Ad-Hoc Query on Russian ethnic minorities
Requested by FI EMN NCP on 21st April 2010
Compilation produced on 10th November 2010
Responses from Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal,
Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom (15 in Total)
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of
the EMN. The contributing EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and
reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
1. Background Information
The University of Helsinki would need the following information, for a possible symposium and publication Russian ethnic minorities in EU MS.
Please provide your responses to the following questions by 21st May 2010. Only public information would be of avail. Please note that questions 1
and 2 are addressed to a limited group of EU MS.
1. The ethnic Russian minority (absolute and percentual figure) in Nordic countries (FI, SE, DK), Baltic states (EST, LV, LT), and Eastern European
EU (PL, SK, CZ, SV, HR, RO, HU, BG)
2. The amount of Russian-speakers, as first language (absolute and percentual figure) in Nordic countries (FI, SE, DK), Baltic states (EST, LV, LT),
and East European EU (PL, SK, CZ, SV, HR, RO, HU, BG)
1 of 11
EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
3. The political organization of Russian minority or Russian speakers (are there parties/parties in parliament/strong organizations), reply with few
sentences.
4. The integration of Russians with few sentences: a) language of host country, b) unemployment, c) education level and d) conditions for social
security. Some figures/Few sentences of significant contemporary aspects.
5. Would you have any good English references of today´s situation of the Russian minority in your country?
2. Responses
Wider
Dissemination?
Austria
No
This EMN NCP has provided a response to the requesting EMN NCP. However, they have requested that it is not disseminated further.
Belgium
Yes
1+2. Amount of Russian-speakers as first language: Russia + ex-USSR: 1991: 891, 2001: 2675, 2008: 12515
Persons born in Russia or in ex-USSR on 1 January 2008: 34.038. These are official numbers. There are probably around 80000 Russianspeakers (legal and illegal) living in Belgium
3. There is no political representation of the Russian minority in Belgium.
4. The profile of the Russian-speakers applying for a residence permit has changed over recent years. Around ten years ago most of them
applied for asylum, probably because of the asylum system that was more liberal (more direct financial support…) than today. Now other
procedures are used to enter Belgium, such as family reunification. Typical for the Russian-speaking community is their fast integration
into the Belgian society. The majority of the Russian-speaking community is highly educated, which can for example be deduced from the
high number of applications for authentication of diplomas. For the majority however it is very difficult to find a job that corresponds with
their education level, also because of the language requirements (French, Dutch, English).
5. There is an internet site for the Russian-speaking community living in Belgium (practical, juridical and administrative information):
http://www.russian-belgium.be/
Estonia
Yes
1 and 2. The number of ethnic minorities in Estonia is based on Population Census on 2000 (next will be on 2011), and the number of
ethnic Russians is 406 755.
3. The only political Russian organization in Estonia is Vene Erakond Eestis, but they are not represented in our Riigikogu (Parliament).
Russian speaking population political activity is integrated into other Estonian parties for example Eesti Keskerakond.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
4. According to the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund by 31.05.2010 the number of unemployed Russian citizens were 8096 persons
(7,43% of total, total number of unemployed persons in Estonia were 85 860; compare that number of unemployed Estonians were 61 609
(71,76%).
The education and social security is provided to the whole population.
This is publicly available link; we don’t have any official researches’ on topic - http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/pdf/case-studies/russianminority.pdf
Finland
Yes
1. The amount of ethnic Russian cannot be carefully measured as there are several thousand Russians that have become full Finns, although
could still consider themselves as ethnic Russians. Ingrians (Ancient Finns that have wanted to return from Russia) that constitute 2030.000 of the Russian-speakers have varying degrees of attachment to “being Russian”
2. Russian-speakers constitute 40-60.000 of the population.
3. There are up to 60 organisations that have to do with Russia or Russian language. There are no political parties.
4.
a) Finnish language is a problem for many newcomers, although e.g. the Ingrians have passed a language exam. Russians with longer
tradition have no problems with the language.
b) Unemployment is only a problem for the newcomers with insufficient command of Finnish language. Some Ingrians are unemployed.
c) Education level: Russians are generally well educated, except some Ingrians.
d) Social security; The social security of Russian speakers in Finland is ok.
