• The head of the Naturalization Board will make a proposal to prevent corruption
• Chas columnist discusses equality between Russians and Latvians

In the interview to

In the interview to Vesti Segodnya, the head of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Anta Rugate has stated that today the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane will give her proposals on the prevention of corruption in the process of naturalization. The Committee will also discuss the conformity of Eizenija Aldermane with her post. According to Anta Rugate, the process of naturalization should continue. However, it must be honest and transparent.

Chas prints an article about the equality between Russians and Latvians in Latvia. The author of the article provides four points on how Russians can become equal to Latvians in their rights. The first point states that Russians must realize that they must be equal. Secondly, the author points to the need to maintain education in Russian language since otherwise Latvians will always be more competitive in their professional knowledge. According to the third conclusion, good Latvian language proficiency among Russians would help them to be competitive in the areas where language skills are obligatory. Fourthly, naturalization and Russians active participation in public life is necessary.

• A call for fight against defenders of minority rights in www.latvians.lv
• Agreement on the project Latvia – Equality in Diversity I signed
• MP Andrey Klementyev foresees a larger representation of Russians in the government

In the internet portal

In the internet portal www.latvians.lv, a national radical Norberts Klaucens has called for the fight against opponents of nationalism and defenders of national minorities rights. Among anti patriots of Latvia, Normunds Klaucens has mentioned the General Public Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis and the Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina. He charges the government for defending Russian occupants and calls for the abolishment of the law prohibiting of rousing of national and race hatred. Vesti Segodnya

On Friday, the Secretariat of the Special assignments Minister for Social Integration has signed the agreement on implementation of the project “

On Friday, the Secretariat of the Special assignments Minister for Social Integration has signed the agreement on implementation of the project Latvia – Equality in Diversity I with six governmental and non-governmental organizations – the Latvian Centre for Human rights and Ethic Studies, the Latvian Bible Union, the Baltic Russian Institute, the Soros Foundation in Latvia, the internet portal dialogi.lv, and NGO Political Education Initiative. The main objective of the project is to reduce discrimination and to foster tolerance. The total funding of the project is EUR 89751 43. 80% of the funding is assigned by the European Commission, and 20% by the state. Diena

In the interview to

In the interview to Chas, the MP and the member of the Harmony Center Andrey Klementyev foresees the larger representation of Russians in the Cabinet of Ministers after the next Saeimas elections. He points to the growing number of the Russian oriented parties.

 

• Court proceedings against a member of the Headquaters for the Defuce of Russian language schools
• New OKROL member organization in Jurmala
• Political scientist Ivars Indans: the Russian oriented parties are growing in number

Yesterday the Riga Zemgale district court has held the proceedings against a member of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian language schools in Latvia Kira Savchenko who has organized a rock concert in support for the Russian language on 23 September. The activist of the Headquarters is accused for administrative violations since about 10 participants of the concert were seen with an open bottle of alcohol and there were garbage in the concerts place. The Court has made a decision that she can not organize the public actions during a year. Vesti Segodnya

 The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian acronym) has founded new member organization in Jurmala – “The Russian Community of Jurmala”.  The core objective of the organization will be the promotion of the Russian culture and naturalization process in Jurmala.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in Russian acronym) has founded new member organization in Jurmala – The Russian Community of Jurmala. The core objective of the organization will be the promotion of the Russian culture and naturalization process in Jurmala. Vesti Segodnya

In

In NRA, the political scientist Ivars Indans points to the growth of the Russian oriented parties in Latvia. He makes the conclusion that the political choice for the ethnic Russian voters has enlarged, so it is hard for one party to monopolize its status as the only defender of ethnic Russians in Latvia. At the same time, Ivars Indans points to the ethnic split in political spectrum of Latvia.

 

• Increase in intolerance towards others in Latvia
• Foreign Affairs Minister about racism: Latvians must learn from mistakes of other countries
• Government accepted amendments to the Law of Social Security
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latviaplans to hold protest actions in November
• Saeima refused amendments to the Law of Repatriation

According to Aivita Putnina, one of the leading Latvian social anthropologist, Latvia observes the increase in intolerance towards people with other skin color, ethnicity and sexual orientation . The main targets of society’s aggression are gay people. Anthropologists explain the phenomena arguing that men are dominant in the Latvian society and it is not common to discuss sexuality openly. However, she notes that  the increase of intolerance might lead to instability in society.

