11.07.2008 Since Latvia regained independence in 1991, integration policy has been a key issue in its domestic affairs. The preceding fifty years of Soviet rule left a strong impact on Latvia's social, demographic, and economic development. However, Latvia is dealing successfully with this legacy within a democratic framework, and with due respect for the rule of law and human rights. The integration of society has been taking place within the context of successful co-operation between Latvia and international human rights organisations. Latvia has ratified several important human rights instruments and consulted with international human rights experts during the drafting of relevant legislation. This has helped ensure that Latvian legislation and practice fully conform to international standards. The importance of society integration policy is accentuated by Latvia's membership in the European Union. Through the implementation of sound policies in the area of integration and national minority issues, Latvia is demonstrating its readiness as a reliable partner in the building of a united Europe. There are many examples of successful social integration in Latvia, however most examples are not overt and as such are hard to quantify, however, they are to be found at all levels of society. Some examples of these achievements are outlined below. Language Latvia is a distinctly multi-ethnic society. Latvians live among and work with many ethnic minorities, some of whom have been present in Latvia for many centuries. These communities have developed their own cultures and identities, which the Latvian state helps preserve and maintain. Continuous integration of its various ethnic communities is an essential pre-requisite for Latvia's continued stability and future prosperity. The population of Latvia by nationalities (according to data of the Residents Register of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs as of 01.01.2008)
The results of census from the year 2000 show that Latvian is the mother tongue of 58.2% residents, as it is for 95.6% of Latvians, 42.5% of Lithuanians and 39.2% of Estonians. Russian is the mother tongue of 39.6% of residents, as it is for 79.1% of Jews, 72.8% of Belorussians, 67.8% of Ukrainians and 57.7% of Poles. Proficiency in the Latvian language is constantly improving, especially among young non-Latvians. The statistical data show that at the end of the 1990s, approximately 40% of respondents within the age group of 15 – 34 years stated that their knowledge of the Latvian language is good (they can fluently communicate in Latvian), whereas in 2004 a total of 65% of respondents considered their knowledge of Latvian to be well mastered. In 2007 already 74% considered their knowledge of Latvian language as good. There were several more positive marks observed in 2007, e.g., not only had the number of those administering Latvian language risen, but also the areas where Latvian language is used had broadened. Moreover, the attitude of non-Latvians towards using Latvian language has become more favourable.
Latvian Language Training Programme Successful societal integration requires the willingness and readiness to learn the Latvian language. During half a century of Soviet occupation, hundreds of thousands of people came to Latvia to work from distant parts of the Soviet Union. Many of them did not learn Latvian and consequently did not integrate into local society. Since Latvia's independence was restored, the role of Latvian has been gradually and consistently changing and has become a key factor for social and national cohesion. Knowledge of Latvian facilitates the social, cultural, economic and political integration of non-Latvians and increases their competitiveness in the labour market. In 1995, the Government initiated the National Programme for Latvian Language Training (since October 12, 2004, the National Agency for Latvian Language Training [NALLT]), which can be considered one of the most successful projects undertaken in societal integration. The regular polls conducted by the Baltic Data House show that during the time the Agency has been operating, proficiency in Latvian among non-Latvians, as well as interest in learning Latvian, has risen. With continued support from international donors, the Agency offers free language courses for professionals who need Latvian language skills in their jobs, including, for example, police and medical personnel. Since 2004 NALLT devotes special attention to a new target audience – parents of the children attending national minority schools. LAT2 (Latvian as a second language) courses are in high demand among this social group; they not only help learn the language, but also provide the parents with a deeper understanding of the educational reform carried out in the country and make them feel closer to the school and to their children, who already have comparatively good language skills. The Agency develops teaching methodologies for both national minority schools and adult learners. Since its establishment the NALLT has provided Latvian language tuition to nearly 82,000 people. The National Agency for Latvian Language Training offers an ever-increasing number of language courses for adults and teachers. More than 100,000 people have used the study aids developed as part of the Agency's programme. The NALLT on a regular basis publishes the newsletter Tagad (Now) covering issues related to Latvian language, education methodology and integration of society. Since February 2005, NALLT issues a newspaper called "Atslēgas" ("Keys"), which provides information in both Latvian and Russian on the adopted government decisions thus helping in the language learning process. The newspaper is published bi-weekly and is available free of charge at almost every post office. From August 2005, due to the high demand, circulation of the newspaper was increased to 50,000 thus adding 20,000 more copies to the overall number published. National Minority