• Representative of the Latvias First Party proposes amendments to the Population Register Law
• Administrative District courts decision allowing two former activists of communist party to stand for municipal elections could be appealed
• Neatkariga Rita Avize criticises FHRUL for using issue of ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as an instrument in their pre-election campaign
• Government discusses a possible impact of the expected commemoration events of Latvian legionnaires on the states foreign relations
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools agitate to vote for FHRUL

Representative of the Latvia’s First Party Dainis Turlais submitted amendments to the Population Register Law, aiming to cancel a norm determining order of registration of a child whose one parent is a non-citizen of Latvia, and other is an alien. According to Turlais, objective of the law is to determine the responsibilities of the Population Register, not to determine the person’s legal status. Proposed amendments have been already criticised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia on the grounds that legal status of the children will deteriorate as a result.

Representative of the Latvias First Party Dainis Turlais submitted amendments to the Population Register Law, aiming to cancel a norm determining order of registration of a child whose one parent is a non-citizen of Latvia, and other is an alien. According to Turlais, objective of the law is to determine the responsibilities of the Population Register, not to determine the persons legal status. Proposed amendments have been already criticised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia on the grounds that legal status of the children will deteriorate as a result. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegrafs

Head of the Central Election Commission Arnis Cimdars sent a letter to the Ludza Election Commission with recommendation to appeal recent judgement of the Administrative District Court. Administrative District Court cancelled a decision of the Ludza Election Committee to prohibit two former activists of the Soviet Union’s Communist party, Fridijs Bokiss and Filips Strogonovs, to stand for municipal elections in Ludza. Both candidates could be deprived of the right to stand for municipal elections this weekend if recommendation of Arnis Cimdars was followed.

Head of the Central Election Commission Arnis Cimdars sent a letter to the Ludza Election Commission with recommendation to appeal recent judgement of the Administrative District Court. Administrative District Court cancelled a decision of the Ludza Election Committee to prohibit two former activists of the Soviet Unions Communist party, Fridijs Bokiss and Filips Strogonovs, to stand for municipal elections in Ludza. Both candidates could be deprived of the right to stand for municipal elections this weekend if recommendation of Arnis Cimdars was followed. Chas

Neatkariga Rita Avize criticises union For Human Rights in the United Latvia for using issue of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities ratification as an instrument in their pre-election campaign. As reported, this week the union submitted to the Saeima the draft law on ratification of the Framework Convention. ‘It is not necessary to be a clairvoyant to understand that the proposal will be refused by the majority of governing parties and the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, stresses journalist Baiba Lulle, referring to the statement of the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis that the convention will not be ratified before the municipal elections, and to the fact that definition of minority has not been publicly discussed yet.

Possible impact of commemoration events in honour of Latvian legionnaires, planned for 16 March, on the state’s foreign relations was discussed yesterday during the closed government’s meeting. Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis admits a possibility of  provocations from the ill-disposed to Latvia forces.

Possible impact of commemoration events in honour of Latvian legionnaires, planned for 16 March, on the states foreign relations was discussed yesterday during the closed governments meeting. Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis admits a possibility of provocations from the ill-disposed to Latvia forces. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Russian-language newspapers print a statement of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, agitating to vote for union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. According to the statement, the union is the only political organisation consistently defending Russian-speakers’ rights in the area of minority education.

Russian-language newspapers print a statement of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, agitating to vote for union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. According to the statement, the union is the only political organisation consistently defending Russian-speakers rights in the area of minority education. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Constitutional Court: law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State contradict the Constitution of Latvia
• Human rights experts call the police to act decisively in finding and punishing attackers of a dark-skinned Indian
• FHRULs parliamentary group prepares a draft law On Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia advertises for political parties
• Chas publishes excerpts from essays of minority schools teachers about education reform

The Constitutional Court partly satisfied a claim of twenty left-wing MPs for recognition of several norms of the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State as contradicting the Constitution of Latvia. The court recognised that Article 1, Paragraph 5 of the law contradicts Article 98 of the Constitution of Latvia. Article 1 of the law stipulates that it does not apply to ‘persons who after July 1, 1992, without a limitation of term, registered (recorded) place of residence within partner countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or have received a permanent residence permit in a foreign country’. Article 98 of the Constitution guarantees everyone having a Latvian passport protection by the State when abroad and the right to freely return to Latvia. The court also ruled that the norm of the law stipulating that ‘persons who received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia’ contradicts the Constitution of Latvia. Both norms should be recognised invalid as from 1 September 2005. The court also recognised that ‘non-citizens’ do not belong to any category of persons established by the international law. Representative of the People’s Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics believes that the court’s judgement presents a first step towards granting of Latvian citizenship by registration to all permanent residents of Latvia. The judgement of the court can not be appealed.

