• Representative of the Integration Secretariat Deniss Hanovs on the implementation of the National Program for the Promotion of Tolerance
• 16,000 non-citizens of Latvia would have higher pensions if the social agreement between Latvia and Russia is signed
• FHRUL asks the Prime Minister and the Integration Secretariat to establish lower requirements regarding the required number of students at minority schools

Diena features an article by the representative of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in its Latvian acronym) Deniss Hanovs on the implementation of the National Program for the Promotion of Tolerance. Deniss Hanovs considers that tolerance has not come into peoples daily life in Latvia yet. Mr. Hanovs believes the Program, which was adopted in 2004, will have effect only when tolerance is accepted as a value by a larger number of people.

According to the representative of the Ministry of Welfare about 16,000 non-citizens of Latvia would have bigger pensions if the social agreement between Latvia and Russia is signed. As reported, according to effective legal norms, the length of service of non-citizens retired after 1 January 1996 includes only time period spent on Latvian territory. However, the agreement would stipulate that working time spent by non-citizens

According to the representative of the Ministry of Welfare about 16,000 non-citizens of Latvia would have bigger pensions if the social agreement between Latvia and Russia is signed. As reported, according to effective legal norms, the length of service of non-citizens retired after 1 January 1996 includes only time period spent on Latvian territory. However, the agreement would stipulate that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period is included in the total number of employment. Chas, Latvijas Avize, NRA

The political party For Human Rights in United Latvia has asked the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and representative of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Irina Vinnika to establish exceptional requirements regarding number the required number of students at minority schools. The party argues that increasing number of classes with minority language of instruction are closed due to lack of minority students.

The political party For Human Rights in United Latvia has asked the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and representative of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Irina Vinnika to establish exceptional requirements regarding number the required number of students at minority schools. The party argues that increasing number of classes with minority language of instruction are closed due to lack of minority students. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Naturalisation Board installs video surveillance cameras in its regional examination centres
• Chairman of the Russian International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev: Latvia and Estonia have to grant citizenship to all residents born on their territory

The Naturalisation Board (NB) will install video surveillance cameras in its regional examination centres this week. The Head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane stated that video surveillance will help control both the staff of the institution and applicants.

The Naturalisation Board (NB) will install video surveillance cameras in its regional examination centres this week. The Head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane stated that video surveillance will help control both the staff of the institution and applicants. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports that the Chairman of the Russian International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev in a meeting with journalist form the Baltic countries stated that Latvia and Estonia have to grant citizenship to all residents who were born on their territory automatically. Mr. Kosachev believed that it would improve the relations of these countries with Russia.

• Government will not amend language regulations on implementation of the State Language Law
• Pre-election discussion on the education quality and promotion of tolerance in schools
• Aleksandr Kazakov claims compensation for denying him entrance in Latvia
• First President of Russia Boriss Yeltsin comments on the situation of Russians in Latvia

Yesterday, the government declined the application of the Latvian National Human Rights Office (LNHRO) regarding language regulations on implementation of the State Language Law. As reported, the LNHRO asked the Cabinet of Ministers to permit the state and municipal institutions provide public information not only in the state language as provided by the State Language Law but also in minority languages.

Yesterday, the government declined the application of the Latvian National Human Rights Office (LNHRO) regarding language regulations on implementation of the State Language Law. As reported, the LNHRO asked the Cabinet of Ministers to permit the state and municipal institutions provide public information not only in the state language as provided by the State Language Law but also in minority languages. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, representatives of political parties and NGOs took part in a first pre-election discussion on the education quality held by the NGO “Providus”. Participants discussed issues concerning tolerance towards various groups in society. The majority of party representatives argued that the level of tolerance towards others is high in Latvia’s society, including schools, while representatives of NGOs objected and stressed that political parties and MPs are the first ones to observe human rights and called for higher level of tolerance and respect towards all groups.

Yesterday, representatives of political parties and NGOs took part in a first pre-election discussion on the education quality held by the NGO Providus. Participants discussed issues concerning tolerance towards various groups in society. The majority of party representatives argued that the level of tolerance towards others is high in Latvias society, including schools, while representatives of NGOs objected and stressed that political parties and MPs are the first ones to observe human rights and called for higher level of tolerance and respect towards all groups. Latvijas Avize

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov claims compensation in the amount of LVL 35,000 (EUR 49,800) from the Ministry of Interior and the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs for the inclusion in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia and for annulment of his residency permit. As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him into the ‘black list’. However, in February 2006, the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov claims compensation in the amount of LVL 35,000 (EUR 49,800) from the Ministry of Interior and the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs for the inclusion in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia and for annulment of his residency permit. As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him into the ‘black list. However, in February 2006, the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

First President of Russia Boriss Yeltsin, who yesterday arrived to Latvia, stated that the situation of Russians in Latvia and the border agreement between Latvia and Russia are two unsolved issues which hinder development of successful interrelations between the two countries.

First President of Russia Boriss Yeltsin, who yesterday arrived to Latvia, stated that the situation of Russians in Latvia and the border agreement between Latvia and Russia are two unsolved issues which hinder development of successful interrelations between the two countries. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

• National Human Rights Office appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers to adopt more liberal language regulations concerning implementation of the State Language Law
• Diena features an article on promotion of diversity in employment
• Victor Kalyuzhniy: political, social and economical rights of Russians in Latvia are restricted
• Columnist of Chas: number of ethnic Latvians who do not trust right-wing politicians is increasing
• NGO Russian Communities: Boris Yeltsin has betrayed Russians in Latvia

The Latvian National Human Rights Office (LNHRO) has sent a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers asking to adopt more liberal language regulations concerning implementation of the State Language Law. The LNHRO believes that the existing regulations restrict opportunities for ethnic minorities to receive information in their languages from state and municipal institutions.

The Latvian National Human Rights Office (LNHRO) has sent a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers asking to adopt more liberal language regulations concerning implementation of the State Language Law. The LNHRO believes that the existing regulations restrict opportunities for ethnic minorities to receive information in their languages from state and municipal institutions. Vesti Segodnya

Diena features an article on promotion of diversity in employment. The researcher of the NGO Providus Marija Golubeva stated that there are no guidelines on the promotion of tolerance or diversity policies in employment. However, she argued that tolerance towards persons of other ethnicities, sexual orientation, etc could be promoted through individual discussions with employees or training.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy. Mr. Ambassador stated that Russia protects the rights of Russian residents of Latvia at international level because political, social and economic rights of Russians in Latvia are restricted.

Columnist of

Columnist of Chas argues that the number of ethnic Latvians who do not trust right-wing politicians is increasing. Columnist states that more and more Latvians are supporting left-wing or so called pro-Russian parties, but do not say it openly because they are afraid that other Latvians will see them as betrayers of the Latvian nation.

Today, Russia’s first President Boris Yeltsin following an invitation of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freberga is arriving to Latvia on a private three-day visit. Vaira Vike-Freiberga will present Boris Yeltsin the Three Star Order as a gratitude for recognition of the restoration of Latvia's independence 15 years ago. Several Russian NGOs in Latvia have distributed a public declaration stating that by signing the act on the recognition of the restoration of Latvia’s independence without including reservations concerning the rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia Boriss Yeltsin is responsible for restriction of rights of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia 15 years ago.

Today, Russias first President Boris Yeltsin following an invitation of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freberga is arriving to Latvia on a private three-day visit. Vaira Vike-Freiberga will present Boris Yeltsin the Three Star Order as a gratitude for recognition of the restoration of Latvia's independence 15 years ago. Several Russian NGOs in Latvia have distributed a public declaration stating that by signing the act on the recognition of the restoration of Latvias independence without including reservations concerning the rights of ethnic minorities in Latvia Boriss Yeltsin is responsible for restriction of rights of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia 15 years ago. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

• Diena features an article about seven Somalians
• Chas reports on the pre-election program of All for Latvia!

Diena features an article about the seven Somalians who recently were granted alternative status in Latvia. The Somalians are staying at the place Zvannenieki that were offered them by private persons. The Somalians are studying the Latvian language and searching for jobs. The Somalians admitted that they already have experienced expressions of intolerance against them on streets in Riga.

Chas reports on the pre-election program of the radical right-wing political party All for Latvia! The main slogan of the party is Latvia is for Latvians! Among the main objectives of partys program are: promotion of deportation of non-Latvians; recognition by Russia that she occupied Latvia; and halt of the naturalisation process.