Over 10,000 signatures collected in Latvia in support of citizenship-for-"non-citizens" vote
RIGA. Aug 23 (Interfax) - More than 10,000 signatures have been collected in support of a nationwide referendum on granting Latvian citizenship to the so-called "non-citizens", the campaign's organizers say on its website.
"Yesterday, on August 22, the For Equal Rights movement collected the remaining signatures. We now have 10,250 signatures in support of citizenship for all 'non-citizens'! We thank all who supported us!" the statement says.
Meanwhile, the ir.lv media outlet quotes the campaign's coordinator Andrei Tolmachyov as saying that signatures would be collected until Friday and would then be submitted to Latvia's Central Election Commission on August 30. After that, the commission will announce a campaign to collect voters' signatures - the required minimum for a referendum to be called is 10%.
Those "non-citizens" who settled in Latvia from 1940 through 1991 received citizenship automatically.
The "non-citizens" have no right to elect or be elected and must present documents confirming that they know the Latvian language if they apply for a job.
Residents of the former Soviet Republic of Latvia have also been obliged to add the typical Latvian "s" ending to their family names.
Latvian politicians have repeatedly said that all the "non-citizens" have to do to get naturalized is to pass a language exam, an exam in Latvia's history, and memorize the national anthem.
But the overwhelming majority of "non-citizens" do not speak Latvian. Nor can they accept a history that tells about the "Soviet occupation" and clashes with their cultural values. Though the government organized special courses for "non-citizens", their quality leaves much to be desired, local media say.
Russia has repeatedly criticized Latvia over the plight of "non-citizens".