• Hospital requested a pregnant women asylum seeker to provide a letter of warranty that she will pay for puerperal help
• Two right wing politicians criticize the fact that ice hockey players of the club Rigas Dinamo wore playsuits with players names written in Russian
• State Border Guard Service detained three Latvian citizens for illegal transportation of foreign citizens over Latvian border
• Monitoring: ethnic non-Latvians and non-citizens are the groups most often targeted by exclusionary rhetoric of MPs
• Senate of the Supreme Court submitted an application to the Constitutional Court requesting abolition of time limitation for registration of Latvian citizens living abroad

NRA reports about a case when a pregnant woman - asylum seeker - one month before the delivery was asked by a hospital to provide a letter of warranty that she will pay for puerperal help or the hospital will not accept her. Thanks to involvement of an NGO Shelter Save Home the hospital employees were informed that free puerperal help should be granted to the asylum seekers as well as first aid.

Two right wing politicians Girts Valdis Kristovskis (Civic Union) and Dzintras Abikis (FF/LNIM) criticize the fact that ice hockey players of the club Riga’s “Dinamo” wore playsuits with their names written in Russian while playing a friendly match. Mr. Abikis stated: “I could not watch the game because I was shocked that 20 years after restoration of Latvian independence names of sportsmen in Riga are written in Russian language.” Mr. Kristovkis stated that this way, the management of “Dinamo” has insulted Latvian residents. In response, the management of Riga’s “Dinamo” explained that the players wore the same T-shorts which they usually wear when playing in Russia’s Continental Hockey League and this time, these T-shirts helped to distinguish players of “Dinamo” from the opposing team. 

Two right wing politicians Girts Valdis Kristovskis (Civic Union) and Dzintras Abikis (FF/LNIM) criticize the fact that ice hockey players of the club Rigas Dinamo wore playsuits with their names written in Russian while playing a friendly match. Mr. Abikis stated: I could not watch the game because I was shocked that 20 years after restoration of Latvian independence names of sportsmen in Riga are written in Russian language. Mr. Kristovkis stated that this way, the management of Dinamo has insulted Latvian residents. In response, the management of Rigas Dinamo explained that the players wore the same T-shorts which they usually wear when playing in Russias Continental Hockey League and this time, these T-shirts helped to distinguish players of Dinamo from the opposing team. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The State Border Guard Service detained three Latvian citizens for illegal transportation of foreign citizens over Latvian border. The persons were detained when transporting two Pakistanis and two Bangladeshis to the border. The foreigners were placed in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants.

The State Border Guard Service detained three Latvian citizens for illegal transportation of foreign citizens over Latvian border. The persons were detained when transporting two Pakistanis and two Bangladeshis to the border. The foreigners were placed in the Olaine camp for illegal immigrants. Vesti Segodnya

According to the monitoring of speeches of MPs conducted by the Centre for Public Policy “Providus”, ethnic non-Latvians and non-citizens are the groups most often targeted by exclusionary rhetoric of MPs. The speeches by deputies of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia are the most inclusive and include wide range of groups such as minorities, while speeches of deputies of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM are the most exclusionary.

According to the monitoring of speeches of MPs conducted by the Centre for Public Policy Providus, ethnic non-Latvians and non-citizens are the groups most often targeted by exclusionary rhetoric of MPs. The speeches by deputies of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia are the most inclusive and include wide range of groups such as minorities, while speeches of deputies of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM are the most exclusionary. Latvijas Avize

The Senate of the Supreme Court decided to submit application to the Constitutional Court of Latvia requesting abolition of time limitation for registration of Latvian citizenship of descendants of Latvian citizens living abroad and willing to keep double citizenship. Legislation currently in force envisages that those Latvian citizens who left Latvia as refugees or were deported during Soviet times and their descendants can register as Latvian citizens. Those who registered before the deadline of 1 July 1995 were allowed to keep their present (foreign) citizenship, while those who register after the deadline have to denounce their citizenship of a foreign country. The Senate of the Supreme Court took the decision because of a court case of a Latvian family which emigrated from Latvia during the Soviet times and currently holds both German and Latvian citizenship, yet have to struggle to secure the right to Latvian citizenship to their child.

