• Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutors Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred
• MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka: Saeima and the European Union are not ready to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections

The Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred. The person published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.)

The Security Police forwarded to the Prosecutors Office materials of a criminal case against a person suspected in incitement of ethnic hatred. The person published insulting statements towards activists of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front commenting their pictures placed in the Internet on which they lay flowers with crape beneath the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders during celebrations of 9 May (Victory Day.) Vesti Segodnya

According to the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka (FHRUL), there are two options how Latvian non-citizens could be granted voting rights in municipal elections- first, adoption of such decision by Latvian government; second, adoption of relevant norm in the EU. However, Mrs. Zdanoka considers that the Saeima and the European Union are not ready yet for such decision.

According to the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka (FHRUL), there are two options how Latvian non-citizens could be granted voting rights in municipal elections- first, adoption of such decision by Latvian government; second, adoption of relevant norm in the EU. However, Mrs. Zdanoka considers that the Saeima and the European Union are not ready yet for such decision. Telegraf

• Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmans Office quits work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis
• MP Jurijs Sokolovskis: Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues important for Russian residents

The Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsman’s Office Kristine Dupate decided to quit work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. Mrs. Dupate considers that Romans Apsitis is too passive and does not understand the role of the Ombudsman. As reported, recently, 26 employees of the Ombudsman Office demanded resignation of Mr. Apsitis arguing that he is not competent in human rights issues and his decisions are not independent.

The Head of Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmans Office Kristine Dupate decided to quit work due to conflict with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. Mrs. Dupate considers that Romans Apsitis is too passive and does not understand the role of the Ombudsman. As reported, recently, 26 employees of the Ombudsman Office demanded resignation of Mr. Apsitis arguing that he is not competent in human rights issues and his decisions are not independent. Vesti Segodnya

According to the MP Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL), Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues such as Russian language, education and citizenship until problems with these issues are solved. Mr. Sokolovskis believes that opposition is like a lawyer for residents ignored by authorities.

According to the MP Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL), Russian speaking opposition in the Saeima will continue active work on issues such as Russian language, education and citizenship until problems with these issues are solved. Mr. Sokolovskis believes that opposition is like a lawyer for residents ignored by authorities. Chas

• Ombudsman Office appealed to the owners of Rigas night clubs calling them to treat all clients equally and to prevent any kind of discrimination
• Riga City Council adopted a decision to close 16 schools – 11 of those with Russian language of instructions
• Lawyer Andris Grutups: contest New Wave damages Latvias image
• Cabinet of Ministers set state language proficiency level for the Saeimas and municipal deputies

The Ombudsman Office appealed to the owners of Rigas night clubs calling them to treat all clients equally and to prevent any kind of discrimination. Such appeal was sent as response to a number of complaints on discrimination of foreign tourists in night clubs. According to complaints, night clubs charge higher entrance fee from foreigners as from locals, while some night clubs do not allow entrance of some persons because of their racial or ethnic belonging. Telegraf, NRA

Yesterday, the Riga City Council adopted a decision to close 16 schools during the next three years due to insufficient state funding. 10 schools will be merged with other schools by 1 September 2009. 9 of those are with Russian language of instructions. According to the Mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs, such disproportion between Latvian and Russian language schools is caused by lesser number of students in Russian language schools. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with famous Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups. According to Mr. Grutups, international contest of young pop singers New Wave (yearly held in Jurmala by Russian organisers) damages Latvias image because it might create an impression that Latvia is a part of Russia where everyone speaks and uses Russian language. Mr. Grutups also considers that Russia uses the contest to hinder integration process in Latvia.

According to the head of the Language Control Department of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis, the Cabinet of Ministers accepted rules on required state language proficiency level for state officials and representatives of various professions. The rules stipulate that the Saeimas deputies and deputies of municipal councils must have highest language proficiency level. Up to now, the deputies were not obliged to have any specific state language proficiency level. The rules will come into force with 1 September 2009. Mr. Kursitis states that the language inspection received complaints on municipal deputies for their poor state language skills and after 1 September these complaints will be verified. The new rules also stipulate that the board members in private enterprises must have highest state language proficiency level. Latvijas Avize

• Survey: 17,6% of Latvians are frightened by statement Russians are coming

According to an survey held by a news portal www.diena.lv, 17,6% of respondents are frightened by statement “Russians are coming.” Respondents are more frightened only by growth of joblessness (28.8%) and hardship to pay credits (18,8%).

According to an survey held by a news portal www.diena.lv, 17,6% of respondents are frightened by statement Russians are coming. Respondents are more frightened only by growth of joblessness (28.8%) and hardship to pay credits (18,8%). Telegraf

• Estonian border guards did not allow the leader of Latvian National Bolsheviks Vladimirs Lindermans to enter Estonia

Telegraf reports that the Estonian border guards did not allow the leader of Latvian National Bolsheviks Vladimirs Lindermans to enter Estonia when he was travelling to Latvia from Finland. Estonian border guards argued that Mr. Linderman is included in the black list.