Latvia - Demands of the national minorities in order to preserve their ethnic identities

Year: 2004;

Language: Latvian

The research was carried out by the group of researchers of ethnic relations formed in the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, University of Latvia. The project director was Dr. phil. Elmārs Vēbers. The status and needs of the Russian minority was investigated by Dr. soc. Vladislavs Volkovs, the Byelorussian minority – by Dr. hab. hist. Ilga Apine, the Ukrainian and Jewish minorities – by Dr. hist. Leo Dribins, the Polish and Lithuanian minorities – by Dr. hist. Ēriks Jēkabsons.

The introduction of the summary of the inquiry contains information on the process of preparation of the ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities on the national minority protection in Latvia, on problems that have hindered the coming into effect of the Convention. Despite the fact that the question of the minority rights is very topical, and the ethnical relations allowed finding the rational mutual understanding, the state institutions of Latvia are in no hurry to prepare the ratification. The process was hindered by: 1) the situation when more than 20% of residents are not citizens, they have only the status of the non-citizens; 2) ethnical and political disagreements on the subject of the general reform of education that presupposes the domination of the Latvian language in the process of education in schools with Russian as the language of instruction.

In the Parliament of Latvia, the Saeima the right wing parties, that constitute the majority, are concerned that ratification of the Convention would give too much rights to the ethnic minorities, that greatly consist of the post-war immigrants from the USSR.

The Saeima four times (in the years of 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004) rejected the motion of the deputies – the Convention supporters – to start the preparation process of ratification. Especially strong objections are expressed by the united right wing nationalist party "For Fatherland and Freedom"/"National Independence Movement of Latvia", which believes that ratification would lead to turning of the national state into two-community state.

The Information Bureau of the Council of Europe has repeatedly organized conferences and seminars where it put forwards the substantial arguments about compatibility of interests of the Convention and the national state of Latvia. In the beginning of 2004 the sub-commission of social integration of the Saeima Human rights and public matters committee started to discuss the questions of the ratification preparation. However, the Russian pupils’ commotion and the radical demands to award the state language status to Russian led by Russian opposition parties and organizations, aggravate the ethnical relations, therefore the preparation of the ratification has practically stopped. The research group believes that it is a mistake: the non-ratification could be a reason of the further political commotion. The Convention has to come into power in Latvia.

Russians

The Russian national minority is the largest national minority in the Republic of Latvia. In 2004 in Latvia there lived 664092 Russians, that is, 28,8% of all residents. 330,2 thousand Russians, or 51% of all Latvia Russians are citizens of the Republic of Latvia.

The demographic data demonstrate that Russians is the only large minority, among others, that is orientated towards the reproduction of its ethnicity. It is characteristic for Russians to conclude the endogamic marriages, or marriages in the Russian speaking medium.

The demographic data show that that during existence of the Republic of Latvia among population there have been significant changes that influence the Russian identity:

Decrease in number of Russians in all regions in Latvia, nevertheless, Russians remain the second (following Latvians) largest ethnical group, and in some regions of Latvia they constitute the determinative majority among Latvia residents; Most Russians are orientated to the reproduction of their ethnicity; still there is a tendency to use values of other national groups (first of all Latvians) in the process of social integration. Russian language is one of the basic elements of the Latvia Russian residents. It is possible to conclude that the collective identity of the Russians in Latvia is the linguistic identity. 95% of all Russians regard Russian as their native tongue. (This parameter is the highest among the national minorities). Most often Russians claim Russian language as their native tongue in cities (in Daugavpils – 97,9%, in Rēzekne – 97,4%). Materials of the sociological survey carried out in winter and spring, 2004 by the researchers from the Social Research Institute of the Faculty of Social sciences, Daugavpils University contain the vital information about relation between the national identity and mother tongue. In the situation of the restored Republic of Latvia, the collective identity of Russians more and more often started to manifest itself as the language identity.

Materials of the sociological research demonstrate that for Russian respondents the native tongue is the most decisive feature of their national identity standing above such identity features as "ethnic origin", "Latvia – my homeland (the place of residency)", "I – the citizen of the Republic of Latvia", "adherence to certain culture", "adherence to certain religion".

Therefore, for the Russian residents of Latvia the retaining of their national minority status is related to the preservation of social functions of Russian within private and social life of this minority. Of course, for the Latvian society, the important problem is: how much the retaining of social functions of Russian language in the cultural space of the country won’t hinder development of the general civic identity, not taking into account its ethnic origin and originality of the acquired culture values.

The participation of the Russian population in the national culture societies characterizes the stage of their ethnic mobilization. Since the end of 1980-th in Latvia there function several Russian societies and organizations, their aim is to maintain and develop the Russian identity in the conditions of Latvia. These organizations are: the Russian culture society of Latvia, the Association of Russian language and literature teachers of Latvia, the Russian culture center "Meļetija Kaļistratova nams" (Daugavpils), the Russian community of Latvia, the Association of the support of Russian language schools of Latvia, the Association of Russian communities of Latvia, the United congress of Russian community of Latvia, Liepāja Russian community, and others.

The Russian community of Latvia together with other Russian organizations (the Committee of human rights of Latvia, the Russian society in Latvia, the Latvia association of Russian youth, the association "Dvina", the Jelgava Russian society, the Latvia youth club, the association for cooperation Latvia – Russia, the Regional social fund for the support of Russian culture) issued an appeal to the Saeima of Latvia "On the fast and unconditional ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the protection of National Minority" (23 August, 2004). The Russian culture society of Latvia considers that ratification of the Convention is of the vital importance for perspectives of the Russian minority schools. The Russian culture society and other organizations expressed their opinion that ratification will help to overcome the restriction to use minority languages in the state institutions, in the historical toponymics, the spelling of persons’ names in the minority languages.

The research data show that, Russians think that it is necessary to ratify The Framework Convention of the Council of Europe.

Byelorussians

The ethnic group of Byelorussians (97150 persons – 3,6% of the total number of Latvia residents) has old historical roots in Latgale. Most of them reside in big cities, and the absolute majority of them are pot-war immigrants or their descendants.

The research of status of the Byelorussian identity revealed surprising growth of the Byelorussian ethnic identity during the years of the reestablished independence of Latvia. There are 5 culture societies (in Riga, Liepāja, Daugavpils, Ventspils). At present new societies are forming in Latgale – in Preiļi and Krāslava. Byelorussians in Latvia have their widespread culture infrastructure: the Byelorussian elementary school in Riga and Sunday school in Daugavpils, 6 art ensembles, press in the native language. Byelorussians foster their ethnic traditions, and their activities gather hundreds of people.

Contradictions of the ethnic development of Byelorussians are reflected in the use of language. Only 19% Byelorussians consider Byelorussian as their native tongue, 7% admit that it is Latvian, while 73% of them use Russian in their families. Simultaneous with the ethnic revival and consolidation among Byelorussians there is a growing respect for their mother tongue and interest to learn it. It is facilitated by the education in Byelorussian. Characteristically, using Russian in their family lives, Byelorussians emphasize their different ethnic identity.

The ethnic revival is happening more rapidly than the growth of the Byelorussian national (civic) identity and their integration in the society of Latvia. The insufficient knowledge of Latvian and the slow pace of naturalization hinder the civic maturity. The Byelorussian ethnic minority in Latvia in future has a real perspective to become a proper Latvia national minority. It is due to the historical ties of Byelorussians with Latvia. In surveys the Byelorussian experts and activists stressed their belonging to Latvia.