The Senate of the Supreme Court decided to submit application to the Constitutional Court of Latvia requesting abolition of time limitation for registration of Latvian citizenship of descendants of Latvian citizens living abroad and willing to keep double citizenship. Legislation currently in force envisages that those Latvian citizens who left Latvia as refugees or were deported during Soviet times and their descendants can register as Latvian citizens. Those who registered before the deadline of 1 July 1995 were allowed to keep their present (foreign) citizenship, while those who register after the deadline have to denounce their citizenship of a foreign country. The Senate of the Supreme Court took the decision because of a court case of a Latvian family which emigrated from Latvia during the Soviet times and currently holds both German and Latvian citizenship, yet have to struggle to secure the right to Latvian citizenship to their child. Latvijas Avize

• Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Cyril stated that Russians leaving abroad should preserve their identity and resist assimilation
• Most popular party in August - the Concord Centre

The Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Cyril stated that Russians leaving abroad should resist assimilation, and preserve their identity and maintain their culture, language and beliefs. The Patriarch believes that people of Russians culture should integrate in their host societies and should not feel estranged.

The Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Cyril stated that Russians leaving abroad should resist assimilation, and preserve their identity and maintain their culture, language and beliefs. The Patriarch believes that people of Russians culture should integrate in their host societies and should not feel estranged. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

According to the latest public opinion survey held by “Latvijas Fakti”, the most popular party in Latvia in August is the Concord Centre – 14,7% of residents support it. The New Era and the Civil Union is supported by 7,2% and 5% accordingly. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of respondents. 25,5% of respondents are sceptical about political processes and do not support any party, while 28% do not know whom to support.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by Latvijas Fakti, the most popular party in Latvia in August is the Concord Centre – 14,7% of residents support it. The New Era and the Civil Union is supported by 7,2% and 5% accordingly. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of respondents. 25,5% of respondents are sceptical about political processes and do not support any party, while 28% do not know whom to support. Diena

• For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Concord Centre are elaborating the draft law on granting status of the WWII participants to Soviet Army veterans

The Saeima’s factions For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Concord Centre are elaborating the draft law on granting status of the WWII participants to those Latvian veterans who served in the Red Army. Presently, such status and benefits from it are granted only to members of national resistance movement, including Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires.

The Saeimas factions For Human Rights in United Latvia and the Concord Centre are elaborating the draft law on granting status of the WWII participants to those Latvian veterans who served in the Red Army. Presently, such status and benefits from it are granted only to members of national resistance movement, including Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires. Chas

• Eriks Baranovskis - new head of the Naturalisation Board
• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers held a meeting with two veterans of Latvian Rifleman Corps, which during the WWII fought against the Nazis

Yesterday, the government approved new head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eriks Baranovskis. Previously, Mr. Baranovskis worked as substitute of the ex-head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane.

Yesterday, the government approved new head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eriks Baranovskis. Previously, Mr. Baranovskis worked as substitute of the ex-head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane. Vesti Segodnya

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers held a meeting with two veterans of 130th Latvian Rifleman Corps, which during the WWII fought in the Red Army against the Nazis. One of the veterans complained to the President about lack of help to the Red Army  veterans from state institutions and the fact that they are not granted the status of participants of WWII which envisages benefits for them. This was the first meeting of Latvian President with Red Army veterans despite the fact that there were number of meetings with veterans who fought against the Red Army.

The President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers held a meeting with two veterans of 130th Latvian Rifleman Corps, which during the WWII fought in the Red Army against the Nazis. One of the veterans complained to the President about lack of help to the Red Army veterans from state institutions and the fact that they are not granted the status of participants of WWII which envisages benefits for them. This was the first meeting of Latvian President with Red Army veterans despite the fact that there were number of meetings with veterans who fought against the Red Army. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM did not support double citizenship
• New Era, Civic Union and Society for Other Politics established political union
• Rigas synagogue opens after renovation
  

The Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM at the coalition council’s meeting did not support the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law which stipulated granting Latvian citizenship automatically to children born abroad to a Latvian citizen and a foreign citizen.

The Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM at the coalition councils meeting did not support the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law which stipulated granting Latvian citizenship automatically to children born abroad to a Latvian citizen and a foreign citizen. Vesti Segodnya

Three right wing parties – New Era, Civic Union and Society for Other Politics – established political union yesterday. According to

Three right wing parties – New Era, Civic Union and Society for Other Politics – established political union yesterday. According to Vesti Segodnya the main reason for establishment of such union is opposition to the growth of influence of Russian speaking parties.

Newspapers report that the only synagogue in Riga opens today after renovation. The Jewish Community of Latvia also plans to restore Jewish school in Riga and synagogue in Jurmala.

Newspapers report that the only synagogue in Riga opens today after renovation. The Jewish Community of Latvia also plans to restore Jewish school in Riga and synagogue in Jurmala. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, NRA