• Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration plans to implement a public awareness campaign on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Baltic Assembly calls the Baltic States to ask compensations for damages brought by Soviet and German occupations
• Psychologist and professor of the University of Latvia Olegs Nikiforovs comments on the implementation of bilingual education in minority schools
• Jewish memorial site opened in the Malta parish
• Majority of St. Petersburgs residents think that Latvia is not a friendly country

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis plans to launch a public awareness campaign about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The campaign will be launched in May and will go till December next year. In the framework of the campaign informative materials will be published, public discussions, expert seminars and lecture series will be organised.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis plans to launch a public awareness campaign about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The campaign will be launched in May and will go till December next year. In the framework of the campaign informative materials will be published, public discussions, expert seminars and lecture series will be organised. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Participants of the Baltic Assembly issued a resolution calling the governments of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia to launch negotiations with Russia and Germany about receiving compensations for damages brought by these occupations.

Participants of the Baltic Assembly issued a resolution calling the governments of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia to launch negotiations with Russia and Germany about receiving compensations for damages brought by these occupations. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by the psychologist and professor of the University of Latvia Olegs Nikiforovs about the implementation of bilingual education in minority schools. He argues that bilingual education model introduced in Latvia is based on the bilingual education models developed for Turks in Germany and that these models are not suited for the situation of Latvia, first of all, because Latvia is not able to ensure the necessary Latvian language environment. Referring to the opinion poll, which professor conducted in 1998, Olegs Nikiforovs states that the level of motivation among Russians to learn Latvian is rather high. He notes that there is a strong need for Latvian language environment and the lack of such environment is the main obstacle for successful implementation of bilingual education in Latvia.

Yesterday a Jewish memorial site was opened in the Malta parish (Eastern part of Latvia). In World War II a number of Jews were shot there. The director of the Riga Jewish Community Gita Umanovska stated that there are approximately 200 places in Latvia where mass destruction of Jews took place.

Yesterday a Jewish memorial site was opened in the Malta parish (Eastern part of Latvia). In World War II a number of Jews were shot there. The director of the Riga Jewish Community Gita Umanovska stated that there are approximately 200 places in Latvia where mass destruction of Jews took place. Telegraf

According to the opinion poll, conducted by the Russian news agency

According to the opinion poll, conducted by the Russian news agency Rosbalt, 45% inhabitants of St. Petersburg think that Latvia is not a friendly state and 29.7% believes that Latvia is a friendly country. The General Consul of Latvia in St. Petersburg Hardijs Baumanis believes that the negative attitude among Russias residents towards Latvia is due to biased information about Latvia spread by the Russian mass media about Latvia. Diena

• Diena: recent statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia were anti-Semitic
• Racial attacks at Latvians in the UK raises comparison between Latvia and the UK
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins: Russian officials intentionally provide biased information about the situation of minorities in Latvia
• Interview with the Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands-Kehris
• Leader of the National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs plans to apply with the European Court of Human Rights against Latvia
• Member of the European Parliament from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka received the title ‘Compatriot of the Year
• Childrens fairy tales reflect clichés and stereotypes of the adults world

In the opinion of integration experts, historians and representatives of the Jewish community surveyed by the daily

In the opinion of integration experts, historians and representatives of the Jewish community surveyed by the daily Diena the recent statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij are anti-Semitic. The Ambassador said that Russia should not apologise to Latvia for the Soviet occupation because ‘what should the Russian people be blamed for? The KGB was headed by Pole Dzerzinskis; out of 44 members of the War Council 38 were Jews, 4 Latvians and only one was a Russian. The former Society Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks argues that anti-Semitism historically has been a characteristic feature of Russian nationalism, which implies construction of a negative Jewish prototype and that people are not perceived as individuals but a group. Diena notes that there have been other expressions of Kaluznijs disrespect towards Jews: the Ambassador demonstratively did not use the kipa when he attended the Synagogue. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks said that the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry will not issue any official statements regarding the Ambassador Kaluznijs statements, however, the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister invited the Russian Ambassador to the Occupation Museum and the Russian Ambassador accepted the invitation.

In the response to recent attacks at Latvians in the United Kingdom

In the response to recent attacks at Latvians in the United Kingdom Diena prints an article ‘Do They Hate Us? about the attitude of ‘old Europe towards guest workers from East Europe. The author of the article provides data about the attitude of Brits towards ‘others, in particular people from East Europe. The newspaper concludes that the level of tolerance of the Great Britains society is lower than expected. In the conclusion the author provides opinions from the Internet discussions in the Latvian website. One of the comments says ‘the attitude of Latvian guest workers [towards the country and society they have come] does not differ from the one Russians have towards Latvia: if things are not like at home, than they are stupid and damn.

‘Russian officials intentionally provide biased information on the situation of minorities in Latvia,’ stated the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins referring to the recent statements of the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov. The Russian official stated that Russian experts have found 59 differences between the social, political and legal rights of Latvian citizens and non-citizens and provides as an example the prohibition of the right of Latvian non-citizens to participate in municipal elections.

