• 17 years-old youngster was attacked allegedly because he wore a cap with inscription Russia and Russian emblem
• Telegraf reports about system of illegal transportation of migrants from third world countries to the EU countries trough Latvia
• Telegraf prints an article by a lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs about reception of asylum seekers in Latvia
• Minister of Interior Linda Murniece: law-enforcement bodies did not recommend the Riga City Council to ban public events on 16 March
• Ex-Minister of Integration Nils Muiznieks: it is absurd that still there are children in Latvia who are born with status of non-citizen
• MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere calls on the President Valdis Zatlers not to proclaim draft amendments to the Immigration Law

Vesti Segodnya reports that a 17 years-old youngster got brutally assaulted in the centre of Riga allegedly because he wore a cap with inscription Russia and Russian emblem. According to the victim, he was attacked by two young men shouting statement such as occupant and others.

Telegraf reports about system of illegal transportation of migrants from third world countries to the EU countries trough Latvia. According to the article, migrants from African and Asian countries arrive to Latvia from Russia, get fake documents and are transported further to Finland, Germany, and Holland. Persons who organise illegal migration earn around EUR 20,000 for each migrant.

Telegraf prints an article by a lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs about reception of asylum seekers in Latvia. According to Mr. Dimitrovs, Latvia should prepare for reception of much larger number of asylum seekers, thus helping other European countries to solve problems regarding influx of refugees.

According to the Minister of Interior Linda Murniece, law-enforcement bodies did not recommend the Riga City Council to ban public events on 16 March and do not have information about possible disturbances. As reported, the Riga City Council decided to forbid all public events on 16 March. However, organisation “Hawks of Daugava” stated that the procession in commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires will be held in the centre of Riga anyway. Also, so-called “anti-fascists” stated that they will hold a protest action if such procession is held.

According to the Minister of Interior Linda Murniece, law-enforcement bodies did not recommend the Riga City Council to ban public events on 16 March and do not have information about possible disturbances. As reported, the Riga City Council decided to forbid all public events on 16 March. However, organisation Hawks of Daugava stated that the procession in commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires will be held in the centre of Riga anyway. Also, so-called anti-fascists stated that they will hold a protest action if such procession is held. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

According to an academician and ex-Minister of Integration Nils Muiznieks, it is absurd that 20 years after the return of independence still there are children in Latvia who are born with status of non-citizen, although they do not have any connection with the Soviet Union.  Mr. Muiznieks believes that there is a little progress in integration process because of improved Latvian language proficiency among ethnic non-Latvians; however, ethnic Latvian politicians still do not have any interest towards issues and problems of Russian speaking residents.

According to an academician and ex-Minister of Integration Nils Muiznieks, it is absurd that 20 years after the return of independence still there are children in Latvia who are born with status of non-citizen, although they do not have any connection with the Soviet Union. Mr. Muiznieks believes that there is a little progress in integration process because of improved Latvian language proficiency among ethnic non-Latvians; however, ethnic Latvian politicians still do not have any interest towards issues and problems of Russian speaking residents. Chas

The MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere (Civic Union) called on the President Valdis Zatlers not to proclaim draft amendments to the Immigration Law which stipulate granting residence permits to foreign investors. Mrs. Vaidere considers that these amendments bring danger of un-controlled immigration to Latvia.

The MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere (Civic Union) called on the President Valdis Zatlers not to proclaim draft amendments to the Immigration Law which stipulate granting residence permits to foreign investors. Mrs. Vaidere considers that these amendments bring danger of un-controlled immigration to Latvia. Chas

• MP Vladimirs Buzajevs and lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs object to the Law on Pensions in the Constitutional Court

The MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) in co-operation with lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs appealed to the Constitutional Court of Latvia arguing that a provision in the Law on Pensions does not comply with the Latvian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The applicants believe that the norm which stipulates that time period worked by non-citizens outside of Latvia during Soviet times is not included in their total length of service discriminates non-citizens. The application also is a continuation of a case “Andrejeva vs. Latvia” won by the same applicants in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in which the ECHR admitted that different approach on calculation of pensions of Latvian citizens and non-citizens is discriminatory. Despite that the ECHR issued ruling already a year ago, Latvia did not change legal acts accordingly.

The MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) in co-operation with lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs appealed to the Constitutional Court of Latvia arguing that a provision in the Law on Pensions does not comply with the Latvian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The applicants believe that the norm which stipulates that time period worked by non-citizens outside of Latvia during Soviet times is not included in their total length of service discriminates non-citizens. The application also is a continuation of a case Andrejeva vs. Latvia won by the same applicants in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in which the ECHR admitted that different approach on calculation of pensions of Latvian citizens and non-citizens is discriminatory. Despite that the ECHR issued ruling already a year ago, Latvia did not change legal acts accordingly. Chas

• Riga City Council banned all the events on 16 March
• Saeima supported draft amendments to the Education Law on usage of state language in higher education establishments

The Riga City Council forbade all the events on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. The Council decided to ban the events referring to a conclusion of the law-enforcement bodies about possible provocations and public disturbances.

The Riga City Council forbade all the events on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. The Council decided to ban the events referring to a conclusion of the law-enforcement bodies about possible provocations and public disturbances. Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Latvijas Avize reports that the Saeima supported draft amendments to the Education Law stipulating that the main language of instructions in state funded higher education establishments is Latvian. Foreign languages can be used only in particular cases. For instance, study program in official EU languages can be implemented only for foreign students or in the framework of inter-state agreements.

 

• Saeima supported draft amendments to the Immigration Law envisaging residence permits for foreign investors
• 21-year-old man sentenced totwo years of suspended imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred

Yesterday, the Saeima supported draft amendments to the Immigration Law envisaging residence permits for foreign investors. Residence permit of up to five years can be granted to persons, who invested at least LVL 25,000 in the basic capital of an enterprise in Latvia, established at least five vacancies and paid taxes in amount of at least LVL 10,000 during the year. Residence permit also can be granted to foreigners who bought real estate in Riga and Riga’s region which cost no less than LVL 100,000 or in other Latvian regions in value no less than LVL 50,000. Persons who invested no less than LVL 200,000 as a loan or obligations in the subordinated capital of one of the Latvian credit institutions also can claim residence permit.

Yesterday, the Saeima supported draft amendments to the Immigration Law envisaging residence permits for foreign investors. Residence permit of up to five years can be granted to persons, who invested at least LVL 25,000 in the basic capital of an enterprise in Latvia, established at least five vacancies and paid taxes in amount of at least LVL 10,000 during the year. Residence permit also can be granted to foreigners who bought real estate in Riga and Rigas region which cost no less than LVL 100,000 or in other Latvian regions in value no less than LVL 50,000. Persons who invested no less than LVL 200,000 as a loan or obligations in the subordinated capital of one of the Latvian credit institutions also can claim residence permit. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, Neatkariga

The Riga Regional Court sentenced a 21-year-old man to two years of suspended imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, the man published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front (LNF) commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.) The man also will have to pay LVL 1,100 to both activists as moral compensation

The Riga Regional Court sentenced a 21-year-old man totwo years of suspended imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, the man published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front (LNF) commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.) The man also will have to pay LVL 1,100 to both activists as moral compensation. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

• Two asylum seekers from Afghanistan began a huger strike
• Conference Outcome of the WWII: victims, righteous men, liberators and executioners will be held in Riga

Two asylum seekers from Afghanistan living in the asylum seekers reception centre “Mucenieki” began a huger strike protesting the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to deport them to Estonia - the country from which they arrived to Latvia.

Two asylum seekers from Afghanistan living in the asylum seekers reception centre Mucenieki began a huger strike protesting the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs to deport them to Estonia - the country from which they arrived to Latvia. Chas, Telegraf

A conference “Outcome of the WWII: victims, righteous men, liberators and executioners” will be held in Riga on 14-15 March by the NGO Baltic Forum in co-operation with the World Congress of Russian Speaking Jews. Researchers of the Holocaust and the head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff will take part in the conference.

A conference Outcome of the WWII: victims, righteous men, liberators and executioners will be held in Riga on 14-15 March by the NGO Baltic Forum in co-operation with the World Congress of Russian Speaking Jews. Researchers of the Holocaust and the head of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff will take part in the conference. Vesti Segodnya, Chas