The Constitutional Court partly satisfied a claim of twenty left-wing MPs for recognition of several norms of the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State as contradicting the Constitution of Latvia. The court recognised that Article 1, Paragraph 5 of the law contradicts Article 98 of the Constitution of Latvia. Article 1 of the law stipulates that it does not apply to ‘persons who after July 1, 1992, without a limitation of term, registered (recorded) place of residence within partner countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or have received a permanent residence permit in a foreign country. Article 98 of the Constitution guarantees everyone having a Latvian passport protection by the State when abroad and the right to freely return to Latvia. The court also ruled that the norm of the law stipulating that ‘persons who received a residence permit in another country after 1 May 2004 can be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia contradicts the Constitution of Latvia. Both norms should be recognised invalid as from 1 September 2005. The court also recognised that ‘non-citizens do not belong to any category of persons established by the international law. Representative of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics believes that the courts judgement presents a first step towards granting of Latvian citizenship by registration to all permanent residents of Latvia. The judgement of the court can not be appealed. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Human rights experts called to the police to act decisively in finding and punishing attackers of the dark-skinned Indian Arvinder Singh in order to demonstrate that every resident of Latvia is protected by the police, irrespective of his country of origin. As attackers did not rob the victim, it is believed to be a racially motivated assault. A press secretary of the State Police Aigars Berzins acknowledges that the attack was most likely accomplished by skinheads, who are known for their intolerant attitude towards foreigners, and who are already under the State Security Police’s observation. The newspaper criticises the police for not organising additional patrols in the vicinity of the department store ‘Centrs’ in the Old Riga, where informal youth groups usually gather, and where the attack took place. ‘Police’s level of understanding of how to deal with such crimes is very low, as they have no experience of racially motivated attacks’, - comments researcher and former Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks.

Human rights experts called to the police to act decisively in finding and punishing attackers of the dark-skinned Indian Arvinder Singh in order to demonstrate that every resident of Latvia is protected by the police, irrespective of his country of origin. As attackers did not rob the victim, it is believed to be a racially motivated assault. A press secretary of the State Police Aigars Berzins acknowledges that the attack was most likely accomplished by skinheads, who are known for their intolerant attitude towards foreigners, and who are already under the State Security Polices observation. The newspaper criticises the police for not organising additional patrols in the vicinity of the department store ‘Centrs in the Old Riga, where informal youth groups usually gather, and where the attack took place. ‘Polices level of understanding of how to deal with such crimes is very low, as they have no experience of racially motivated attacks, - comments researcher and former Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. Diena

Parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia prepared a draft law on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The draft will be reviewed by Saeima this Thursday.

Parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia prepared a draft law on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The draft will be reviewed by Saeima this Thursday. Chas

Newspapers report on the press conference of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian) dedicated to the forthcoming municipal elections. During the press conference, representatives of the United Congress called public to vote for the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, the People’s Party, and the New Centre. According to the head of OKROL Mihails Tjasins, voters should take into account parties’ attitudes towards implementation of the education reform, and language and citizenship issues. The OKROL also spread a statement calling to grant voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections.

Newspapers report on the press conference of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian) dedicated to the forthcoming municipal elections. During the press conference, representatives of the United Congress called public to vote for the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, the Peoples Party, and the New Centre. According to the head of OKROL Mihails Tjasins, voters should take into account parties attitudes towards implementation of the education reform, and language and citizenship issues. The OKROL also spread a statement calling to grant voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Chas publishes excerpts from essays of minority schools teachers about minority education reform. Aleksejs Vasiljevs, teacher from Daugavpils, believes that the state violates the Constitution of Latvia by implementing the education reform. Teacher of Riga Secondary School No.22 Natalja Skestere evaluates the reform as a crime against minority students, while Svetlana Kudrjavceva points to the difficulties of bilingual teaching.

