• Chas prints an interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds

Chas prints an interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds. Mr Rozenvalds believes that in order to decrease tension in the society caused by the integration program elaborated by the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte, the governing coalition should acknowledge that the program is erroneous and was approved in a hurry. Mr Rozenvalds believes that integration is a mutual process and it brings changes not only for minority but also for majority. The majority should accept minority as a legitimate opponent. However, until now the integration policy in Latvia was built on a principle we know better what is better for you – believes Mr Rozenvalds.

• Opinion survey: many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right or left political orientation
• Nationalists union considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small

According to a public opinion survey conducted by “SKDS”, many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right-wing or left-wing political orientation. Thus, 37% of residents stated they have right-wing and 16% stated they have left-wing political views. However answers to specific questions which reveal respondents’ position along the right-left scale show that the majority of Latvian residents or 55% have left-wing orientation, while only 5% have right-wing views. The misunderstanding of political orientation most likely is connected to ethnic factor – as it is considered that ethnic Latvians mostly have right-wing views, while Russian speakers mostly have left-wing views.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by SKDS, many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right-wing or left-wing political orientation. Thus, 37% of residents stated they have right-wing and 16% stated they have left-wing political views. However answers to specific questions which reveal respondents position along the right-left scale show that the majority of Latvian residents or 55% have left-wing orientation, while only 5% have right-wing views. The misunderstanding of political orientation most likely is connected to ethnic factor – as it is considered that ethnic Latvians mostly have right-wing views, while Russian speakers mostly have left-wing views. Neatkariga

The nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small as it has only two ministers. At party’s session, members of the union stated that their aim is to get power also in Latvian regions and to continue establishing ethnic Latvian Latvia, eliminating consequences of occupation, and honouring Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March.

The nationalists union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small as it has only two ministers. At partys session, members of the union stated that their aim is to get power also in Latvian regions and to continue establishing ethnic Latvian Latvia, eliminating consequences of occupation, and honouring Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March. Vesti Segodnya

Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about 16 March events in Riga

• Council of Electronic Mass Media will review one more case on incitement to ethnic hatred in radio show

The Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionnaires) in Riga broadcasted on the First Baltic Channel. The criminal proceeding were initiated following a claim of the MP Janis Dombrava (the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) who asserts that the video material is biased, provocative and reflects distorted facts with an aim to negative image of Latvia.

The Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionnaires) in Riga broadcasted on the First Baltic Channel. The criminal proceeding were initiated following a claim of the MP Janis Dombrava (the nationalists union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) who asserts that the video material is biased, provocative and reflects distorted facts with an aim to negative image of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

Newspapers report about one more case on incitement of ethnic hatred in mass media regarding 16 March events. In this case, hosts of a radio show on radio “Naba” had a conversation with former Latvia Waffen SS legionnaire. Hosts and their guest actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. As response to the radio show, the Embassy of Israel sent a letter to the Council of Electronic Mass Media criticizing the anti-Semitic statements made in the show. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics also appealed to the Council reminding that the freedom of speech does not give rights to incite ethnic hatred.

Newspapers report about one more case on incitement of ethnic hatred in mass media regarding 16 March events. In this case, hosts of a radio show on radio Naba had a conversation with former Latvia Waffen SS legionnaire. Hosts and their guest actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. As response to the radio show, the Embassy of Israel sent a letter to the Council of Electronic Mass Media criticizing the anti-Semitic statements made in the show. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics also appealed to the Council reminding that the freedom of speech does not give rights to incite ethnic hatred. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

• Oskars Kastens: persons who place street signs in two languages on apartment buildings are hooligans

Former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believes that persons who place street signs in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment buildings are hooligans. Mr Kastens believes that this initiative is used by an NGO “Native Langauge” as a PR showing that they protect rights of Russian speakers. At the same time, Mr Kastens supports translation of the abstract to drugs into Russian language.

Former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believes that persons who place street signs in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment buildings are hooligans. Mr Kastens believes that this initiative is used by an NGO Native Langauge as a PR showing that they protect rights of Russian speakers. At the same time, Mr Kastens supports translation of the abstract to drugs into Russian language. Chas

• Cabinet of Ministers appointed a new representative in the international human rights institutions

Lawyer and advisor of the Foreign Ministry Kristine Lice appointed to the post of the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the international human rights institutions. Mrs Lice replaced Inga Reine who occupied this post since 2003.

Lawyer and advisor of the Foreign Ministry Kristine Lice appointed to the post of the representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the international human rights institutions. Mrs Lice replaced Inga Reine who occupied this post since 2003. Latvijas Avize