According to Aivita Putnina, one of the leading Latvian social anthropologist, Latvia observes the increase in intolerance towards people with other skin color, ethnicity and sexual orientation . The main targets of societys aggression are gay people. Anthropologists explain the phenomena arguing that men are dominant in the Latvian society and it is not common to discuss sexuality openly. However, she notes that the increase of intolerance might lead to instability in society. Chas, NRA

Diena prints an article by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks about racism in Latvia. Artis Pabriks states that Latvian people should be ashamed to to permit manifestations of racism in Latvia and notes that those who have committed racially motivated crimes should be punished for that. He argues that racism is not widespread phenomena in Latvia, however, he – asks whether Latvians will be able to learn from mistakes of other countries where registered racially motivated crimes are high in numbers. The Minister states that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ask other countries to help Latvia to prevent racism.

Yesterday the Saeima accepted amendments to the Law of Social Security that clarifies the definition of discrimination and establishes its prevention. Discrimination is prohibited on the following grounds: sex, age, skin color, language, religion, political and other beliefs, social origins, ethnicity, education, social, and property status, health, sexual orientation or other status.

Yesterday the Saeima accepted amendments to the Law of Social Security that clarifies the definition of discrimination and establishes its prevention. Discrimination is prohibited on the following grounds: sex, age, skin color, language, religion, political and other beliefs, social origins, ethnicity, education, social, and property status, health, sexual orientation or other status. Rigas Balss

Riga City Councils deputy from the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Genadijs Kotovs announced that the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools plans to organize protest actions on 11 and 18 November. It should be noted that both dates are the days marked as national commemoration and celebration days. Executive Director of the Riga City Council Eriks Skapars promised not to sign a permission to organize protest actions on those days, because ‘pickets could ruin national holidays. Rigas Balss, LA

Yesterday Saeima refused the proposal of party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) to amend the Law of Repatriation. FF/ LNNK proposed a norm that would encourage people of other nationalities to return to their native countries.  According to the proposed amendments,  government should develop a special program to help people who  came to Latvia during the Soviet occupation and their children to go back to their motherlands.

Yesterday Saeima refused the proposal of party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) to amend the Law of Repatriation. FF/ LNNK proposed a norm that would encourage people of other nationalities to return to their native countries. According to the proposed amendments, government should develop a special program to help people who came to Latvia during the Soviet occupation and their children to go back to their motherlands. Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

 

 

• Saeima: no need to be concerned about Muslims in Latvia
• European Commission (EC) provides funding for a tolerance project in Latvia
• The leader of the NDPL was called to the Security Police

On Wednesday the National Security Council of Saeima listened the report by the Security Police about activities of Muslims in Latvia. The Committee concluded that there is no reason to be concerned that radical Islam organisations are active in Latvia. The head of the Council Indulis Emsis stated the borders of Latvia are opened and there is no need to restrict the influx of immigrants into the country.

On Wednesday the National Security Council of Saeima listened the report by the Security Police about activities of Muslims in Latvia. The Committee concluded that there is no reason to be concerned that radical Islam organisations are active in Latvia. The head of the Council Indulis Emsis stated the borders of Latvia are opened and there is no need to restrict the influx of immigrants into the country. Diena, LA, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas

In November the Secretariat of the Special assignments Minister for Social Integration in co-operation with other governmental and nongovernmental organizations will launch the implementation of a new project on integration “

In November the Secretariat of the Special assignments Minister for Social Integration in co-operation with other governmental and nongovernmental organizations will launch the implementation of a new project on integration Latvia – Equality in Diversity I. The main target of the project is to reduce discrimination and to foster tolerance. In the framework of the project vulnerable groups who are and might be subjected to discrimination will be educated, involved and informed. Diena

As reported on Friday October 21

As reported on Friday October 21st about 20 people from National Democratic party of Latvia (NDPL) and party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) were picketing near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers. They wanted to attract public attention to the problem of mass non-citizenship in Latvia. Yesterday the leader of the NDPL Jevgenij Osipov was called to the Security Police department of Liepaja to account for the protest activity. He was asked to comment and explain the statements made by members of the picket. Vesti Segodya