• Illegal under age migrants will probably be granted the right to education in Latvia
• MP Igors Pimenovs proposes to cancel obligatory state language proportion 40/60 in secondary schools
• Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will not bring apologies for mentioning only ethnic Latvian people during his speech on the occasion of the Independence Day
• Book Latvian Jews and Soviet Power 1928-1953 published

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Education, Culture and Science Committee supported amendment proposal to the Education Law envisaging to grant the right to education in the country to those persons without citizenship, refugees, persons with alternative status and under age residents of non-EU countries who do not have legal right to stay in Latvia. The draft amendments stipulate that “illegals” have right to study in Latvia while they await for decision on deportation.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Education, Culture and Science Committee supported amendment proposal to the Education Law envisaging to grant the right to education in the country to those persons without citizenship, refugees, persons with alternative status and under age residents of non-EU countries who do not have legal right to stay in Latvia. The draft amendments stipulate that illegals have right to study in Latvia while they await for decision on deportation. Vesti Segodnya

The MP Igors Pimenovs (the Concord Centre) and activist of the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction proposes to cancel obligatory state language proportion 40/60 in secondary schools. The MP considers that the proposal corresponds to recommendations of experts and international norms including the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. The proposal to the Education law will be reviewed by the Education, Culture and Science Committee.

The MP Igors Pimenovs (the Concord Centre) and activist of the Latvian Association for Support of Schools with Russian Language of Instruction proposes to cancel obligatory state language proportion 40/60 in secondary schools. The MP considers that the proposal corresponds to recommendations of experts and international norms including the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. The proposal to the Education law will be reviewed by the Education, Culture and Science Committee. Vesti Segodnya

The Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will not bring apologies for mentioning only “ethnic Latvian people” during his speech on the occasion of the Independence Day of Latvia on 18 November.  Reproach for such statement was made by the MP Janis Urbanovics who considered that such statement excludes ethnic non-Latvians.  Mr. Dombrovskis replying to the reproach stated that ethnic Latvians are primary nation of the country and ethnic non-Latvians who fill their belonging to the state will never be offended by mentioning of ethnic Latvians in the ceremonial speech.

The Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis will not bring apologies for mentioning only ethnic Latvian people during his speech on the occasion of the Independence Day of Latvia on 18 November. Reproach for such statement was made by the MP Janis Urbanovics who considered that such statement excludes ethnic non-Latvians. Mr. Dombrovskis replying to the reproach stated that ethnic Latvians are primary nation of the country and ethnic non-Latvians who fill their belonging to the state will never be offended by mentioning of ethnic Latvians in the ceremonial speech. Latvijas Avize

NRA reports about a new book Latvian Jews and Soviet Power 1928-1953 edited by the Centre of Yudaika of the University of Latvia.

• Telegraf: number of Muslims in Latvia is growing
• Concord Centre concluded an agreement on co-operation with Russias governing party United Russia

Telegraf prints an article about Muslims in Latvia. According to the article, number of Muslims in Latvia is growing. Presently, there are 12 Muslim associations in Latvia and about 5,000 - 10,000 Muslims living in Latvia. According to Latvian Imam Mamud, Islam has negative image in society due to large amount of negative information in media and lack of knowledge among general public about the religion. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris considers the majority of Latvian Muslims are representatives of traditionally Muslim peoples of the former Soviet Union. Mrs. Brands Kehris also considers that problems and discrimination in Latvia are mostly facing Muslims who came from Asian, African and West European countries, while the main problem for the whole Muslim community in Latvia is absence of Mosque.

The Concord Centre concluded an agreement on co-operation with Russia’s governing party United Russia. According to representatives of the Concord Centre both parties share many positions and opinions. Social scientist Aigras Freimanis considers that such agreement might hinder co-operation of ethnic Latvian parties with the Concord Centre.

The Concord Centre concluded an agreement on co-operation with Russias governing party United Russia. According to representatives of the Concord Centre both parties share many positions and opinions. Social scientist Aigras Freimanis considers that such agreement might hinder co-operation of ethnic Latvian parties with the Concord Centre. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

• Latvian Russians are our Russians

Vice mayor of Riga Ainars Slesers stated that “Latvian Russians are our Russians. We are united and that is clearly visible and we have the same goals. Everyone is glad that we do not share the radicalism of the previous years and that we do not have such problems as with bronze “Alyosha” in Estonia”. Slesers admitted that this “national dynamics” has been positively received in Russia and he also pointed out that after his recent visit to Russia many Russians expressed their will to receive residence permit in Latvia. Slesers stated that his political party is suggesting that a residence permit could be granted to those international investors who invest in real estate more than 100 000 LVL (around 140 000 EUR).

Vice mayor of Riga Ainars Slesers stated that Latvian Russians are our Russians. We are united and that is clearly visible and we have the same goals. Everyone is glad that we do not share the radicalism of the previous years and that we do nothave such problems as with bronze Alyosha in Estonia. Slesers admitted that this national dynamics has been positively received in Russia and he also pointed out that after his recent visit to Russia many Russians expressed their will to receive residence permit in Latvia. Slesers stated that his political party is suggesting that a residence permit could be granted to those international investors who invest in real estate more than 100000 LVL (around 140000 EUR). Chas, Vesty Segodnya

• State Language Centre fines Member of the Liepaja City Council

The State Language Centre fined with 35 LVL (49 EUR) a member of the Liepaja City Council Valerijs Kravcovs (Concord Centre). Mr. Kravcovs paid the fine but also filed all documents to the lawyer to clarify some legal points. The State Language Centre has already fined four members of the local elected bodies and is presently testing local councils in Jurmala, Riga and Jekabpils.

The State Language Centre fined with 35 LVL (49 EUR) a member of the Liepaja City Council Valerijs Kravcovs (Concord Centre). Mr. Kravcovs paid the fine but also filed all documents to the lawyer to clarify some legal points. The State Language Centre has already fined four members of the local elected bodies and is presently testing local councils in Jurmala, Riga and Jekabpils. Latvijas Avize

• For Diversity, Against Discrimination Journalist Award 2009
• Annual Independence Day address to the nation

Yesterday, journalist from

Yesterday, journalist from Neatkariga Rita Avize Latvijai (NRA) Edgars Gertners received national award in the European Commissions Journalist Award 2009. He submitted his publication in the magazine Mes How is to be different? where he focuses on relations between people from different ethnic backgrounds. This month European jury will choose the European winner. NRA

Chair of the Concord centre faction Janis Urbanovics expressed his concerns to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers that the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis in his annual Independence Day address to the nation has congratulated only ethnic Latvians but not all people living in Latvia. Janis Urbanivics demands Valdis Dombrovskis to apologies to the people living in Latvia.

Chair of the Concord centre faction Janis Urbanovics expressed his concerns to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers that the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis in his annual Independence Day address to the nation has congratulated only ethnic Latvians but not all people living in Latvia. Janis Urbanivics demands Valdis Dombrovskis to apologies to the people living in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Chas