it should be kept in mind, however, that only part of these
7,501 graduates were non-citizens). The Naturalisation Board believes that the small number
of applicants could be explained with the lack of information ("Chas" ("The Hour"), July 4;
Integration Monitor, July 4).
On July 10, the Ministry of Justice suggested to reduce the state fee for naturalisation
for pensioners, disabled persons of the 2nd and 3rd category, schoolchildren and full-time
students from previous LVL 10 (approx. EUR 15.4) to LVL 3 (approx. EUR 4.6). The amendments
are to be adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers to come into force. We welcome such decision,
but it is hard to believe that it will make situation better significantly. Moreover, the
Naturalisation Board is going to merge some regional branches for the economy of budget
resources next year ("Neatkariga Rita Avize" ("The Independent Morning Newspaper"), August
5).
Switch to professional army could foster naturalisation
Latvian army moves from obligatory conscription to professional one. While this can
create some temporary transitional problems (possible lack of finances and insufficient
number of recruits in the first years), it should have an overall positive impact on
Latvian military sphere.
Latvian army is one of the acknowledged obstacles for naturalisation of young non-citizens,
until their recruiting age (27) is reached. According to the Ministry of Defence, reforms
in Latvian army will foster naturalization. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija
Aldermane and Minister for Special Task in the Field of Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks
voice their support for this opinion. As Aldermane put it, "...It means, that they will be
able not to interrupt their studies or career being Latvian citizens too". According to
statistics, there are 63 thousand non-citizens in Latvia under the age of 27. This means,
that the rate of naturalisation could double (approximately 60,000 persons received
citizenship by naturalisation).
Still, while discussing the project at the government meeting, representatives of the
Ministry of Defence noted the positive role of mandatory military service as many recruits
belonging to minorities learn Latvian in the army ("Telegraf" ("The Telegraph"), July 9).
Research of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training shows that some 25-30%
of new conscripts have problems with the Latvian language. Normunds Stafeckis from the
Adazhi Training Centre says, "we've 40% Russophones now. Majority of them have insufficient
knowledge of Latvian". Most of such persons had bad teaching at school or had no Latvian
environment for practice. Girts Sviklis, representative of the National Programme for
Latvian Language Training in the Aluksne battalion, notes that the situation has changed
positively from 1/3 conscripts with bad knowledge of the state language to 1/4 ("Diena"
("The Day"), June 30).
Our commentary
However, the data about state language proficiency of conscripts should be handled with
care. In no way should these data be extrapolated to all non-Latvian youngsters. The
matter is that only a small part of youngsters in conscription age are indeed recruited.
In particular, students of accredited universities are exempted. Thus, the real composition
of conscripts reflect "stratification in poverty" and regional disparities. As a rule,
those who cannot or do not wish to avoid conscription come from poorer and socially more
vulnerable families. Thus, the Russian-speaking youngsters - particularly from Latgale,
the eastern region of Latvia with the highest share of minority population, as well as the
lowest level of economic development and the highest unemployment - are overrepresented
among the conscripts. In many cases, they see military service as the only possibility to
receive free dentist's treatment or even to have enough food. In the meantime, the
Russian-speaking youngsters who speak fluent Latvian and come from better-of families
(e.g. in Riga), similarly to ethnic Latvian youngsters, enter university or use other
legal ways to avoid conscription.
The Society Integration Foundation allocates financial support within the Phare framework
The Society Integration Foundation organised seminars on distribution of EU Phare money
(2 million Euro: 800,000 for the development of civil society and 1,283,850 for the society
integration). According to Sols Bukingolts, head of the Foundation's Council, projects to
be submitted untill September 1 should cover such fields as linguistic, social and ethnic
integration ("Vesti Segodnya" ("The News Today"), July 16). Still, language teaching
programmes are not supported, because the state-supported programmes for those wishing to
learn Latvian already exist. Igor Kuzmuk, vice-president of the NGO "Prata Speks" ("The
Power of Mind") asks, if this position means that Latvia will abandon it's nation-state
concept and will become multinational. "If a person does not know language or knows it
poorly, none can speak of integration... Still, possibly, Latvia moves towards creation
of a multinational state, being afraid to tell it clearly before joining the EU". He
reminded, that his organization had been providing Latvian language courses, and intended
to consult Minister for Special Task in the Field of Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks
for help, if the Foundation does not want to support their activities.
Non-citizens on Latvia's membership in the EU
Sociologist Brigita Zepa and lecturer of the University of Latvia Abram Kletskin have
presented views on Latvia's possible membership in the EU, "Motivation and expectation
of Latvia's residents about Latvia's accession to the EU". The poll was conducted in
cooperation with the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Task in the Field of
Integration Affairs. According to them, Latvian non-citizens are very sceptical about
their possibilities in the EU (although there are euro-optimists among them too),
foreseeing no changes in their status. Only a tiny group thinks that the EU will make
Latvia to give citizenship to all residents. Having no possibility to participate in the
referendum, non-citizens are not interested in information about the EU ("Telegraf"
("The Telegraph"), July 17). Non-citizens are afraid of negative changes in wages and
pensions, as well as of engagement of Latvian soldiers in international conflicts, as
well as growth of the number of immigrants ("Neatkariga Rita Avize" ("The Independent
Morning Newspaper", July 17).
