• Neatkariga prints an article about asylum procedure in Latvia and the EU
• Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg: large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe

Neatkariga prints an article about asylum procedure in Latvia and the EU. According to the article, there is no common approach to the asylum procedure in the EU countries and each country follows own guidelines evaluating asylum seeker cases. Newspaper notes that the majority of asylum seekers in Latvia receives negative decision and gets expelled from the country. 160 persons appealed for asylum in Latvia from the beginning of the year till the end of July.

Large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe – stated the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. According to the Commissioner, number of those non-citizens who received citizenship during past years increased and non-citizens granted rights to travel and work, however, even those non-citizens who were born in Latvia and Estonia still do not have voting rights in national elections.

Large number of non-citizens in Latvia and Estonia is a serious problem for Europe – stated the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. According to the Commissioner, number of those non-citizens who received citizenship during past years increased and non-citizens granted rights to travel and work, however, even those non-citizens who were born in Latvia and Estonia still do not have voting rights in national elections. Chas

• Head of Russias Presidents administration Sergey Narishkin: Russia is concerned about situation and rights of Russian speaking residents and non-citizens in Latvia

Newspapers reports about a visit of the Head of Russia’s President’s administration Sergey Narishkin to Latvia. During the meeting with the President of Latvia Andris Berzins, Mr Narishkin mentioned that Russia is still highly concerned about situation and rights of Russian speaking residents and non-citizens in Latvia. Mr Narishkin also stated that the visit of the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedyev to Latvia is possible after further development of political relations between the two countries.

Newspapers reports about a visit of the Head of Russias Presidents administration Sergey Narishkin to Latvia. During the meeting with the President of Latvia Andris Berzins, Mr Narishkin mentioned that Russia is still highly concerned about situation and rights of Russian speaking residents and non-citizens in Latvia. Mr Narishkin also stated that the visit of the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedyev to Latvia is possible after further development of political relations between the two countries. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya,

• MP Valerijs Kravcovs will not to stand in the up-coming Saeimas elections
• Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs: concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development
• Vesti Segodnya reports about a round table discussion Rights and Suppression of Russian Language in Latvia

The MP Valerijs Kravcovs (the Concord Centre) decided not to stand in the up-coming Saeima’s elections. As reported, Valerijs Kravcovs is known as an MP with poor Latvian proficiency.

The MP Valerijs Kravcovs (the Concord Centre) decided not to stand in the up-coming Saeimas elections. As reported, Valerijs Kravcovs is known as an MP with poor Latvian proficiency. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre (CC)), concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development of the country. Therefore, the CC proposes a moratorium on legislation initiatives concerning all the ethnic issues for the next three years. The CC believes that in such way all people regardless of their ethnic background will unite to overcome economic crisis.

According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre (CC)), concentration on ethnic issues hinders economic development of the country. Therefore, the CC proposes a moratorium on legislation initiatives concerning all the ethnic issues for the next three years. The CC believes that in such way all people regardless of their ethnic background will unite to overcome economic crisis. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about a round table discussion Rights and Suppression of Russian Language in Latvia held by the Russian information agency Rosbalt in Riga. Participants of the discussion – representatives of Russian NGOs, politicians and journalists – concluded that it is unfair that Russian language in Latvia has status of foreign language and it should have at least status of ethnic minority language. According to the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) there are internal contradictions in Latvian legal acts – the State Language Law acknowledges only state and foreign languages, while, the Constitution and the Law on Education mention the notion of ethnic minority languages. Mr Cilevics believes that the notion of ethnic minority languages should be consistently introduced in all legal acts in order to enable protection mechanisms stipulated by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe.

• Presidents counsellor Elina Egle: ethnic minority schools is a pride of Latvia

Counsellor of the President of Latvia on economics and national economy issues Elina Egle believes that Latvia should be proud of the fact that education in Latvian schools is not only in state language but also in languages of ethnic minorities. Mrs Egle does not support granting Russian language the status of official in Latvia arguing that Latvian language unites residents of such small country as Latvia and also because such changes would be very expensive.

Counsellor of the President of Latvia on economics and national economy issues Elina Egle believes that Latvia should be proud of the fact that education in Latvian schools is not only in state language but also in languages of ethnic minorities. Mrs Egle does not support granting Russian language the status of official in Latvia arguing that Latvian language unites residents of such small country as Latvia and also because such changes would be very expensive. Vesti Segodnya

• Head of the Security Police Janis Reiniks: Norwegian tragedy can be repeated in Latvia
• Small groups of radicals potentially very dangerous to the society were also detained in Latvia
• Interviews with the ex-President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers about the program of his new political party
• Famous Latvian composer and ex-MP Raimonds Pauls calls the politicians to draw the red line over history issues

According to the head of the Security Police (SP) Janis Reiniks, Norwegian tragedy can be repeated in any country, including Latvia, because spontaneous or planned illegal activities of a separate person cannot be absolutely excluded. Mr. Reiniks says that the SP pays special attention to the right and left wing radical and extremist organisations and informal groupings, including skinheads, which can create tensions in the society. Lack of strong and educated leaders, lack of funding, and weak ideological and organisational base are the main obstacles which hinder radicals from expanding their activities in Latvia.

According to the head of the Security Police (SP) Janis Reiniks, Norwegian tragedy can be repeated in any country, including Latvia, because spontaneous or planned illegal activities of a separate person cannot be absolutely excluded. Mr. Reiniks says that the SP pays special attention to the right and left wing radical and extremist organisations and informal groupings, including skinheads, which can create tensions in the society. Lack of strong and educated leaders, lack of funding, and weak ideological and organisational base are the main obstacles which hinder radicals from expanding their activities in Latvia. Telegraf, Diena (28.07)

According the head of the Security Police’s Anti-terror Centre Juris Leitietis, small groups of radicals potentially very dangerous to the society were also detained in Latvia. The members of the groupings stored components for manufacturing explosives, ideological literature and took exercises in wrestling sports. At present, the case is under investigation.

According the head of the Security Polices Anti-terror Centre Juris Leitietis, small groups of radicals potentially very dangerous to the society were also detained in Latvia. The members of the groupings stored components for manufacturing explosives, ideological literature and took exercises in wrestling sports. At present, the case is under investigation. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Diena and Chas print interviews with the ex-President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers about the program of his new political party Zatlers Reforms Party. According to Mr Zatlers, division on so-called Russian and ethnic Latvian parties impedes Latvian politics, therefore, the new party includes representatives of various ethnicities who share one common goal. Regarding the citizenship and minority issues, Mr Zatlers believes that the policy should be aimed at increasing the number of Latvian citizens by allowing dual citizenship, granting automatic citizenship to those who were born in Latvia after 1991, and active promotion of naturalisation of non-citizens. Mr Zatlers believes that elementary education in state funded schools in minority languages should be preserved as the states value.

A famous Latvian composer and ex-MP Raimonds Pauls calls the politicians to draw the red line and not to return to the tragic past of ethnic Latvians any more. According to Mr Pauls, development of Latvian society is hindered by the ethnic split.

A famous Latvian composer and ex-MP Raimonds Pauls calls the politicians to draw the red line and not to return to the tragic past of ethnic Latvians any more. According to Mr Pauls, development of Latvian society is hindered by the ethnic split. Chas, Vesti Segodnya