5. No good English reference, except: Identities, intergroup relations and acculturation : the cornerstones of intercultural encounters / Inga
Jasinskaja-Lahti & Tuuli Anna Mähönen (eds.).
Hungary
Yes
1. In Hungary Russian is not recognized by law as a national or ethnic minority. Act LXXVII of 1993 on the rights of ethnic and national
minorities lists the 13 national or ethnic minorities currently present in the territory of Hungary and Russian is not one of them. The act also
defines the concept and conditions of a minority, namely that the group has to be present in the territory of Hungary for at least a century,
has to be in minority as regards the number of persons compared to the total number of the population, the members of the group has to
have Hungarian citizenship, the group has to have its own language, traditions and culture and endeavours to protect its identity). It is
regulated that the list of ethnic minorities can be enlarged if all the conditions of being a minority are fulfilled and at least 1000 persons
who belong to the group concerned initiate the recognition of the group as a minority.
The fact that Russian is not a minority recognized by law is important, while the population census only contains data on the legally
recognized ethnic and national minorities, therefore we do not have data on the number of persons having Russian origin. Furthermore, the
rights to political representation (however currently only in self-governments at local and national level but not in the Parliament) are
provided only to minorities listed in the act.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
It is worth mentioning that in 2005 there was an initiative for the recognition of Russian as a minority but the conditions (namely presence
in the territory of Hungary for at least 100 years) were not fulfilled.
2. Data are only available on the number of Russian nationals staying in the territory of Hungary. The numbers from the years 2001-2009
are the following:
2001
1893
2002
2048
2003
1794
2004
2244
2005
2642
2006
2759
2007
2760
2008
2787
2009
2923
3. While Russian is not a minority recognized in law, the right to political representation in self-governments is not provided.
4. No data are available on the level of integration of Russians. It could be mentioned however, that there are some Russian organizations
present in Hungary, such as a centre for culture, a trade representation and also a Russian orthodox parish.
5. Important English references cannot be provided.
Ireland
Yes
3. There are a number of organisations affiliated to RF bodies (Association of Compatriots – administered through the Embassy) and to EU
organisations (Eurolog-Ireland – a volunteer umbrella group for educational and cultural community-based bottom-up initiatives). There
are a number of community-led educational, sporting, cultural groups. The Russian-speaking community has gone from being fragmented
and disconnected even as short a time as 18 months ago, to organising itself into intersecting virtual (web-based) and community- or
interest-group-based networks. There are no political parties; this population is not represented in parliament; however, a couple of Russian
speakers ran in the last council elections (Portlaoise, Co. Monaghan).
4. Whilst the school-aged Russian speakers obtain English-language support through the formal education system, adult migrants have little
opportunity to develop their language skills beyond the elementary level. This leads to isolation and militates against integration –
particularly in rural/provincial areas where some sectors (e.g. agri-industry, catering and hotel sector) are staffed predominantly by Eastand Central European migrants. There is some evidence to suggest that parents’ poor English-language skills may impact on the
development pre-school children’s language skills. This may lead to educational disadvantage down the road.
There is no data specifically relating to this group’s current employment situation. One assumes that the current economic climate impacts
on this population no less than on any other section of the total population. One area worthy of comment is the number of spouses in this
population (mainly, but not exclusively, wives) who are not entitled to work because of our work permit legislation.
The education level of this population covers the whole spectrum: unskilled to professional. There are significant numbers of highly
educated Russian speakers whose qualifications are not recognised, whose English-language skills would not permit them to work in the
field for which they trained or whose area of expertise is not required in Ireland today – and who consequently are employed in fields for
which they are over-qualified.
5. There is very little reliable information available at present. The Russian-language media publish articles from time to time; the English4 of 11
EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
language media seem unaware that this population exists at all. There is an IRCHSS-funded research project based in TCD’s department of
Russian and Slavonic Studies addressing this deficit. At the moment it is at the stage of collecting data. Analysis, discussion and
publications to follow.
