• Prosecutors Office of the Riga Regional Court has brought charges against 19-year-old woman for incitement to ethnic hatred
• MP Boris Cilevics: problems in forming the governing coalition in Latvia are caused by unwillingness to co-operate with parties representing Russian speakers in Latvia
• General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle: labour force might be imported to Latvia from distant Asian countries

The Prosecutor’s Office of the Riga Regional Court has brought charges against 19-year-old woman for incitement to ethnic hatred. In 2004, in a discussion on an internet forum called “Do the Slavs have to leave Latvia?”, the woman wrote that “the Slavic people must be deported from Latvia because they are cheap labour force”. The woman has admitted the guilt arguing that she made it because of light-mindedness.

The Prosecutors Office of the Riga Regional Court has brought charges against 19-year-old woman for incitement to ethnic hatred. In 2004, in a discussion on an internet forum called Do the Slavs have to leave Latvia?, the woman wrote that the Slavic people must be deported from Latvia because they are cheap labour force. The woman has admitted the guilt arguing that she made it because of light-mindedness. Vesti Segodnya

In an interview with

In an interview with Telegraf, the MP Boris Cilevics (The Concord Centre) has stated that problems in forming the governing coalition in Latvia are caused mainly by the prejudice that government should be formed only by ethnic Latvian parties and unwillingness to co-operate with parties who conditionally represent Russian speaking residents of Latvia.

The General Director of the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle has stated that despite possible simplification for import of foreign labour force to Latvia, there will be no fast influx of guest workers from so-called “third countries” because these countries also have a shortage of labour force. Therefore, according to Elina Egle, labour force might be imported from distant Asian countries. As reported, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has accepted the Migration Concept in the Context of Employment which stipulates simplification of administrative procedures and reduction of costs for attraction and usage of foreign labour force. The Concept also stipulates elaboration of forecasts about development of labour market in Latvia and criteria for attraction of labour force.

The General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle has stated that despite possible simplification for import of foreign labour force to Latvia, there will be no fast influx of guest workers from so-called third countries because these countries also have a shortage of labour force. Therefore, according to Elina Egle, labour force might be imported from distant Asian countries. As reported, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has accepted the Migration Concept in the Context of Employment which stipulates simplification of administrative procedures and reduction of costs for attraction and usage of foreign labour force. The Concept also stipulates elaboration of forecasts about development of labour market in Latvia and criteria for attraction of labour force. Telegraf

• Chas features an interview with Russian linguist, academician Tatjana Liguta on impact of Latvian language on Russian language in Latvia
• Tomorrow, the Cabinet of Minister will decide whether Muslim women will be allowed to be photographed with hijab for persons identification documents issued in Latvia

Chas features an interview with Russian linguist, academician Tatjana Liguta on impact of Latvian language on Russian language in Latvia. According to Mrs. Liguta position of Russian language in Latvia is stable, however, the stability depends on national language policy, preservation of education in Russian, and on desire of Russian speakers to preserve their identity, language and culture.

Vesti Segodnya reports that by the initiative of the Ombudsman of Latvia Romans Apsitis, tomorrow, the Cabinet of Minister will decide whether Muslim women will be allowed to be photographed with hijab for persons identification documents issued in Latvia. Romans Apsitis considers that the effective rules of the Cabinet of Ministers violate freedom of religion because according to them persons face on photo in documents must be without head-dress. However, the Minister of Interior Ivars Godmanis believes that this rule does not limit freedom of religion because persons identification document is not intended for identification of persons belonging to particular religious group but mainly for physical identification of a person.

• Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Head of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office Vilnis Jekabsons
• Diena features an interview with the coordinator of education section of the national program Roma in Latvia Daiga Zake

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Head of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office Vilnis Jekabsons. According to Mr. Jekabsons, about 2,000 foreigners were issued temporary residency permits for the first time, while, 136,000 persons were issued visas to Latvia during first six months of 2007. As of 1 July 2007, 42,511 foreigners, including 6,940 residents of the EU and 22,700 ex-Latvian non-citizens who have become citizens of other countries were residing in Latvia with valid residency permits.

Diena features an interview with the coordinator of education section of the national program Roma in Latvia Daiga Zake. According to Ms. Zake, lack of education for Roma people is the main reason of their low social status, isolation in society and promotion of stereotypes towards them. Daiga Zake believes that finding solution for Roma education problems would establish a basis for education of immigrants children. Daiga Zake has stated that public discussions Roma Child in School for parents representing Roma, Latvian, Russian and other ethnicities, as well as teachers, social workers, representatives of NGOs, state and municipal institutions were held during October in various cities of Latvia. In November, seminars for teachers on how to work with Roma children will be held in four Latvian cities.

• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM might propose government to liquidate the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration
• Russian compatriots from Latvia and Estonia ask Russian President to cancel visa requirements to enter Russia

Latvijas Avize reports that the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM might propose government to liquidate the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration for the sake of saving state funds. The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has criticized the proposal and stated that the State Language Centre also might be liquidated as cost-cutting measure. Oskars Kastens believes that the Integration Secretariat will be especially important in the future due to the growing influx of guest workers.

Chas reports that Russian citizens and non-citizens who live in Latvia and Estonia have sent an appeal to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin complaining about financial difficulties and asking to abolish visa requirements for Russian compatriots entering Russia.

• Two Roma young girls attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga
• State Border Guards repeatedly have drawn administrative protocols to six citizens of Thailand who were illegally employed in Latvia
• Russian NGO Veche proposes to establish councils on non-citizens affairs in municipalities

Newspapers report that two Roma young girls were attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga on 13 October. After the accident two 13-year-old girls were placed in hospital. According to representative of the Ombudsman Office, the crime has racist background.

Newspapers report that two Roma young girls were attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga on 13 October. After the accident two 13-year-old girls were placed in hospital. According to representative of the Ombudsman Office, the crime has racist background. Telegraf, Diena, NRA

NRA reports that the State Border Guards repeatedly have drawn administrative protocols to six citizens of Thailand who were illegally employed in Latvia. Also, on 15 and 14 October, the State Border Guards have detained 44 persons – 20 Latvian citizens and 24 foreigners for working without working permits.

Chas reports that leaders of the Russian NGO Veche have come up with a proposal to establish councils on non-citizens affairs in municipalities. According to Veche, such councils would promote trust of non-citizens towards local authorities, would help to determine real needs in public and cultural events for ethnic minorities and would help to understand reasons for slowdown of naturalisation speed and options for its promotion.