‘Russian officials intentionally provide biased information on the situation of minorities in Latvia, stated the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins referring to the recent statements of the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Vladimir Chizhov. The Russian official stated that Russian experts have found 59 differences between the social, political and legal rights of Latvian citizens and non-citizens and provides as an example the prohibition of the right of Latvian non-citizens to participate in municipal elections. Latvijas Avize

Chas features an interview with director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands-Kehris. The main topic of the interview is societal integration. Ilze Brands-Kehris expresses her concern concerning the situation in minority education. According to Ilze Brands-Kehris people who are responsible for minority education reform, have paid little attention to ensuring the quality of education and development of a positive motivation to acquire the Latvian language. The Director of the Centre believes that the existing segregation of Latvian and Russian schools should be eliminated as it further leads to society segregation in general. Ilze Brands-Kehris also points to the tendency to treat the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as a threat for Latvians. The attempts to block ratification of the Convention show that the attitude towards minorities is not very positive, as well as it impedes naturalisation.

The leader of the National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs is planning to submit a claim with the European Court of Human Rights against Latvia. The leader of the Party believes that his rights to the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and free movement were violated. Jevgenijs Osipovs is accused of attacking a policeman during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja and now is under the supervision of the police. He is denied the right to leave the city and participate in public meetings and processions.

The leader of the National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs is planning to submit a claim with the European Court of Human Rights against Latvia. The leader of the Party believes that his rights to the freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and free movement were violated. Jevgenijs Osipovs is accused of attacking a policeman during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja and now is under the supervision of the police. He is denied the right to leave the city and participate in public meetings and processions. Vesti Segodnya

Mayor of Moscow Jurij Luzhkov has presented an award ‘The Compatriot of the Year’ to the member of the European Parliament from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. The award was given to Tatjana Zdanoka as acknowledgement of her persistent attempts to protect the rights of Russians in Latvia and the EU.

Mayor of Moscow Jurij Luzhkov has presented an award ‘The Compatriot of the Year to the member of the European Parliament from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka. The award was given to Tatjana Zdanoka as acknowledgement of her persistent attempts to protect the rights of Russians in Latvia and the EU. Vesti Segodnya

This year the fairy tale contest has been organised in Latvia and 865 children from all Latvia wrote and sent in their own fairy tales.

This year the fairy tale contest has been organised in Latvia and 865 children from all Latvia wrote and sent in their own fairy tales. Diena prints comments of two critics on the most common characters and themes in stories written by children. One of the critics states that childrens fairy tales reflect the values, stereotypes and clichés most common in the adults world. The dominant number of childrens stories is about the rich and the poor and how sharp is the division between these two groups, while the ethnic prejudices ‘Russians are such and such, but Latvians are better and superior were observed in only few fairy tales. Diena

• Saeima adopts amendments to the Law on Radio and Television
• Interview with the chairman of the party Latvias Way Ivars Godmanis about societal integration
• Russian Embassy to Latvia announces the number of persons leaving for Russia
• Psychologist and professor of the University of Latvia Olegs Nikiforovs talks about the education reform

In the third reading Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Radio and Television Law. The new provisions foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster.

In the third reading Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Radio and Television Law. The new provisions foresee that the Cabinet of Ministers has the right to set specific provisions concerning the usage of the language of broadcasting if the usage of the state language is endangered or restricted in the territory of a respective broadcaster. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the chairman of the party Latvias Way Ivars Godmanis about societal integration. Ivars Godmanis believes that the state should not speed up naturalisation with artificial methods. He believes that there is no need to amend the Citizenship Law, because wider range of prohibitions on the grant of Latvian citizenship would be interpreted as hampering of naturalisation. According to the politician, there is a need to promote the value of the Latvian state among Russians, in particularly young Russians.

In last few years the number of persons, who want to leave for Russia, has decreased by 100 – 150 persons a year, is stated in the official information distributed by the Russian Embassy to Latvia. This year 419 persons received migration papers. According to the Russian Embassy, the majority of people who want to leave Latvia are older persons, persons, who do not speak the Latvian language; persons, who cannot find a well-paid job and also those who want to their children to educate in the Russian language.

In last few years the number of persons, who want to leave for Russia, has decreased by 100 – 150 persons a year, is stated in the official information distributed by the Russian Embassy to Latvia. This year 419 persons received migration papers. According to the Russian Embassy, the majority of people who want to leave Latvia are older persons, persons, who do not speak the Latvian language; persons, who cannot find a well-paid job and also those who want to their children to educate in the Russian language. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the psychologist and professor of the University of Latvia Olegs Nikiforovs. He believes that the minority education reform would not have a negative impact on the academic development of minority students if only their secondary educational programme would be prolonged and they would study 15 instead of 12 years. Olegs Nikiforovs also notes that there is the lack of teaching aids in bilingual education in minority schools. The professor refers to tests, conducted among students of one minority school and concludes that IQ of these students has dropped by 53% since the beginning of the reform.

