In Latvia Today, 5:44 p.m. Sharp debates in the Saeima about Latvian language knowledge tests for Russian citizens

RockedBuzz
By RockedBuzz 8 Min Read

In the Saeima debate on Thursday, there were accusations of deception, as well as poorly prepared amendments of the previous, 13th Saeima convocation, that former non-citizens who became Russian citizens must prove their knowledge of the state language.

Saeima session.
Saeima session. Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETA

In the Saeima debate on Thursday, there were accusations of deception, as well as poorly prepared amendments of the previous, 13th Saeima convocation, that former non-citizens who became Russian citizens must prove their knowledge of the state language.

The previous convocation of the parliament decided that Russian citizens younger than 75 years old, who were previously non-citizens or citizens of Latvia and who are not subject to any other exceptions, will have to prove basic knowledge of the Latvian language.

Deputies also discussed whether those who do not prove their language skills in the future could be forcibly taken to border crossing points. Most of the debaters criticized the use of the words “deportation” and “deportation” in this context, considering that they are associated with national tragedies, when the Soviet occupation regime deported Latvian residents to Siberia.

Saeima member Atis Švinka (P) expressed that part of the blame for the very low-quality law should be borne by the previous convocation or the 13th Saeima. The politician also drew attention to the fact that the National Union (NA) has been in the coalition for a long time, being responsible for the Ministry of Culture, which is responsible for integration. “It is your responsibility not to know this language,” Shvinka stressed.

Deputy Ainārs Šlesers (LPV) stated that at the meeting of the responsible commission, he asked how many people who do not prove knowledge of the Latvian language are theoretically planned to be forcibly taken to the border point and at what age they are. “The rapporteur confirmed that more than 80% are pensioners,” noted Šlesers, asking the deputies that these pensioners threaten Latvia’s independence.

The leader of the “Latvija first” faction of the party also expressed that he was worried if CNN and BBC showed how these people “will start to be “hit” and “picked up” one by one, and taken to the border”. Referring to what was expressed at the meeting of the responsible commission, Shlesser used the words “deport” and “deportations” in this context, to which several colleagues pointed out that the use of such words was inappropriate.

Deputy Viktors Valainis (ZZS) emphasized that in the previous Saeima, deputies were lied to about the capacity of state institutions and their ability to fulfill the provisions of this law. “We asked these questions about whether it would be possible to check and carry out these checks within the deadlines set by the law, to which we received affirmative answers,” the politician recounted the previous, 13th Saeima discussions.

Valainis emphasized that “we do not live in some barrel”, we are a member of the European Union and Latvia is bound by international conventions. “It’s hard to hear here that they are talking about it from this podium, using words like “deportations”. I am sure that there won’t be any “mass deportations” in Latvia, it’s simply not possible. We need to remove this kind of vocabulary from the rhetoric, ” emphasized the politician.

Parliamentarian Artūrs Butāns (NA) drew attention to the fact that the responsible commission explained that pensioners over the age of 75, as well as those who have obtained higher education, are not subject to certification of knowledge of the Latvian language.

Commenting on the statements about the possibility of someone being “deported”, Butan expressed that he saw no basis for such statements. The politician pointed out that it is wrong that some colleagues assume that these people will not obey the law and will not prove their knowledge of the Latvian language. The politician noted that the data of the Latvian Language Agency show that the majority of those subject to the provisions of the law know the language.

Both these and other arguments expressed by his colleague were joined by MP Rihards Kol (NA), who emphasized that Bhutan “pragmatically, factually refuted many half-truths”.

The politician pointed out that a large part of people who need to prove their knowledge of the language already have certificates of knowledge of the Latvian language, which they obtained from state language courses paid for by the state. “Consequently, to accuse here that the state has not done enough is also absolutely inappropriate,” emphasized Kol.

“I absolutely agree that words like “deportation” or “deportation” are absolutely out of place. Latvia is a democratic country,” said the politician, at the same time noting that people who do not have a legal basis to stay in Latvia are regularly deported from the country.

On the other hand, MP Viktorija Pleškāne (for Stability) pointed out that there are older people who repeat or learn some Latvian words in the morning, but in the evening they don’t remember them. They are very excited about the exams, which, if they don’t pass, they can be “kicked out of the country”, said the politician.

Pleškāne also called for attention and to address the fact that due to queues, several people cannot get to the rehabilitator in order to receive a certificate that they cannot pass the language proficiency test due to poor health.

Deputy Ieva Brante (AS) criticized, among other things, the fact that Schlesser was scaring people with “deportations” and accused LPV of undermining the foundations of the state.

Brante also referred to information found on the Internet that mentions both Schlesser and Russia together. Saeima member Linda Liepiņa (LPV) reacted critically to this, saying that her colleague’s statements were unfounded and did not relate to the topic of the debate.

As reported, the previous, 13th Saeima established the requirement that former non-citizens of Latvia and citizens who have become Russian citizens, who are under the age of 75 and who are not subject to other exceptions, will have to prove their knowledge of the Latvian language. This will allow them to keep their permanent residence permit.

In this context, the Saeima today conceptually supported the amendments to the Immigration Law, in which the Ministry of the Interior proposes to establish minor concessions for the extension of residence permits for Russian citizens. On the other hand, today’s debates mostly took place in connection with the previous decision of the 13th Saeima.

FacebookLinkedInFor friendsTwitter

Comments

Share This Article
Leave a comment