User:Ray3055/Estonia

Human Rights
Taken from the Amnesty International Report 2007

Statelessness
According to the Amnesty International Report 2007 approximately 130,000 people living in Estonia remain without citizenship and face discrimination in the fields of educational, labour and cultural rights; for example, stateless residents cannot work in certain parts of the public sector, and have limited rights in movement outside the country.

In April 2007, Estonia introduced a 'long-term resident category' which reduced restrictions on the right to live and work in other EU member states. However, in June 2007 a new language requirement was set to be introduced whereby long-term residency would only be granted to those who had achieved the required level in the Estonian langauge.

As at November 2007, Estonia is not a party to the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of 1961

Minority rights
Discriminatory practices, including barriers to employment, continue towards the country's linguistic minority, this affects around 430,000 people, approximately 30 per cent of the population.

In August 2007, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination recommended that the definition of what constitutes a minority set out in the Law on Cultural Autonomy of National Minorities should be amended to include non-citizens, including stateless people with long-term residence. They further recommended that Estonia enact anti-discrimination legislation in accordance with the UN Convention against Racism and suggested that Estonia should provide free Estonian language courses to those applying for citizenship.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights
In August 2007, a Gay Pride march in Tallinn were attacked by counter-demonstrators. Over 10 people in the march were injured and one person was hospitalized with head injuries; police failed to intervene to prevent the attacks.

Other notes
On Wednesday, September 19, 2007 announced the birth of its House of Representatives of National minorities in Estonia. Incorporating 196 different organizations, it seeks to protect the political rights of national minorities.
 * United national minorities

This nedohodnoe association rasschityvayuschee for financial support of Russian businessmen Estonia intends to fight for the representation of minorities in all government, municipal and judiciary. According to the chairman of the House Rafik Grigorian, the most important task is to examine the organization of nodes regulatory issues of interethnic relations in Estonia, including in the realm of politics, culture, education and society in general, as well as to propose solutions to those issues.

14.06.2007 13:55 BNS
 * In Estonia, created House of Representatives minority (7)

On Wednesday in Tallinn assembly passed an initiative group, resulting in the adoption of a declaration on the ground in the House of Representatives of the Estonian national minorities.

Chairman of the Armenian National Society Rafik Grigoryan.

On Wednesday evening in a building organization "Lear" in Tallinn assembly passed an initiative group, which is based on the outcome of last May 30, 2007 conference with the participation of 43 delegates representing 123 organizations operating in the Estonian National Minorities, adopted a declaration on the basis of the Estonian Chamber of representatives of national minorities.

As said in an interview BNS member of the board of the Association of National Minorities Rafik Grigoryan, the main purpose of establishing the House of Representatives is to protect the interests of residents in the territory of the republic of national minorities.

The main way to protect Grigoryan sees acceptance, as well as ratification by the Estonian Parliament relevant laws and international declarations guaranteeing the rights of national minorities.

"We will ensure that the decisions taken in relation to Estonia the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, would be implemented - said Krikorian. -- In addition, we believe that the Estonian legislation should take into account the rules of the Convention for the Protection of Minorities. "

According to him, the new organization will include more than 50 delegates representing national minorities living in Estonia.

In addition to political and social issues, Estonian House of Representatives minority sees its task of the development of cultural ties with international organizations nedohodnymi, conducting educational activities, sociological studies, seminars and conferences.

Rafik Grigoryan
Rafik Grigoryan was born on May 18, 1958 in the village of Dzoragyugh in the Martouni region. He received his degree in economics and technical mechanics from Kiev Agricultural Academy in 1989.

From 1976-1977 he worked in the Dzoragyugh collective farm. From 1977-1979 he served in the Soviet Army. From 1982-1985 and then again from 1989-1992 he worked as a deputy director of Cherkasi Seed Research Farm in Ukraine. The next four years he served as the director of Cherkasi Constructor Ltd. From 1996-1999 he was the head of Dzoraghyugh Community of Gegharkounik region. From 1999-2003 he was the deputy of the Regional Governor of Gegharkounik.

On May 25, 2003 he was elected to the NA from electoral district # 31, and he serves on the NA Standing Committee on Financial-Credit, Budgetary and Economic Affairs. He is a member of both the Republican Party of Armenia Faction and party.

He is married and has four children.

7-8 NOVEMBER 2005 Was representative ( as member of parliament and national Assembly) for Armenia at PREPARATORY CONFERENCE TO THE FOURTEENTH OSCE ECONOMIC FORUM: THE ROLE OF TRANSPORTATION TO ENHANCE REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND STABILITY DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN