• Members of the Association of Russian Culture, Education and Science ARKONA have sent an open letter to the Latvian and Russian Ministers of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and Sergey Lavrov regarding education reform in minority schools
• General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle: Latvia should attract foreign specialists urgently
• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with one of the eldest lawyers in Latvia Alebrts Paze about a book Scaffold

Members of the Association of Russian Culture, Education and Science “ARKONA” have sent an open letter to the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov (who is planning an official visit to Latvia next week) with an appeal to hold highly professional international monitoring on results of education reform in minority schools (launched in 2004). The members of “ARKONA” also consider that Latvian legal acts should stipulate that teaching mathematics in schools with Russian as language of instruction should take place only in Russian.

Members of the Association of Russian Culture, Education and Science ARKONA have sent an open letter to the Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov (who is planning an official visit to Latvia next week) with an appeal to hold highly professional international monitoring on results of education reform in minority schools (launched in 2004). The members of ARKONA also consider that Latvian legal acts should stipulate that teaching mathematics in schools with Russian as language of instruction should take place only in Russian. Chas

At a session of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee, the General Director of the Employer’s Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle stated that 4,000 guest workers have arrived in Latvia which is 27, 5 times less than persons who have emigrated from Latvia to other countries. Mrs. Egle believes that Latvia should urgently attract foreign specialists because to wait that Latvians will return back to Latvia is an illusion.

At a session of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee, the General Director of the Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle stated that 4,000 guest workers have arrived in Latvia which is 27, 5 times less than persons who have emigrated from Latvia to other countries. Mrs. Egle believes that Latvia should urgently attract foreign specialists because to wait that Latvians will return back to Latvia is an illusion. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with one of the eldest lawyers in Latvia Alberts Paze about the book Scaffold written by a well-known Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups. The book narrates about court proceedings against five ex-Nazi generals charged with war crimes in Latvia in 1946. The author criticizes the court proceedings and justifies the defendants. Alberts Paze believes that the book is anti-Semitic because it reflects hatred towards people of Jewish background and towards Russians. Mr. Paze also considers that the book is written with prejudice and cannot be considered documentary work.

• European Parliament supports an initiative of the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka concerning diplomatic and consular protection of the EU residents in non-EU countries
• U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey: integration of ethnic groups into Latvian society is very important for American government
• The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens blames Latvian mass media for creation of negative stereotypes towards Roma
• Telegraf: about 400 Roma wanted to revenge independently the attackers on two Roma girls

The European Parliament (EP) has supported an initiative of the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka concerning diplomatic and consular protection of the EU residents in non-EU countries. Presently, only citizens of the EU are able to request help in the diplomatic representation of any other EU country if representation of his/her own country is not available. The EP agreed that consular protection should be extended also to family members of the EU citizens, refugees and stateless persons who permanently reside in the EU, as well as to Latvian non-citizens. Further the proposal must be supported and adopted by the European Commission.

The European Parliament (EP) has supported an initiative of the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka concerning diplomatic and consular protection of the EU residents in non-EU countries. Presently, only citizens of the EU are able to request help in the diplomatic representation of any other EU country if representation of his/her own country is not available. The EP agreed that consular protection should be extended also to family members of the EU citizens, refugees and stateless persons who permanently reside in the EU, as well as to Latvian non-citizens. Further the proposal must be supported and adopted by the European Commission. Chas

Vesti Segodnya prints interview with the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey. According to the Ambassador, integration of ethnic groups into Latvian society is very important for American government. Mrs. Todd Bailey considers that Russian speaking minorities in Latvia should not feel alienated from the state and society.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens blames Latvian mass media for creation of negative stereotypes towards Roma. Particularly, the Minister criticizes an informative TV program on extraordinary and criminal chronicles which has shown a news story about a criminal case where Roma people were involved. The authors of the news story have advised the TV viewers to avoid contact with Roma who have hypnotic abilities.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens blames Latvian mass media for creation of negative stereotypes towards Roma. Particularly, the Minister criticizes an informative TV program on extraordinary and criminal chronicles which has shown a news story about a criminal case where Roma people were involved. The authors of the news story have advised the TV viewers to avoid contact with Roma who have hypnotic abilities. Telegraf

Telegraf reports that after an attack on two young Roma girls, about 400 Roma wanted to revenge the attackers independently because they did not believe that police can help in this case. Yet, the Roma decided not to revenge the attackers, because, according to the head of a Roma NGO Normunds Rudevics, such problems in democratic society must be solved in legal way. As reported, two 13-year-old girls were attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga in October.