• Finnish President Tarja Halonen: the situation of the Russian-speakers in the Baltic States complies with international standards
• Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane talks about naturalisation in Latvia
• Article by the member of Saeima Boris Tsilevitch about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Political Affairs Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) and the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee discuss condemnation of crimes committed by the totalitarian regime
• Latvijas Avize comments on the claim, submitted to the Administrative Court by the activist of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis

‘The European Union has followed the situation of minorities in the Baltic States and its conclusion is that the situation of Russian-speakers in these states complies with international legal norms,’ stated the President of Finland Tarja Halonen in her meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘The European Union has followed the situation of minorities in the Baltic States and its conclusion is that the situation of Russian-speakers in these states complies with international legal norms, stated the President of Finland Tarja Halonen in her meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf features an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation and a suggestion to amend the Citizenship Law. The Head of the NB believes that there is a need to amend the Citizenship Law. The new amendments would stipulate additional prohibitions on grant of Latvian citizenship, for example, to persons who are related to international terrorism. Eizenija Aldermane stresses that no changes will be introduced in the naturalisation procedure as it complies with international standards. The Head of the Naturalisation Board assures that although the number of applications is increasing there are no delays with the issuance of passports.

Chas features an article by the member of Saeima Boris Tsilevitch about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Boris Tsilevitch believes that ratification of the Convention with reservations and a decision to recognise several ethnic groups, for example, Russians and Poles, as minorities in Latvia, would bring a negative reaction of the Council of Europe.

The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed condemnation of crimes committed by the communistic regime. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins, majority of Committee’s members supported condemnation of the communist regime.  At the same time, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee launched discussions on the draft declaration on condemnation of the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration calls international organisations to recognise Latvia’s occupation and provide assistance in dealing with its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. The Russian language newspaper

The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed condemnation of crimes committed by the communistic regime. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins, majority of Committees members supported condemnation of the communist regime. At the same time, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee launched discussions on the draft declaration on condemnation of the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration calls international organisations to recognise Latvias occupation and provide assistance in dealing with its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. The Russian language newspaper Vesti Segodnya calls this document a ‘declaration of ethnic cleansing. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize writes about the claim, submitted to the Administrative Court by the member of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. He challenged the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to prohibit him grant on Latvian citizenship. The newspaper speculates that the court could reviews the case in April 2005. The Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina comments that Jurijs Petropavlovskis has the right to apply with court. The Minister also admits that after throughout discussions new amendments, including new prohibitions on the grant of Latvian Citizenship, to the Law on Citizenship could be adopted. However, the Minister stresses that these amendments should be in compliance with international legal norms so they would not be a ‘bad surprise for Europe.

• Politicians comments on the latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij
• 1050 persons received Latvian citizenship yesterday
• Administrative Region Court accepted to review a claim submitted by the activist of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Member of the European Parliament (EP) Tatjana Zdanoka reproaches Latvia for violation of minority linguistic rights

Latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij that Russia should not apologise to Latvia for the Soviet Occupation do not promote ethnic integration in Latvia, state several politicians interviewed by the newspaper

Latest statements of the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij that Russia should not apologise to Latvia for the Soviet Occupation do not promote ethnic integration in Latvia, state several politicians interviewed by the newspaper Latvijas Avize. The Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis is concerned that such statements do not foster better Latvian Russian relations. The former Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks argues that the Ambassadors statements show a simplified interpretation of history. Taking into account that many Russian speakers in Latvia respect and carefully listen to views of state officials of Russia, their tendentious statements concerning the Baltic States history do not promote development of common understanding of the history, which resultantly hampers societal integration in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday 1050 persons, including 103 minor children, received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation.

Yesterday 1050 persons, including 103 minor children, received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Administrative Region Court accepted a claim submitted by the member of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist challenges the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant him Latvian citizenship.

The Administrative Region Court accepted a claim submitted by the member of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. The activist challenges the refusal of the Cabinet of Ministers to grant him Latvian citizenship. Chas

In a session of the European Parliament, its member Tatjana Zdanoka (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) stated that Latvia violates minority rights. Tatjana Zdanoka argued that Latvia’s accession to the EU was a mistake because Latvian government do not recognise minority linguistic rights. ‘Russian-speakers do not have any rights to speak their language in public sphere,’ stated the MP and stressed that the EU should not repeat the same mistake in regarding Turkey.

In a session of the European Parliament, its member Tatjana Zdanoka (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) stated that Latvia violates minority rights. Tatjana Zdanoka argued that Latvias accession to the EU was a mistake because Latvian government do not recognise minority linguistic rights. ‘Russian-speakers do not have any rights to speak their language in public sphere, stated the MP and stressed that the EU should not repeat the same mistake in regarding Turkey. Vesti Segodnya