• State Language Centre invited the head coach of Latvias hockey national team Olegs Znaroks to come for an interview with language inspectors to prove his state language proficiency
• 3,541 persons have arrived to Latvia in 2007 for permanent residency from 66 countries

The State Language Centre has sent an appeal to the Latvian Hockey Federation asking the head coach of Latvia’s hockey national team Olegs Znaroks to come for an interview with language inspectors to prove his state language proficiency. The State Language Centre claims that Olegs Znaroks violates the State Language Law by refusing to speak Latvian at public events.

The State Language Centre has sent an appeal to the Latvian Hockey Federation asking the head coach of Latvias hockey national team Olegs Znaroks to come for an interview with language inspectors to prove his state language proficiency. The State Language Centre claims that Olegs Znaroks violates the State Language Law by refusing to speak Latvian at public events. Latvijas Avize

According to the Latvian Central Statistics Bureau’s information about long-term migration in Latvia in 2007, 3,541 persons have arrived to Latvia for permanent residency from 66 countries. The majority of arrivals are from Bulgaria (269) and the United Kingdom (206) as well as from Lithuania and Ireland. As a result of migration, the number of ethnic Latvians has decreased by 342 persons, Russians by 1,292, Belorussians by 192, Ukrainians by 166. At the same time, the number of Bulgarians grew by 278, Germans by 157, Lithuanians by 145.

According to the Latvian Central Statistics Bureaus information about long-term migration in Latvia in 2007, 3,541 persons have arrived to Latvia for permanent residency from 66 countries. The majority of arrivals are from Bulgaria (269) and the United Kingdom (206) as well as from Lithuania and Ireland. As a result of migration, the number of ethnic Latvians has decreased by 342 persons, Russians by 1,292, Belorussians by 192, Ukrainians by 166. At the same time, the number of Bulgarians grew by 278, Germans by 157, Lithuanians by 145. NRA

General Director of Employers Confederation Elina Egle criticises proposed linguistic restrictions

Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins refused to answer questions in Russian

General Director of Employers’ Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle believes that Latvian language should not be imposed by linguistic restrictions and penalties. Instead, the EU funding should be used to support Latvian language learning and integration of society. She is also worried by the fact that many young Latvian-speakers have very low proficiency in Russian, as it undermines Latvia’s competitive advantage as a bridge between the EU and Russia. According to forecasts of the Employers’ Confederation, by 2013 Latvia will experience a very serious shortage of labour.

General Director of Employers Confederation of Latvia Elina Egle believes that Latvian language should not be imposed by linguistic restrictions and penalties. Instead, the EU funding should be used to support Latvian language learning and integration of society. She is also worried by the fact that many young Latvian-speakers have very low proficiency in Russian, as it undermines Latvias competitive advantage as a bridge between the EU and Russia. According to forecasts of the Employers Confederation, by 2013 Latvia will experience a very serious shortage of labour. Telegraf

Newspapers report that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins at the end of a press briefing refused to answer questions asked in Russian for Russian-language media, stating that he had already provided all answers in Latvian.

Newspapers report that theMinister of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins at the end of a press briefing refused to answer questions asked in Russian for Russian-language media, stating that he had already provided all answers in Latvian. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

• Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession.
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: there is no need to reconsider the Citizenship Law
• Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013 has been developed
• An initiative to grant non-citizens the right to vote in European Parliament elections

Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession. According the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Edgars Vaikulis, “the Prime Minister also believes that, like a year ago when he occupied the position of the Minister of Interior and possible oral or physical conflicts were averted, an optimal solution would be to hold the procession in Vermanes Garden” (a fenced park in the centre of Riga). Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehris noted that assessment of security and public order demands are outside of the Mr.Kastens’ competences and such unfounded statements could serve as a pretext for curtailing the freedom of assembly. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens responded that “the procession will invoke aggression and possibly unpredictable actions of some social groups”.

Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession. According the Prime Ministers Press Secretary Edgars Vaikulis, the Prime Minister also believes that, like a year ago when he occupied the position of the Minister of Interior and possible oral or physical conflicts were averted, an optimal solution would be to hold the procession in Vermanes Garden (a fenced park in the centre of Riga). Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehris noted that assessment of security and public order demands are outside of the Mr.Kastens competences and such unfounded statements could serve as a pretext for curtailing the freedom of assembly. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens responded that the procession will invoke aggression and possibly unpredictable actions of some social groups. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

At the meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins stated that Latvia’s Citizenship Law is one of the most liberal in Europe there is no need to reconsider it.

