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FOI-R--3990--SE
took part, voted against changes to the constitution, while 273,347 (25 per cent)
voted in favour. 202
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, commented on the organization of the
referendum at a press conference in Moscow in January 2012: “I do not
undertake to predict the outcome of the referendum, but it is important that
people want to be heard. They want to have their right to speak, think and raise
their children in their native language [and] to be respected”. 203 Lavrov ignored
the fact that in government-funded primary schools in Latvia, Russian pupils can
learn all subjects in Russian until grade nine. In addition, the future of the
Russian language is secure due to the large number of Russians living in Latvia.
The reaction of Latvia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Edgars Rinkevics, followed a
few days later: “For those people in Russia who are very worried about what is
happening in Latvia, I recommend reading a text by their own presidential
candidate Mr Putin, in which he quite clearly indicates that the issues affecting
national identity and nation-building in the Russian Federation are based on the
language. Mr Lavrov should pay attention to what is happening at home”. 204
4.2.4 Russian NGOs
Russia actively cooperates with Russian NGOs registered in Latvia in the areas
of legal rights and language issues. Russkii mir financially supports Russian
NGOs, including some in Latvia. The Russkii mir website states that nearly 100
NGOs based in Latvia are Russian compatriots’ organizations. 205 Among them
are organizations run by politicians representing the party Harmony Centre, such
as Igors Pimenovs 206 from the Association for the Support of Russian Language
Schools in Latvia. This organization has received funding from the Russian
Embassy in Latvia. Moreover, Harmony Centre candidates for the 10th Saeima 207
(parliamentary) election – Valerijs Kravcovs, 208 Sergejs Mirskis, 209 Igors
202 See CVK (2012): Grozījumi Latvijas Republikas Satversmē” pieņemšanu » “Provizoriskie
rezultāti”, Tn2012.cvk.lv.
203 See Lavrov's comments on Russian language referendum in Latvia, January 18, 2012, available at
http://vz.ru/news/2012/1/18/554493.html.
204 See the Latvian foreign affairs minister’s reaction to Lavrov’s comments,
http://nra.lv/latvija/politika/64637-rinkevics-mudina-lavrovu-iepazities-ar-putina-uzskatiem-parvalodas-lomu-nacionalaja-identitate.htm.
205 See Catalogue, Russkii mir Foundation, http://www.russkiymir.ru/russkiymir/en/catalogue/.
206 Igors Pimenovs is perceived as a moderate politician who had been trying to find common ground
with ruling coalitions. He was a member of Latvia’s National Front (LNF) in the 80s. The LNF stood
up for the restoration of Latvia’s independence. Pimenovs did not support Russian as the official
language in Latvia when signatures were gathered to initiate referendum in 2012.
207 Latvia’s Parliament’s (Saeima) 10 th term began its work on 2 November 2010 and ended on 16
October 2011. In the referendum that took place on 23 July 2011, the 10 th Saeima was revoked and
new elections were announced.
208 Valerijs Kravcovs was a member of Saeima from 2010 till 2011. He had gained media attention
when working in parliament and not being able to communicate freely in Latvian.
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