• OSCE/ODIHR presented its report and recommendations for Latvia
• Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia
• President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically
• Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities discussed with students and pupils consolidation of society

Representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe /the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) who observed voting process at the Saeima’s snap elections in September 2011 repeatedly visited Latvia in order to present its report and recommendations. The OSCE/ODIHR calls Latvian state institutions to be more flexible in providing the official information about the elections in minority languages. The OSCE/ODIHR also recommends to simplify naturalisation process for persons over 65 years old; to implement campaigns on promotion of naturalisation; to ensure residents with free-of-charge Latvian language courses; and to continue discussions on granting Latvian citizenship to new-born children of non-citizens automatically. 

Representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe/the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) who observed voting process at the Saeimas snap elections in September 2011 repeatedly visited Latvia in order to present its report and recommendations. The OSCE/ODIHR calls Latvian state institutions to be more flexible in providing the official information about the elections in minority languages. The OSCE/ODIHR also recommends to simplify naturalisation process for persons over 65 years old; to implement campaigns on promotion of naturalisation; to ensure residents with free-of-charge Latvian language courses; and to continue discussions on granting Latvian citizenship to new-born children of non-citizens automatically. Latvijas Avize

The Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia. As reported, in December 2010, the UN HR Committee decided that the Latvianisation of non-Latvian names and surnames (such as adding ending -s) in official documents issued in Latvia is interference in private life. However, Latvia still did not eliminate the violation and is not planning to take measures in order to prevent similar violations in future. The Cabinet of Ministers explains the UN HR Committee that there is no need to change the existing practice and refers to specifications of Latvian grammar and the case law which tolerate changes of names. The Cabinet of Ministers also expresses regrets that the UN HR Committee adopting the decision did not take into account Latvia’s historical background and the fact that during the Soviet era names of ethnic Latvians were also changed according to Russian grammar.

The Cabinet of Ministers sent a response letter to the UN Human Rights Committee about the case of Raihman v. Latvia. As reported, in December 2010, the UN HR Committee decided that the Latvianisation of non-Latvian names and surnames (such as adding ending -s) in official documents issued in Latvia is interference in private life. However, Latvia still did not eliminate the violation and is not planning to take measures in order to prevent similar violations in future. The Cabinet of Ministers explains the UN HR Committee that there is no need to change the existing practice and refers to specifications of Latvian grammar and the case law which tolerate changes of names. The Cabinet of Ministers also expresses regrets that the UN HR Committee adopting the decision did not take into account Latvias historical background and the fact that during the Soviet era names of ethnic Latvians were also changed according to Russian grammar. Chas

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr President believes that such actions would be unfair towards those non-citizens who went trough naturalisation process.

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins does not support granting citizenship to all non-citizens automatically and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr President believes that such actions would be unfair towards those non-citizens who went trough naturalisation process. Chas

The President’s Council on Ethnic Minorities held a discussion with students and pupils of Latvian and Russian language schools discussing consolidation of society. The members of the discussion agreed that society consolidation issues in the majority of cases are politically exaggerated, especially before the important social or political events or voting. The President Andris Berzins stated that since the first years of its Latvia was strong in terms of national diversity and will retain this strength in the further.

The Presidents Council on Ethnic Minorities held a discussion with students and pupils of Latvian and Russian language schools discussing consolidation of society. The members of the discussion agreed that society consolidation issues in the majority of cases are politically exaggerated, especially before the important social or political events or voting. The President Andris Berzins stated that since the first years of its Latvia was strong in terms of national diversity and will retain this strength in the further. Latvijas Avize

• NGO calls non-citizens to complain about ethnic discrimination to the EU
• Governing coalition endorsed rising pre-referendum signatures threshold from 10,000 to 150,000
• Controversy regarding discounts for foreign shopping tourists at "Elkor" electronics and clothessupermarket chain

NGO “For Honesty and Justice” begins a protest campaign “Aliens are coming!”, asking the non-citizens of Latvia to write to various EU bodies and complain about alleged ethnic discrimination. Organisers point out that Latvian non-citizens, who are mostly Russophones and resided in the country before the restoration of independence, could not take part in municipal elections, while citizens of other EU countries could take part in Latvian municipal elections after spending six months in the country.

NGO For Honesty and Justice begins a protest campaign Aliens are coming!, asking the non-citizens of Latvia to write to various EU bodies and complain about alleged ethnic discrimination. Organisers point out that Latvian non-citizens, who are mostly Russophones and resided in the country before the restoration of independence, could not take part in municipal elections, while citizens of other EU countries could take part in Latvian municipal elections after spending six months in the country. Chas, Vesti-Segodnya

Yesterday, the ruling coalition endorsed draft amendments envisaging that in order to initiate a referendum, its initiators should gather 150,000 signatures of the voters (at present, 10,000 signatures gathered by the initiators are required). As reported, discussions about amending relevant legislative framework were initiated by the radical nationalist union “All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM” (AL!FF/LNIM) following the referendum of the status of Russian language.

