• Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration does not support a proposal of the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins to merge the Naturalisation Board with the State Language Centre
• Citizen of Iraq was granted refugee status in Latvia, while a citizen of Belarus was granted an alternative status
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 of August

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration does not support a proposal of the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins to merge the Naturalisation Board with the State Language Centre. As reported, the Minister of Justice has proposed to restructure both institutions and merge them into one institution which could be named “Board of State Language and Citizenship Affairs”. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that the number of non-citizens in Latvia is still high, therefore, the naturalisation must continue. The governing coalition is planning to discuss the initiative of the Ministry of Justice in September.

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration does not support a proposal of the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins to merge the Naturalisation Board with the State Language Centre. As reported, the Minister of Justice has proposed to restructure both institutions and merge them into one institution which could be named Board of State Language and Citizenship Affairs. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that the number of non-citizens in Latvia is still high, therefore, the naturalisation must continue. The governing coalition is planning to discuss the initiative of the Ministry of Justice in September. Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Diena reports that, in 2007, a citizen of Iraq was granted refugee status in Latvia, while a citizen of Belarus was granted an alternative status. According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Iraqi citizen was granted the status because motives of asylum seeking have complied with criteria of the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In total, 19 persons have applied for asylum in Latvia in the first half 2007.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 of August – the day when the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship to first 103 persons who have gone through naturalisation procedure in 1995. According to the Minister, various events which promote consolidation of the society could be held in the framework of the Day of Citizen, while the most socially active new citizens could be granted diplomas.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed to celebrate the Day of Citizen on 3 of August – the day when the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship to first 103 persons who have gone through naturalisation procedure in 1995. According to the Minister, various events which promote consolidation of the society could be held in the framework of the Day of Citizen, while the most socially active new citizens could be granted diplomas. Chas, Telegraf

• Newspapers report on interview of the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to the radio station Eho Moskvi
• Telegraf: tourists are complaining on racism in Latvia

Yesterday, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has given an interview to the Russia’s radio station “Eho Moskvi”. The President has stated that granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections will not solve problem of non-citizenship because this way they will not become full-fledged citizens. The President also believes that Latvia is a successful example of naturalisation because there were no large ethnic and social disorders in the country. Valdis Zatlers has stated that Latvian language will remain the only state language, however, usage of other language will not be limited. 

Yesterday, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has given an interview to the Russias radio station Eho Moskvi. The President has stated that granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections will not solve problem of non-citizenship because this way they will not become full-fledged citizens. The President also believes that Latvia is a successful example of naturalisation because there were no large ethnic and social disorders in the country. Valdis Zatlers has stated that Latvian language will remain the only state language, however, usage of other language will not be limited. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Telegraf reports that according to some foreign internet forums, tourists who have visited Latvia are complaining on racist attitude of Latvian residents towards foreigners.

• Telegraf prints an article on a proposal to grant Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections

Telegraf prints an article by the co-chairman of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens Vladimirs Sokolovs on a proposal to grant Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. According to Mr. Sokolovs, the fact that non-citizens are deprived of any political rights might be considered as direct discrimination on ethnic grounds because 99,5 % of non-citizens in Latvia are non-Latvians. Vladimirs Soklovs also claims that the majority of governing coalitions parties will not support the proposal because they are afraid to fail at elections due to a possibility that majority of non-citizens would not vote them.

• Security Police has initiated 11 cases on incitement to racial and ethnic hatred in the first half of 2007

Chas reports that the Security Police has initiated 11 cases on incitement to racial and ethnic hatred in the first half of 2007. According to a representative of the Security Police, 5 cases were forwarded to the Prosecutors Office; 3 cases were re-qualified and forwarded to the State Police; one case was closed; and 2 cases are under investigation.

• Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has visited Estonia with an aim to get acquainted with celebration of the Day of Citizen

Latvijas Avize reports that the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has visited Estonia with an aim to get acquainted with celebration of the Day of Citizen in the country. As reported, Eizenija Aldermane has proposed to establish the Day of Citizen in Latvia with an aim to raise patriotism and prestige of Latvian citizenship.