Saeima refers bill on Latvian as the sole official language for consideration

On Thursday, 15 September, the Saeima referred to the Legal Affairs Committee for consideration a bill providing for Latvian to have the status of the sole official language. 

The bill is based on the decision adopted in the 18 February 2012 referendum on bilingualism in Latvia that Russian is not a second official language. The amendments seek to eliminate the established practice of using Russian alongside the official language in everyday communication in the workplace and in the provision of services, as well as to ensure that all residents of Latvia have the opportunity to use or learn the official language in their daily lives.

The current practice shows that Russian-speaking people lack the motivation to learn the official language because they can receive all essential services in Russian.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Jānis Bordāns: “To eliminate bilingualism and end the dominance of the Russian language that emerged during the occupation of Latvia, we are advancing a bill that will ensure the use of Latvian as the sole official language in the public sphere and the workplace. I hope that the 13th Saeima will adopt it during its term of office.”

The bill regulates the use of languages when information is provided in two languages—Latvian and Russian—in order to receive a service. For example, at a retail outlet, in addition to an inscription in Latvian, there may also be an inscription in Russian; or a website may be available in two languages, while correspondence for service recipients may be in Latvian on one side of the page and in Russian on the other.

The Ministry of Justice emphasises that the bill does not prohibit speaking with a client in Russian at the place where a service is provided, or addressing correspondence personally to a client in Russian if the client has asked a question in Russian.

Individuals will also have the right to receive information in a foreign language, for example, in an emergency, accident or disaster, or in any situation where a threat to a person’s life or health must be prevented, or where criminal offences are being prevented or detected.

The bill does not provide for the repeal or restriction of rights and guarantees established, for example, by the Law on Support for Ukrainian Civilians, the Civil Procedure Law, the Pharmaceutical Law, the Medical Treatment Law, the Electronic Mass Media Law, the Education Law, the Asylum Law, or legislation providing, for example, for the provision of interpretation services.

The law is intended to remain in force for a limited period—three years—and will enter into force on 1 July 2023.

The bill is available on the Saeima website.