Jonathan is a print, radio, and video journalist. He was based in the Middle East for two years and is now reporting throughout the former Soviet Union.
 
His work has been published by BuzzFeed World, Politico, MSNBC, the International Business Times, the Independent, Vice News, Radio France ...

Latvia's “non-citizen” policy leaves thousands feeling stateless

01 Oct 2023  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Soviet Union

Latvia's non-citizen policy, established after regaining independence in 1991, has left many ethnic Russians feeling stateless and marginalized. The policy denies citizenship to those who arrived during Soviet rule, affecting around 260,000 people today. Non-citizens face numerous legal restrictions, including the inability to vote or hold public office, drawing criticism from international bodies like the UN and EU. The Latvian government offers a naturalization path, but many struggle with the language and historical prerequisites. The policy has also raised concerns about potential Russian intervention, similar to its actions in Ukraine. Critics argue for automatic citizenship for children of non-citizens, while some Latvian politicians defend the policy to preserve national identity.

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Latvian Human Rights Committee Latvian Government UN OSCE EU Kremlin NATO European Commission for Human Rights

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Megan Clement is a journalist and editor specialising in gender, human rights, cities, international development and social policy. She also writes about Paris, where she has lived since 2015. Her reporting has appeared in The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, The New ...

A historic marriage in Nepal

11 Dec 2023  |  Les Glorieuses  |  English  |  Gender-based violence

Nepal registered its first same-sex marriage, a landmark event in South Asia. Latvia's parliament passed a law recognizing same-sex civil partnerships. In Russia, a women's movement is demanding the return of troops from Ukraine, while the government increases persecution of the LGBTQIA+ community. Scotland announced a feminist foreign policy. Iranian feminist activist Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, fought for medical care without a veil. Poland's left party introduced bills to liberalize abortion laws. Japan trialed over-the-counter morning-after pills. The UN heard evidence of sexual violence by Hamas during an attack on Israel. South Korea's Seoul High Court ordered Japan to compensate wartime sex slaves.

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Japanese Government Iranian Government Scottish Government Russian Government Latvian Parliament Supreme Court of Nepal United Nations Seoul High Court

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Robin Dussenne is a journalist based in Tangier, Morocco.

Russian, a burdensome heritage that Latvia seeks to get rid of

10 Oct 2023  |  RTBF  |  French  |  War in Ukraine

Latvia is moving to ban Russian language education by 2025, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions among its citizens. While some see the importance of maintaining Russian due to its cultural significance and widespread use, others face challenges in integrating into a society that increasingly prioritizes the Latvian language. The ongoing war in Ukraine has intensified Latvia's efforts to distance itself from Russian influence, despite the deep-rooted presence of the Russian language in the country.

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Latvian Government

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Maria Epifanova is a journalist based in Rīga, Latvia.

Children go native as Latvian schools say 'Nē' to Russian

20 Jul 2018  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Language Policy

In Latvia, a controversial education reform mandates a transition to Latvian as the sole language of instruction in secondary education for ethnic minorities, sparking protests and political debate. The reform aims to improve graduates' competitiveness in the labor market but faces opposition from Russian-speaking communities and concerns over minority rights. Despite ongoing demonstrations, the law, signed by President Raimonds Vējonis, is unlikely to be reversed. The issue intertwines with political dynamics as elections approach, with nationalist and Russian-speaking parties taking opposing stances.

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Latvian Government Council of Europe National Alliance 'All for Latvia!' — 'For Fatherland and Freedom'

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Hello and welcome to my profile !

To introduce myself : 

I have an extensive experience in media production, living and working across four continents for a wide range of public and private entities.

As a multimedia producer and reporter, I have :

- reported on European social and ...

What is the importance of an adequate European minimum wage? The case of Latvia

19 Apr 2023  |  fr.euronews.com  |  French  |  European Union Policy

Latvia has seen a 24% increase in its minimum wage in 2023, the highest in the European Union, raising it to €620 per month. Despite this, many Latvians, like postal worker Vizbulite Horste, do not feel the impact due to high inflation. A new EU directive requires member states to ensure their minimum wage is adequate, with suggestions to use 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage as benchmarks. Negotiations in Latvia between unions, employers, and the government have not reached a consensus, leaving the decision to the Parliament. Economist Martins Svirskis aims for a €700 adequate minimum wage, while the construction sector has negotiated a €780 minimum wage, hoping for €900 next year. Social Affairs Minister Evika Silina acknowledges the need for a higher minimum wage and discusses improving dialogue with social partners and supporting low-income workers to ensure economic growth.

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Latvian Government Latvian Parliament European Union

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I am a writer working primarily in East Africa. I am a regular contributor to the Guardian and write features for Newsweek, ELLE and Marie Claire amongst others.

Latvia: Trying to free its Al Jazeera journo

18 Dec 2014  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  International Relations

Peter Greste, an Al Jazeera journalist, discovered his Latvian citizenship while imprisoned in Egypt, which has become a pivotal factor in efforts to secure his release. Latvia, alongside Australia, is actively working to free him, with significant diplomatic efforts and legal support. The article highlights the broader context of human rights abuses in Egypt, the challenges faced by journalists, and the international diplomatic maneuvers involved. The upcoming EU presidency of Latvia is seen as a potential leverage point in advocating for Greste's release.

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Egyptian Government Latvian Government Al Jazeera European Union Human Rights Watch

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James Jackson is a multimedia journalist based in Berlin, Germany. 

