• Romani NGO leader tells about the situation of Roma and development of the National Programme for the Integration of Roma in Latvia
• Criminal persecution started against a girl accused in racially motivated assault
• Visit of the Moscow Patriarch to Latvia – a possible step towards improvement of relations between Latvia and Russia at official level
• African Days celebrated in Latvia

Diena features an interview with the leader of the Romani NGO Nevo Drom Aleksandrs Berezovskis. He reports that finally the Latvian government took a decision to elaborate the National Programme for the Integration of Roma. The main goals of the program is to foster inclusion of Roma into the Latvian labour market and education, as well as eliminate discrimination against Roma.

The State Security Police have asked the Prosecution Office to start criminal persecution of a girl who attacked on two Shri Lankans in January. The girl is related to a skinhead organisation.

The State Security Police have asked the Prosecution Office to start criminal persecution of a girl who attacked on two Shri Lankans in January. The girl is related to a skinhead organisation. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

During his meeting with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Patriarch Alexy II of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow stressed that relations between Russians and Latvians should be improved and he will talk about this issue with the Russian President Putin. A number of political scientists commented that the visit should be seen as a step towards improvement of official relations between the countries.

During his meeting with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Patriarch Alexy II of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow stressed that relations between Russians and Latvians should be improved and he will talk about this issue with the Russian President Putin. A number of political scientists commented that the visit should be seen as a step towards improvement of official relations between the countries. Diena, NRA, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports on the celebration of the African Days last Friday in Latvia.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis: government will not soften the minority education reform
• Head of the Russian Orthodox church, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II visits Latvia
• Ethic minority festivity Baltic Rainbow

The Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis in an interview with

The Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis in an interview with Latvijas Avize stated that the government does not foresee softening of the minority education reform and its implementation will go on. Aigars Kalvitis confirmed that the Latvian language will remain the only stated official language.

On Saturday, the Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II is on the three-day visit to Latvia. In the framework of the visit the Alexy II held several services in Riga Orthodox churches and has met with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and other state officials.

On Saturday, the Head of Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Alexy II is on the three-day visit to Latvia. In the framework of the visit the Alexy II held several services in Riga Orthodox churches and has met with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and other state officials. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

On Sunday, the representatives of Russian, German, Polish, Belarusian and Jewish folk groups took part in a festivity “Baltic Rainbow” held by the European Centre of Slavic Culture “Lira” in Riga. The festivity was held to promote and to develop culture of ethnic minorities living in Latvia.

On Sunday, the representatives of Russian, German, Polish, Belarusian and Jewish folk groups took part in a festivity Baltic Rainbow held by the European Centre of Slavic Culture Lira in Riga. The festivity was held to promote and to develop culture of ethnic minorities living in Latvia. Chas

• Executive Secretary of the Russian Union of Entrepreneurs Igor Yurgens: non-citizens have to be granted voting rights in the municipal elections
• Declaration on the respect, tolerance and cooperation on the internet

The Executive Secretary of the Russian Union of Entrepreneurs Igor Yurgens stated that interrelations between Latvia and Russia could be improved if non-citizens of Latvia are granted more rights, in particular voting rights in municipal elections and automatic rights to the status of the EU permanent resident. Igor Yurgen also believed that the history and situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia will always play an important role in the relations between two countries.

The Executive Secretary of the Russian Union of Entrepreneurs Igor Yurgens stated that interrelations between Latvia and Russia could be improved if non-citizens of Latvia are granted more rights, in particular voting rights in municipal elections and automatic rights to the status of the EU permanent resident. Igor Yurgen also believed that the history and situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia will always play an important role in the relations between two countries. Latvijas Avize

The representatives of various internet portals, NGOs and governmental institutions are planning to sign a declaration on the respect, tolerance and cooperation on the internet. The initiator of the declaration project is a chief editor of an internet portal

The representatives of various internet portals, NGOs and governmental institutions are planning to sign a declaration on the respect, tolerance and cooperation on the internet. The initiator of the declaration project is a chief editor of an internet portal www.dialogi.lv Anna Stroja. Anna Stroja believes that effective legal norm are not able to fully address intolerance towards various minority groups on the internet. She acknowledged the important role of self-censorship in monitoring the content published on the Internet, however, noted that it is a challenge for owners of internet portals to define the criteria of intolerant statements. Diena

• First ethnic discrimination case in Latvia
• Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident
• Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Immigration Law elaborated by FF/LNIM
• Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify its decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia
• 110.000 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship since the beginning of naturalisation in 1995

Yesterday, the Jelgava Administrative Court issued the ruling in the first ever case on discrimination on ethnic grounds. A Romani woman sued an employer for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EUR 1,422). The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone commented that it is a very essential development which may have serious impact on the situation of all Roma in Latvia.

