It was only a matter of time before Latvia's "failings" were highlighted by the Commissioner's office. After all, Lithuania and Estonia have been chided for their "attacks on the rights of minority groups." Although, it seems, most rhetoric is preserved for the "lack of protection" for the gay community.
It is well known in EU political circles that many MEPs are openly gay and are pushing their agendas forward on behalf of all gays in member states. They travel to various gay rights demonstrations, no doubt using their generous expense accounts, to give their speeches. Witness the presence of Tobias Billstrom, Sweden's Minister for Migration and Asylum policy, in Riga recently. He no doubt has the ear of the commissioner (his fellow countryman), hence the apparent emphasis on the rights of the gay minority emanating from that office.
Regarding his conclusions appertaining to the "lack of opportunity" educationally, afforded to Latvia's minority groups. Most Latvians I spoke to are incensed, and indeed insulted. I'm not surprised. No country is perfect and is only as good as the quality of its leadership. There is always room for improvement. But, with respect, I would like to point out that the Latvian authorities have tried to accommodate those groups who desire access to their ethnic language.
The Law on Education 1998 clearly lays down instructions for guidance and implementation by the Education Ministry. Here is a small extract:
The Ministry of Education has drawn up four model bilingual education curricula for primary schools that differ from each other in terms of the proportion of classes to be taught in the national minority language and/or Latvian. National minority schools can opt for one of these curricula or prepare their own. The Law stipulates that a bilingual curriculum had to be implemented by all national minority primary schools from the start of the 2002/2003 school year.
The full text can be found at: http://www.am.gov.lv/en/policy/4641/4642/4643/ under the heading "Minority Education in Latvia."
The Commissioner's office also, quite rightly, shows concern for the protection of children. However, I respectfully draw his attention to an extract from an article found in the Swedish daily Aftonbladet, freely available. The piece concerns the city of Malmo, and I quote: "The ghettoization of huge numbers of immigrants, 95 percent Muslim, is a disgrace and an infringement of human rights, resulting in uncontrolled crime including the continued rape of children, the numbers of which have doubled during the last ten years." Well, sadly, that is certainly a case close to home which would keep the Commissioner's staff busy for a while. But then, perhaps, as it involves the immigrant community it may be too sensitive an issue even for him.
