The United Nations Human Rights Committee has voiced serious concerns about recent Latvian government measures impacting the Russian-speaking minority in the country. Key issues include the termination of bilingual education in schools and a forthcoming ban on Russian-language state media broadcasts set to take effect in 2026.
During a recent session, the Committee questioned Latvia’s decision to prohibit the broadcasting of state media programs in Russian starting January 1, 2026. It also highlighted worries over the elimination of Russian language instruction in schools and the enactment of legislation designating Latvian as the sole language of education.
Committee expert Yvonne Donders pressed the Latvian delegation to clarify how these policies align with minority language protections under Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. She further asked about steps taken to foster mutual respect among different linguistic communities within Latvia.
Members of the Committee also pointed to a new immigration law approved by Latvia’s Constitutional Court, which mandates that Russian citizens pass a Latvian language exam to renew permanent residence permits. The Committee expressed apprehension that this requirement could threaten the security of long-term residents and potentially result in evictions.
Donders noted that roughly 10% of Latvia’s population are non-citizen residents, predominantly ethnic Russians, who generally lack voting rights in national elections, except for those related to the European Parliament. The Committee underscored reports from Russian speakers indicating increased hostility from ethnic Latvians since 2022.
In response, Latvia’s delegation defended the measures, stating that due to the widespread use of Russian, authorities see it as essential to reinforce Latvian as the official state language. Regarding the broadcast restrictions, they explained that while channels broadcasting in English and Russian must provide Latvian dubbing, no languages are being fully excluded. Currently, approximately 82 TV and radio programs are broadcast in Russian, and about 25% of widely read press is in Russian.
The UN Human Rights Committee, composed of 18 independent experts, monitors states’ adherence to human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It reviews reports from countries and complaints from individuals, issuing recommendations aimed at improving human rights protections worldwide.
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