• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with researcher of the Centre for Public Policy Providus Marija Golubeva about a study Divided Education, Divided Citizens?
• 219 policemen have insufficient state language proficiency

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with researcher of the Public Policy Centre Providus Marija Golubeva about a study Divided Education, Divided Citizens? conducted in Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, and Tadzhikistan. The study explores how ethnically/linguistically divided education influences civil enculturation of students and teachers in schools. According to Marija Golubeva, division of Latvian schools on schools with Latvian language and Russian language of instructions promote establishment of stereotypes among ethnic Latvian and ethnic minority students towards each other. At the same time, transition of all schools only in to Latvian language would not be the right decision because the demand for education in minority language is very high as ethnic minorities want to preserve their cultural and ethnic identity. Mr. Golubeva believes that one of the possible resolutions of the problem of ethnic segregation could be to hold of some kind of projects where Russian and Latvian speaking students would communicate with each other. Other part of resolution could be to revise education content, in particularly, history in schools should be taught in such a way that it would not arose conflict in the society but promote dialogue.

Inspection of state language proficiency among Latvian policemen revealed that 219 policemen (or 3% of all policemen) have insufficient language proficiency as required by the State Language Law. According to a representative of the State Police, these policemen should improve their Latvian language proficiency by 1 October.

Inspection of state language proficiency among Latvian policemen revealed that 219 policemen (or 3% of all policemen) have insufficient language proficiency as required by the State Language Law. According to a representative of the State Police, these policemen should improve their Latvian language proficiency by 1 October. Latvijas Avize, Diena

• Discussions on usage of state language in media
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers about 16 March and 9 May
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article about asylum seekers reception centre Mucenieki
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about elaboration of the draft guidelines on national integration policy
• Ukrainian girl without permission to stay in Latvia detained in the centre of Riga

Yesterday, the Saeima Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee and the President’s State Language Commission discussed usage of state language in mass media. Members of the President’s Commission as well as MPs consider that the Law on Electronic Media should determine not only establishment, registration and work of mass media but also ensure stability and development of state language. For instance, the MPs consider that news broadcasts in foreign languages on public TV channels should obligatory be with subtitles in Latvian language. Members of the President’s Commission believe that state officials, especially ministers and deputies should speak to journalists only in Latvian language thus testifying that meaning of state language and its integrative role.

Yesterday, the Saeima Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee and the Presidents State Language Commission discussed usage of state language in mass media. Members of the Presidents Commission as well as MPs consider that the Law on Electronic Media should determine not only establishment, registration and work of mass media but also ensure stability and development of state language. For instance, the MPs consider that news broadcasts in foreign languages on public TV channels should obligatory be with subtitles in Latvian language. Members of the Presidents Commission believe that state officials, especially ministers and deputies should speak to journalists only in Latvian language thus testifying that meaning of state language and its integrative role. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers does not object events in honour of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day), but at the same time, the President considers that Latvian soldiers fallen for Latvia should be commemorated on the official commemoration day on 11 November. The President also believes that celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day or end of the WWII celebrated in Soviet times and presently in Russia) should not be associated with beginning of Latvia’s occupation by Soviet Union.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers does not object events in honour of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day), but at the same time, the President considers that Latvian soldiers fallen for Latvia should be commemorated on the official commemoration day on 11 November. The President also believes that celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day or end of the WWII celebrated in Soviet times and presently in Russia) should not be associated with beginning of Latvias occupation by Soviet Union. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about asylum seekers reception centre Mucenieki. Newspaper interviews asylum seekers from various countries who live in Mucenieki in expectation of decision on granting the of status of asylum seeker. Presently, there are 52 persons living in the centre.

Latvijas Avize prints an article about elaboration of the draft guidelines on national integration policy. According to the newspaper, it is positive that the draft guidelines, presently elaborated by the Ministry of Justice, concentrate on ethnic integration and integration of non-citizens. At the same time, the newspaper criticizes that there is lack of such basic principles as state language and loyalty towards the country.