Education The Education Law adopted in 1998 serves as the foundation for the national minority education system. The Law stipulates that national minority education programmes shall include the content necessary for members of national minority groups to develop an awareness of their respective ethnic culture, as well as to integrate into Latvian society. The Ministry of Education and Science has developed four model national minority education programmes, which differ in terms of the proportion of classes taught in the national minority language. National minority schools can choose one of the four model programmes or create their own programmes. Starting in September of 2004, the number of subjects taught in Latvian in the 10th grade in state and municipal general education institutionsl increased from 3 to 5. Up to 40% of all subjects will continue to be taught in the national minority language. The National Minority Education Consultative Council, established in 2001, helps to maintain a dialogue between the Ministry of Education and Science, students and teachers of national minority schools, parents' organisations and NGOs. In July 2004 a special working group was established for constructive dialogue with public organisations including representatives of the Association for Support of Latvia's Russian Language Schools, with a view to continue work on improving national minority education curricula models, taking into consideration the views and suggestions of representatives of national minorities and thus promoting their involvement in the development of national minority education. The Social policy centre "Providus" has been actively involved in maintaining the dialogue, and in September 2004 it helped organise the Fifth Social Policy Forum Integration and National Minority Education. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, has recognised the necessity of increasing the use of Latvian in the state secondary school classroom, given the status of Latvian as the official state language. The Commissioner emphasised that not only is it the right of Latvia to introduce the reform, indeed it is a necessity to do so. Over the last ten years, there has been an increase in demand for education in Latvian, coupled with a corresponding decrease in demand for education in Russian. In the 2007/2008 school year, 72.4% of first-graders began their studies solely in Latvian. This has been due mainly to the interest of non-Latvian parents to ensure that their children receive an education that ensures greater opportunities for access to higher education and increased competitiveness in the labour market. State Language Law In 1999, a new State Language Law was adopted to ensure the protection and promotion of Latvian as the official state language. The Law sets very strict limits on state involvement in the private sector, where language use is regulated only in cases where legitimate public interests are affected. Any such regulation must take into account the rights and interests of the private company concerned. The Law, which came into force in 2000, was developed in close co-operation with international experts from the OSCE and the Council of Europe, thus ensuring compliance with international human rights standards. The adoption of the legislation was welcomed by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, as well as by the Presidency of the European Union. Citizenship Citizenship is one of the strongest links between an individual and the state in which he or she lives. Latvia, through adoption of the Citizenship Law in 1995, and other appropriate legislation, ensures that the procedure for acquisition of citizenship is fair and equitable. Statistical data for the start of 2008 indicates that 81.6% of Latvia's population are Latvian citizens, and practically all of Latvia's permanent residents are able to become citizens. Whenever drafting legislation dealing with issues of citizenship, Latvia has taken into account the recommendations of international human rights organisations (including the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE). These organisations have acknowledged that Latvia's citizenship legislation corresponds to the principles of democracy and human rights. There have been several amendments to the Citizenship Law, elaborated in co-operation with experts from the OSCE and the Council of Europe. The latest amendments, affirmed by the people of Latvia by referendum in 1998, have led to the Law being further liberalised. The Law makes provision for citizenship to be granted within the time frame of one year. In practice, however, the procedure takes no more than three to six months. Following liberalisation of the Law in 1998, there was a rapid, almost fourfold increase in the number of naturalisation applications. Since the beginning of the naturalisation process in 1995 and up to 1 January 2008, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 127 786 persons by order of the Cabinet of Ministers. A total of 9,844 persons were naturalised in 2002 alone, but in 2003 the number was even higher at 10,049. In 2004 there were 16,064 naturalisations, 19,169 persons were granted Latvian citizenship in 2005 and 16,439 in 2006. In 2007 6826 became Latvian citizens through the process of naturalization.
Number of persons granted Latvian citizenship by order of the Cabinet of Ministers
On 30 April 2004, the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in co-operation with the Ministry for Children and Family Affairs sent a letter to the parents of the 15,000 children born after 1991, urging them to register their children as citizens of Latvia and also explaining the necessary procedure. Since this campaign there has been an increased activity on the part of parents in registering their children. Altogether, 7089 children who were born in Latvia after August 21, 1991 and whose parents are non-citizens or stateless persons, have been granted citizenship.