Italy
Yes
Some scholars equate the known minorities to the various communities that were formed by migration. In this sense we can say that in Italy
at the end of 2008 there was a minority of Russians made up of 19 345 people, including 82, 2% women and 8,7% minors (these figures do
not include expired and awaiting renewal stay permits).
Much higher numbers characterize the community of Ukrainian (98 thousands) and Moldovan (56 thousands) citizens from the former
Soviet Union.
ITALY –Stay permits’ holders at 31.12.2008 (country of nationality)
Stay permits’
holders
31.12.2008
17.666
Russia
1.553.229
TOTAL FOREIGNERS
SOURCE: Ministry of Interior
Nationaliy
Of which
women
15.094
762.729
Of which
issued in
2008
2.613
198.381
minors enrolled in
their parents’ stay
permits
1.679
479.811
Of which
female
minors
807
216.775
Total Stay permits’
holders 31.12.2008
19.345
2.033.040
Of which
women
31.12.2008
15.901
979.504
The community of Russian citizens has not given rise to political organizations, but rather has created several social cultural and economic
organizations.
Regarding the level of integration we can say:
1) from the linguistic point of view it is known that the Russians - as in general all Slavs - show a great preparation for learning the
Italian language;
2) in terms of employment at the moment specific surveys are not available. The main sector of job insertion is that of services
(especially personal services, trade, IT, tourism, etc.);
3) regarding the conditions for social security, Italian legislation on immigration is universal and is applied uniformly to all
communities.
ITALY. Sectors of job insertion of Russian workers 31.12.2008
Agricolture & Fishery
Industry
Macro-Sectors
3,1
27
%
Domestic care
Hotels & Restaurant
Micro-Sectors
6.014
3.595
number
SOURCE: National Disability Insurance Institute
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Services
75,3
IT
3.213
N.a.
5,6
Commerce
2.541
Total
100,0
Total
26985
EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
1. In January 2010 Russians in Latvia constitute about 612 766 persons or about 25% of population (Date from Office of Citizenship and
Latvia
Yes
Migration Affairs) http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/lv/statistika/iedzivotaju.html .
2. The term “Russian - speakers” is generally used in reference to non-ethnic Latvians residing on the territory of Latvia, the biggest groups
of which belong to Slavic Peoples - namely Ukrainians, Belorussians, Poles, Czechs, etc. who tend to use Russian for everyday
communication.
3. There are no special political organizations of Russian minority or political party of Russian minority in Latvia, only some minority
NGOs dealing with issues related to Russian speaking minority. But, for example, in a programme of party Union «For Human Rights in
United Latvia» (FHRUL) it is written “Our goal is a consolidation of political Latvian nation – including both communities and all ethnic
minorities,
guarding
their
languages
and
having
a
careful
attitude
to
their
cultural
legacy”
http://www.pctvl.lv/index.php?lang=ru&mode=party&submode=program&page_id=2939.
4. There are no special integration politics aimed only at Russians or Russian - speakers in Latvia. One of the groups of integration politics
documents are ethnic minorities in Latvia. The main political document in this area is a National Programme - "Integration of Society in
Latvia". The National Programme "Integration of Society in Latvia" (2001) incorporates the political, judicial, social, educational and
cultural dimensions of integration policy. The programme has focused efforts to promote a multi-dimensional dialogue among the various
ethnic communities in Latvia. Programme refer to the guarantee that the non-Latvians’ right to preserve their native language and culture.
Integration policy in Latvia is a horizontal policy and within the competence of many ministries (Ministry of Education and Science,
Ministry of Welfare, Ministry of Culture).
On 26 May 2005, the Saeima ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe.
The Education Law adopted in 1998 serves as the foundation for the national minority education system. The Law stipulates that national
minority education programmes shall include the content necessary for members of national minority groups to develop an awareness of
their respective ethnic culture, as well as to integrate into Latvian society. The Ministry of Education and Science has developed four
model national minority education programmes, which differ in terms of the proportion of classes taught in the national minority language.
