High Commissioner on National Minorities Zannier discusses inter-ethnic relations and integration on his first visit to Latvia

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier visited Latvia from 5 to 8 March 2019, in his first visit to the country in his current capacity, to assess the state of inter-ethnic relations and the integration of society. 

Zannier had a series of meetings in Riga, including with the Prime Minister, and with the representatives of several ministries, the parliament (the Saeima), minority communities and civil society, as well as with teachers and parents.

Zannier also travelled to the south-east of Latvia and visited Daugavpils, a city with a diverse ethnic composition. He met with the municipal administration, minority groups and the education authorities. 

The High Commissioner also visited three schools in Riga and Daugavpils with different languages of instruction.

Issues related to education reform, language policy and citizenship featured in all of the discussions, along with broader matters related to the integration of Latvian society.

Zannier welcomed the President’s initiative to grant automatic citizenship to the newborn children of non-citizens. The High Commissioner urged the government to proceed with the education reform in a way that is consultative and inclusive, and that takes into consideration the opinion of all groups, including members of minorities. More broadly, Zannier encouraged the authorities to keep integration high on the agenda and offered the support of his institution with respect to several facets of this process.