• State Language Centre appeals to consumers to boycott shops selling imported goods without usage instruction translated into Latvian

The State Language Centre appeals to consumers to boycott shops selling imported goods without usage instruction translated into Latvian. According to legal acts, marking, usage instruction and guarantee for imported goods should be fully translated into Latvian language.  

The State Language Centre appeals to consumers to boycott shops selling imported goods without usage instruction translated into Latvian. According to legal acts, marking, usage instruction and guarantee for imported goods should be fully translated into Latvian language. Chas

• Study Challenge for Civil Participation: number of intolerant statements made by the MPs during the Saeimas sessions during this year has decreased
• MEP Inese Vaidere: non-citizens now have more privileges than Latvian citizens

According to intermediate results of a study “Challenge for Civil Participation” held by the centre for public policy “Providus”, number of intolerant statements made by the MPs during the Saeima’s sessions during this year has decreased threefold comparing to the same period of last year. Most often intolerant statements were made towards Russian speaking residents, while, in individual cases towards ethnic Latvians, immigrants, non-citizens and NGOs.

According to intermediate results of a study Challenge for Civil Participation held by the centre for public policy Providus, number of intolerant statements made by the MPs during the Saeimas sessions during this year has decreased threefold comparing to the same period of last year. Most often intolerant statements were made towards Russian speaking residents, while, in individual cases towards ethnic Latvians, immigrants, non-citizens and NGOs. Chas

The MEP Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) has stated that Russia’s decision to cancel visa requirements for non-citizens will decrease their motivation for naturalisation. Inese Vaidere also stated that non-citizens now have more privileges than Latvian citizens.

The MEP Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) has stated that Russias decision to cancel visa requirements for non-citizens will decrease their motivation for naturalisation. Inese Vaidere also stated that non-citizens now have more privileges than Latvian citizens. Chas

• Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Russias decision to cancel visa requirements for Latvian and Estonia non-citizens entering Russia
• Coordination Council of NGOs in Latvia has adopted a public agreement on coordination of efforts of political and non-governmental organisations on overcoming long-term deficit of democracy in Latvia

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Russia’s decision to cancel visa requirements for Latvian and Estonia non-citizens entering Russia. According to a statement of the Ministry, such decision might hinder naturalisation process and establishment of integrated society in Latvia.

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Russias decision to cancel visa requirements for Latvian and Estonia non-citizens entering Russia. According to a statement of the Ministry, such decision might hinder naturalisation process and establishment of integrated society in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

The Coordination Council of NGOs in Latvia has adopted a public agreement on coordination of efforts of political and non-governmental organisations on overcoming long-term deficit of democracy in Latvia. Among the aims of the agreement is promotion of granting all non-citizens Latvian citizenship without any requirements; granting Russian language status of official language in Latvia; providing opportunity to receive education in Russian in state and municipal education establishments; and resolution of other problems regarding promotion of democracy, human rights and rights of linguistic minorities in Latvia.

The Coordination Council of NGOs in Latvia has adopted a public agreement on coordination of efforts of political and non-governmental organisations on overcoming long-term deficit of democracy in Latvia. Among the aims of the agreement is promotion of granting all non-citizens Latvian citizenship without any requirements; granting Russian language status of official language in Latvia; providing opportunity to receive education in Russian in state and municipal education establishments; and resolution of other problems regarding promotion of democracy, human rights and rights of linguistic minorities in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree cancelling visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia
• Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments
• Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia
• Radical right-wing party All for Latvia! has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia

Yesterday, the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree which cancels visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia. In an interview with

Yesterday, the President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev has signed a decree which cancels visa requirements for Latvian and Estonian non-citizens entering Russia. In an interview with Chas, the Head of the Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Andris Berzins states that such Russias decision will hinder further naturalisation rate. In the meantime, the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane believes that it will not impact naturalisation process because those non-citizens who want to become Latvian citizen will naturalise anyway. The MP Artis Pabriks also considers that this is positive decision and will not impact naturalisation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments. The ban applies to all languages except the official EU languages. The draft amendments are forwarded for final approval to the Saeima.

Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the draft amendments which forbid teaching in foreign languages in state funded higher education establishments. The ban applies to all languages except the official EU languages. The draft amendments are forwarded for final approval to the Saeima. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia. As reported, the political parties „Concord Centre” and „For Human Rights in United Latvia” consider that  Grutups’ statements in an interview with

The Security Police has refused to initiate a criminal process against famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups for his statements made about Russian residents of Latvia. As reported, the political parties „Concord Centre and „For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that Grutups statements in an interview with Latvijas Avize (on 22 May) are insulting and discriminating towards Russians therefore turned to the General Prosecutors Office asking to evaluate whether thoseare inciting to ethnic hatred. However, the Security Police considers that the statements do not constitute criminal offence. Latvijas Avize

The radical right-wing party “All for Latvia!” has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia. “All for Latvia!” considers that education in all state funded schools starting from first grade should be only in Latvian language.

The radical right-wing party All for Latvia! has started collecting signatures on the internet in support of toughening language policy in Latvia. All for Latvia! considers that education in all state funded schools starting from first grade should be only in Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya

• Today, the government is planning to review the revised draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments stipulating restrictions in use of foreign languages in teaching process

Vesti Segodnya reports that today, the government is planning to review the revised draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education Establishments stipulating restrictions in use of foreign languages in teaching process. According to the revised draft amendments, private higher education establishments which do not receive state funding are not forbidden to teach in foreign languages. However, teaching in state higher education establishments should be only in state language or in one of the official EU languages. Thus, such amendments practically forbid teaching in Russian language in state higher education establishments.