Latvia: “Rejection of Russian as an official language should inspire dialogue on minority rights” – UN expert
GENEVA (22 February 2012) – United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák, today encouraged the
Government of Latvia to ensure its protection of the rights of the Russian speaking minority and engage in a process of
meaningful dialogue following a referendum on 18 February which rejected a proposal to recognize Russian as a second
official State language.
“This referendum should not be considered as a victory for one community over another, rather it should mark an
opportunity for enhanced dialogue on minority rights in Latvia. I urge the Latvian authorities to make concentrated
efforts to bring the different communities together and assist them in overcoming historical prejudices, fears and
mistrust,” Ms. Izsák said.
“There is clearly the need for greater discussion and dialogue about how to create unity in diversity and how to
accommodate the needs and rights of all groups within society,” stressed the human rights expert.
“It should be clearly understood that Latvia’s referendum result does not mean that Latvia has any less obligation to
ensure the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, including to use their minority language,” the
Independent Expert said, underscoring that those rights are enshrined in various international treaties and human rights
standards, including Article 27 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Declaration on
Minorities* and must be respected by all States.
According to the UN expert, such international human rights law requires that States protect the national or ethnic,
cultural, religious and linguistic identity of minorities, and promote conditions for that protection, including through
legislative and other measures. Minorities have the right to use their own language in private or in public without
discrimination and provisions should also be made to enable minorities to learn and be taught in their mother tongue as
well as the official State language.
About 27% of Latvia’s population is of Russian origin and an estimated one-third of the 2.1 million inhabitants consider
Russian to be their mother tongue. Some 75 per cent of Latvia’s population voted against an amendment to the
Constitution to introduce Russian as a second official language.
(*) Check the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/minorities.htm
# # # #
Rita Izsák was appointed as Independent Expert on minority issues by the Human Rights Council in June 2011. As
Independent Expert, she is independent from any government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. Learn
more, log on to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/minorities/expert/index.htm
UN Human Rights, country page – Latvia: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/LVIndex.aspx
UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
Check the Universal Human Rights Index: http://uhri.ohchr.org/en
*****
ENDS