• State Language Centre forbade distribution of invitations written in Russian language for free screening of cervical cancer and breast cancer
• Head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualdas Razukas: only those who speak Latvian language may express opinion about integration of non-Latvians

Telegraf reports that the State Language Centre forbade distribution of Russian-language invitations for free screening of cervical cancer and breast cancer within the framework of the EU-wide campaign initiated by the European Commission. Thus, such invitations may only be send in Latvian language. The newspaper notes that such invitations, for instance, in London (UK), are distributed in 16 different languages.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualdas Razukas. According to Mr. Razukas, the Council will try to evaluate the existing integration instruments to search for the reason why those were not effective for integration of society. Romualdas Razukas also stated that only those who speak Latvian language may express opinion about integration of non-Latvians and problems in this field.

• Two Africans detained attempting to enter Latvia illegally
• Latvijas Avize reports about a discussion on the impact of Latvias membership in the Schengen Agreement

Vesti Segodnya reports that the State Border Guard Service has detained a citizen of Togo who attempted to enter Latvia illegally. In the meantime, the Belarussian Border Guards have detained a citizen of Congo who tried to enter Latvia through Belarus with false documents.

Latvijas Avize reports about a discussion on the impact of Latvias membership in the Schengen Agreement. The discussion took place last week in Riga with participation of the MEP from Latvia Inese Vaidere, head of the Office of the International Organisation for Migration in Riga Ilmars Mezs and representatives of the Prime Minister and the State Police. According to the newspaper, the negative consequences of Latvias membership in the Schengen Agreement are increased illegal migration and criminal activities such as drug trafficking and trade in human beings.

• Draft Asylum law adopted in the second reading
• Social Democratic party joins Concord centre

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted draft Asylum law in the second reading.

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted draft Asylum law in the second reading. Telegraf is concerned about the term temporary protection, claiming that eventually, it would allow the EU Council of Ministers to redistribute to Latvia some of the immigrants arriving in other EU countries (such as Greece).

Yesterday, Social Democratic Party joined the political alliance Concord centre. The Chair of the Concord centre Nils Usakovs stated that now Latvia has the first interethnic political party.

Yesterday, Social Democratic Party joined the political alliance Concord centre. The Chair of the Concord centre Nils Usakovs stated that now Latvia has the first interethnic political party. Vesti Segodnya

• Head of the Saeimas Citizenship Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns considers that naturalisation test on Latvian language proficiency should be more severe
• Police detained a Latvian citizen and two persons of Arab origin for illegal border crossing
• Ministry on Children, Family and Society Integration Affairs works on improvement of the draft guidelines for society integration
• Chas reports about another statement by a national radical Aivars Garda

The Head of the Saeima’s Citizenship Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) considers that naturalisation test on Latvian language proficiency should be more severe. The MP states: “if we want to live in ethnic Latvian Latvia we should discuss the option to make language requirements more severe.”

The Head of the Saeimas Citizenship Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) considers that naturalisation test on Latvian language proficiency should be more severe. The MP states: if we want to live in ethnic Latvian Latvia we should discuss the option to make language requirements more severe. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the police have detained a car carrying a Latvian citizen and two persons allegedly of Arab origin without personal identification documents. According to a representative of the State Border Guard Service, the car illegally crossed Latvian border.

Yesterday, the police have detained a car carrying a Latvian citizen and two persons allegedly of Arab origin without personal identification documents. According to a representative of the State Border Guard Service, the car illegally crossed Latvian border. Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize reports that the Ministry on Children, Family and Society Integration Affairs delays introduction to the government of the new draft guidelines for society integration elaborated by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in the end of 2008 because the draft should be improved. According to the State Secretary of the Ministry Iveta Zalpetere, after revision of the document at the meeting of state secretaries, the document should be discussed at one more public discussion. Mrs. Zalpetere considers that the number of experts and organisations that participated in discussions held by the Integration Secretariat was too small.

Chas reports about 2009 calendar issued by radical newspaper DDD. Its editor and a national radical Aivars Garda states in a text to the calendar: soviet occupation and annexation brought colonists like a terrible disease to Latvia and they incite to ethnic hatred by showing their Great Russian chauvinism and fascism every day before rightful Latvian citizens. Aivars Garda also calls the Saeima and the government to expel colonists-oppressors out of Latvia. Chas notes that such statement will hardly be noticed by the Prosecutors Office as the court recently justified Garda and his journalists, who were accused of incitement to ethnic hatred.

• 51 persons asked for asylum in Latvia in 2008

According to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office, 51 persons asked for asylum in Latvia in 2008. However, only two persons were granted asylum and one was granted alternative status in Latvia. The largest number of asylum seekers was from Georgia – 17 persons, Afghanistan – 10 and Russia -5. In total, since the asylum granting procedure was launched in Latvia in 1998, 254 persons appealed for asylum but only 17 received the status.

According to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office, 51 persons asked for asylum in Latvia in 2008. However, only two persons were granted asylum and one was granted alternative status in Latvia. The largest number of asylum seekers was from Georgia – 17 persons, Afghanistan – 10 and Russia -5. In total, since the asylum granting procedure was launched in Latvia in 1998, 254 persons appealed for asylum but only 17 received the status. Vesti Segodnya