• Interviews with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Director of the Society Integration Foundation Nils Sakss talks about activities of the Foundation in 2004
• Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim of Ruslan Pankratov against latvianisation of minority personal names in documents
• Rap group accused in incitement of national hatred in its song
• Saeima plans to discuss the declaration condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia
• Director of the Economic Institute of the Latvian Academy of Science Raita Karnite talks about migration
• Administrative Regional Court issues a positive ruling in the case of the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis

Latvijas Avize and Rigas Balss feature interviews with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete about the implementation of the minority education reform. The Minister points to the need to explain the key goals and content of bilingual education to the broader public. The Minister stresses that the majority of society does not have information about the reform. Ina Druviete notes that Saeima does not plan to introduce any amendments to the Law on Education.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Director of the Society Integration Foundation Nils Sakss about activities of the Foundation in 2004. According to Nils Sakss, EUR1,500,000 were allocated for ethnic integration projects this year. The biggest amount of this funding comes from the EU PHARE grant scheme. The Director also reports that in 2004 the number of submitted projects in the area of ethnic integration has dropped by 50% in comparison to 2003. Next year the share of the state funding allotted for the Foundation will be three times smaller, however, funding from the EU will increase and will reach the amount of EUR2,000,000.

The Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim submitted by Ruslan Pankratov. He objected against latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending -

The Administrative Court of Riga refused a claim submitted by Ruslan Pankratov. He objected against latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending -s) in his passport. Vesti Segodnya

State Security Police have launched investigation over incitement of national hatred towards Latvians in songs produced and sang by the rap group

State Security Police have launched investigation over incitement of national hatred towards Latvians in songs produced and sang by the rap group Dihlafoz&Nailz. Telegraf

Parliamentary groups of Saeima plans to launch discussions on the declaration on condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration, developed by the working group composed of the MPs of the New Era, the People’s Party, the Latvians First Party, the Union of the Farmers and Greens, and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, calls international organisations to recognise occupation of Latvia and provide assistance in elimination of its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries.

Parliamentary groups of Saeima plans to launch discussions on the declaration on condemning the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration, developed by the working group composed of the MPs of the New Era, the Peoples Party, the Latvians First Party, the Union of the Farmers and Greens, and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, calls international organisations to recognise occupation of Latvia and provide assistance in elimination of its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. Latvijas Avize

Chas prints an interview with the director of the Economic Institute of the Latvian Academy of Science Raita Karnite, who believes that the influx of immigrants in Latvia is inevitable if Latvia wants to become an economically developed country. Raita Karnite also argues that Latvia should develop immigration policy to be able to control immigration.

The Administrative Regional Court issued a positive ruling for the member of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist appealed the ruling of the Riga Central Court, which stipulated that Jurijs Petropavlovskis should pay a fine in the amount of LVL 150 (EUR 217) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform.

The Administrative Regional Court issued a positive ruling for the member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist appealed the ruling of the Riga Central Court, which stipulated that Jurijs Petropavlovskis should pay a fine in the amount of LVL 150 (EUR 217) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

• Interview with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Viktor Kaluznij: Russia does not have to apologise to Latvia for occupation
• Latvian Union of the Politically Repressed Persons calls the government to appeal the ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Mihails Farbtuhs
• Attitudes of minority students from Daugavpils towards the implementation of the education reform
• Congress of the Socialist Party of Latvia took place in Riga
• Integration project implemented by Latvian and Russian students in Indra
• Latvijas Avize clarifies legitimacy of the usage of Russian in private food shops
• Latvijas Avize comments on the proposal to mark 7 January – Christmas Day celebrated by Orthodox believers and Old Believers – a national holiday

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an interview with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete. The main discussion topic is the education reform. The Minister believes that it is too early to draw any conclusions on effects of the education reform on the quality of education, because results of bilingual education are evident after 3 – 4 years after its implementation. The Minister declares that she will continue provide explanations concerning the implementation of the reform, however, she will not place emphasis on political aspects of the reform. Ina Druviete also comments on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and notes that in regard to education there is no necessity to introduce any reservations because ‘Latvia has fulfilled all international standards concerning minority education.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij does not believe that Russia should apologise to Latvia for the Soviet Occupation, because the majority of today’s population of Russia did not live at that time and there was no Russian state. According to the Ambassador, recognition of Latvia’s sovereignty is a clear demonstration of Russia’s attitude towards Latvia.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij does not believe that Russia should apologise to Latvia for the Soviet Occupation, because the majority of todays population of Russia did not live at that time and there was no Russian state. According to the Ambassador, recognition of Latvias sovereignty is a clear demonstration of Russias attitude towards Latvia. Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Viktor Kaluznij, who states that Latvia should ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Latvian Union of the Politically Repressed Persons calls the government to appeal the ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Mihails Farbtuhs. Politically repressed persons are dissatisfied that according to the ECHR’s ruling Latvia has to pay compensation to a person, who has been found guilty in genocide. Politically repressed persons note that thousands of Farbtuhs’ victims have not received either his regrets or apologies.