Byelorussians see imperfections of Latvia laws, the insufficient support of minority societies by the leading politicians. At the same time they appreciate the influence of the European Union on the strengthening of the ethnic and civic identity of minorities. Among Byelorussians of Latvia there is a full support to ratification of the Framework Convention by the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia. Majority regards this step as urgent. In motivation there is a stress upon greater security for further functioning of minorities and their organizations. The basic idea of the Framework Convention is the protection of minorities from the forced assimilation. Counting on it, Byelorussians anticipate the liberalization of the laws of the Republic of Latvia (for example, the use of the native tongue in education, in the municipal sphere). Byelorussians of Latvia are convinced that ratification of the Framework Convention will improve relations between Latvian society and minority representatives, as well as will raise the prestige of Latvia in the world.

Ukrainians

The Ukrainian minority in Latvia started to form only in the 90-th of the 20th century, after the reestablishment of the independence of Latvia. This process is characterized by the revival of the ethnic confidence, the awareness and regard for values of the ethnos, the development of ethnic traditions.

However, almost half of the 59 thousand local Ukrainians don’t know the Ukrainian anymore, approximately 70% of them use Russian in their families. There is only one Ukrainian school in Latvia. Many of them have the split Ukrainian-Russian identity. These are consequences of many years of the Soviet power.

The national identification of the Ukrainians is happening quite slowly. The research demonstrate that 40% want to integrate in the society of Latvia, but only 20% have acquired the citizenship of Latvia, about 20% desire to identify with the Ukraine, many Ukrainians haven’t been able to choose, nevertheless the number of Ukrainians orientated towards Russia is decreasing.

It is possible to conclude that there is forming the Ukrainian national minority. Therefore, the claim that there is no constant Ukrainian ethnonational community, expressed by different radical politicians, is insubstantial. It exists; it forms opinion about the ethnic relations and protection of its identity.

The ethnically and nationally united Ukrainians come together in 10 societies and associations, the first role is played by the educational society "Dņipro" and the Ukrainian union of Latvia (spilka). Interviewing the leaders and activists of these organizations it turned out, that Ukrainians are very critical towards the Latvia legislation on the minority rights, they consider it imperfect and dissonant with the legal principles and norms of the united Europe. Therefore, they urge Latvia to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Moreover, all representatives of the Ukrainian elite request the immediate coming into force of the Framework Convention, and the attribution of its protection regulations to all persons of the ethnic minorities – the citizens and non-citizens of Latvia. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents don’t request the official use of toponyms also in the languages of largest minorities, they agree with salvo about the non-actuality of this norm.

The majority of Ukrainians support the maintaining of the Russian language in the process of education. Ratification of the Framework Convention would give them rights to request also the facultative teaching also of their native tongue in the Russian language schools, that would considerably contribute to the development and protection of the Ukrainian identity.

Poles

In 2004 in Latvia there are 56798 Poles, 40223 of them are citizens, 16059 non-citizens, and 516 – foreigners and stateless. Hence, the number of the Latvia citizens of the Polish nationality is one of the largest. There is the Polish union of Latvia with 14 branches throughout the country. The character of its work itself is the manifestation of the sense of unity of the Polish community, and awareness of themselves as the historical minority of our country. Today the Poles of Latvia is one of the most active of the minorities in the society, that can be seen in the many-sided activities of the Polish union as organization, as well as in the public claims of its leading members. There still exists a tendency that was already in the very beginning of its work: quite pronounced support for the independence of the Latvia state, though not so univocal (especially in Latgale), for the strivings of the Latvian nation to strengthen the role of the Latvian language in the society. This is proved by the character of the Polish union of Latvia and the common ideological standing, based on the love for the ethnic homeland, respect for and loyalty to Latvia, that in the case of many Poles is close to their feelings for Poland, as they absolutely identify themselves with Latvia. There are 5 Polish schools in the country, that have become not only the centers of education, but also of the social activities in Riga, Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Krāslava and Jēkabpils. This is very significant, first, for the strengthening of the ethnic identity of the Latvia Poles, and in many cases for its revival in families that have lost or almost lost it. Second, pupils have an excellent chance to acquire the national identity of Latvia.