• Leader of the Latvian Youth Party Janis Kuzins proposes to exempt non-citizens from income taxation
• Political scientist Juris Rozenvalds: Latvian parties miss out a chance to consolidate the society
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners about the work of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens: liquidation of the Secretariat would be an indication that Latvian politicians are not interested in societys integration
• Chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia Peteris Krigers has stated that influx of cheap labour force to Latvia should not be allowed

The leader of the Latvian Youth Party Janis Kuzins has appealed to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, the Saeima and government with a proposal to exempt non-citizens from income taxation. Janis Kuzins believes that non-citizens should not pay income tax because they are denied political rights.

The leader of the Latvian Youth Party Janis Kuzins has appealed to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, the Saeima and government with a proposal to exempt non-citizens from income taxation. Janis Kuzins believes that non-citizens should not pay income tax because they are denied political rights. Chas

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, political scientist Juris Rozenvalds has stated that so called Latvian parties miss out a chance to consolidate the society because they reject so called Russian parties and refuse to include the latter into the governing coalition.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article by the MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners about the work of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration and its support to ethnic minorities. The MPs criticize the Secretariat for lack of national program for support of traditional ethnic minorities especially Russians. The MPs also consider that national integration policy is selective towards minority NGOs because it supports only those who do not object the political course of governing coalition.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that liquidation of his Secretariat would be an indication that Latvian politicians are not interested in society’s integration.  As reported, one of the candidates for the Prime Minister’s post Edgars Zalans has stated that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration might be closed due to the need to economize the state funds.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that liquidation of his Secretariat would be an indication that Latvian politicians are not interested in societys integration. As reported, one of the candidates for the Prime Ministers post Edgars Zalans has stated that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration might be closed due to the need to economize the state funds. Latvijas Avize

In an interview with

In an interview with Latvijas Avize, chairman of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia Peteris Krigers has stated that influx of cheap labour force to Latvia should not be allowed because it might cause problems with future social integration of guest workers. Mr. Krigers also believes that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration should be closed because other institutions have similar functions and activities.

• Candidate for the Prime Ministers post Edgars Zalans: the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration might be closed
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens proposes to establish Presidents consultative body on social integration and ethnic minority issues
• Diena prints an article about a Roma woman who works as a teacher in a kindergarten
• Ombudsmans Office has received 209 complaints on discrimination during nine months of 2007
• Chas reports on 15th anniversary of the NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee

Vesti Segodnya reports that a candidate for the Prime Ministers post Edgars Zalans (the Peoples Party) has stated that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration might be closed due to the need to economize the state funds. The Secretariat might be re-formed into the integration department under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to establish a consultative body on social integration and ethnic minority issues. Oskars Kastens believes that establishment of such body would be a confirmation of a goodwill to build open and consolidated society in Latvia.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has proposed the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to establish a consultative body on social integration and ethnic minority issues. Oskars Kastens believes that establishment of such body would be a confirmation of a goodwill to build open and consolidated society in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

Diena prints an article about a 50-years-old Roma woman who works as a teacher in a kindergarten. The woman has started to work in the kindergarten couple years ago in the framework of a project Qualitative Education for Roma Children and Roma Child in a Welcoming School! implemented by the Centre for Education Initiatives. At the beginning she worked as teachers assistant in communication with Roma children and it was her first official job ever. Presently the woman is studying at a university and working as teacher at the same kindergarten.

The Ombudsman’s Office has received 209 complaints on discrimination during nine months of 2007. The Ombudsman’s Office also has received 702 complaints on violation of children rights and 318 complaints on non-observance of the principle of good governance in state and municipal institutions.

The Ombudsmans Office has received 209 complaints on discrimination during nine months of 2007. The Ombudsmans Office also has received 702 complaints on violation of children rights and 318 complaints on non-observance of the principle of good governance in state and municipal institutions. NRA

Chas reports on 15the anniversary of the NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC). About 50,000 persons were given legal consultations on various issues since the Committee launched its work in 1992.

• Ministry of Justice has elaborated draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating increase of pecuniary penalties for inaccurate usage of Latvian language
• Chas reports on 1-year anniversary of the Russian House in Liepaja

The Ministry of Justice has elaborated draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating increase of pecuniary penalties for inaccurate usage of Latvian language in usage instructions for products, inaccuracy in blanks, documents, and conversation with clients.

The Ministry of Justice has elaborated draft amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating increase of pecuniary penalties for inaccurate usage of Latvian language in usage instructions for products, inaccuracy in blanks, documents, and conversation with clients. Chas

Chas reports on 1-year anniversary of the Russian House of the Russian Community in Liepaja (RCL). According to the head of the RCL Valerijs Kravcovs, the Russian House has united all Russian NGOs in Liepaja.