• Seven Somalians were granted the alternative status
• School textbook contains alleged anti-Semitic drawing
• Collection of materials Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Latvia – Past, Actual Situation, Solutions published
• Norms aimed at easing approval of job permits to foreigners under development
• Chas: policy of right-wing politicians is aimed against the Russian community of Latvia

Yesterday, the Refugee Affairs Appeal Council granted the seven Somalians the alternative status. The alternative status means that the Somalians are issued documents, which give them right to work and study in Latvia. However, the status does not entitle neither to place of residence or any social security. As reported, the seven Somalians arrived in Latvia in August 2005.

Yesterday, the Refugee Affairs Appeal Council granted the seven Somalians the alternative status. The alternative status means that the Somalians are issued documents, which give them right to work and study in Latvia. However, the status does not entitle neither to place of residence or any social security. As reported, the seven Somalians arrived in Latvia in August 2005. Diena, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA, Latvijas Vestnesis

Vesti Segodnya reports about an alleged manifestation of anti-Semitism in a school textbook. In particular, a biology textbook for 9th grade students (published in 2003) contains a drawing of a naked man that illustrates parts of a human body. The man is naked, with a kipa on his head. The executive director of the Riga Jewish Community Gita Ulmanovska stated that the drawing clearly indicates which group the man belongs and noted that the Jewish traditions prohibit depiction of a naked person. The Ministry of Education has not provided any response to or explanation about the illustration.

The Latvian Bible Society in cooperation with the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration published a collection of materials “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Latvia – Past, Actual Situation, Solutions.” The collection of publications includes materials about  Islamophobia and anti-Semitism; tolerance in Latvian society; Islam and tolerance; and tolerance in Judaism.

The Latvian Bible Society in cooperation with the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration published a collection of materials Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Latvia – Past, Actual Situation, Solutions. The collection of publications includes materials about Islamophobia and anti-Semitism; tolerance in Latvian society; Islam and tolerance; and tolerance in Judaism. Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Welfare is drafting legal norms, which will ease approval and issuance of job permits to foreigners. According to the suggested procedure entry of foreigners’ family members in Latvia will be easier as well. 

The Ministry of Welfare is drafting legal norms, which will ease approval and issuance of job permits to foreigners. According to the suggested procedure entry of foreigners family members in Latvia will be easier as well. Chas

Chas features an article about the attitude of right-wing politicians towards non-Latvians by the columnist of Chas. He considers that the policy of right-wing politicians is aimed against the Russian community of Latvia: its main aim is formation of two-community and two-stratum society where one group has lower social status.

• Organisation which distributes free bread to low-income people refuses to give bread to Roma people in Jekabpils

An organisation “Dziparins” which distributes bread free-of-charge to low-income people refused to give bread to Roma people in Jekabpils (town in the Eastern part of Latvia), allegedly after a Romani man kicked a loaf of bread with his foot. A representative of the National Human Rights Office stated that this incident could be viewed as discrimination, because a whole ethnic group cannot be made to answer for one individual’s action.

An organisation Dziparins which distributes bread free-of-charge to low-income people refused to give bread to Roma people in Jekabpils (town in the Eastern part of Latvia), allegedly after a Romani man kicked a loaf of bread with his foot. A representative of the National Human Rights Office stated that this incident could be viewed as discrimination, because a whole ethnic group cannot be made to answer for one individuals action. Diena

• Seven Somalians have been repeatedly granted the status of asylum seekers
• Article about an exhibition Latvian Minorities in History and Today

On Tuesday, seven Somalians who on 7 July lost their rights to stay in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants and were released without any identification documents, were repeatedly granted the status of asylum seekers. Now the seven Somalians who  arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessful in trying to acquire the refugee status in Latvia are placed in the refugee camp  “Mucenieki” and are issued asylum seekers’ documents. The Refugee Affairs Appeal Council has to review the decision to refuse the refugee status to the seven Somalians until 21 July. If the Council does not grant the refugee status to the Somalians they would lose rights to stay at Mucinieki.

On Tuesday, seven Somalians who on 7 July lost their rights to stay in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants and were released without any identification documents, were repeatedly granted the status of asylum seekers. Now the seven Somalians who arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessful in trying to acquire the refugee status in Latvia are placed in the refugee camp Mucenieki and are issued asylum seekers documents. The Refugee Affairs Appeal Council has to review the decision to refuse the refugee status to the seven Somalians until 21 July. If the Council does not grant the refugee status to the Somalians they would lose rights to stay at Mucinieki. Diena, NRA

Chas features an article about an exhibition Latvian Minorities in History and Today held in the premises of the European Parliament.

• Seven Somalians provided a temporary shelter in a children care house
• Pharmacy manufacturers started to provide translation of labels of medical products into Russian

Seven Somalians who were released from the Olaine Camp for illegal immigrants on Friday were offered a temporary shelter in a children care house. As reported, the Somalians were released from the Camp on Friday without providing any other place to stay, identification documents, and means of subsistence. The seven Somalians – including 3 minors - arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessfully going through asylum seeker procedures.

Seven Somalians who were released from the Olaine Camp for illegal immigrants on Friday were offered a temporary shelter in a children care house. As reported, the Somalians were released from the Camp on Friday without providing any other place to stay, identification documents, and means of subsistence. The seven Somalians – including 3 minors - arrived in Latvia in August 2005 and since then have been unsuccessfully going through asylum seeker procedures. Diena

About 20 pharmacy manufacturers have responded to the appeal of the political party “The Concord Centre” to provide labelling of medical products sold in Latvia also in Russian. The member of the party, MP Vitalijs Orlovs in an interview with

About 20 pharmacy manufacturers have responded to the appeal of the political party The Concord Centre to provide labelling of medical products sold in Latvia also in Russian. The member of the party, MP Vitalijs Orlovs in an interview with Telegraf stated that that translation of labels of medical products would promote access to information and security of patients. Telegraf

• All for Latvia! adopted its pre-election campaign
• Exhibition History and Today of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia

On Saturday, the radical right-wing political party “All for Latvia!” held a party’s conference. The main aim of the conference was discussion and adoption of its pre-election campaign. The pre-election campaign indicates the following party’s priorities: granting Latvian citizenship only to loyal towards the state persons; depriving citizenship for disrespectful attitude towards the state; ensuring that all national educational institutions provide education only in Latvian.

On Saturday, the radical right-wing political party All for Latvia! held a partys conference. The main aim of the conference was discussion and adoption of its pre-election campaign. The pre-election campaign indicates the following partys priorities: granting Latvian citizenship only to loyal towards the state persons; depriving citizenship for disrespectful attitude towards the state; ensuring that all national educational institutions provide education only in Latvian. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Latvian MEP Rihards Piks will open an exhibition “History and Today of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia” in the premises of the European Parliament tomorrow. Rihards Piks stated that the exhibition will show that minorities in Latvia live in the democratic and tolerant state where various ethnic and religious groups respect the statehood of Latvia and ensure development of the state.

Latvian MEP Rihards Piks will open an exhibition History and Today of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia in the premises of the European Parliament tomorrow. Rihards Piks stated that the exhibition will show that minorities in Latvia live in the democratic and tolerant state where various ethnic and religious groups respect the statehood of Latvia and ensure development of the state. Chas