Chas reports that a 17-year-old Ukrainian girl who did not have permission to stay in Latvia was detained in the centre of Riga. The girl was placed in the centre for illegal immigrants in Olaine.

• MP Aigars Stokenbergs: All for Latvia! could join the new political union Unity

According to the MP, leader of the political party “For Different Politics” Aigars Stokenbergs, there are no differences in positions of the new political union “Unity” and the nationalistic party “All for Latvia!” regarding education and ethnic issues. Therefore, Mr. Stokenbergs believes that “All for Latvia!” could join the “Unity”.

According to the MP, leader of the political party For Different Politics Aigars Stokenbergs, there are no differences in positions of the new political union Unity and the nationalistic party All for Latvia! regarding education and ethnic issues. Therefore, Mr. Stokenbergs believes that All for Latvia! could join the Unity. Vesti Segodnya

• Survey: 90% of respondents do not support influx of foreign labour force to Latvia
• Organisers of Victory Days celebrations in Latvia want to attract ethnic Latvian young people

According to the latest survey “DnB NORD Latvian Barometer”, 47% of Latvian residents are ready to leave the country in search for job abroad, including 16% who would leave with family members. At the same, time 90% of respondents do not support influx of foreign labour force to Latvia.

According to the latest survey DnB NORD Latvian Barometer, 47% of Latvian residents are ready to leave the country in search for job abroad, including 16% who would leave with family members. At the same, time 90% of respondents do not support influx of foreign labour force to Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Russian NGOs which organise celebrations of Victory Day on 9 May in Latvia are planning to start events on 8 May and to attract to celebrations ethnic Latvian young people. According to a representative of the movement of Russian compatriots in Latvia, 65

Russian NGOs which organise celebrations of Victory Day on 9 May in Latvia are planning to start events on 8 May and to attract to celebrations ethnic Latvian young people. According to a representative of the movement of Russian compatriots in Latvia, 65th anniversary of the end of the WWII should be celebrated two days in order not to split Latvian society on those who celebrate it on 8 May – official commemoration day in Latvia – and on those who do it on 9 May – official Victory Day in Russia. Latvijas Avize

• Supreme Court completely acquitted a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans
• Riga Regional Court sentenced 25-year-old man to one year of suspended imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred
• Government reviews rules on internal regulations of centre for asylum seekers in Latvia
• Janis Urbanovics: discussions regarding granting Russian language status of official are provocative

The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court completely acquitted a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans. In 2009, Andris Jordans was sentenced to two years and one month of imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred for statements that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans’ and it would be preferable to exterminate them made at public discussion.

The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court completely acquitted a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans. In 2009, Andris Jordans was sentenced to two years and one month of imprisonment for incitement to ethnic hatred for statements that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them made at public discussion. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court sentenced 25-year-old man to one year of suspended imprisonment with two years of probation period for incitement to ethnic hatred. The man placed hateful comments towards ethnic Latvians on an Internet site of Latvian nationalists braucimajas.lv (Go Home!). The man pleaded guilty and repented.

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court sentenced 25-year-old man to one year of suspended imprisonment with two years of probation period for incitement to ethnic hatred. The man placed hateful comments towards ethnic Latvians on an Internet site of Latvian nationalists braucimajas.lv (Go Home!). The man pleaded guilty and repented. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Cabinet of Ministers today reviews transposition of the European Commissions directive 2003/9/EC in to the rules on internal regulations of centre for asylum seekers in Latvia.

Head of the Saeima’s faction the Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics stated that discussions regarding granting Russian language status of official state language in Latvia are provocative. Mr. Urbanovics stated that “Latvia has the state language which is secured in the Constitution and there is nothing more to speak about.”

Head of the Saeimas faction the Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics stated that discussions regarding granting Russian language status of official state language in Latvia are provocative. Mr. Urbanovics stated that Latvia has the state language which is secured in the Constitution and there is nothing more to speak about. Telegraf