• Central Statistical Bureau excluded questions on ethnic belonging and native language from the next census
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers does not support liquidation of the Ombudsmans Office

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) excluded questions on ethnic belonging and native language from the next census. The CSB excluded such questions arguing that it was forced to make the poll system simpler due to cut of funding for census.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers does not support liquidation of the Ombudsman’s Office. The President considers that liquidation of the institution would be a step back in protection of human rights in Latvia. At the same time, the President considers that if the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis was more active there would be no doubts about effectiveness of the Ombudsman’s Office. As reported, the government discussed liquidation of the Ombudsman’s Office due to economic crisis.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers does not support liquidation of the Ombudsmans Office. The President considers that liquidation of the institution would be a step back in protection of human rights in Latvia. At the same time, the President considers that if the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis was more active there would be no doubts about effectiveness of the Ombudsmans Office. As reported, the government discussed liquidation of the Ombudsmans Office due to economic crisis. Diena, Telegraf

• Ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga: Ombudsmans Office should not be liquidated as an institution

The ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that the Ombudsman’s Office should not be liquidated as an institution. According to Mrs. Vike-Freiberga, it took a long time and hard work to establish the Ombudsman’s Office and it should not be destroyed in one moment. Mrs. Vike-Freiberga considers that during economic crisis it is permissible to cut Ombudsman’s Office’s budget or number of staff but it is not permissible to liquidate the institution as such.

The ex-President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that the Ombudsmans Office should not be liquidated as an institution. According to Mrs. Vike-Freiberga, it took a long time and hard work to establish the Ombudsmans Office and it should not be destroyed in one moment. Mrs. Vike-Freiberga considers that during economic crisis it is permissible to cut Ombudsmans Offices budget or number of staff but it is not permissible to liquidate the institution as such. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Government may close the Ombudsmans Office
• Commission on affairs of foreigners and non-citizens established in the Liepaja City Council
• Concord Centre – the most popular party in September

Newspapers report that according to unofficial information, the government is planning to close the Ombudsman’s Office due to economic crisis in the country. According to the Minister of Interior Linda Murniece, the government conceptually supported liquidation of the Ombudsman’s Office. While, the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis asserts that no concrete decisions were taken yet and discussions on it will continue.

Newspapers report that according to unofficial information, the government is planning to close the Ombudsmans Office due to economic crisis in the country. According to the Minister of Interior Linda Murniece, the government conceptually supported liquidation of the Ombudsmans Office. While, the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis asserts that no concrete decisions were taken yet and discussions on it will continue. Chas, Diena

Vesti Segodnya reports that the commission on affairs of foreigners and non-citizens was established in the Liepaja (city in the Western part of Latvia) City Council. The commission was established with an aim to protect interests of 27,000 non-citizens and 6,000 foreigners living in Liepaja.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by “Latvijas Fakti”, the most popular party in September is the Concord Centre – 15,6% of respondents support it. The party New Era and the Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6,3% and 5,8% accordingly. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of residents.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by Latvijas Fakti, the most popular party in September is the Concord Centre – 15,6% of respondents support it. The party New Era and the Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6,3% and 5,8% accordingly. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of residents. Diena

• Parents who do not want to Latvianise name of their child are not able to register the child as Latvian citizen and to receive birth certificate

Vesti Segodnya reports about a case when parents – Latvian mother and Portuguese father living in Latvia – are not able to register their child as Latvian citizen and to receive birth certificate because they do not want to Latvianise name of the child. The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs argues that the name in documents should be spelled in accordance with Latvian grammar, while, parents consider that Latvianisation of the name distorts the name they choosefor the child.

• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the member of Muslim Community in Latvia
• Leader of the Youth Party Janis Kuzins submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court of Latvia asking to cancel prohibition for Latvian non-citizens to vote in the municipal elections

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the member of Muslim Community in Latvia Omar Abu Safi (ethnic Latvian who adopted Islam). Mr. Abu Safi considers that recently adopted amendments to the Law on Protection of Animals which allow slaughter of animals in a way of ritual cut or Halal method will not affect life of Muslims in positive or negative way because the Muslims living in Latvia slaughtered animals in Halal way also before the adoption of the amendments. Mr. Abi Safi also believes that in the future there will be many more Muslims in Latvia and they will use their rights to demand for establishment of Sharia in the country. Latvijas Avize (22 September)

Leader of the Youth Party Janis Kuzins submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court of Latvia asking to cancel prohibition for Latvian non-citizens to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Kuzins considers that this norm is discriminatory and contradicts Latvian Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Leader of the Youth Party Janis Kuzins submitted a claim to the Constitutional Court of Latvia asking to cancel prohibition for Latvian non-citizens to vote in the municipal elections. Mr. Kuzins considers that this norm is discriminatory and contradicts Latvian Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Vesti Segodnya