National minority schools can choose one of the four model programmes or create their own programmes.
Quantitative and qualitative study on social integration and citizenship to current aspects of its relations with other ethnic groups every day
as good or very good 74% of the Latvian population, 21% of those assessed as satisfactory and only some 5% - as bad or very bad. Latvian
society is characterized by friendly living environment with a high degree of ethnic harmony. (Practice and perspectives of integrations.
BISS.2006.)
5. The Ministry of Justice haven’t got new materials about today’s situations of the Russian minority in Latvia.
Lithuania
Yes
1. The ethnic Russian minority (absolute and percentual) in Lithuania, 1989-2008
Population
1979
2001
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2008
EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
by ethnicity
(Russians) ,
Absolute
303,5 thous
219,8 thous. 168.1 thous.
number
Percentage
8.9
6.3
5.0
of all
population
2. According to the data of 2001 population census, 7873 Lithuanian nationals stated that their mother tongue and first-language is
Russian. That equals to 0.27 per cent of all Lithuanian nationals.
3. Lithuanian Russian Union is the only political party in Lithuania which is representing Russian minority in Lithuania. Lithuanian
Russian Union was formed in 1995 and since then participated in both parliament and municipality elections. The results of Lithuanian
Russian Union in elections:
Parliament
elections
Municipality
elections
1996
Did not
pass 5%
votes
barrier
(received
1.63% of
all votes)
-
1997
-
10
mandates
in Vilnius,
7 in
Klaipeda
2000
3 mandates
(after
participating
in coalition
with 3 other
political
parties)
7 mandates
in Klaipeda
2002
-
2004
Did not
participate
2007
-
2008
Did not pass
5% votes
barrier
(received
0.92% of all
votes)
6
mandates
in Vilnius,
3–
Klaipeda,
2 – in
Visaginas
-
2 mandates
in Vilnius, 2
in Klaipeda,
1 in
Visaginas
-
4. There are no specific integration measures aimed at Russian citizens. Integration system is the same for all foreign citizens. A) The final
exam of Lithuanian language is obligatory for all students. B) No data available. Data will be available after 2011 census.
5. No.
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Integration has informed us that in the integration monitor of the Netherlands information is
Netherlands
Yes
only provided with regard to the largest ethnic migrant groups; Russians are not one of these groups; the number of Russians in the
Netherlands is quite small. We can therefore not provide an answer to the questions.
Portugal
Yes
3. In Portugal, immigrants, regardless of their country of origin, have the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, in the
same conditions as any Portuguese citizen, according to articles 45 and 46 of the CPR. The representative recognition is preceded by an
advice from the Consultative Council for Immigrants Affairs (COCAI), functioning nearby ACIDI, which ensures consultation and
dialogue with organizations that represent immigrants and ethnic minorities. The Council’s competences include making statements
regarding immigrant rights, participating in policy-making for the social integration of immigrants, improving living conditions and
participating in the defence of immigrant rights. Immigrant communities are strongly represented within COCAI’s Counsellors, including
one representative from Eastern Europe communities.
4. In order to facilitate integration, Portugal offers immigrants Portuguese language courses, not only through NGO but, also, trough
governmental programmes, addressing all immigrants, regardless of their country of origin.
Immigrants represent around 6% of the unemployed registered in the Employment Centres. Considering the most representative
nationalities, Ukraine, Moldova and Russia represent, respectively, around 15,7%, 4,4% and 2,4% of the immigrants registered in the
Employment Centres.
On the 7th April 2009, Portugal and Ukraine signed a Convention over Social Security (Decree nr. 8/2010, dated 27th April), that aims to
ensure social protection for those who are or were submitted to the two States’ legislation, aiming, therefore, to potentiate their integration
in the host societies. It consecrates equal treatment, based upon the benefit of rights and fulfilment of duties according to the each State’s
legislation, in the same conditions as the States’ nationals. Russia showed interest in signing a Convention with Portugal.