Distribution of the number of applicants for citizenship in terms of nationality (According to the data of the Naturalisation Board for the period from 1 February 1995 to 1 January 2008)
The major part of all applicants for citizenship consists of Russian residents - 68.1%. In 2004 for the first time citizens of Russian nationality outnumbered non-citizens of Russian nationality. Altogether, citizenship has now been obtained by 367 035 individuals or 57.5% of the 638 410 residents of Russian nationality in Latvia. In most cases naturalisation tests have been simplified and as a result, about 90% of applicants pass these tests at the first attempt. National minority school graduates who have already passed Latvian language examinations do not need to take a language test to become naturalised. Applicants who have reached the age of 65 only need to pass the oral part of the language test. In June 2001, the Government reduced the standard naturalisation fee by a third and increased the number of groups eligible for the reduced fee, making the process more accessible to low-income applicants. In September 2003, the Government decided to further increase the number of groups eligible for reduced naturalisation fees. . An Information Centre has been established at the Naturalisation Board that disseminates information among non-citizens on requirements for naturalisation in both Latvian and Russian. Brochures and TV ads encouraging people to naturalise, a toll-free information hotline informing potential applicants about requirements for naturalisation, and visitors' days at branches of the Naturalisation Board all contribute to the maintenance of the process. The Government additionally supports an extensive information campaign on Latvian citizenship and naturalisation, with the aim of providing information on opportunities to acquire Latvian citizenship and encourage non-citizens to apply. As part of the campaign, information has been disseminated to non-citizens through TV and radio advertisements, the Internet, newspapers and personal contact. Information days on citizenship issues have been organised, and an Internet website in the Russian language created. In seeking out new opportunities to encourage the naturalisation process, the Naturalisation Board organises information days for companies employing a large number of non-citizens. It is important to note, however, that citizenship is considered an issue of little concern in terms of its impact on the long-term welfare of society, as reflected in a survey conducted by the Department of Society Integration within the Ministry of Justice. Problems related to citizenship were ranked only tenth by those classifying themselves as feeling "insecure" about their future in Latvia. Issues such as unemployment, problems with the health sector, and economic instability ranked higher. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, has stated that Latvia has fulfilled all his recommendations regarding citizenship. The European Union has commented positively on the application of the Law and on the naturalisation process in general. National Programme - "Integration of Society in Latvia" The National Programme "Integration of Society in Latvia" (hereafter "the Programme") incorporates the political, judicial, social, educational and cultural dimensions of integration policy, and reaffirms that the integration of society is a government priority. Between 1998 and 1999 experts invited by the Government drew up a plan for the Programme. Later the draft concept of the Programme was offered for public debate and elicited some 27,000 suggestions. As a result, the draft concept was re-worked and on December 7, 1999 the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the new text of the concept of the National Programme "Integration of Society in Latvia". An expanded version of the Programme, incorporating specific priority projects, was adopted in February 2001. Reflecting the new position of the Government on integration issues, the Secretariat of the Minister of Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs was established in November 2002. The Secretariat is comprised of more than 30 civil servants and several advisers working on specific issues in the integration of society. Following the elections of the Parliament Mr Oskars Kastens was appointed the new Minister on 7 November. The Secretariat has focused efforts to promote a multi-dimensional dialogue among the various ethnic communities in Latvia. In 2006 the Secretariat in cooperation with state institutions and NGOs worked out a National Programme "Roma in Latvia", that was affirmed by the Cabinet of Ministers in October 2006. The aim of the Programme is to integrate Roma into the society of Latvia, ensuring them equal opportunities in the field of education, employment and human rights. At the end of 2006 Minister pointed out that the Secretariat has played an important role in advancement of the civil society during the year. On 5 July 2001 the Saeima adopted the "Law on the Society Integration Fund" and on 1 September 2001 it came into force. The fund's operation is supervised by a Council which is made up of five ministers, each having specific duties in the field of social integration, five representatives of municipalities, and six NGO representatives. The fund's budget is provided from the state budget, donations from individuals and organisations, and by international donors. The fund operates in close co-operation with the Government, organising tenders for the implementation of social integration projects, and performs the task of monitoring project implementation. The Government continues to allocate substantial financial resources to integration. As of 2003, a part of the fund's budget has been made up of foreign financial assistance, which in 2003, 2004, and 2005 came from Phare funding. From 2005 onward it has also received financial support from EU structural funds, but in 2007 there was also funding from EEA/Norway's financial instruments. Between 2001, when the fund was established, and the end of 2007, it had financed 1170 integration projects. In total, ¬10,000,000 have been allocated to integration-related institutions and projects. Since 2002 the fund has been financing projects as part of the "Latvian Language Acquisition for Adults" programme, ensuring the opportunity to learn Latvian free of charge. In 2005, the sum of ¬238,000 was provided to this project, and Latvian language courses, 20 in total, were attended by 2400 adults from all regions of Latvia. In 2006, the amount of LVL 327,000 was granted for 42 Latvian language courses. Finally, in 2007 23 projects received financial support totalling LVL 208,250. The overall number of adults, who have attended the courses in various parts of Latvia throughout these years, is more than 12,000. Integration is occurring in a spirit of goodwill and in line with international standards. Latvia has proved that its integration policy is successful - praise of the policy by our international partners serves as an additional proof of this. Today, Latvia can continue its work - achievements over the past ten years serve as a solid base for the future. Ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities On 26 May 2005, the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe. Since the term 'national minorities' has not been defined in the convention, the Saeima came to an agreement that under the convention this term refers to those citizens of Latvia who differ from Latvians in terms of culture, religion or language, who have been traditionally living in Latvia for generations, who consider themselves as belonging to the state of Latvia and the Latvian society, and who would like to preserve and develop their culture, religion and language. Latvia has based its definition on those of the member states of the convention, including an additional significant item, namely, that persons who are not citizens of Latvia or another country but have been living in Latvia permanently and legally and do not belong to a national minority based on the definition of the term by the Framework Convention, but who identify themselves with a national minority corresponding to the said definition, are entitled to the rights determined by the Framework Convention, unless otherwise provided by the law. Upon ratifying the convention, the Saeima also passed two declarations, which state that Latvia considers as binding Part 2 of Article 10 and Part 3 of Article 11 of the convention regulating separate spheres of the use of national minority languages, provided they do not contradict the Satversme (Latvian Constitution) and other regulatory enactments defining the use of the state language effective in the Republic of Latvia. High-ranking officials of the Council of Europe and the OSCE have voiced their appreciation of the ratification of the convention. The ratification of the convention has also been valued positively by international organizations both at a bilateral and multilateral level. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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