The Constitutional Court of Latvia has upheld a law that mandates the conversion of Russian-language schools to Latvian, affirming the decision’s validity under the country’s legal framework and international commitments.
Latvia, a former Soviet Union member, gained independence in 1991. Despite a significant Russian-speaking population, the majority of Latvians speak Latvian. Article 4 of Latvia’s Constitution designates Latvian as the official language, while Article 114 guarantees ethnic minorities the right to preserve their language.
The Education Law of 1998 and the General Education Law of 2000 required public schools to primarily use Latvian for instruction, though some private schools continued to teach in Russian. In 2018, the Amendment to the General Education Law Act extended this requirement to all educational institutions, including private ones.
The 2018 amendment sparked controversy among the Russian-speaking community. Opponents filed a petition in 2023, arguing that the law violated their right to receive general education in a minority language. While the original court upheld the act, the Constitutional Court was tasked with hearing the appeal.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the transition to Latvian as the language of instruction is consistent with Latvia’s legal obligations and international commitments. The court emphasized the importance of national integration and the promotion of the state language.
A 2020 report by the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, reviewed the amendments. It concluded that the laws complied with international standards but recommended that Latvia develop a framework more inclusive of minorities.
The ruling comes amid a series of legislative actions impacting the Russian-speaking community in Latvia. These include regulations requiring Russian residents to pass a language exam and the closure of border crossing points with Russia in October 2023 for security reasons.
The court’s decision underscores the Latvian government’s commitment to strengthening the use of the Latvian language across all sectors, including education. However, it also highlights the ongoing tensions between national policies and the rights of ethnic minorities, particularly in a country with a diverse linguistic landscape.
The ruling may have significant implications for Latvia’s social cohesion and the integration of its Russian-speaking population. While it aims to promote national unity, it also poses challenges for minority rights and the preservation of cultural diversity within the country.