In the view of Abram Kletskin, the government's programme is not designed to make people
know more about the EU, it is not directed to public opinion makers and society does not
take part in it. Agitation by information about the EU funds to make people come to the
referendum is not the best one, as it does not allow to think about Latvia's own
possibilities. For a small country, whose main capital should become intellect, this can
result in becoming a big museum under open-air, representing life in the XIX century.
Nationalism and anti-Semitism: good and bad racism?
The Latvian-language newspaper "Diena" ("The Day") published an article by Dr. hist. Leo
Dribins, concerning publication of "The Zion Wise Men Protocols" (see Minority issues in
Latvia, No. 70 on July 2.
The author points out that the activities of "DDD", regularly publishing this
anti-Semitic material would not be very important, if the newspaper would not publish
other anti-Semitic articles and if there wasn't the anniversary of "The Zion Wise Men
Protocols".
Mr Dribins also declares that there is "an insurmountable contradiction between
nationalism and anti-Semitism, especially when anti-Semitism overweights".
Our commentary
In our view, it seems somewhat peculiar, that Dr Dribins, condemning anti-Semitism,
finds it possible to praise nationalism. Attempts to distinguish between "good" and
"bad" racism might be perceived as the support for racism as such.
The education reform as the state's help in developing Russian identity?
On June 28, the leading Latvian-language daily "Diena" ("The Day") published an article
by Aldis Rozentals, concerning the problem of Russian identity in Latvia.
According to the author, one's ethnic identity depends on two aspects: how s/he
identifies him/herself with his/her own ethnic group and with other ethnic group. The
author singles out four types of identity that can be shared in a two-dimensional model.
First, there is monoethnic identitification with the ethnic group an individual belongs
to. Such identity is typical for people who live in their "ethnic homeland". Russians in
Russia and ethnic Latvians in Latvia could be mentioned as the example.
Second, there is the monoethnic identitification with the core ethnic group of the state,
where one lives, if s/he doesn't belong to that group. The author points out, that such
identity is favorable for individual and society. He notes that individual may become a
part of the core nation; accept their traditions, language and values.
Third, there is the bioethnic identity. It means that individual has reached a high level
of self-identification with his own ethnic group and with the other ethnic group. As Mr
Rozentals points out, it is useful for children of minority origin who study in Latvian
or bilingual schools.
Forth, there is the marginal identity, which means that individual has very low level of
self-identification with both ethnic groups. As the author stresses, in Latvia, the main
problem for Russians is the language. It creates the complex of incompleteness, which,
according to him, may lead to the development of Nazism.
The author of the article claims that the state must try to help the individual to develop
his identity and finally reach the comfort. As it is put in "Diena", the education reform
is "small, but necessary step to the right direction. All demonstrations against it are
useless, because participants will only become more alienated and "unwanted" persons in
Latvia. This will not help to solve their identity problem".
Later "Diena" (July 7) published an article, written by Yuri Zubkov, in which he disagrees
with Aldis Rozentals. The author states that Mr Rozentals have not explained what he means
by "monoethnic" mononational state or political nation.
Mr Zubkov notes that mononational state was typical for XVIII-XIX centuries and nowadays
the ignoring of inhabitants' ethnicity is the source of many problems. Concerning the
concept of political nation, Mr Zubkov states that there must be political parties that
do not distinguish between the "core ethnic group" and ethnic minorities, but try to solve
economic and social problems first.
Mr Zubkovs asks why we have to identify ourselves again and again in the way that Mr
Rozentals offers to do this. The identification is a process that cannot be simply
qualified and put in some frames.
Our commentary
In our view, identity is the individual choice. The state can only offer circumstances
for this, but the individual him/herself must make the decision. And the government
should not force it.
Essay contest: minister does not accept other viewpoints
The essay contest "The Borders of My Language Borders of My World" organised by the
public policy centre "Providus", the Embassy of Norway, the public policy portal
"politika.lv" and the Ministry of Education and Science took place recently.
Unfortunately, Minister for Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the President's
advisor on ethnic affairs Olgerts Tipans have left the jury, because they disagreed
with the majority regarding one of the essays. In their view, one of the essays "does
not foster social integration" and runs contrary to the state programme "Society
integration in Latvia". According to media, it could be the essay written in Russian
by Maxim Kovalenko, where the author analyses the minority education reform ("Chas"
("The Hour"), July 11).
Roma in Latvia victims of discrimination
On August 14, the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the study
on the situation of Roma in Latvia. The study was financed by the Integration Foundation/
European Community Phare, the Soros Foundation, and UNDP. The study concludes that racism
and discrimination against Roma are widespread in Latvian society. The study also reveals
dramatic data up to 60% of Latvian Roma education level is 4 classes or lower, and only
up to 5% of Roma are officially employed ("Diena", August 15; Integration Monitor, August 15).
The report in Latvian is available online.
Minister comments on criticism
Minister for Special Task in the Field of Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks has commented
the article "Human Rights and Integration: New Times, Old Problems" written by Alexei
Dimitrov (see Minority issues in Latvia, No. 70). He agrees that the
action plan presented by his Secretariat might seem general, but there are a lot of items
not included into it, as well as subsumed under general priorities. The minister does not
refuse to start active discussions about ratification of the Framework Convention for the
Protection of National Minorities or elaborate the Law on Minority Affairs, but, according
to him, integration is not only laws, regulations and directives, but also education,
information and collaboration. The comments by the minister are available in Latvian online.
Compiled by:
Tatyana Bogushevitch
Yuri Dubrovsky
Gennady Kotov
Alyona Babitch
Milada Fomina
Milana Fomina
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