DISINFO: Latvia instigates linguistic genocide against Russian-speaking citizens
SUMMARY
What is happening in Latvia with the Russian language is a manifestation of linguistic genocide against Russian-speaking citizens, more than 40% of the country.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the discrimination of Russian speakers. According to the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, 25,2% of residents of Latvia are ethnic Russians, not 40% as claimed by the Russian deputy making this statement. At the same time, the Constitutional Court of Latvia stated that Amendments to the Education Law that stipulate transition to Latvian as the sole instruction language in schools are in line with the Constitution. In its decision, the Constitutional Court indicated that the convention on the protection of national minorities said that any person has the right to learn their native language. But to what extent this will be done, the convention leaves the countries the right to decide for themselves - which was done in Latvia. Separately, the court decision notes that the right to learn the native language should not interfere with the development of the state language, and it is Latvian in Latvia. See other examples of pro-Kremlin narratives on the matter here and here.