Yesterday, the Jelgava Administrative Court issued the ruling in the first ever case on discrimination on ethnic grounds. A Romani woman sued an employer for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EUR 1,422). The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone commented that it is a very essential development which may have serious impact on the situation of all Roma in Latvia. Chas, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident status. The Law provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. The party “Concord Centre,” which proposed to grant the status of the EU permanent resident to Latvian non-citizens through registration, is planning to appeal with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law.

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted the Law on Granting the Status of the EU Permanent Resident status. The Law provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. The party Concord Centre, which proposed to grant the status of the EU permanent resident to Latvian non-citizens through registration, is planning to appeal with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Repatriation and Immigration Law elaborated by the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. As reported, the FF/LNIM proposed to encourage repatriation of Latvians currently residing in foreign countries, at the same time promote voluntary deportation of persons who are “disloyal” towards the state.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Repatriation and Immigration Law elaborated by the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. As reported, the FF/LNIM proposed to encourage repatriation of Latvians currently residing in foreign countries, at the same time promote voluntary deportation of persons who are disloyal towards the state. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify the decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia.  As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. However, in February 2006 the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision. Aleksandr Kazakov asked the Ministry of Interior to explain and specify its arguments on the decision of his expulsion.

The Administrative Regional Court repeatedly asked the Ministry of Interior to clarify the decision on the expulsion of Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia. As reported, in September of 2004, the Ministry of Interior took the decision to expel the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov from Latvia and to include him in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. However, in February 2006 the Supreme Court Senate abolished the decision. Aleksandr Kazakov asked the Ministry of Interior to explain and specify its arguments on the decision of his expulsion. Latvijas Avize

110.000 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995.

110.000 persons were granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since the procedure was launched in 1995. Diena

• Representative of the PACE Adrian Severin presented a memorandum on the situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia to the Council of Europe
• Russian Community of Latvia celebrates its 15 anniversary
• MP Aleksnadrs Kirsteins will run for the next Saeima elections in the list of the Union of Greens and Farmers
• Academician Abrams Kleckins: nationalistic ideas are not topical for the majority of Latvian young people

On 18 May, a representative of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Adrian Severin presented a memorandum on the situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia to the Council of Europe. The representative of Latvian delegation to the PACE Ingrida Circene (the New Era) stated that the memorandum confirmed that there are no problems with Russian-speaking minorities in Latvia. However, the chairperson of the PACE’s Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities Boriss Cilevichs (Latvian MP, the Concord Centre) argued that it is too early to comment on the memorandum, because it is only a preliminary report on the situation in Latvia.

On 18 May, a representative of the PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Adrian Severin presented a memorandum on the situation of ethnic minorities in Latvia to the Council of Europe. The representative of Latvian delegation to the PACE Ingrida Circene (the New Era) stated that the memorandum confirmed that there are no problems with Russian-speaking minorities in Latvia. However, the chairperson of the PACEs Sub-Committee on Rights of Minorities Boriss Cilevichs (Latvian MP, the Concord Centre) argued that it is too early to comment on the memorandum, because it is only a preliminary report on the situation in Latvia. Telegraf

The NGO Russian Community of Latvia (RCL) celebrates its 15 anniversary on 27 May. According to the Head of the RCL Vjaceslavs Altuhovs it is the biggest Russian NGO in Latvia, which embraces 825 active members and cooperates with other ethnic minority organisations in Latvia.

The NGO Russian Community of Latvia (RCL) celebrates its 15 anniversary on 27 May. According to the Head of the RCL Vjaceslavs Altuhovs it is the biggest Russian NGO in Latvia, which embraces 825 active members and cooperates with other ethnic minority organisations in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

MP Aleksnadrs Kirsteins (known for his radical nationalistic views) will run for the next Saeima elections in the list of the Union of Greens and Farmers. The Head of the Union Augusts Brigmanis in an interview with

MP Aleksnadrs Kirsteins (known for his radical nationalistic views) will run for the next Saeima elections in the list of the Union of Greens and Farmers. The Head of the Union Augusts Brigmanis in an interview with Telegraf stated that the Greens and Farmers have common position with Aleksnadrs Kirsteins regarding economic issues as well as ethnic, in particular implementation of the minority education reform and use of the State language. Although, Augusts Brigmanis said, we are not so radical and we do not support the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law and to the Repatriation Law. However, if Aleksandrs Kirsteins wants he can support those amendments. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Academician Abrams Kleckins in an interview with

Academician Abrams Kleckins in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that nationalism is not topical for the majority of Latvian young people: they live in other world – the world of European cosmopolitism. Young people forget what patriotism is.