Yesterday, the ruling coalition endorsed draft amendments envisaging that in order to initiate a referendum, its initiators should gather 150,000 signatures of the voters (at present, 10,000 signatures gathered by the initiators are required). As reported, discussions about amending relevant legislative framework were initiated by the radical nationalist union All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (AL!FF/LNIM) following the referendum of the status of Russian language. Chas, Vesti-Segodnya

Newspapers report about controversy regarding 11% discounts in March 2012 advertised to foreign tourists by “Elkor” electronics and clothes supermarket chain. Some politicians raised the issue as possible discrimination against Latvian citizens. MP Ingmars Caklais (Unity) believes that the discounts represented a direct incitement of hate, questions the loyalty of “Elkor” to the state and calls to boycott the supermarket chain. The Ombudsman’s Office recognised the situation as discriminatory, yet an amicable resolution has been reached. Representatives of “Elkor” emphasise that the offer was made in order to attract foreign tourists as new clients for shopping in Latvia.

Newspapers report about controversy regarding 11% discounts in March 2012 advertised to foreign tourists by Elkor electronics and clothes supermarket chain. Some politicians raised the issue as possible discrimination against Latvian citizens. MP Ingmars Caklais (Unity) believes that the discounts represented a direct incitement of hate, questions the loyalty of Elkor to the state and calls to boycott the supermarket chain. The Ombudsmans Office recognised the situation as discriminatory, yet an amicable resolution has been reached. Representatives of Elkor emphasise that the offer was made in order to attract foreign tourists as new clients for shopping in Latvia. Chas, Diena, NRA

• Host of a Russian language TV show Uncensored Andrejs Mamikins: Russian speaking residents have been pushed out of Latvian language informative space
• Head of a kindergarten complaints about too high state language requirements for nannies

Diena prints an interview with the host of a Russian language TV show Uncensored Andrejs Mamikins. Mr Mamikins believes that there are three informative spaces in Latvia: mass media in Latvian language; printed and broadcasted media from Russia; and Russian language media produced in Latvia. Andrejs Mamikins believes that Russian speaking residents have been pushed out of Latvian language informative space. At present, news in Latvian language do not report about Russian speakers in Latvia making an impression as if the Russian speakers do not exist here or showing them in negative context – believes Mr Mamikins. Mr Mamikins also criticizes the ex-Minister of Culture, presently the Prime Ministers adviser on integration issues Sarmite Elerte for her actions and statements regarding Russian speaking residents in Latvia, because those segregated the society even more.

Vesti Segodnya interviews the head of one of the Riga kindergartens with Russian language of instructions complaining about unreasonable state language requirements for nannies. Since January 2012 the nannies working in kindergartens are required to have the highest Latvian language proficiency level. According to the head of the kindergarten, taking into account the jobs duties and low salaries, such requirements are too high and put people in stress.

• Riga City Council granted additional funding for Latvian language courses
• U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism visits Latvia

Due to high demand for free-of-charge Latvian language courses, the Riga City Council granted additional funding for the courses. The target audiences of the courses are adults, excluding unemployed persons as they can attend courses conducted by the State Employment Agency, and workers of pre-school establishments and municipal police officers.

Due to high demand for free-of-charge Latvian language courses, the Riga City Council granted additional funding for the courses. The target audiences of the courses are adults, excluding unemployed persons as they can attend courses conducted by the State Employment Agency, and workers of pre-school establishments and municipal police officers. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the U.S. Department of State Hannah Rosenthal visits to Latvia. The Special Envoy meets with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Jewish Communities, visits Ghetto museum, Jewish school, memorial, and museum of occupation.

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the U.S. Department of State Hannah Rosenthal visits to Latvia. The Special Envoy meets with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Jewish Communities, visits Ghetto museum, Jewish school, memorial, and museum of occupation. Vesti Segodnya

• State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove street sign in Latvian and Russian languages
• Study The State Language Situation 2004-2010: 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency
• President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian

The State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove a street sign in Latvian and Russian languages from his house in Liepaja. According to a representative of the Centre Antons Kursitis, the street sign in foreign language violates the State Language Law and the rules of the Liepaja City Council. Mr Kursitis also believes that the street sign is not a private property and, therefore, owner of the house has no rights to translate it into foreign language. The analogue requests will be sent also to other persons who placed street signs in Latvian and Russian languages. Vesti Segodnya

According to a study The State Language Situation 2004-2010 conducted by the State Language Agency (SLA), 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency. 94% of young Russian speakers have good state language skills. However, authors of the study note that the biggest problems concern usage of the state language in services sector and private enterprises. The SLA also criticizes the state officials and other public persons for speaking Russian to mass media as it damages prestige of Latvian language. Latvijas Avize

The President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian language because there are representatives of various nationalities residing in the country. Mr Apinis also stated that those who need instruction in Russian can find it on the Internet. Vesti Segodnya