The Latvian Union of the Politically Repressed Persons calls the government to appeal the ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Mihails Farbtuhs. Politically repressed persons are dissatisfied that according to the ECHRs ruling Latvia has to pay compensation to a person, who has been found guilty in genocide. Politically repressed persons note that thousands of Farbtuhs victims have not received either his regrets or apologies. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Vesti Segodnya writes about attitudes of minority students from Daugavpils towards the implementation of the education reform. The coordinator of the Daugavpils Department of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Sergejs Solovjovs believes that majority of minority school students from Daugavpils are ready to participate in protest actions against the education reform. While Russian students point that the quality of education is getting worse due to the low level of Latvian language proficiency of their teachers. According to the newspaper students do not believe in a promise to develop a dialogue with all stakeholders made by the Minister of Education and Science.

Latvijas Avize reports on the congress of the Latvias Socialist Party. In his speech partys leader Alfreds Rubiks stressed that Latvian citizenship should be granted for all those Latvias residents, who were residents of Latvia until 1991. According to the partys leader, Latvian non-citizens should also have a right to participate in municipal elections.

Diena reports on the ethnic integration project ‘Indra: the End or Beginning of Europe? The project was developed and implemented by Latvian and Russian students who live in Indra parish (a very remote town in the south eastern part of Latvia). Students developed their vision on the development of the parish and printed these visions in a special magazine. They also developed a plan how to reduce the level of unemployment. The project is supported by the National Agency for Latvian Language Training, EU PHARE programme and the Indra municipality.

Referring to the letter of the newspaper reader,

Referring to the letter of the newspaper reader, Latvijas Avize investigates whether it is legitimate to use the Russian language on the signs placed on shelves in a private food shop. The reader of the newspaper reported that there are two languages on these signs - Latvian and Russian. According to the chief inspector of the Control Department of the State Language Inspection Ruta Livija Icaka, the Law on the State Language does not prohibit the usage of Russian together with Latvian in private shops. However, Ruta Livija Icaka notes that the Law is very liberal and promotes bilingualism. According to the inspector, many people who work in the service area, including salespersons, do not speak sufficient Latvian. Latvijas Avize

The Columnist of

The Columnist of Latvijas Avize Maris Antonevics discusses the necessity to mark 7 January – Christmas Day celebrated by Orthodox believers and Old Believers – a national holiday. The journalist notes that this proposal has been submitted by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, which regards Latvia as two-community state and thus Orthodox Christmas would become a day-off for ‘the closed Russian community.

• 2440 naturalisation applications received by the Naturalisation Board in November
• Russian President Vladimir Putin asks the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle border issues with the Baltic States
• Janis Urbanovics: Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has no willingness to discuss non-citizens problems in Latvia
• Interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• Latvijas Avize reports on the formation of a working group within the European Parliament to defend national minorities, constitutional regions and regional languages
• Naturalisation Board announces the winner of the competition ‘Towards Civil Society
• Article by the head of the Centre for Latvian Studies of Vytautas Magnus University Alvids Butkus about the status of the Russian and Latvian languages in Latvia
• Interview with the recently naturalised Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda

In November the Naturalisation Board received 2440 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship. This is the biggest number of naturalisation applications received by the board within a month since the beginning of naturalisation process.

In November the Naturalisation Board received 2440 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship. This is the biggest number of naturalisation applications received by the board within a month since the beginning of naturalisation process. Diena, Chas

The Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle the border issues with the Baltic States. In the press conference Vladimir Putin also reminded that the leaders of the Baltic State are invited to the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. Heads of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Baltic States announced that the presidents of these states might take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow. They added that they hope that Russia will not use the celebration to express ungrounded reproaches concerning violation of human rights in the Baltic States.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry to settle the border issues with the Baltic States. In the press conference Vladimir Putin also reminded that the leaders of the Baltic State are invited to the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. Heads of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Baltic States announced that the presidents of these states might take part in the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow. They added that they hope that Russia will not use the celebration to express ungrounded reproaches concerning violation of human rights in the Baltic States. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Head of the People’s Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics has expressed regret about unwillingness of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to discuss issues concerning Latvian non-citizens. At the beginning of October the MP sent an open letter to the President, stating that Latvian non-citizens should be granted political rights. Janis Urbanovics received the response from the President where she expresses her thanks for the MP’s opinion.