Regarding the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities the opinion of representatives of the Polish minority is reserved; they point at the specific situation of the Latvia minorities, as well as they acknowledge that conditions for the Polish minority ensured by the Latvia state legislation and organizations are almost fully satisfactory. As the result they have a little interest in the Framework Convention and its ratification, at the same time they acknowledge that the Framework Convention itself is significant and appreciable. Still there are Poles (especially in Daugavpils) who admit the necessity of ratification of the Framework Convention. According to the survey of the leading Polish social activists, approximately 50% of the Polish social elite support the immediate ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention (in many cases with the remark that it is necessary in the name of the stability in Latvia, and in order to avert the reproaches of Russia that could be used by those representatives of other minorities who are hostile towards Latvia), 10% of them think that ratification should be postponed, but 40% - that ratification isn’t necessary at all, rather the law on minority rights in Latvia should be passed. Approximately 50% of the respondents reckon, that all minority rights in Latvia are to be attributed only to other nationalities – citizens, and 70% - that the use of toponyms in minority languages is not obligatory (regarding this matter about 20% respondents have no personal opinion, but 10% think, that it should be obligatory).

Lithuanians

In 2004 in Latvia there are 31840 Lithuanians (17125 citizens of Latvia, 13312 non-citizens, 1403 foreigners and stateless). There is a wide set of Lithuanian organizations in Latvia, as well as there is the Lithuanian secondary school that has become the center of the social life.

The experts and surveyed persons of the Lithuanian minority think that the main parameters of the national identity are – the language, ties with Lithuania, and activity in the life of Lithuanian organizations and schools, while the obstructive factors are forgetting of the native tongue, passivity, and mutual disagreement. The Lithuanian experts comparatively low place the significance of religion in the strengthening of the ethnic identity. According to the experts’ opinion, the main negative factor and at the same time the consequence of certain historical processes is the decrease of Lithuanian speaking people during the years of Soviet power and after the reestablishment of the Latvia independence, when many Lithuanians regarded themselves as Russians or Latvians. Nevertheless, the experts are rather consent in admitting that many Lithuanians have two identities – both ethnic and civic (national), besides the basis of the civic identity for many of them is the related to Lithuanian Latvian language and culture (adoption of the Latvian language as the first or second native tongue), also the identification with the state of Latvia and its history, culture, traditions. The group of the Lithuanian experts is the only one believing that the civic identity has grown during last years, not contrary, though some of the experts express some kind of resentment for the fact that the citizenship of Latvia is not allocates automatically. Ditto some experts during the interview express quite univocal support for the attitude of the right wing politicians towards the national minorities. It partly shows also in the experts’ and surveyed persons’ views on the necessity to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. There is no a single definite opinion of an expert regarding the necessity to ratify, none of them stress this necessity, instead they suggest to demise the ratification and to adopt the special law on protection of the minorities. Nevertheless, in the additional questioning a part of the Lithuanians surveyed support the ratification, but with special prerequisites (retaining the dominance of the Latvian language, and others). Generally it has to be concluded that for Lithuanians ratification of the Framework Convention is not of the special importance, and the main reasons for it are the solidarity with Latvians caused by the awareness of the scope of the ethnodemographic harm done by the soviet power, and satisfaction with the conditions of their minority in Latvia.

In accordance to the survey of the representatives of the Lithuanian public organizations and their department boards, of the public elite and the secondary school graduates, 20% of them support the immediate ratification of the Framework Convention (in many cases admitting that, first of all, it is necessary in order to preclude the possible threats for the internal security of Latvia from the side of the Russian speaking minority), 10% believe that ratification should be postponed, 10% have no personal opinion regarding this matter, but 60% claim that ratification is not necessary at all, and that a special law on the minority laws should be adopted. Approximately 70% of them believe that all minority rights in Latvia should be attributed only to other nationalities – citizens, and 80% - that the use of toponyms in the minority languages is not obligatory (about 20% of the respondents have no personal opinion).

