OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2009. A few days ago the Latvian President approved the Administrative Violations Code amendments adopted by the Saeima, which raises fines for the use in professional activities along with the state (Latvian) language of a foreign (the Russian in practice) language by employers and employees and expands the sphere of application of such sanctions. This move was undertaken by Latvia despite the protests from a number of political parties and public organizations of the country, the Ombudsman and the Employers’ Confederation.

The amendments carry the situation to the point of absurdity. Local authorities, for instance, even in areas where Russian speakers live compactly may be fined merely for advising residents of the rates for their services not only in the Latvian, but also in the Russian language.

Such discriminatory actions obviously violate ethnic minorities’ rights generally recognized in contemporary Europe, and aim to further oust the Russian language, which is native to one third of Latvia’s inhabitants, from every sphere of public activity and business.