• Prosecutors Office appealed the ruling in the case of national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa to the Supreme Court
• Naturalisation Board proposes to establish a new celebration day in Latvia – the Day of Citizen

The Prosecutor’s Office appealed the ruling of the Riga Regional Court in the case of national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa to the Supreme Court. The Prosecutor considered that there is enough evidence to punish the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisation’s members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa publishing also the national radical newspaper

The Prosecutors Office appealed the ruling of the Riga Regional Court in the case of national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa to the Supreme Court. The Prosecutor considered that there is enough evidence to punish the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa publishing also the national radical newspaper DDD for incitement to ethnic hatred for statements in several articles published in DDD in 2004 and 2005. As reported, the Riga Regional Court has acquitted the persons on 28 May. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Telegraf reports that the Naturalisation Board (NB) proposes to establish a new celebration day in Latvia – the Day of Citizen. The Head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane believes that such celebration would raise a prestige of Latvian citizenship, patriotism and responsibility before the state.

• MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has handed over a petition on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections to the European Parliament Committee on Petitions
• According to the Naturalisation Board the number of non-citizens could be decreased down to 247,000 persons until the end of 2010
• Diena features an article by the representatives of the Consultative Council on Minority Issues of the Ministry of Education and Science on realisation of minority education policy

Yesterday, the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has handed over a petition on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections to the European Parliament Committee on Petitions. The petition was signed by 16, 145 citizens and non-citizens of Latvia.

Yesterday, the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has handed over a petition on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections to the European Parliament Committee on Petitions. The petition was signed by 16, 145 citizens and non-citizens of Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

According to an activity strategy of the Naturalisation Board for 2007-2010, the number of non-citizens could be decreased down to 247,000 persons until the end of 2010. However, such plans might be accomplished if the Naturalisation Board is granted extra funding.

According to an activity strategy of the Naturalisation Board for 2007-2010, the number of non-citizens could be decreased down to 247,000 persons until the end of 2010. However, such plans might be accomplished if the Naturalisation Board is granted extra funding. Chas

Diena features an article by the representatives of the Consultative Council on Minority Issues of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule and Nina Linde on realisation of minority education policy. According to the article, in 2007, the Ministry has established Consultative Council on Minority Education Content under the Education Content and Examination Centre. The aim of the Council is to promote discussions and dialogue with society about content of school program in minority schools. Also, presently, the researchers of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of the University of Latvia are summarizing and analyzing results of implementation of minority education reform.

• MP Peteris Tabuns asked to punish the MP Jakovs Pliners for speaking Russian with representatives of Russias Parliaments delegation
• Book Ways that We Choose on Russians in Latvia
• 124,153 persons have received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since 1995

The MP Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) has appealed to the Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee with a complaint that the head of the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia, MP Jakovs Pliners spoke Russian with representatives of Russia’s Parliament’s delegation. According to Peteris Tabuns, Jakovs Pliners had to speak only in Latvian because it is the only state language in Latvia. However, the Committee has refused to punish Mr. Pliners with an argument that MPs often speak other languages during meetings with foreign parliamentarians.

The MP Peteris Tabuns (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) has appealed to the Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee with a complaint that the head of the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia, MP Jakovs Pliners spoke Russian with representatives of Russias Parliaments delegation. According to Peteris Tabuns, Jakovs Pliners had to speak only in Latvian because it is the only state language in Latvia. However, the Committee has refused to punish Mr. Pliners with an argument that MPs often speak other languages during meetings with foreign parliamentarians. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report that the president of the Russian Community of Latvia Vjaceslavs Altuhovs has issued a book Ways that We Choose on Russians in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports that 124,153 persons have received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995.

• Three NGOs are planning to ask the new President of Latvia Valders Zatlers to support granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• 1, 512 foreigners have been granted working permits in Latvia during the first five months of 2007

The NGOs Union of Citizens and Non-citizens, “Humanitarian Perspective”, and the Russian Community of Liepaja (city in the Northern part of Latvia) have prepared an appeal to the newly elected President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers. In the appeal, the NGOs ask the President to support granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The official appeal will be sent to the President in autumn.

The NGOs Union of Citizens and Non-citizens, Humanitarian Perspective, and the Russian Community of Liepaja (city in the Northern part of Latvia) have prepared an appeal to the newly elected President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers. In the appeal, the NGOs ask the President to support granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The official appeal will be sent to the President in autumn. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 1,512 foreigners have been granted working permits in Latvia during the time period from 1 January to 31 May 2007. The majority of guest workers have arrived from Russia (383) and from Moldova (226). Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has reviewed a draft framework on migration policy concerning employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. The draft framework includes provisions to ease the procedure for granting working permits to foreigners. The government will continue the elaboration of the framework.

According to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, 1,512 foreigners have been granted working permits in Latvia during the time period from 1 January to 31 May 2007. The majority of guest workers have arrived from Russia (383) and from Moldova (226). Yesterday, the Cabinet of Ministers has reviewed a draft framework on migration policy concerning employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. The draft framework includes provisions to ease the procedure for granting working permits to foreigners. The government will continue the elaboration of the framework. Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize

• Cabinet of Ministers reviews a draft framework on migration policy in the area of employment
• BBC Russian services representative has arrived to Riga to obtain information on the Russian-speakers situation

Today, the Cabinet of Ministers reviews a draft framework on migration policy in the area of employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. The draft framework aims to prevent a decrease of labour force in Latvia. According to the Residents’ Register, most of guest workers arrived to Latvia in 2006 have been employed in construction, manufacturing industry, trade and repair works, service and other fields. 20.5% of the guest workers have come from Russia, 12.9% - from Ukraine, 9.1% - from Lithuania, and 5.2% - from the USA.

Today, the Cabinet of Ministers reviews a draft framework on migration policy in the area of employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. The draft framework aims to prevent a decrease of labour force in Latvia. According to the Residents Register, most of guest workers arrived to Latvia in 2006 have been employed in construction, manufacturing industry, trade and repair works, service and other fields. 20.5% of the guest workers have come from Russia, 12.9% - from Ukraine, 9.1% - from Lithuania, and 5.2% - from the USA. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, NRA

Chas reports that a representative from the BBC Russian service has arrived to Riga in the framework of a project Word for You with an aim to be informed on the situation of Russian speaking residents in Latvia. A radio program Word for You with participation of various experts will be broadcasted today on a Latvian national radio channel.