Jews

In the independent state of Latvia there has occurred the rebirth of the Jewish community, that in the year of 2004 unites almost 10 thousand people. There was founded the council of the religious parishes of Latvia and city communities, that is the member organization of the European Jewish congress. There is ongoing integration of the local Jews in Latvia and the European Union.

The majority of Jews in Latvia has retained their ethnic identity; its basic components are awareness of the ethnos history and culture, traditions, religion. However the Yiddish language is dying away, Russian has become the native tongue; the Jewish culture values are created also in Russian.

The Jewish national identity is mostly split between the identification with Latvia and Israel; moreover Israel is regarded as the most important international warrantor of the Latvia Jewish identity. Whereas the civic identity is more oriented towards Latvia, 65% of them are the citizens of Latvia. Non-citizens are immigrants from the Ukraine and Russia, mostly elderly people.

Despite the use of the Russian language in the family life Jews refuse the connection with the Russian linguistic minority, they are loyal to the national state of Latvia; still they criticize its ethnopolitics seeing there certain ethnocratic features. Jewish people are worried by the tolerance of the officials to the particular relapses of anti-Semitism. The interviews with the Jewish representatives that were carried out within limits of the project showed that they are especially dissatisfied with the limitation of the use of Russian and the small extent of the ethos language teaching, they are critical towards the education reform, insufficient tolerance towards minorities. In their opinion, these faults could be averted after the ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention in Latvia. The interviews demonstrated that about 90% of the Jewish community elite demand the immediate coming into power of the Framework Convention. The majority believes that the protection of the Framework Convention should be attributed to both citizens and non-citizens, the minority – that it should be attributed only to the rights of the citizens. Approximately 80% of the respondents think that the ratification act of the Framework Convention should include the salvos, such as remark that the toponyms have to be officially used only in the state language. The Jews are against ascribing the official status to the Russian language, they don’t support the idea of the two-community state. Nevertheless, the Jewish community hasn’t drawn up a special document to support ratification of the Framework Convention. The Russian community leaders who come up with the unsubstantiated claims that they represent the opinion of all minorities, including the Jewish one are using this fact in their favor.

No minority has rights to speak in the name of other minorities.

The authors conclude that the tension in ethnic relations in the years of 2004-2005 has strengthened desire of people belonging to the Russian, Byelorussian and Ukrainian minorities to ensure faster ratification of the Framework Convention on national minority protection. In August 2004 9 Russian-speakers’ oppositionist organizations decided to put a pressure on the Parliament of Latvia – the Saeima, they threatened to answer with mass meetings and demonstrations to the postponing of the ratification. The ratification is mainly demanded by people who are not presently sure that their ethnic identity would be preserved in Latvia today. Their disposition destabilizes the ethnic social coexistence. Therefore, the state institutions are not able to involve people of east-Slavic national groups in the integration process as much as it would be necessary.

The authors conclude: the right wing politicians’ talks about the negative consequences of the ratification are met by the present day negative consequences due to the postponing of the ratification.

Problems arise also because of people’s faulty idea about the actual content of the Framework Convention. Many wrongly believe that the realization of the convention would lead to the exchange of the national state model for the two-community state with Latvian and Russian state languages. This vision is being propagated by both by the Latvian and Russian nationalists, the former evaluate it negatively, while the latter – negatively. This „differentiation” divides society and the formation of civic nation.

According to the authors, the state institutions of Latvia almost haven’t bothered themselves with contesting the faulty ideas about the Framework Convention. The authors conclude that ethnic mobilization of the minorities occurring within last years has created a new situation that demands much more active and flexible ethnopolitics form the government. The government should demonstrate a positive initiative in preparing the ratification of the Framework Convention. The Parliament of Latvia mustn’t delay this act.

The research report ends with the authors’ recommendations; suggested measures how to speed up the ratification of the Framework Convention.

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