• Channel TV5: National Radio and Television Council limits the freedom of speech

In response to the National Radio and Television Council (NRTC), which accused TV5 presenter Andrejs Mamikins in incitement to ethnic hatred, the Channel TV5 stated that the Council puts pressure on journalists and limits freedom of speech. As reported, the reason for the accusations is TV-viewers’ public opinion poll held during live broadcast “Un-censored” (broadcasted in Russian language) presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: “What was Latvia’s acquisition of independence?” One of the offered answers was “it was a fatal mistake.”

In response to the National Radio and Television Council (NRTC), which accused TV5 presenter Andrejs Mamikins in incitement to ethnic hatred, the Channel TV5 stated that the Council puts pressure on journalists and limits freedom of speech. As reported, the reason for the accusations is TV-viewers public opinion poll held during live broadcast Un-censored (broadcasted in Russian language) presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: What was Latvias acquisition of independence? One of the offered answers was it was a fatal mistake. Head of the NRTC Abrams Kleckins stated that such wording of answer about independence of Latvia is unacceptable. In the meantime, according to the head of TV5, the opinion poll was about political views and thus the NRTC itself incites ethnic hatred if it considers that political views of residents depend on their ethnic belonging. Telegraf, rus.DELFI.lv

• Vesti Segodnya reports about a study Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Estonia and Latvia
• 15th anniversary of Latvian Association of Russian Communities

Vesti Segodnya reports about a study Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Estonia and Latvia conducted by Russian think tank Institute for Democracy and Co-operation and presented recently in Brussels. According to the study, non-titular residents of Latvia and Estonia are discriminated against and are facing various problems in realisation of their fundamental rights.

Chas reports about 15th anniversary of Latvian Association of Russian Communities. The Association unites 35 NGOs.

• Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime

The Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime. One under-age person got acquitted. In April 2009, the youngsters physically attacked a Roma man in the centre of Riga arguing that their attack was motivated by alleged involvement of Roma people in drugs trade.

The Riga Regional Court sentenced three young men to six months of imprisonment for hate crime. One under-age person got acquitted. In April 2009, the youngsters physically attacked a Roma man in the centre of Riga arguing that their attack was motivated by alleged involvement of Roma people in drugs trade. Latvijas Avize

• National Radio and Television Council accuses famous TV presenter Andrejs Mamikins of incitement to ethnic hatred
• Equal Rights Trust urged Latvian government to uphold the equality of all persons
• Saeima refused to grant citizenship to all residents born in Latvia and voting rights to non-citizens
• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with political scientist Nils Muiznieks on crisis and inter-ethnic relations in Latvia

The National Radio and Television Council (NRTC) accuses famous TV presenter Andrejs Mamikins of incitement to ethnic hatred. The reason for this is TV-viewers’ public opinion poll held during live broadcast “Un-censored” presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: “What was Latvia’s acquisition of independence?” One of the offered answers was “it was a fatal mistake.” The NRTC considers that such variant of answer is an intentional incitement to ethnic hatred and violation of journalist’s ethics. 

The National Radio and Television Council (NRTC) accuses famous TV presenter Andrejs Mamikins of incitement to ethnic hatred. The reason for this is TV-viewers public opinion poll held during live broadcast Un-censored presented by Mr. Mamikins on the Independence Day 18 November. During the broadcast, the viewers could vote to answer a question: What was Latvias acquisition of independence? One of the offered answers was it was a fatal mistake. The NRTC considers that such variant of answer is an intentional incitement to ethnic hatred and violation of journalists ethics. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

On the occasion of 10 December, Human Rights Day, international human rights organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) addressed Latvian government urging it to uphold the equality of all persons under its jurisdiction in respect to their pension rights and do not reduce the current levels of social security. Particularly, the organisation states that Latvia should implement the ruling of the European Court for Human Rights in case of “Andrejeva vs. Latvia” on discrimination of Latvian non-citizens in calculating their pensions.

On the occasion of 10 December, Human Rights Day, international human rights organisation Equal Rights Trust (ERT) addressed Latvian government urging it to uphold the equality of all persons under its jurisdiction in respect to their pension rights and do not reduce the current levels of social security. Particularly, the organisation states that Latvia should implement the ruling of the European Court for Human Rights in case of Andrejeva vs. Latvia on discrimination of Latvian non-citizens in calculating their pensions. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima refused draft amendments to the Citizenship Law and the Constitution proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. The faction proposed to grant citizenship to all residents who were born in Latvia and who are more than 60 years old and to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused draft amendments to the Citizenship Law and the Constitution proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. The faction proposed to grant citizenship to all residents who were born in Latvia and who are more than 60 years old and to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with political scientist Nils Muiznieks on crisis and inter-ethnic relations in Latvia. Mr. Muiznieks considers that ethnic relations deteriorate in during economic hardships. According to Mr. Muiznieks, ethnic minorities, young and people in pre-retirement age are the first to get dismissed from job, while self-isolation of groups leads to the growth of stereotypes and prejudices.

• Number of applicants for Russias citizenship among Latgales residents four times exceeds number of applicants for Latvian citizenship
• Deputy of Russias State Duma: ethnic Russians who live abroad should be issued governments certificates of Russian compatriots
• Latvian Human Rights Committee celebrated its 17th anniversary

According to

According to Telegraf, number of applicants for Russias citizenship among Latgales (Eastern region of Latvia) residents four times exceeds number of applicants for Latvian citizenship. Consul General of Russia in Daugavpils states that number of applicants for Russias citizenship grown 4,5 times during this year and now there about 200 persons applying for citizenship each month. Mostly those are Latvian non-citizens in pre-retirement or retirement age. Representatives of the Daugavpils City Council believe that such interest towards Russias citizenship particularly in this city is based on hard economic situation in the region and opportunities to receive better pensions.

Deputy of Russia’s State Duma Konstantin Zatulin in an interview with

Deputy of Russias State Duma Konstantin Zatulin in an interview with Vesti Segodnya states that ethnic Russians who live abroad should be issued governments certificates of Russian compatriots in order to receive various advantages from Russia. Mr. Zatulin considers that possible advantages could include temporary residence in Russia without quotas applied to foreigners, free-of-charge visas to Russia, free-of-charge entrance to Russias museums and archives and opportunities to study and work in Russia.

Yesterday, NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) celebrated its 17

Yesterday, NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC) celebrated its 17th anniversary. The LHRC also presented a book in Russian language Problems of Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia and Estonia; English version of the book is presented today in the European Parliament. Chas, Vesti Segodnya