• Artis Pabriks: boarder agreement with Russia could be signed during the first half of the year
• Approximately 100 people participate in a protest action against the education reform
• Latvijas Avize criticises Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks for speaking Russian during the radio broadcast

Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks concedes that the boarder agreement with Russia could be signed during the first half of this year. According to Pabriks, during his telephone conversation with the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov last Friday, the latter confirmed readiness to separate issue of signing the border agreement from the issue of signing the political declaration. Representative of the For Human Rights in the United Latvia Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, interviewed by

Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks concedes that the boarder agreement with Russia could be signed during the first half of this year. According to Pabriks, during his telephone conversation with the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov last Friday, the latter confirmed readiness to separate issue of signing the border agreement from the issue of signing the political declaration. Representative of the For Human Rights in the United Latvia Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, interviewed by Vesti Segodnya, comments that Latvian Russian-speakers would gain more if Moscow did not agree to sign the border agreement so quickly and continued to express concern about minority rights situation in Latvia. He adds that nevertheless there is no reason to worry about Russia suddenly changing priorities and abandoning Russian-speakers. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Approximately 100 people, mainly teenagers and pensioners, participated in a protest action against the education reform ‘About Reform with a Smile’ which took place last Saturday. According to

Approximately 100 people, mainly teenagers and pensioners, participated in a protest action against the education reform ‘About Reform with a Smile which took place last Saturday. According to Diena, participants were also called to vote for the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia in the forthcoming municipal elections. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the columnist Aija Calite in which she reproaches Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks for using Russian language during the discussion broadcasted by the Latvian Radio programme ‘Doma laukums (‘Dome Square), which usually broadcasts in Russian. Aija Calite believes that the state official should use only Latvian language in such situations.

• Assault against a dark-skinned Indian in the Old Town of Riga
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee denies accusations of Russian-language media
• 54 residents of Daugavpils naturalised last Friday
• New collection of articles about minorities
• Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires
• Administrative District Court satisfies a claim of the Riga City Councils deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova concerning authorisation of a protest action against the education reform
• Latest ratings of political parties standing for municipal elections in Riga

Diena reports on a possibly racially motivated assault against a dark-skinned Indian in the Old Town of Riga. Arvinder Sing, who is employed as a cook by one of Rigas restaurants, was attacked by Russian-speaking skinheads when coming out of a shop, and received several blows to his head. According to Sing, although the incident took place in the middle of the day in a crowded part of the city, nobody tried to help him. The State Police are investigating the case.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (Peoples Party). The official denies Russian-language medias allegations of his calling for deportation of representatives of a particular ethnic group from Latvia. According to Kirsteins, he only meant those persons, who ‘refuse to observe Latvian legislation and publicly call to sabotage the Law on Education and ‘those who speak about the necessity of establishing a separate community. The MP also believes that the Society Integration Programme should not be applied to all non-citizens (approximately 500,000), but only to ‘those 200,000 people who are, according to the opinion polls, ready to integrate into Latvian society and undergo the naturalisation process. As reported previously, last week Russian-language newspapers reprinted excerpts from Kirsteins interview with Latvijas Avize, in which he stated that Latvias border agreement with Russia should stipulate that all ‘civil occupants are to leave Latvia for Russia.

On March 4, fifty-four residents of Daugavpils (city in the south-eastern part of Latvia), including 29 persons aged 15 – 26, were naturalised. A total of 6541 persons went through naturalisation process at Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board.

On March 4, fifty-four residents of Daugavpils (city in the south-eastern part of Latvia), including 29 persons aged 15 – 26, were naturalised. A total of 6541 persons went through naturalisation process at Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Public Foundation ‘The New Academy’ published its annual collection of articles ‘Sarunas VI’ (‘Conversations VI’). Among the published articles, there are lectures on ethnic minorities, presented during the Academy’s summer camp ’2004 in Mersrags.

Public Foundation ‘The New Academy published its annual collection of articles ‘Sarunas VI (‘Conversations VI). Among the published articles, there are lectures on ethnic minorities, presented during the Academys summer camp 2004 in Mersrags. Latvijas Avize

Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires planned by the national-radical youth organisation

Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires planned by the national-radical youth organisation Klubs 415, although Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis asked the State Security Police to evaluate Tralmakss decision. Tralmaks refers to the last years experience, when Klubs 415 appealed his decision to ban the procession in court, and the claim was satisfied. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Administrative District Court satisfied a claim of Riga City Council’s deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova (For Human Rights in the United Latvia). The deputy challenged decision of the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban organisation of a protest action against the education reform ‘About reform with a smile’.

The Administrative District Court satisfied a claim of Riga City Councils deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova (For Human Rights in the United Latvia). The deputy challenged decision of the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban organisation of a protest action against the education reform ‘About reform with a smile. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Opinion poll conducted by the polling centre SKDS shows that the New Era has remained the most popular party in Riga– in February, 13,3% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections in Riga. Ratings of other most popular political parties are as follows: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party – 9,4%, the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 9,2%, the People’s Party – 8,5%, the New Centre – 7,0%, the Latvia’s First Party – 6,7%.

Opinion poll conducted by the polling centre SKDS shows that the New Era has remained the most popular party in Riga– in February, 13,3% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections in Riga. Ratings of other most popular political parties are as follows: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party – 9,4%, the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 9,2%, the Peoples Party – 8,5%, the New Centre – 7,0%, the Latvias First Party – 6,7%. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Article on a meeting of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga comments on the Kirsteins statement that Russia must deport all ‘civil occupants from Latvia
• Society Integration Centre opened in Jelgava
• Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticises the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas
• Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff comments on the article published in the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize on Herberts Cukurs
• State Security Police will evaluate the permission to organise the commemoration procession of Latvian legionnaires in Riga

Chas continues to write about the meeting of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament on societal integration issues in Latvia. The newspaper features views of several members of the group. Some of MPs, interviewed by the newspaper, state that they were not aware about the real situation of minorities in Latvia and expressed their surprise for the big number of non-citizens in Latvia. The MP Csaba Tabajdi (Hungary) said that he would put the issue on the agenda of the European Parliaments Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. While an anonymous MPs assistant, from a former USSR state, argued that ‘it is crazy that such a little nation [Latvians] demand members of a big nation [Russians] to study in their [Latvian] language instead of improving their Russian language skills which would open them doors into the worlds culture and science.

Regarding the recent Kirsteins’ statements the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that ‘Of course, there is a freedom of speech in our country, however, Aleksandrs Kirsteins should take moral responsibility about consequences of his statements.’ As reported, in his interview to the Latvian daily

Regarding the recent Kirsteins statements the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that ‘Of course, there is a freedom of speech in our country, however, Aleksandrs Kirsteins should take moral responsibility about consequences of his statements. As reported, in his interview to the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that Latvia should sign such a border agreement with Russia which would stipulate that Russia must deport all ‘civil occupants from Latvia.

Yesterday the Society Integration Centre was opened in Jelgava. The Centre was opened with a financial support of the EU PHARE grant programme. The key goals of the Centre is to promote societal integration in the city and encourage young people to take part in societal integration processes.

Yesterday the Society Integration Centre was opened in Jelgava. The Centre was opened with a financial support of the EU PHARE grant programme. The key goals of the Centre is to promote societal integration in the city and encourage young people to take part in societal integration processes. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Yesterday the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper

Yesterday the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that several articles printed by Chas incite national hatred. Chas, Telegraf

Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, in which he sharply criticises the Latvian daily

Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, in which he sharply criticises the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize about its attempts to justify Herberts Cukurs, one of Latvian pilots who is accused in taking part in the Holocaust during the World War II. Besides, Efraim Zuroff notes that Latvia avoids talking about the role of Latvians in the Holocaust and that no Nazi War criminals have been brought to trial since Latvia regained its independence. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise a picket aim of which was to protest against the propaganda of fascism in Latvia. The city official based the refusal on the argument that the picket was planned at the place and time of another meeting, which had already received authorisation: procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires organised by the national-radical youth organisation

Yesterday the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise a picket aim of which was to protest against the propaganda of fascism in Latvia. The city official based the refusal on the argument that the picket was planned at the place and time of another meeting, which had already received authorisation: procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires organised by the national-radical youth organisation Klubs 415. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis will ask the State Security Police to evaluate the authorisation issued by the City Council to Klubs 415. According to the Prime Minister, the particular attention should be paid to the commemoration of Latvian legionnaires, because it always has brought about controversial domestic and international reactions. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf