• Society Integration Foundation has announced annual competition the Harmony Award
• Consulting specialist Ainars Komarovskis: union of Russians and Latvians will solve economical crisis

The Society Integration Foundation has announced annual competition the Harmony Award. The award will be presented to persons for their contribution in integration of society.

The Society Integration Foundation has announced annual competition the Harmony Award. The award will be presented to persons for their contribution in integration of society. Chas

In an interview with

In an interview with Chas consulting specialist Ainars Komarovskis has stated that that representatives of Russian and Latvian organisations in Latvia should co-operate and help each other in order to solve economical crisis which affected many industries.

• Cabinet of Ministers has approved draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating criminal liability for public glorification of regime which conducted genocide

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating criminal liability for public glorification of regime which conducted genocide, public glorification or justification of persons who conducted genocide and denial of conducted genocide. The European Council’s Framework Decision on Combat of Racism and Xenophobia determines that all member states should ensure liability for such offences.

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating criminal liability for public glorification of regime which conducted genocide, public glorification or justification of persons who conducted genocide and denial of conducted genocide. The European Councils Framework Decision on Combat of Racism and Xenophobia determines that all member states should ensure liability for such offences. Chas

• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov
• 31% of Latvian residents consider that Latvia makes sufficient efforts to combat discrimination

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov. The Ambassador states that Russia granted non-citizens rights to travel to Russia without visas because Latvia delays resolution of issues regarding naturalisation of non-citizens. According to Mr. Veshnyakov, Russia does not set forth any requirements for Latvia, but it encourages Latvia to view critically issues concerning human rights, minority rights and maybe to implement suggestions from Russia regarding these issues. Mr. Veshnyakov also states that defence of Latvian language should not grow into discrimination of those who speak foreign languages.

According to the latest study by “Eurobarometer”, 31% of Latvian residents consider that Latvia makes sufficient efforts to combat discrimination. This is one of the lowest indexes among European countries. More than half of Latvian residents believe that the most widespread is discrimination on grounds of age, 36% - sexual orientation, 34% - disability, 27% - ethnic belonging, 24% gender and 10% religion or belief.

According to the latest study by Eurobarometer, 31% of Latvian residents consider that Latvia makes sufficient efforts to combat discrimination. This is one of the lowest indexes among European countries. More than half of Latvian residents believe that the most widespread is discrimination on grounds of age, 36% - sexual orientation, 34% - disability, 27% - ethnic belonging, 24% gender and 10% religion or belief. Diena

• Vesti Segodnya reports that Irish air company Ryanair forbade non-citizens to register for flights from airport Riga trough the Internet

Vesti Segodnya reports that Irish air company Ryanair forbade non-citizens to register for flights from airport Riga trough the Internet. According to the newspaper, Ryanair based such decision on the fact that non-citizens are required visas to Ireland and the United Kingdom and if they would register trough the Internet but later forbidden to enter the country the carrier would bear expenses by sending the passenger back. The Ombudsmans Office is deciding whether to launch a check-up of the case because all other air companies grant equal transportation of all passengers. According to representative of the Ombudsman, Ryanair should provide very substantial reasons for such indirect service discrimination.

• Vesti Segodnya reports about a case when a surgeon in a hospital refused to speak in Russian with an old woman
• Ministry of Justice elaborated three variations on optimisation of work of Naturalisation Board and State Language Centre

Vesti Segodnya reports about a case when a surgeon in a hospital refused to explain in Russian to an old woman what to do with her grandson who got trauma. The surgeon spoke only in Latvia despite that the women said she does not understand it. After the accident, the woman turned to the committee of medical ethics and inspector of medical care quality, however, both replied that doctors are required to speak with patients in state language while usage of foreign languages is not obligatory. Newspaper reports that there are also many other complaints from Russian speaking residents that medical personnel refuse to explain things in Russian.

The Ministry of Justice elaborated three scenarios of optimisation of work of Naturalisation Board and State Language Centre. According to the first scenario, the State Language Centre could be merged with the State Language Agency, while the Naturalisation Board could be merged with the State Language Certification Unit of the Centre for Curriculum Development and Examinations (CCDE). Second scenario stipulates merge of the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. And third scenario splits functions of the State Language Certification Unit of the CCDE between the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins considers that the first scenario is the most appropriate.

The Ministry of Justice elaborated three scenarios of optimisation of work of Naturalisation Board and State Language Centre. According to the first scenario, the State Language Centre could be merged with the State Language Agency, while the Naturalisation Board could be merged with the State Language Certification Unit of the Centre for Curriculum Development and Examinations (CCDE). Second scenario stipulates merge of the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. And third scenario splits functions of the State Language Certification Unit of the CCDE between the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins considers that the first scenario is the most appropriate. Telegraf