ECRI reports increase in hate speech targeting Russians
(MENAFN) The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has raised concerns about the growing hostility toward Russian speakers in Latvia, warning that certain government policies may be contributing to the problem.
The report highlighted a noticeable increase in hate speech targeting Russian-speaking residents in the country, particularly on Latvian internet platforms, since early 2022. The surge in hostility appears to coincide with the escalation of the Ukraine conflict and Latvia’s intensified efforts to reduce Russian influence within its borders.
After Latvia regained independence in 1991, a significant number of residents with Soviet-era roots—mainly ethnic Russians—were designated as “non-citizens,” a status that denies them the right to vote and excludes them from some professions. This division has remained a point of contention for decades.
Recent measures by the Latvian government have included travel bans on Russian nationals and the introduction of mandatory Latvian language tests for long-term foreign-origin residents. Thousands of individuals who either failed or declined to take the exam have since faced deportation. These actions have drawn condemnation from Russian authorities, who have described them as “blatant discrimination.”
The ECRI report, published Thursday, criticized these naturalization requirements, particularly the strict language testing imposed on non-citizens born before 1991. It suggested that these policies may be fueling public resentment and contributing to the marginalization of the Russian-speaking population.
The Commission urged Latvian officials to consider the specific circumstances of each individual and offer adequate support when enforcing such requirements, calling for a more inclusive and balanced approach to integration and citizenship.
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