Referendum for the Russian language as the second state language in Latvia is scheduled for tomorrow. It's time to remember some not so fair things about the language situation in this country. Here are some facts:

1. Russian language descriptions on goods and meds are often hidden behind a sticker with Latvian language description. Funny enough, there may be descriptions in ten other languages, but only Russian is routinely chosen to be removed in that way.
2. Center for the state language forbade to publish social advertising designed to raise awareness of cancer in Russian.
3. There are no signs in Russian and no way to communicate with the authorities in Russian even in overwhelmingly Russophone municipalities.
4. Language "police" fines employers for insufficient use of the Latvian language at work (I wonder how do they measure it...).
5. Higher education in Russian is forbidden in educational institutions funded by the state while higher education in EU languages is allowed.

So I'm not surprised that Russian Latvians are not very happy with such treatment of their native language. I think it's impossible to win the referendum, but may be it will show the authorities that there is the need for a change though.