The Head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Janis Urbanovics has expressed regret about unwillingness of the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to discuss issues concerning Latvian non-citizens. At the beginning of October the MP sent an open letter to the President, stating that Latvian non-citizens should be granted political rights. Janis Urbanovics received the response from the President where she expresses her thanks for the MPs opinion.

Chas features an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij about relations between Russia and Latvia. According to the Ambassador, there are no obstacles from the side of Russia in signing Latvian Russian border agreement and stresses that there is no pressure to sign the agreement during the celebration of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. When asked about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia, the Ambassador notes that Russia will continue discussions of these issues in meetings with EU and Latvian officials.

Latvijas Avize reports on the formation of a working group within the European Parliament. The main goal of the group is to defend national minorities, constitutional regions and regional languages. The newspaper forecasts that the group will make a pressure on Latvia and Estonia regarding the rights of Russian speakers.

The Olaine College has been announced the winner of the competition ‘Towards a Civil Society’ in the regions of Riga and Vidzeme. The competition is organised by the Naturalisation Board. Students of the Olaine College developed a project that’s main goal was the promotion of naturalisation in Olaine. Naturalisation is a topical issue in this town: 38% of the Olaine’s population are non-citizens.

The Olaine College has been announced the winner of the competition ‘Towards a Civil Society in the regions of Riga and Vidzeme. The competition is organised by the Naturalisation Board. Students of the Olaine College developed a project thats main goal was the promotion of naturalisation in Olaine. Naturalisation is a topical issue in this town: 38% of the Olaines population are non-citizens. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Latvijas Avize features an article by the head of the Centre for Latvian Studies of the Vytautas Magnus University (Kaunas) Alvids Butkus about the status of the Russian and Latvian languages in Latvia. The author believes that the attitude towards the Russian language and its usage has not changed very much since Latvia regained independence, because in many situations the Russian language is self-sufficient and thus gives Russian-speakers a possibility to live in ‘their own closed community.

The

The Dienas supplement Sestdiena features an interview with the recently naturalised Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda. He is the first refugee who acquired Latvian citizenship.

• Human rights experts discuss definitions of national minority proposed by Latvian politicians
• Diena reports on the session of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues under the Ministry of Education and Science
• Peoples Harmony Party: the state lingers the issuance of citizens passports to persons who have passed naturalisation exams
• Head of the Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law Anta Rugate talks about the necessity to amend the Citizenship Law
• Head of the Naturalisation Board suggests amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Latvia suggests Russia to sign the border agreement before 9 May 2005
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins: Russian-language newspapers incite national hatred
• Saeima does not support the proposal to mark 7 January – Christmas Day celebrated by Orthodox believers and Old Believers - a national holiday
• Group of parents of minority students issues a call addressed to teachers working at Russian schools

Diena continues discussions about definitions of the term national minority. The newspaper asks a number of human right experts to comment on definitions offered by Latvian politicians. The lecturer of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits believes that Latvia will violate the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights if the Convention is applied only regarding those members of minorities who were Latvian citizens until 17 June 1940 or their descendants. He explains that in this case Latvia would violate the norm of the ICCPR, which stipulates that persons belonging to minorities shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of the group, to enjoy their own culture, to practise their own religion or to use their own language. The director of Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands-Kehris notes the flaws of the restricted definition: if Latvia does not adopt reservations concerning the usage of minority languages in communication with municipalities, the restricted minority definition would bring inconveniences for both minorities and officials. In practice it will be very complicated to determine who is a member of minority and who is not. The head of the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia Arturs Kucs is convinced that the definition should not include the citizenship criteria because there are several minorities, for instance Ukrainians, whose members are mostly non-citizens (only 15% of Ukrainians have Latvian citizenship). The citizenship criterion is of less importance concerning Russians, because approximately 50% of them are Latvian citizens. Ilze Brands-Kehris suggests that the definition of the term national minority should include four criteria set by international law: 1) objective - a group whose members have ethnic, religious or linguistic features different from those of the rest of the population 2) subjective – a person himself/herself associates with a group that differs from the rest of the population 3) numerical – a minority may not be a numerical majority, 4) long-lasting relations with the state.

Members of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues under the Ministry of Education and Science agreed on the next three steps to be taken to ensure the quality of education at minority schools: develop a paper providing step-by-step explanations regarding the implementation of bilingual education; publish teaching aids for teachers; and conduct a study on changes in minority education. The Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete has promised to reopen discussions on the necessity to develop the Law on Minority Education.