James is a self-starting media professional who is comfortable writing news, specialist reports dispatches, op-eds and features. A native English speaker, he is fluent in German and Spanish and covers Central Europe for outlets ...

Living Next Door to Putin review — all-action Adler takes a tour of Russia’s neighbours

01 Oct 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Media

The review of 'Living Next Door to Putin' highlights the geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, focusing on Russia's influence on its neighbors. The program, led by Adler, provides insights into the destabilizing actions of Russia and Belarus, such as expelling migrants into Poland and the strategic importance of Kaliningrad. It also showcases the impact on local businesses and the resilience of local people, including a heroic Lithuanian newsreader. The narrative is both informative and engaging, blending geopolitical analysis with personal stories.

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Latvian Government Belarusian Government Russian Government

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Linas Jegelevicius is a journalist based in Klaipeda, Lithuania, also available for work in capital city Vilnius and in Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city. Having spent 10 years in the US, Linas is proficient in English and as the proof of this is his current position as editor-in-chief of The ...

IMF cuts Latvian growth forecast for next year by 1.5pp to 2.5%

01 Oct 2023  |  www.intellinews.com  |  English  |  Inflation

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised Latvia's economic growth forecast for next year down to 2.5%, a reduction of 1.5 percentage points from its previous estimate. Despite resilience to the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Latvia's economy faces vulnerabilities, particularly from trade exposure to Russia and high dependence on imported Russian gas. The IMF highlights the effects of the war, including spikes in energy and food prices, supply disruptions, and increased budgetary pressures due to the influx of Ukrainian refugees. Inflation is expected to remain high at 14.5% in 2022 but may ease in the medium term. The IMF advises Latvia to focus on macroprudential policies, support for SMEs, and targeted labor market policies to address long-term growth constraints.

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Latvian Government International Monetary Fund EU

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Michal Kranz is a journalist based in New York City.

People crossing into Latvia allege torture by security services

19 Apr 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Abuse

Abdalrahman Kiwan, a Syrian refugee, alleges severe abuse by Latvian security forces while attempting to cross into Latvia from Belarus. His account, supported by physical evidence and similar testimonies from other refugees, highlights a pattern of alleged torture and mistreatment by Latvian authorities. Despite denials from the Latvian government, international organizations like Amnesty International and local NGOs report consistent claims of abuse. The article underscores the challenges refugees face and the lack of oversight in border zones, complicating efforts to prove and address these human rights violations.

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Latvian Center for Human Rights Latvian NGO I Want to Help Refugees Latvian government Latvian State Border Guard Amnesty International

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Ricardo Marquina is a journalist based in Moscow, Russia.

In Russia since 2008, I have worked in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Romania and other Eastern European countries.

I produce complete TV packages, from pre-production, filming to editing.

Ukraine War Prompts Latvia to Re-Think Its Defenses

20 Apr 2023  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Defense

With Russian troops occupying a significant portion of Ukrainian territory, Latvia is reorganizing its defenses, including revitalizing its volunteer force and considering the reinstatement of its draft system. This move reflects the heightened security concerns among Russia's Baltic neighbors in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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Latvian Government

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British journalist, editor, and researcher. Work published in the Guardian, POLITICO Europe, New Statesman, Vice, The Moscow Times, and New Eastern Europe. 

Now primarily in London/Baltics but open to Russia-based commissions with the appropriate arrangements.

Putin’s invasion leaves the Baltics wondering: Are we next?

01 Oct 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  NATO

The Baltic states are increasingly concerned about their security in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. NATO has reinforced its presence in the region, but the Baltic countries remain vulnerable due to their geographical proximity to Russia and Belarus. The article highlights the historical and ideological threats posed by Putin's aggressive policies, as well as the measures taken by Baltic governments to bolster their defenses. The sentiment in the region is one of solidarity with Ukraine and heightened anti-Russian sentiment, with significant international military support providing some reassurance.

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Lithuanian Government Latvian Government Estonian Government Lithuanian Government NATO Russian Foreign Ministry Estonian Parliament University of Chicago British Army US Army

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Koen Verhelst is a journalist based in Brussels, covering EU topics for Politico.

He was previously stationed in Riga, covering the Nordics and the Baltics.

Latvian foreign minister quits amid flight spending scandal

05 Oct 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Resignation

Latvian Foreign Minister Krišjānis Kariņš resigned amid a scandal involving the use of state and EU funds for private jet flights. His resignation removes him as a contender for EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis's position. Kariņš, who previously served as prime minister, is under investigation by Latvia’s corruption bureau for his frequent flyer program. Despite initially expressing interest in high-profile NATO and EU roles, Kariņš will step down on April 10, with Evika Siliņa set to succeed him.

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Latvian Government European Union NATO

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Eszter Zalan is a Hungarian journalist working for Brussels-based news portal EUobserver specialising in European politics, focusing on populism and Brexit. Before immersing herself into the "EU bubble", Eszter reported on conflict and war zones from Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and other places ...

Two elections and 'Macron's club' in focus Next WEEK

30 Sept 2022  |  euobserver.com  |  English  |  National Identity

Elections in Latvia and another EU country this weekend will highlight the strained relationships with Russia, particularly in light of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. In Latvia, the election may reveal a growing divide between the Latvian majority and the Russian-speaking minority, with national identity becoming a central issue. Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins' center-right coalition government is a key player in this context.

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Latvian Government Moscow

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