• Ombudsman Romans Apsitis considers leaving the post
• Activists of anti-fascist NGOs from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Poland held gathering in Latvia
• Minister of Defence Imants Legis calls to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs to recall statement that the Ministry of Defence pays benefits to Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires

Newspapers report that the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis might leave the post after finishing reforms in the Ombudsman Office. Yesterday, Mr. Apsitis stated that he understands that there are tensions and contradictions between generations of employees working in the Office. According to Mr. Apsitis, the time when he will not be able to fulfil the duties will come soon.

Newspapers report that the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis might leave the post after finishing reforms in the Ombudsman Office. Yesterday, Mr. Apsitis stated that he understands that there are tensions and contradictions between generations of employees working in the Office. According to Mr. Apsitis, the time when he will not be able to fulfil the duties will come soon. Chas, NRA

Chas reports that activists of anti-fascist NGOs from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Poland held gathering in Latvia. According to the head of Latvian Anti-fascist Committee Josifs Korens, the participants shared information regarding racism, neo-Nazism and Xenophobia in their countries and agreed to establish international organisation.

The Minister of Defence Imants Legis sent a letter to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs calling him to recall statement to Russia’s newspaper that the Ministry of Defence pays benefits to Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. Mr. Legis pointed that the Ministry pays benefits to participants of national resistance movement who fought against military forces and administration of occupation regimes.

The Minister of Defence Imants Legis sent a letter to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs calling him to recall statement to Russias newspaper that the Ministry of Defence pays benefits to Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. Mr. Legis pointed that the Ministry pays benefits to participants of national resistance movement who fought against military forces and administration of occupation regimes. Chas, Latvijas Avize

• Columnist of Latvijas Avize: funding for state language proficiency examinations should be increased

Columnist of

Columnist of Latvijas Avize considers that in order to shorten waiting list of persons required to take state language proficiency examinations, the government should allocate more funding to the Centre for Curriculum Development and Examination (ISEC in its Latvian acronym) which organises examinations. The columnist believes that the extra funding could be allocated from fees paid by examinees. As reported, the ISEC is unable to process all examination applications due to large number of applicants who are forced to go through language attestation because of new requirements for language proficiency level for certain posts and professions.

• Vesti Segodnya prints an article about radical nationalists using Latvian social network
• Symbol of swastika spotted in a field near Riga

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about radical nationalists using one of the largest Latvian social networks www.draugiem.lv According to the article, there is a number of users who call themselves with Nazi nicknames and establish closed discussion groups about such issues as Nazi Army, Adolf Hitler, Latvian Waffen SS legion, National Socialism.

Vesti Segodnya reports that a symbol of swastika was spotted in a field in a village near Riga. The swastika was noticed by a photographer from a plane. The swastika is 16x16 metres in size and is formed of fresh grown green grass which contrasts against withered grass. Residents of the village do not know who made the symbol of swastika on the field.

• Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutors Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred
• MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka: Saeima and the European Union are not ready to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections

The Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred. The person published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.)

The Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutors Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred. The person published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.) Vesti Segodnya

According to the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka (FHRUL), there are two options how Latvian non-citizens could be granted voting rights in municipal elections- first, adoption of such decision by Latvian government; second, adoption of relevant norm in the EU. However, Mrs. Zdanoka considers that the Saeima and the European Union are not ready yet for such decision.

According to the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka (FHRUL), there are two options how Latvian non-citizens could be granted voting rights in municipal elections- first, adoption of such decision by Latvian government; second, adoption of relevant norm in the EU. However, Mrs. Zdanoka considers that the Saeima and the European Union are not ready yet for such decision. Telegraf

• Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmans Office quits work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis
• MP Jurijs Sokolovskis: Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues important for Russian residents

The Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsman’s Office Kristine Dupate decided to quit work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. Mrs. Dupate considers that Romans Apsitis is too passive and does not understand the role of the Ombudsman. As reported, recently, 26 employees of the Ombudsman Office demanded resignation of Mr. Apsitis arguing that he is not competent in human rights issues and his decisions are not independent.

The Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmans Office Kristine Dupate decided to quit work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. Mrs. Dupate considers that Romans Apsitis is too passive and does not understand the role of the Ombudsman. As reported, recently, 26 employees of the Ombudsman Office demanded resignation of Mr. Apsitis arguing that he is not competent in human rights issues and his decisions are not independent. Vesti Segodnya

According to the MP Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL), Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues such as Russian language, education and citizenship until problems with these issues are solved. Mr. Sokolovskis believes that opposition is like a lawyer for residents ignored by authorities.

According to the MP Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL), Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues such as Russian language, education and citizenship until problems with these issues are solved. Mr. Sokolovskis believes that opposition is like a lawyer for residents ignored by authorities. Chas