• Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights will announce its judgement in a case of a Latvian non-citizen Natalja Andrejeva vs. Latvia on 18 February

On 18 February, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its judgement in a case of a Latvian non-citizen Natalja Andrejeva vs. Latvia. As reported, Natalja Andrejeva applied to the ECHR claiming that Latvia should cancel discriminating restrictions on non-citizens’ pensions which exclude the years of work outside of the country from the total length of service.

On 18 February, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its judgement in a case of a Latvian non-citizen Natalja Andrejeva vs. Latvia. As reported, Natalja Andrejeva applied to the ECHR claiming that Latvia should cancel discriminating restrictions on non-citizens pensions which exclude the years of work outside of the country from the total length of service. Chas

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov: marches of former Waffen SS legionnaires are impermissible for a civilised country
• Saeima refused proposal to grant Orthodox Christmas status of bank holiday

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov in an interview with

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov in an interview with NRA states that marches of former Waffen SS legionnaires are impermissible for a civilised country. The Ambassador also states that Russias position regarding 16 March events (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) will remain unchangeable.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused proposal of the faction Concord Centre to grant Orthodox Christmas status of bank holiday. As reported, last week, the majority of MPs supported similar proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia in the second reading. The final reading of the draft amendments to the Law on Holidays, Remembrance and Celebration Days will most likely grant the status of a celebration day to Orthodox Christmas.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused proposal of the faction Concord Centre to grant Orthodox Christmas status of bank holiday. As reported, last week, the majority of MPs supported similar proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia in the second reading. The final reading of the draft amendments to the Law on Holidays, Remembrance and Celebration Days will most likely grant the status of a celebration day to Orthodox Christmas. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Russian Embassy in Latvia held a presentation of a bibliographic handbook Eminent Russians in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya: head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks did not attend meeting of the Coordinative Council of Russian NGOs

Telegraf reports that the Russian Embassy in Latvia held a presentation of a bibliographic handbook Eminent Russians in Latvia. In the framework of the presentation, the Russian Embassy also presented additional educational materials on Russian language and culture to representatives of Russian language schools in Riga.

Vesti Segodnya reports that on Tuesday, the Coordinative Council of Russian NGOs held a meeting on situation of Russian residents in Baltic countries. According to the newspaper, head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks also was planning to attend the meeting, but nevertheless, he did not come arguing that the President Valdis Zatlers has not defined aims of activities of the Advisory Council yet.

• All for Latvia! promises to disturb celebrations on 9 May if anti-fascists disturb 16 March events

Newspapers report that leaders of the nationalistic party “All for Latvia!” stated that if so-called “anti-fascist” organisations will attempt to disturb procession of Latvian SS legionnaires on 16 March, members of “All for Latvia!” will disturb celebrations on 9 May (Victory Day). According to “All for Latvia!”, NGO “Motherland” and Latvian Anti-fascist Committee submitted application for their protest action on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Liberty and, therefore, “All for Latvia!” submitted application for its protest action on 9 May near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from German and Fascist Invaders. “All for Latvia!” will recall the application only if anti-fascists recall theirs.

Newspapers report that leaders of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! stated that if so-called anti-fascist organisations will attempt to disturb procession of Latvian SS legionnaires on 16 March, members of All for Latvia! will disturb celebrations on 9 May (Victory Day). According to All for Latvia!, NGO Motherland and Latvian Anti-fascist Committee submitted application for their protest action on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Liberty and, therefore, All for Latvia! submitted application for its protest action on 9 May near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from German and Fascist Invaders. All for Latvia! will recall the application only if anti-fascists recall theirs. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

• Security Police: right and left wing extremists might become more active after 13 January events
• On Thursday, the Saeima will finally decide the status of Orthodox Christmas

According to a representative of the Security Police, right and left wing extremists might become more active because after anti-governmental demonstration and mass clashes of 13 January in Riga the society has new boundaries for radical expressions. The Security Police is also cautious about traditionally “hot days” – 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) and 9 May (Victory day) when various radical groupings might provoke confrontations.

According to a representative of the Security Police, right and left wing extremists might become more active because after anti-governmental demonstration and mass clashes of 13 January in Riga the society has new boundaries for radical expressions. The Security Police is also cautious about traditionally hot days – 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) and 9 May (Victory day) when various radical groupings might provoke confrontations. Diena

Telegraf reports that on Thursday, the Saeima in the third and final reading will review draft amendments to the Law on Public Holidays which stipulate granting Orthodox Christmas (6 and 7 January) the status of public holiday. However, it is not clear yet whether Orthodox Christmas will be a bank holiday (as it was supported in the second reading) or just a holiday. According to the newspaper, the Ministry of Finances does not object to two extra bank holidays.