Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002726/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Danilo Della Valle (The Left), Michael von der Schulenburg (NI), Thomas Geisel (NI), Branislav Ondruš (NI), Friedrich Pürner (NI), Ruth Firmenich (NI), Ľuboš Blaha (NI)
On 5 June 2025, Mr Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a former member of the Latvian Parliament and current Riga city councillor, was expelled from a parliamentary session for speaking in Russian and for criticising a legislative proposal aimed at the ‘linguistic de-Russification’ of Latvia. On 9 June 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated against him for alleged incitement to national hatred and support for the aggressor state.
These actions raise serious concerns as to their compatibility with Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR) concerning freedom of expression; with Article 21 of the CFR prohibiting discrimination, including on the grounds of language; and with Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, which enshrines respect for the rule of law and for the rights of minorities.
In the light of the above, can the Commission clarify:
- 1.whether it considers these measures to be in line with the fundamental values of the European Union?
- 2.whether it intends to promote independent monitoring of minority rights in Latvia?
- 3.what instruments it intends to activate to ensure the protection of the linguistic rights of minorities in the Member States?
Submitted: 3.7.2025