Members of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues under the Ministry of Education and Science agreed on the next three steps to be taken to ensure the quality of education at minority schools: develop a paper providing step-by-step explanations regarding the implementation of bilingual education; publish teaching aids for teachers; and conduct a study on changes in minority education. The Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete has promised to reopen discussions on the necessity to develop the Law on Minority Education. Diena

‘A number of persons have complained that the state lingers the issuance of citizens’ passports, despite that these persons have successfully passed naturalisation examinations,’ has stated the head of the People’s Harmony Party parliamentary group Andrejs Klementjevs. According to Andrejs Klementjevs, the Naturalisation Board does not accept applications from persons who want to receive citizenship in extraordinary order. He states that authorities impede naturalisation intentionally, because they want to control the number of ‘wrong’ voters in the forthcoming municipal elections. The party plans to ask explanations on this issue from the Ministry of Justice, the Naturalisation Board and the Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration.

‘A number of persons have complained that the state lingers the issuance of citizens passports, despite that these persons have successfully passed naturalisation examinations, has stated the head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Andrejs Klementjevs. According to Andrejs Klementjevs, the Naturalisation Board does not accept applications from persons who want to receive citizenship in extraordinary order. He states that authorities impede naturalisation intentionally, because they want to control the number of ‘wrong voters in the forthcoming municipal elections. The party plans to ask explanations on this issue from the Ministry of Justice, the Naturalisation Board and the Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Head of Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law Anta Rugate about a need to amend the Citizenship Law. The MP states that taking into account the present situation, in particular attempts of persons who are disloyal to naturalise, Saeima should amend this law. However, Anta Rugate notes a better solution would be replacement of the responsible officials because in fact the effective law is rather general and thus provides a room for interpretation of its norms.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane states that the Naturalisation Board in collaboration with the State Security Police submitted proposals aimed at strengthening the norm of the Citizenship Law, which stipulates restrictions for the acquisition of Latvian citizenship. Eizenija Aldermane believes that prohibitions should also cover fight with international terrorism. The prohibitions should also be stipulated regarding persons who suspected in the involvement of actions aimed against the state. Eizenija Aldermane also believes that the loyalty pledge signed by a naturalisation applicant should be revised. Meanwhile, the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis announced that he was not only person who was denied Latvian citizenship. According to him, another 25 activists of the Headquarters were excluded from the list of naturalisation applicants. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane doubts his statement, and argues that there are no more than 25 – 30 activists in Headquarters and the majority of them already are citizens of Latvia. 

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane states that the Naturalisation Board in collaboration with the State Security Police submitted proposals aimed at strengthening the norm of the Citizenship Law, which stipulates restrictions for the acquisition of Latvian citizenship. Eizenija Aldermane believes that prohibitions should also cover fight with international terrorism. The prohibitions should also be stipulated regarding persons who suspected in the involvement of actions aimed against the state. Eizenija Aldermane also believes that the loyalty pledge signed by a naturalisation applicant should be revised. Meanwhile, the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis announced that he was not only person who was denied Latvian citizenship. According to him, another 25 activists of the Headquarters were excluded from the list of naturalisation applicants. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane doubts his statement, and argues that there are no more than 25 – 30 activists in Headquarters and the majority of them already are citizens of Latvia. Latvijas Avize

During the meeting of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov Latvia has proposed Russia to sign the boarder agreement before 9 May 2005 when Russia has planned to organise big international celebrations of the anniversary of the victory in World War II.

During the meeting of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks and Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov Latvia has proposed Russia to sign the boarder agreement before 9 May 2005 when Russia has planned to organise big international celebrations of the anniversary of the victory in World War II. Diena, Vesti segodnya, Chas

The Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins has send a letter to the Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis. Aleksandrs Kirsteins is concerned about publications in the Russian-language newspapers

The Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins has send a letter to the Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis. Aleksandrs Kirsteins is concerned about publications in the Russian-language newspapers Chas and Vesti Segodnya and believes that these publications incite national hatred. While Vesti Segodnya reports that Aleksandrs Kirsteins has not named any particular article, which incites national hatred. Vesti Segodnya

After second voting, Saeima did not support amendments to the Law on Celebrations and Commemoration Days, submitted by both the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Latvian First Party. The amendments stipulated that 7 January, when Orthodox believers and Old Believers celebrate Christmas, should be a national holiday.