At the meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins stated that Latvias Citizenship Law is one of the most liberal in Europe there is no need to reconsider it. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration developed “Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013”. 549195 Latvian lats (781439 Euros) are required for implementation of the Programme. However, the Programme does not name explicitly the specific groups that are exposed to the risk of discrimination or intolerance.

Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration developed Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013. 549195 Latvian lats (781439 Euros) are required for implementation of the Programme. However, the Programme does not name explicitly the specific groups that are exposed to the risk of discrimination or intolerance. Vesti Segodnya

According to an MP Valerijs Agesins, the number of places in the European Parliament is calculated on the basis of the total population of the country. Thus, Latvia was allotted 9 places, and MEPs from Latvia representing nationalist “For Fatherland and Freedom” are also occupying the places that were allotted thanks to non-citizens living in the country. Therefore, the left-wing politicians are going to address all factions and the President of the European Parliament with the proposal to start discussions about granting non-citizens voting rights in the next European Parliament elections.

According to an MP Valerijs Agesins, the number of places in the European Parliament is calculated on the basis of the total population of the country. Thus, Latvia was allotted 9 places, and MEPs from Latvia representing nationalist For Fatherland and Freedom are also occupying the places that were allotted thanks to non-citizens living in the country. Therefore, the left-wing politicians are going to address all factions and the President of the European Parliament with the proposal to start discussions about granting non-citizens voting rights in the next European Parliament elections. Vesti Segodnya

• FHRUL sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis criticizing the draft Law on Higher Education Establishments
• State Language Centre punished employee of the Riga Airport for placement of advertisement written in Russian language
• Chas reports about a visit of the High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek to Daugavpils
• Study by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences: national holidays are celebrated by less than half of non-Latvians living in Latvia

Political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis criticizing the draft Law on Higher Education Establishments which prohibits teaching in foreign languages in all higher education establishments in Latvia. The FHRUL finds such language restrictions anti-constitutional and harmful to Latvian economics. The FHRUL asks the Prime Minister to withdraw such restrictions before the draft law is submitted to the Saeima. As reported, the draft law in fact prohibits teaching in Russian language in private higher education establishments.

Political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis criticizing the draft Law on Higher Education Establishments which prohibits teaching in foreign languages in all higher education establishments in Latvia. The FHRUL finds such language restrictions anti-constitutional and harmful to Latvian economics. The FHRUL asks the Prime Minister to withdraw such restrictions before the draft law is submitted to the Saeima. As reported, the draft law in fact prohibits teaching in Russian language in private higher education establishments. Vesti Segodnya

The State Language Centre has punished employee of the Riga Airport for placement of advertisement written in Russian language

The State Language Centre has punished employee of the Riga Airport for placement of advertisement written in Russian language. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas reports about a visit of the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Knut Vollebaek to Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia). The High Commissioner has visited representatives of Russian NGOs and city officials.

According to a study conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences, Latvian national holidays are celebrated by two thirds of ethnic Latvians and less than half of non-Latvians living in Latvia.

According to a study conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences, Latvian national holidays are celebrated by two thirds of ethnic Latvians and less than half ofnon-Latvians living in Latvia. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek considers that Latvian government should grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• FF/LNIM proposes to grant the 16 March status of official commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires

Yesterday, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Knut Vollebaek has appealed to Latvian government to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The High Commissioner believes that while granting non-citizens municipal voting rights might marginally decrease interest in naturalisation, overall such decision would promote integration of society. The High Commissioner also has stated that Latvian government should pay more attention to naturalisation process. As reported, Knut Vollebaek has arrived with official visit to Latvia.

Yesterday, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Knut Vollebaek has appealed to Latvian government to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The High Commissioner believes that while granting non-citizens municipal voting rights might marginally decrease interest in naturalisation, overall such decision would promote integration of society. The High Commissioner also has stated that Latvian government should pay more attention to naturalisation process. As reported, Knut Vollebaek has arrived with official visit to Latvia. Chas, Telegraf

The Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) proposes to include the 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires – into the list of official commemoration days in Latvia.

The Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) proposes to include the 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires – into the list of official commemoration days in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya