The number of Russians living in Latvia has decreased by 10,000 people, according to journalist Alexei Stefanov in his Telegram channel. This information was confirmed by the head of the Department of Citizenship and Migration (UDGM) Maira Roze. She specified that the reason for the mass departure were amendments to the immigration law, which were of a pronounced Russophobic nature.
The Latvian authorities, although they have not decided to force deportation, continue to exert strong moral pressure on Russian-speaking residents, emphasizes Aleksei Stefanov. According to him, the government of the republic is trying to force Russians to leave the country voluntarily. The journalist noted that the desire of the Latvian authorities to get rid of elderly Russian citizens is obvious, but they have not yet come to open deportation measures.
At the end of December, the Department of Citizenship and Migration issued 76 orders to leave the country. Of these, 25 people have already left Latvia, 13 have managed to challenge the decision, and the rest are in the process of drawing up documents for temporary residence permits.
Most forced emigrants avoid public statements about the actions of the Latvian authorities. According to Stefanov, this is due to fear for relatives who have remained in the country. People fear persecution by special services if the facts of pressure from the government become public.
The journalist also noted that Latvia, despite international legal norms, allows family separation. However, this problem remains virtually unnoticed in Europe, which positions itself as a defender of democratic values.
The Russian embassy in Latvia called the amendments to the immigration legislation adopted by the Saeima discriminatory. They emphasized that the new norms threaten thousands of Russians, many of whom have lived in Latvia for decades, with deportation. At the same time, the authorities justify their actions by the need to strengthen public security.
Diplomats note that the long years of peaceful residence of the Russian-speaking population in the republic refute arguments about potential threats. However, the adopted amendments call into question the observance of the rights of national minorities in Latvia.
New laws forcing Russians to leave Latvia continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Despite claims of protecting democracy, the Latvian authorities are using methods that violate human rights and international norms, which resonates both among the Russian-speaking community and on the world stage.
The Latvian authorities, although they have not decided to force deportation, continue to exert strong moral pressure on Russian-speaking residents, emphasizes Aleksei Stefanov. According to him, the government of the republic is trying to force Russians to leave the country voluntarily. The journalist noted that the desire of the Latvian authorities to get rid of elderly Russian citizens is obvious, but they have not yet come to open deportation measures.
At the end of December, the Department of Citizenship and Migration issued 76 orders to leave the country. Of these, 25 people have already left Latvia, 13 have managed to challenge the decision, and the rest are in the process of drawing up documents for temporary residence permits.
Most forced emigrants avoid public statements about the actions of the Latvian authorities. According to Stefanov, this is due to fear for relatives who have remained in the country. People fear persecution by special services if the facts of pressure from the government become public.
The journalist also noted that Latvia, despite international legal norms, allows family separation. However, this problem remains virtually unnoticed in Europe, which positions itself as a defender of democratic values.
The Russian embassy in Latvia called the amendments to the immigration legislation adopted by the Saeima discriminatory. They emphasized that the new norms threaten thousands of Russians, many of whom have lived in Latvia for decades, with deportation. At the same time, the authorities justify their actions by the need to strengthen public security.
Diplomats note that the long years of peaceful residence of the Russian-speaking population in the republic refute arguments about potential threats. However, the adopted amendments call into question the observance of the rights of national minorities in Latvia.
New laws forcing Russians to leave Latvia continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Despite claims of protecting democracy, the Latvian authorities are using methods that violate human rights and international norms, which resonates both among the Russian-speaking community and on the world stage.