Aliens in Riga

Riga (Latvia), 2011
When Latvia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, it granted automatic citizenship to those who had lived in the first independent Latvian state, between 1918 and 1940, but not to those who immigrated here after the war during the Soviet period.
Today, more than 300,000 Russians and native Russian-speakers, out of a total Latvian population of 2.2 million, are classed as "non citizens" because they have failed (or refused) to take a test in Latvian language and history, which would allow them to have citizenship. They are "aliens", despite having lived in Latvia all their lives, and they have no right to take part in the elections – whereas citizens of other EU countries could vote if they lived there for a mere six months.

Member of EU Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka, 61, in FHRUL (Union For Human Rights in a United Latvia) headquarter. She has been the party leader since 2001. FHRUL defends the rights of hundreds of thousands of people who, despite being EU citizens, have no right to vote.

Activist Asya Andreyeva, non-citizen, 71, in the Latvian Human Rights Committee headquarter, where non-citizens can have free support. «In 1991 I became stateless. I had betrayed nobody; I hadn't violated any law, legally moved to Latvia during Soviet times. I have been living in Latvia for almost 50 years and working for this country. As a result I was punished and become an “alien”. Should I apply for Latvian citizenship after this humiliation? For me it is a complete absurdity. I will never apply for naturalisation».

Uzvaras Parks monument where every year, on the 9<sup>th</sup> May, Latvian Russian-speakers celebrate Red Army victory on German Army in WWII.

Vladimir Buzayev, 60, former member of Latvian Parliament and ex-president of Latvian Human Rights Committee.

Freedom Monument where every year, on 4<sup>th</sup> May, Latvians honour soldiers killed during the <i>Latvian War of Independence</i> (1918-1920).

Activist Youry Petropavlosky, non-citizen, 56, ex-designer and former constructor for Alfa (semiconductor appliances plant), in front of one of Riga's shopping centres built after USSR collapsed. «I passed all the examinations and checks, all the relevant bodies have confirmed my right to become a citizen of Latvia. But our government, just before its resignation, struck me off the list because they hadn't liked my public activities. Now my case will be considered in Europe. If the decision is positive I will be pleasantly surprised: this will be signal that Europe is changing its view of the Latvian issue».

Abandoned warehouses. Since USSR collapsed, many warehouses have been abandoned. During the Soviet times Riga was the most industrialized city of the Union after Moscow and Leningrad.

Costantine Matveyev, non-citizen, 57, Dean of the Faculty of Law in the Baltic Russian Institute, former member of the first Latvian Parliament after independence, in the Institute Library.
When the majority of members of Parliament voted in favour of the law dividing citizens from non-citizens, he ceased to be a Latvian citizen. Having been given the status of “alien”, he remained a Member of Parliament until the end of Parliamentary term in 1993. When new elections took place, he could not take part in them.

Riga National Theatre, where, on 18<sup>th</sup> November 1918, independence was declared.

Old woman waiting for a tram near the National Theatre.

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Founded in 1993, it commemorates the wrongdoings committed by the Soviet and German occupation powers against the state and the people of Latvia from 1940 to 1991.

Journalist and writer Serghei Kruk, non-citizen, 43, on the roof of Radio Baltkom, one of the most popular Russian radio in Latvia. Associated Professor at Riga Stradins University, he was the “voice” of free Latvia from the microphones of the clandestine radio before the USSR collapsed.

An orthodox wedding in St. Peter and St. Paul Church. The majority of Latvian Russians are orthodox.

Radio Baltkom journalist Yulia Mikhailovskaya.

Maskavas Forštate, one of the oldest suburb of Riga. Its fate is closely related to the history of the Russian minority.

Radio Pik: live on air. The radio broadcasts several programs in Russian.

Olga Zeibo, non-citizen, 65, in the launderette where she works.

Riga Central Market. In the background the WWI German Zeppelin hangars, now used for the market.

Business and organisational consultant and trainer Alexander Gamaleyev, 50, and his daughter Liza, 17, gymnast of the Rhythmic Latvian Team.
«My civil activity was noticed by police and security service, which promised me that I shouldn't calculate on “easy life” in the future».

University student and tourist guide Alexander Filey, 23, non-citizen, showing his passport. His mother is from Belarus and his father from Ukraine. «I want to apply for Latvian citizenship because I would like to start a political career in Latvia».

A disappointed activist of FHRUL (Union For Human Rights in a United Latvia) after the party defeat in 2011 Elections.

A beggar in front of a burlesque theatre in Old Riga.

Member of EU Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka watching herself on television.

Tourist information in Dzintari beach in Jurmala, 20 km from Riga. Jurmala used to be one of the most popular holiday resorts during the Soviet period, but is still popular today among the wealthy Russians. Russian language and alphabet were banned after USSR collapsed.