Latvia rejects proposal making Russian official language

[Kitsunegari]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17083397

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The referendum, initiated by a Russian speakers' movement, has exposed deep fault-lines in Latvia.
Ethnic Russians, who make up about one-third of Latvia's population, have long complained of discrimination.
But many ethnic Latvians believe the referendum was an attempt to encroach on the country's independence.
It was initiated by the Russian-speakers' movement, Native Tongue, which collected signatures from more than 10% of voters to force a ballot.
Officials said that with more than 90% of votes counted, 75% of votes cast in Saturday's referendum were against the proposal.

I'm confused by this situation, are the ethnic Russians in the Baltic countries considered "illegal immigrants" similar to the US sense of the term?

[Inconsistent]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17083397

I'm confused by this situation, are the ethnic Russians in the Baltic countries considered "illegal immigrants" similar to the US sense of the term?

No, it's just the majority of people in Latvia are still scared of Russian influence.

[Father Jack]

[Sir Winston Churchill]

Only 25% were actually for the bill. I'd say: Get the over it.

You want to speak Russian move to Russia.

[Kitsunegari]

You want to speak Russian move to Russia.

It's not about them not being allowed to speak Russian, it's about elevating that language to official status...

[Sir Winston Churchill]

It's not about them not being allowed to speak Russian, it's about elevating that language to official status...

Why? So they can have dual signs? Why is it needed? They seem to get by speaking Latvian just fine, and as I said, if they have some issue speaking Latvian and want to speak Russian instead, then Latvia is probably not the place for them.

[Kitsunegari]

? That's not what i was addressing, you posted "You want to speak Russian move to Russia.", they aren't voting on whether they can speak Russian or not, they are allowed that already.

[4th Regiment]

Why? So they can have dual signs? Why is it needed? They seem to get by speaking Latvian just fine, and as I said, if they have some issue speaking Latvian and want to speak Russian instead, then Latvia is probably not the place for them.

Eh..For example Albanians at Kosovo use to have those dual sighs everywhere (even in passports)..state funded education on Albanian from kinder garden to University...even very wide territorial autonomy with province parliament, goverment etc..but it was not enough, and US armed, organsied and helped in every way Albanian drug mafia (renamed after it to KLA, and now to Kosovo Defence Forces) ...to bloody armed rebelion...

When they have "liberated" Kosovo (from it's non Albanian inhabitants), the first deal in giving them status of independent state, was so called "standards before status" (standards of human and minority rights, and return of refugees ), and since it was not going no where, US big deady (with EU satraps) decided to "standards and status" (in the same pace), and finally, it was f* the standards, stop to pretend and give them independence anyway he he

Triple, quadriple standards in brave new world of human right devoted new Europe

[Grouchio]

Only 25% were actually for the bill. I'd say: Get the over it.

You want to speak Russian move to Russia.

Maybe the standard of living in Latvia is actually higher than RUSSIA!

[Treize]

Well Baltic countries are the most pro-Russian countries. There's heavy anti-Russian bias. The real question here is at what point should a country adopt a second official language given the size of the respective minority group. How large does that minority group have to be - in order to deserve its language to have official status in the land? There are many factors to answer this including factors such as historical bias, distribution of minority, organisation/political power of minority, and so forth.

It depends on wether or not they are a native group.

Maybe the standard of living in Latvia is actually higher than RUSSIA!

It can't be much of a difference.

[Armenum]

It depends on wether or not they are a native group.

Well what constitutes native? Russians have been living in Latvia for a rather long time...

[Sarissofoi]

Things like that happen all the time.

[Heavy Weapons Guy]

If it would be accepted it would be end to Latvia and our language! Glad that they failed and my nation can still be free!

It's not about them not being allowed to speak Russian, it's about elevating that language to official status...

Why is it needed as official status?
Why can't they speak Latvian if they are living in Latvia and want to stay here?
If they want to speak Russian then they can go back to Russia, it is even allowed to do for them.
If they want Russian as official language then also make Lithuanian, Polish and other minority languages as official languages.
If accept one minority language then accept all.

[Kitsunegari]

If it would be accepted it would be end to Latvia and our language! Glad that they failed and my nation can still be free!

Thanks, that's what i was curious about, not whether they are allowed to speak Russian at all, which is obviously not the issue being voted on (the article makes mention of Russian language schools being government funded even though it's not an official language). I definitely think it's understandable that the Baltic countries are apprehensive given their past experiences with Russia/USSR.

[Sphere]

You know who could help mediate this Russia - Latvia conflict?

Germany.

[Abendstern]

You know who could help mediate this Russia - Latvia conflict?

Germany.

No need. Obviously the Latvians can handle the issue just fine.

If anything I would like to see German money transfered to Latvia to help them build up their ruined nation and wash off the stink of the former occupiers. Rather than seeing that money wasted on Greece.

[Heathen Hammer]

Canada has no problem with two official languages, with francophones being a minority here.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

Cnada has no problem with two official languages, with francophones being a minority here.

Ask any Canadian about Quebec, I've never heard a positive word come out.

[Chukada1]

Ask any Canadian about Quebec, I've never heard a positive word come out.

Métis, Acadians...

I am a Canadian. You can ask me. Bilingual language preserves the most distinctive part of Canadian culture and the positives are that more languages that are taught as official means more opportunity for Canadians. Tons of educated people come out of Quebec. Lots of Canada are backwards compared to them. Also, lots of soldiers in the military have Quebec origins. Quebec has contributed a lot to Canadian military history.

Complaints usually come from uncultured and sheltered anglophones.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

Métis, Acadians...

I am a Canadian. You can ask me. Bilingual language preserves the most distinctive part of Canadian culture and the positives are that more languages that are taught as official means more opportunity for Canadians. Tons of educated people come out of Quebec. Lots of Canada are backwards compared to them. Also, lots of soldiers in the military have Quebec origins. Quebec has contributed a lot to Canadian military history.

Complaints usually come from uncultured and sheltered anglophones.

There could be some merit to your post, it's just like I've said I've never personally heard anything good about the French side from the other side. Lots of complaining about how it complicates things or whatnot. P.S. I never meant to intend that Quebecois are somehow lesser-quality individuals.

However regardless, I don't think the French once tried wiping out Canada (I believe they were on the opposite end in fact) both militarily and culturally.