Integration and Minority Information Service: newsletter of 10 March 2009

Today news:

 Tukums City Council refused to grant funding for the only Russian language first grade class in the city

Head of the Riga City Council’s faction New Era Olafs Pulks, commenting the City Council’s decision to forbid 16 March events near the Monument of Liberty in Riga, stated that events planned to be held on 9 May near the Monument to the Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders also should be forbidden if the same security treats will emerge. As reported, the Riga City Council decided to forbid all public events in Riga on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires). Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Tukums City Council refused to grant funding for the first grade class with Russian language of instructions in the 3rd secondary school for new school year 2009/2010 despite the fact that 15 students enlisted to attend the class. In the meantime, the Council granted funding for the first grade class with Latvian language of instructions in the same school which enlisted 14 students. The 3rd secondary school is the only school in Tukums which has Russian language classes. According to the newspaper, such decision is political and unjustified.

For further information:

Latvian Centre for Human Rights