Is it true that in Latvia the laws directed against the Russian language are again tightened in Latvia? Facts "Medusa"

RIA Novosti, and then other Russian media published the news that the Diet of Latvia supported an increase in fines for violating the law on state language. The news “Novosti” said that the Latvian parliament adopted in the first reading amendments, strengthening the responsibility for the use of all languages, except for the state (that is, Latvian). "Medusa" figured out whether the law on Gosyazika really tightened in Latvia.

Quote

RIA Novosti : “The Seim of Latvia supported the first reading and transferred a bill to the commissions, which involves an increase in fines for violation of the law on state (Latvian) language up to 10 thousand euros in some cases, RIA Novosti correspondent reports. <...>

The purpose of amendments to the law on the state language is to eliminate the use of other languages, according to the authors, unreasonable, according to the authors. In particular, the document assumes that the fine for open disrespect for the state language, which is now up to 350 euros, will increase for individuals up to 700 euros, for officials - up to 250–700 euros with the possibility of deprivation of position, and for legal entities - up to 10 thousand euros. <...>

The increase in fines is also provided for the lack of names in the Latvian language and the lack of translation of television, radio programs and films.

58 deputies supported the bill, 20 deputies opposed, two did not participate in the vote. Now the document will be considered and, if necessary, adjust the Sejm commission. ”

Fact

Indeed, only the Latvian language has the status of the state language in Latvia-despite the fact that every third in the country speaks Russian in the family, and 90% of the population owns the Russians to one degree or another. Compliance with the law on the state language is monitored by a special organization - the Center for Gusyzika .

The message of RIA Novosti that the Diet of Latvia supported and adopted in the first reading the bill on the increase in fines for violation of the law on state language does not correspond to reality.

The deputies did not propose to amend the law on the state language - this law does not mention sanctions for its violation at all.

We are talking about amendments to the country's administrative code. The bill with proposals to increase fines can be found on the agenda of the parliamentary meeting of May 25. True, there are no proposals in it to introduce fines for the lack of names in Latvian or translation of films into the state language .

It is impossible to say that the Latvian parliament approved such a law or at least approved it in the first reading. In the Sejm, the issue of referring the bill to the legal commission of the parliament was only discussed. 58 deputies mentioned in the report of RIA Novosti voted precisely for the transfer of the document to this commission. This procedure does not guarantee that the amendments will be adopted by the Sejm; The commission may well reject the bill. In fact, such a procedure is “zero reading”.

Amendments to the Administrative Code were made by deputies of the conservative "national association". This political force previously advocated additional support for the state language in Latvia. This time, the activity of the deputies is probably associated with the election campaign - municipal elections were scheduled in Latvia on June 3.

Olga Kuzmenkova

The Medusa editors thank for help in preparing the material of Konstantin Kucheryavtseva and Olga Dragilev