Slovak Republic
Yes
1. Slovak Republic does not collect data on the foreigners according to ethnicity. The Statistical Office in between of two censuses collects
data only on the basis of citizenship.
Currently the Statistical Office is preparing the census for 2011 in which the data on population with usual residency will be collected and
besides the citizenship also the data on ethnicity, mother tongue and the most commonly used language will be collected.
Usually resident population by citizenship, sex
(as of 31 Dec. 2008)
Reference: Article 3.1 (c) (i) of the Reg. 862/2007 and the Joint Eurostat, UNSD, UNECE and ILO Questionnaire
SEX
CITIZENSHIP
Total population
T
TOTAL
M
F
5 412 254 2 629 804 2 782 450
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
Russian Federation -(absolute number)
1 483
622
861
Russian Federation -(per cent)
0,03
0,02
0,03
Acquisition of citizenship by former citizenship, sex (as of 31. Dec. 2008)
Reference: Article 3.1 (d) of the Reg. 862/2007
SEX
CITIZENSHIP
Total
Russian Federation -(absolute number)
T
TOTAL
M
F
478
222
256
26
6
20
2. Currently the Slovak Republic does not collect data on the languages.
3. There are no significant political parties or organisations of Russian minority or Russian speakers in the Slovak Republic which would
significantly influence the political situation in the country.
4. The situation of the Russian minority is not examined in such a depth as required by the question and no relevant data in this regard are
available. However from the experiences of the Migration Information Centre of IOM (offices in Bratislava and Kosice) it can be derived
that the Russian minority is not facing any significant or specific difficulties in terms of integration. This is mainly due to the proximity of
culture, history and language.
5. No references in this regard.
Slovenia
Yes
We do not have much data on Russian Ethnic minority members. All the facts we can send you are from 2002 census.
Slovenia has appr. 2milons of inhabitants.
Total
Men
Women
451
118
333
Citizenship
Citizens of Slovenia
Foreigners
173
278
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
Country of birth
Born abroad
Born in Slovenia
Russia
414
37
Educational attainment
Aged less than 15 years old
Basic or less
Uper secondary
Tertiary
48
34
180
189
Activity status
Persons in employment
Unemployed persons
Inactive
173
68
210
Source: SURS, Census 2002.
Sweden
Yes
Unfortunately we don’t have that kind of information available. You can try and see if you can find anything interesting in the Migration
Board country of origin database: www.migrationsverket.se/lifos
United Kingdom
Yes
3. Despite a large number of Russian-speakers from the entire former Soviet Union currently living in the UK (according to very
provisional estimates, around 300,000), there is no clearly defined or politically organised Russian or Russian-speaking 'minority' as such
in the UK. There is a large number of smaller, mostly local, community organisations, and there are a few larger bodies that claim to
represent the UK Russian-speaking 'community' or 'diaspora' in a more general way. However, the legitimacy and representative nature of
these organisations is highly questionable, as is the extent to which they can be seen as 'political'. The most prominent of these are:
http://www.russiancouncil.co.uk/ and http://www.obshina.org/.
4. The degrees of integration, levels of education, and forms of employment of Russian-speakers currently living in the UK are all highly
variable. No systematic study of these has been carried out so far.
5. For the purposes of this kind of survey, the most convenient quick reference on Russian speakers living in the UK is probably the IOM
mapping exercise for 2007 (downloadable from http://www.iomlondon.org/publications.htm). The project outline for an ongoing academic
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EMN Ad-Hoc Query: Russian ethnic minorities
Disclaimer: The following responses have been provided primarily for the purpose of information exchange among EMN NCPs in the framework of the EMN. The contributing
EMN NCPs have provided, to the best of their knowledge, information that is up-to-date, objective and reliable. Note, however, that the information provided does
not necessarily represent the official policy of an EMN NCPs' Member State.
study
on
Russians
in
Britain:
Identities,
Community
and
Representation
can
be
found
at
http://www.ehrc.ox.ac.uk/russiansinbritain/Byford.htm
***********************
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