After second voting, Saeima did not support amendments to the Law on Celebrations and Commemoration Days, submitted by both the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the Latvian First Party. The amendments stipulated that 7 January, when Orthodox believers and Old Believers celebrate Christmas, should be a national holiday. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Chas prints an appeal of a group of parents of minority students addressed to teachers of Russian schools. Parents call teachers to participate in the fight against the education reform. Authors of the letter believe that bilingual education will degrade both the Russian and the Latvian cultures.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis talks about societal integration issues
• Interview with the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane
• Minister of Education and Science meets representatives of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues of the Ministry of Education and Science
• NRA columnist writes on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis files the claim with the court to challenge the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant him Latvian citizenship
• Jurijs Petropavlovskis about possibilities to establish a dialogue with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Commentary on ratification of the European Constitution

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis about minority issues topical in Latvia. The Prime Minister believes that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified as soon as possible, because hesitation with ratification may result in a situation when it will be very problematic to ratify the Convention with reservations. The Prime Minister adds that when Latvia ratifies the Convention there will be no space for Russias accusations that the rights of Russian-speakers are violated in Latvia. Aigars Kalvitis also believes that the Citizenship Law should be amended so disloyal persons would not have a possibility to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalisation.

Latvijas Vestnesis features an interview with the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation process in Latvia. The chairperson believes that the number of naturalisation applications, received by the Board till the end of the year, will reach 21,500, but the number of naturalised persons – 15,000. Eizenija Aldermane is convinced that the implementation of the education reform does not have a negative impact on the willingness of young non-citizens to naturalise: according to the data persons at the age of 15 – 30 years are the most active persons who want to naturalise. The chairperson notes that the state should pay more attention to the Old Believers, who received Latvian citizenship through registration in the beginning of the 90ies. The issue is that the majority of them are loyal to Latvia, however they do not speak Latvian. ‘This group needs a particular state programme for education in Latvian, states Eizenija Aldermane. The Chairperson supports ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities with reservations, nevertheless she believes that ratification will not have any impact on naturalisation process.

Russian-language newspapers report on the meeting of the Minister of Education and Science with representatives of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues of the Ministry of Education and Science. During the meeting the Minister announced that development of the Law on Minority Education is not urgent.

Russian-language newspapers report on the meeting of the Minister of Education and Science with representatives of the Advisory Board on Minority Education Issues of the Ministry of Education and Science. During the meeting the Minister announced that development of the Law on Minority Education is not urgent. Chas, Telegraf

NRA features the article by its columnist Viktors Avotins on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The author believes that the issue is too politicised therefore pragmatic discussions are not possible. He notes that the main reason of halting with ratification is the big number of Russians in Latvia and inability of Latvian politicians to take a decision on their status. In the conclusion the author warns that unsettled ethnic relations within Latvia will result in the influx of ‘new strangers – Chinese and Turks.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis has filed a claim with the Administrative Court challenging the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant him Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Ministers refused to grant Jurijs Petropavlovskis Latvian citizenship because of his ‘non-loyalty towards the state.’ In his application with the Court, Jurijs Petropavlovskis stresses that, in accordance with the Citizenship Law, the government can exclude a person from the list of naturalisation applicants only if a person does not meet the criteria provided by the Law.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis has filed a claim with the Administrative Court challenging the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant him Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Ministers refused to grant Jurijs Petropavlovskis Latvian citizenship because of his ‘non-loyalty towards the state. In his application with the Court, Jurijs Petropavlovskis stresses that, in accordance with the Citizenship Law, the government can exclude a person from the list of naturalisation applicants only if a person does not meet the criteria provided by the Law. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an interview with Jurijs Petropavlovskis about possibilities to establish dialogue with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete on the education reform. He doubts that there can be a dialogue between the Headquarters and the new Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete on education reform, because of the strict and inflexible views of the Minister towards the issue. The newspaper also asked to comment on his decision to file a claim against the refusal of the state to grant him Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Jurijs Petropavlovskis admits that he filed a claim with the court not because he or his party wants that the court issues a positive ruling, but because they want international scandal. ‘Our [the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia] goal is to monopolise the Russian electorate before the next Saeima elections states Jurijs Petropavlovskis, stressing that the rights of Russian students will be protected if the union FHRUL wins the forthcoming municipal elections and also have sufficient representation in the next Saeima.

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by Aija Calite about the desire of state officials to ratify the European Constitution until the end of the year without broad public discussions. Aija Calite calls MPs to pay particular attention to the Constitutions section ‘Charter of Fundamental Rights, because in the opinion of Aija Calite several paragraphs of the Constitution duplicates provisions of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.