• Vesti Segodnya: 11 of 50 Russian language schools in Riga are on the verge of closure
• Telegraf: ban of 9 May events could turn into catastrophe

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about a new model of funding for schools in Riga. The new model stipulates optimisation of classes with insufficient number of students and prohibition to open 10th grade in schools which have only one complete set of senior classes (grades 10-12). According to the newspaper, the new model will have an adverse impact on minority schools. As a result of such reshuffling 11 out of 50 Russian language schools in Riga are on the verge of closure. Three Russian language secondary schools might become elementary schools because those have only one complete set of senior classes. In the meantime, half of Russian language schools might lose 10th grades because of insufficient number of students. According to the article, majority of schools of other ethnic minorities, such as Ukrainian, Polish, Estonian, Jewish, Belorussian, will not be able to comply with the new numerical requirements and thus will have to close unless their kin-states provide support.

Member of the Riga City Council’s Committee for Security and Public Order Andrejs Vilks in an interview with

Member of the Riga City Councils Committee for Security and Public Order Andrejs Vilks in an interview with Telegraf states that if there will be information about possible provocations on 9 May (Victory Day) applications for events planned to be held on this day may be refused. At the same time, Mr. Vilks supposes that ban of events may cause converse effect and increase possible provocations. The MP Nils Usakovs also considers that thousands of people will come to the Monument to Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders on 9 May in any case and a ban on official events could lead to a catastrophe for the city.

• Radical nationalistic organisation Club 415 launched an action Recognize the Fifth Column

Radical nationalistic organisation “Club 415” launched an action “Recognize the Fifth Column” aimed at revealing names of owners of cars decorated with Russian or Soviet symbols. “Club 415” calls ethnic Latvians to picture such cars and their registration numbers in order to forward these photos later to the police. “Club 415” believes that owners of such cars demonstrate their loyalty towards policy hostile to Latvia.

Radical nationalistic organisation Club 415 launched an action Recognize the Fifth Column aimed at revealing names of owners of cars decorated with Russian or Soviet symbols. Club 415 calls ethnic Latvians to picture such cars and their registration numbers in order to forward these photos later to the police. Club 415 believes that owners of such cars demonstrate their loyalty towards policy hostile to Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga was not prevented
• Russian State Duma elaborates a draft law against rehabilitation of Nazi accomplices in former republics of Soviet Union

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) was not prevented and that, at the same time, the police activities were turned against anti-fascists. Russia considers that this practice could be viewed as encouragement to neo-Nazis.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) was not prevented and that, at the same time, the police activities were turned against anti-fascists. Russia considers that this practice could be viewed as encouragement to neo-Nazis. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya and Telegraf report that the Russian State Dumas Committee on CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots elaborates a draft law against rehabilitation of Nazi accomplices in former republics of Soviet Union.

• Newspapers report about 16 March events
• Head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks took part in a meeting of the Council of Ethnic Minorities NGOs
• Telegraf reports that Iceland might deport a number of Latvian and Estonian non-citizens
• Rector of the BA School of Business and Finance: Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs
• Latvijas Avize prints an article on reorganisation plans of Latvian schools due to state budget cuts

Newspapers report about 16 March events. Despite the ban of the Riga City Council on events near the Monument of Freedom, a dozen former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and about 100 their supporters held a procession from the Riga Old City to the Monument of Freedom. At the same time, several dozens of anti-fascists gathered near the Monument of Freedom protesting against the procession. The police and special security units surrounded area around the Monument of Freedom in order to prevent possible clashes. By the end of the day, the police detained 13 persons, including three activists of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and eight persons in Soviet and Nazi stylized uniforms. In the meantime, the police and state border guards held an inspection of documents in the office of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee, blocking seven members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation “Night Watch” in the premises of the office.

Newspapers report about 16 March events. Despite the ban of the Riga City Council on events near the Monument of Freedom, a dozen former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and about 100 their supporters held a procession from the Riga Old City to the Monument of Freedom. At the same time, several dozens of anti-fascists gathered near the Monument of Freedom protesting against the procession. The police and special security units surrounded area around the Monument of Freedom in order to prevent possible clashes. By the end of the day, the police detained 13 persons, including three activists of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and eight persons in Soviet and Nazi stylized uniforms. In the meantime, the police and state border guards held an inspection of documents in the office of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee, blocking seven members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation Night Watch in the premises of the office. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Vesti Segodnya reports that head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks took part in a meeting of the Council of Ethnic Minorities NGOs. At the meeting, Mr. Razuks stated that the aim of the Advisory Council is improvement of a dialogue between the state and all ethnic groups. Mr. Razuks also stated that the main criterion for selection of members of the Advisory Council was state language proficiency because without it a person is not able to understand position of ethnic Latvians.

Telegraf reports that Iceland might deport a number of Latvian and Estonian non-citizens who worked and lived in Iceland for a while. The newspaper notes that until recently, Iceland treated Latvian and Estonian non-citizens equally with EU-citizens. According to a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, none of non-citizens was deported from Iceland yet. Apparently, Icelandic authorities initially did not see a difference between passports of citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, and thus, some non-citizens were registered in Iceland as EU citizens. Icelands officials began checking their documents before deciding whether to re-register these people and grant them a new status in the country.

According to the rector of the BA School of Business and Finance, Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs because Russian language proficiency has a great importance for those who are planning to work with Russia’s enterprises.

According to the rector of the BA School of Business and Finance, Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs because Russian language proficiency has a great importance for those who are planning to work with Russias enterprises.

Latvijas Avize prints an article on reorganisation plans of Latvian schools due to state budget cuts. According to the article, the Ministry of Education and Science envisages that in the future, an exception for opening of a class with insufficient number of students could not be applied to ethnic minority schools. The MP Karlis Sadurskis (Civil Union) considers that Latvian language schools should have a priority over ethnic minority schools. The MP Dzintars Abikis (Peoples Party) considers that reorganisation should apply to Russian language schools.

• Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference Future – Without Nazism
• Foundation Russian World established in Riga.

The Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference “Future – Without Nazism” on Saturday. Newspapers report that members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation “Night Watch” who travelled to Riga with an aim to take part in the conference were prevented from entering Latvia. The Border Guard Service argued that they are included in the list of persons whose entry to Latvia is forbidden.

The Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference Future – Without Nazism on Saturday. Newspapers report that members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation Night Watch who travelled to Riga with an aim to take part in the conference were prevented from entering Latvia. The Border Guard Service argued that they are included in the list of persons whose entry to Latvia is forbidden. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Newspapers report about opening of a centre of foundation “Russian World” in Riga. Foundation “Russian World” is funded by the Russian government and its aim is consolidation of all those who speak Russian language and love Russian culture world wide.

Newspapers report about opening of a centre of foundation Russian World in Riga. Foundation Russian World is funded by the Russian government and its aim is consolidation of all those who speak Russian language and love Russian culture world wide. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf