• Discussion on necessity to take real and workable measures to promote tolerance in society
• Senate of the Supreme Court refuses a claim on exclusion from the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an open letter of the Double Coffees Marketing Director Sergey Plotnikov calling the state institutions responsible for the implementation of society integration policy and the promotion of tolerance to take real and workable measures in this area. According to Plotnikov, these measures should mitigate mutually offensive rhetoric used by both sides and to ensure that private companies are not involved in tackling of these disagreements. Several weeks ago Double Coffee received the treats of boycott of its coffee-bars and therefore was forced to withdraw from its information boards postcards informing about the events of Friendship Days, organised by an alliance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals „Mozaika. The newspaper features also a reply of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Oskars Kastens stressing the role of each citizen in promotion of tolerance in society and calling for concrete proposals regarding these issues.

Senate of the Supreme Court refused a claim of the citizen of Russia Albert Mirzahanyan requesting his exclusion from the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. The man has a wife and two under age children living in Latvia.

Senate of the Supreme Court refused a claim of the citizen of Russia Albert Mirzahanyan requesting his exclusion from the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. The man has a wife and two under age children living in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

• Tatyana Zdanoka: the EU must recognize Russian as one of traditional ethnic minority languages
• Saeima has refused the FHRULs proposal to provide professional education in the native language

At the conference of Russia’s compatriots held in Brussels, the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has stated that the European Union must recognize Russian as one of traditional ethnic minority languages. Tatyana Zdanoka believed that Russian speaking residents have become traditional ethnic minorities after the accession of the Baltic States to the EU in 2004. According to Tatyana Zdanoka, about 6 million Russian-speakers reside in the EU.

At the conference of Russias compatriots held in Brussels, the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has stated that the European Union must recognize Russian as one of traditional ethnic minority languages. Tatyana Zdanoka believed that Russian speaking residents have become traditional ethnic minorities after the accession of the Baltic States to the EU in 2004. According to Tatyana Zdanoka, about 6 million Russian-speakers reside in the EU. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) stipulating the obligation of the Cabinet of Ministers to provide professional education in the native language.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) stipulating the obligation of the Cabinet of Ministers to provide professional education in the native language. Vesti Segodnya

• First eight residents of Latvia were granted resettlement documents to Russia

Yesterday, the Russia’s Embassy to Latvia has granted first eight residents of Latvia resettlement documents to Russia. The resettlement is implemented in the framework of the Russia’s program on promotion of voluntary migration for Russia’s compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. According to the Board of Russia’s Migration Service in Latvia, already 253 persons are registered on a waiting list for resettlement.

Yesterday, the Russias Embassy to Latvia has granted first eight residents of Latvia resettlement documents to Russia. The resettlement is implemented in the framework of the Russias program on promotion of voluntary migration for Russias compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. According to the Board of Russias Migration Service in Latvia, already 253 persons are registered on a waiting list for resettlement. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

• Chas reports that 92 years old woman has been granted citizenship through naturalisation

Chas reports that 92 years old woman from Madona district (Eastern part of Latvia) has been granted citizenship through naturalisation. The woman is the second oldest person who has been naturalised in Latvia.

• Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg
• Vesti Segodnya reports on ethnic minorities dancing festivity

Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. The report recommends to improve situation of ethnic minorities in the country.  Thomas Hammarberg believes that a large number of non-citizens hampers social consolidation and equality in Latvia. Mr. Hammarberg also recommends to ease naturalisation requirements for elderly people, to allow parents to choose the citizenship status of their children during registration of their birth, and to provide opportunities to use minority languages in written communication with authorities.

Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. The report recommends to improve situation of ethnic minorities in the country. Thomas Hammarberg believes that a large number of non-citizens hampers social consolidation and equality in Latvia. Mr. Hammarberg also recommends to ease naturalisation requirements for elderly people, to allow parents to choose the citizenship status of their children during registration of their birth, and to provide opportunities to use minority languages in written communication with authorities. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, NRA, Diena, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports on ethnic minorities dancing festivity Latvian Diadem in a Round Dance held on 3 May.