• Jekabpils Roma national association Satra is planning to sue two NGOs for insult of honor and dignity, libel and discrimination
• Minister of Economics: Latvia and Russia are not planning to sign a social agreement concerning non-citizens` length of service

Jekabpils  (a town in the Eastern part of Latvia) Roma national association “Satra” is planning to sue the NGO “Dziparins” and the society “JKNams” distributing free-of-charge bread to low-income people in Jekabpils district for insult of dignity and honor as well as for libel and discrimination. The head of “Satra” Laila Leiskina has stated that the NGOs have refused to give bread to Roma people in Jekabpils allegedly because Romani children were kicking a loaf of bread with their feet. However, according to Laila Leiskina, “Satra`s” representatives have found witnesses stating that non-Romani children kicked a loaf of bread. The Roma association believes that all Roma people have suffered from “Dziparins”`s and “JKNams”s action.

Jekabpils (a town in the Eastern part of Latvia) Roma national association Satra is planning to sue the NGO Dziparins and the society JKNams distributing free-of-charge bread to low-income people in Jekabpils district for insult of dignity and honor as well as for libel and discrimination. The head of Satra Laila Leiskina has stated that the NGOs have refused to give bread to Roma people in Jekabpils allegedly because Romani children were kicking a loaf of bread with their feet. However, according to Laila Leiskina, Satra`s representatives have found witnesses stating that non-Romani children kicked a loaf of bread. The Roma association believes that all Roma people have suffered from Dziparins`s and JKNamss action. NRA

According to the Minister of Economics Aigars Stokenbergs, Latvia and Russia are not planning to sign a social agreement which would stipulate that working time spent by non-citizens

According to the Minister of Economics Aigars Stokenbergs, Latvia and Russia are not planning to sign a social agreement which would stipulate that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period will be included in the total number of working years. According to Latvian legislation, the length of service of non-citizens retired after 1 January 1996 includes only time period spent on Latvian territory. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

• Latvijas Avize interviews the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration on national integration policy

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone on national integration policy. Karina Petersone believes that the estrangement caused by poverty, poor education and inability to compete is the main problem in Latvian society. Karina Petersone has stated that the aim of Latvian integration policy is to create conditions for persons, who are not Latvians or who cannot participate in the society because of disability or other reasons, could realize themselves as much as possible. The Minister has also pointed to two extremities regarding integration policy: attempts to force and to hinder integration. We have to find a model which would be acceptable for all the residents, said Karina Petersone.

• Union of National Forces asks government to expel seven Somalians from Latvia
• Article by the MP Jakovs Pliners on national migration policy

Radical organisation the Union of National Forces (NSS in its Latvian acronym) has published an open letter addressed to the government with an appeal to expel seven Somalian persons from Latvia. The leader of NSS Viktors Birze has stated that the presence of refugees in Latvia contradicts national interests and “is a serious danger for the state security.” The NSS also believes that the influx of immigrants promotes terrorism and crimes. As reported, seven Somalians arrived in Latvia in August 2005 have been granted the alternative status last week.

Radical organisation the Union of National Forces (NSS in its Latvian acronym) has published an open letter addressed to the government with an appeal to expel seven Somalian persons from Latvia. The leader of NSS Viktors Birze has stated that the presence of refugees in Latvia contradicts national interests and is a serious danger for the state security. The NSS also believes that the influx of immigrants promotes terrorism and crimes. As reported, seven Somalians arrived in Latvia in August 2005 have been granted the alternative status last week. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an article by the MP Jakovs Pliners (FHRUL) on the national migration policy. Jakovs Pliners has stated that a comparatively low level of social and economic development and a strict migration policy prevent mass immigration in Latvia. According to Jakovs Pliners, Latvia will have to change its migration policy in five years. He also believes that Latvian economy will not be able to function without guest workers in 10-15 years.

• 111, 953 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship since the beginning of naturalisation

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 111, 953 persons, including 12, 747 underage persons, have been granted Latvian citizenship since the beginning of naturalisation process started in 1995.

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 111, 953 persons, including 12, 747 underage persons, have been granted Latvian citizenship since the beginning of naturalisation process started in 1995. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

• Chas features an article by Boriss Cilevics on the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities
• Roma people in Sabile criticize the national Roma integration program
• Sestdiena features an article on Somalians arrived to Latvia

Chas features an article by the Chairperson of the PACEs (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities and a MP Boriss Cilevics on the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities in European countries. Boriss Cilevics has referred to the statements of various experts pointing to the improvement of minorities situation in countries which ratified the convention. However, Boriss Cilevics has noted that there is no evaluation of Latvian situation since Latvia has to submit its first report on the implementation to the Advisory Committee until 1 October 2006.

NRA held a public reading of the national integration program Roma in Latvia 2007-2009 in Sabile (a small town in the Western part of Latvia). However, the local Roma community criticized the aims and the expenses of the program. The representatives of Roma people in Sabile believed that funding allocated for the integration program should be granted directly to the Roma people: because we know better how to distribute it for our needs, stated one of the Romani men. NRA

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Sestdiena features an article about seven Somalians who arrived to Latvia in August 2005 and were granted the alternative status last week. According to the poll conducted by the magazine, on the question should Latvia receive immigrants from Africa for the improvement of demographic situation? 66 % of respondents replied in no case and 24 % replied perhaps, if there will be selection of labour force