• Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the Radio NABA
• MP Janis Urbanovics: many so-called nationalist politicians in Latvia are mere Russophobes

The Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the “Radio NABA” broadcast for anti-Semitic statements and incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, on 20 March, hosts of the radio show and their guest – former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaire – actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. The highest fine for such administrative violation is LVL 1,500 (EUR 2,146).

The Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the Radio NABA broadcast for anti-Semitic statements and incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, on 20 March, hosts of the radio show and their guest – former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaire – actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. The highest fine for such administrative violation is LVL 1,500 (EUR 2,146). Vesti Segodnya

The MP Janis Urbanovics (leader of the Concord Centre) believes that in Latvia, many so-called “nationalist” politicians are not true nationalists, but instead, they are mere Russophobes. Mr Urbanovics believes that true nationalism declares faithfulness and devotion to nation, political independence and work for the good of nation. Mr Urbanovics alleges that this category of politicians are completely corrupt and forget about the nation soon after the elections, while Latvia lost its independence to the EU and IMF under the leadership of these “nationalists”.  Mr Urbanovics cites nationalist MEP Roberts Zile, who proposed to substitute for the diminishing ethnic Russian labour force by bringing workers from China. Mr Urbanovics emphasised that he does not oppose the Chinese, but believes that this example shows that the slogan “for ethnically Latvian Latvia” is seen by these politicians as “Latvia without ethnic Russians”.

The MP Janis Urbanovics (leader of the Concord Centre) believes that in Latvia, many so-called nationalist politicians are not true nationalists, but instead, they are mere Russophobes. Mr Urbanovics believes that true nationalism declares faithfulness and devotion to nation, political independence and work for the good of nation. Mr Urbanovics alleges that this category of politicians are completely corrupt and forget about the nation soon after the elections, while Latvia lost its independence to the EU and IMF under the leadership of these nationalists. Mr Urbanovics cites nationalist MEP Roberts Zile, who proposed to substitute for the diminishing ethnic Russian labour force by bringing workers from China. Mr Urbanovics emphasised that he does not oppose the Chinese, but believes that this example shows that the slogan for ethnically Latvian Latvia is seen by these politicians as Latvia without ethnic Russians. Chas

• Chas prints an interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds

Chas prints an interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds. Mr Rozenvalds believes that in order to decrease tension in the society caused by the integration program elaborated by the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte, the governing coalition should acknowledge that the program is erroneous and was approved in a hurry. Mr Rozenvalds believes that integration is a mutual process and it brings changes not only for minority but also for majority. The majority should accept minority as a legitimate opponent. However, until now the integration policy in Latvia was built on a principle we know better what is better for you – believes Mr Rozenvalds.

• Opinion survey: many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right or left political orientation
• Nationalists union considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small

According to a public opinion survey conducted by “SKDS”, many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right-wing or left-wing political orientation. Thus, 37% of residents stated they have right-wing and 16% stated they have left-wing political views. However answers to specific questions which reveal respondents’ position along the right-left scale show that the majority of Latvian residents or 55% have left-wing orientation, while only 5% have right-wing views. The misunderstanding of political orientation most likely is connected to ethnic factor – as it is considered that ethnic Latvians mostly have right-wing views, while Russian speakers mostly have left-wing views.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by SKDS, many Latvian residents misunderstand whether they have right-wing or left-wing political orientation. Thus, 37% of residents stated they have right-wing and 16% stated they have left-wing political views. However answers to specific questions which reveal respondents position along the right-left scale show that the majority of Latvian residents or 55% have left-wing orientation, while only 5% have right-wing views. The misunderstanding of political orientation most likely is connected to ethnic factor – as it is considered that ethnic Latvians mostly have right-wing views, while Russian speakers mostly have left-wing views. Neatkariga

The nationalists’ union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small as it has only two ministers. At party’s session, members of the union stated that their aim is to get power also in Latvian regions and to continue establishing ethnic Latvian Latvia, eliminating consequences of occupation, and honouring Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March.

The nationalists union All for Latvia/FF-LNIM considers that its representation in the government is disproportionately small as it has only two ministers. At partys session, members of the union stated that their aim is to get power also in Latvian regions and to continue establishing ethnic Latvian Latvia, eliminating consequences of occupation, and honouring Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March. Vesti Segodnya

Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about 16 March events in Riga

• Council of Electronic Mass Media will review one more case on incitement to ethnic hatred in radio show

The Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionnaires) in Riga broadcasted on the First Baltic Channel. The criminal proceeding were initiated following a claim of the MP Janis Dombrava (the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) who asserts that the video material is biased, provocative and reflects distorted facts with an aim to negative image of Latvia.

The Security Police initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic hatred regarding a news story about events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionnaires) in Riga broadcasted on the First Baltic Channel. The criminal proceeding were initiated following a claim of the MP Janis Dombrava (the nationalists union All for Latvia!/FF-LNIM) who asserts that the video material is biased, provocative and reflects distorted facts with an aim to negative image of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

Newspapers report about one more case on incitement of ethnic hatred in mass media regarding 16 March events. In this case, hosts of a radio show on radio “Naba” had a conversation with former Latvia Waffen SS legionnaire. Hosts and their guest actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. As response to the radio show, the Embassy of Israel sent a letter to the Council of Electronic Mass Media criticizing the anti-Semitic statements made in the show. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics also appealed to the Council reminding that the freedom of speech does not give rights to incite ethnic hatred.

Newspapers report about one more case on incitement of ethnic hatred in mass media regarding 16 March events. In this case, hosts of a radio show on radio Naba had a conversation with former Latvia Waffen SS legionnaire. Hosts and their guest actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. As response to the radio show, the Embassy of Israel sent a letter to the Council of Electronic Mass Media criticizing the anti-Semitic statements made in the show. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics also appealed to the Council reminding that the freedom of speech does not give rights to incite ethnic hatred. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga

• Oskars Kastens: persons who place street signs in two languages on apartment buildings are hooligans

Former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believes that persons who place street signs in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment buildings are hooligans. Mr Kastens believes that this initiative is used by an NGO “Native Langauge” as a PR showing that they protect rights of Russian speakers. At the same time, Mr Kastens supports translation of the abstract to drugs into Russian language.

Former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believes that persons who place street signs in Latvian and Russian languages on apartment buildings are hooligans. Mr Kastens believes that this initiative is used by an NGO Native Langauge as a PR showing that they protect rights of Russian speakers. At the same time, Mr Kastens supports translation of the abstract to drugs into Russian language. Chas