• Anti-fascist and Russian NGOs have appealed to the President of Latvia, and other high officials asking not to permit commemorative processions on 16 March

Several so-called “anti-fascist” and Russian minority NGOs have appealed to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior and the Mayor of Riga City asking not to permit commemorative processions on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionaries. As reported, several Latvian radical nationalist organisations are planning to hold processions on 16 March. The NGOs consider that national radicals use this date to provoke and speculate on tragic events of Latvian history, therefore, the state authorities should prevent their activities on this day.

Several so-called anti-fascist and Russian minority NGOs have appealed to the President of Latvia, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior and the Mayor of Riga City asking not to permit commemorative processions on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionaries. As reported, several Latvian radical nationalist organisations are planning to hold processions on 16 March. The NGOs consider that national radicals use this date to provoke and speculate on tragic events of Latvian history, therefore, the state authorities should prevent their activities on this day. Chas

• Russian language newspapers feature an interview with the new Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov
• Latvijas Avize prints an article about report on human rights in Latvia prepared by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance

Russian language newspapers feature an interview with the new Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov. The Ambassador has stressed that situation with large scale non-citizenship in Latvia should be solved in accordance with recommendations of international organisations. Mr. Veshnyakov also believes that persons who have decided to reside in Latvia must study its history, culture and language.

Russian language newspapers feature an interview with the new Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov. The Ambassador has stressed that situation with large scale non-citizenship in Latvia should be solved in accordance with recommendations of international organisations. Mr. Veshnyakov also believes that persons who have decided to reside in Latvia must study its history, culture and language. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize prints an article about report on human rights in Latvia prepared by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). Columnist of the newspaper argues that the report is not acceptable to Latvian society and government because the ECRI avoids the fact that Latvia was occupied and the consequences of USSR ethnic policy. The columnist claims that the ECRI recommended Latvia to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, permit dual citizenship of Latvia and Russia, as well as to equalize rights of Latvian language and minority languages. According to the columnist, the report apparently will be taken into account and used by various structures of the European Council, therefore, pressure on Latvia regarding these issues will grow.

• Head of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis: young ethnic Latvians are not able to find job due to insufficient Russian language proficiency
• Chas reports about a festivity of Russian Book planned to be held in Riga from 28 February to 2 March

The Head of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis has stated that young ethnic Latvians are not able to find job due to the fact that the majority of employers in Latvia require their potential employees to be also proficient in Russian language, while many young ethnic Latvians have insufficient Russian language proficiency. According to Antons Kursitis, lack of Russian language proficiency is one of the reasons why large number of Latvians is emigrating from Latvia. Therefore, Mr Kursitis considers that state language policy in Latvia should be more severe.

The Head of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis has stated that young ethnic Latvians are not able to find job due to the fact that the majority of employers in Latvia require their potential employees to be also proficient in Russian language, while many young ethnic Latvians have insufficient Russian language proficiency. According to Antons Kursitis, lack of Russian language proficiency is one of the reasons why large number of Latvians is emigrating from Latvia. Therefore, Mr Kursitis considers that state language policy in Latvia should be more severe. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas reports about a festivity of Russian Book planned to be held in Riga from 28 February to 2 March. The main theme of the festivity is intercultural dialogue between Latvians and Russians by means of literature and books.

• Latvijas Avize prints an article about hate speech on the Internet
• National Power Union and Hawks of Daugava have submitted to the Riga City Council the applications to hold commemorative processions on 16 March
• Nationalistic party All for Latvia! sets conditions for merger with other political organisations

Latvijas Avize prints an article about hate speech on the Internet. In an interview with the newspaper, representative of the Security Police (SP) has stated that hate crimes on the Internet are on the rise in Latvia and all over Europe. According to the SP, one of the ways to stop such crimes is to amend legislation so that editors of the Internet portals would be responsible for opinions published at their portals.

Newspapers report that two national radical organisations “National Power Union” and “Hawks of Daugava” have submitted to the Riga City Council the applications to hold commemorative processions on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionaries.

Newspapers report that two national radical organisations National Power Union and Hawks of Daugava have submitted to the Riga City Council the applications to hold commemorative processions on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionaries. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports that the ex-members of the political party the New Era and the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM who are establishing new political party, have launched negotiations with the nationalistic party All for Latvia!. The party has set several conditions for merger with other political organisations. In particular, All for Latvia! demands to halt naturalisation; toughen language policy; promote the departure of those residents who settled in Latvia during Soviet times; keep strict migration policy; decrease Russias impact on Latvian economics; and recognise Latvian Waffen SS legionaries as national heroes.

• Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive article on implementation of principle of multiculturalism in Latvia
• NRA reports that a citizen of Pakistan has returned home to Cesis with three of his children

Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive article on implementation of principle of multiculturalism in Latvia. The experts interviewed by the newspaper believe that multiculturalism is not the proper principle on which to built Latvian policy. Politician and linguist Ina Druviete has stated that all cultures and languages are equally valuable, however, national identity of Latvia is based on Latvian language and culture. Politician Artis Pabriks considers that immigrants should adjust to the norms of titular nations existence. Linguist Dzintra Hirsa believes that replacing the principle of national state with multiculturalism is an attempt to deform Latvian history by refusing acknowledgement of occupation and to deny Latvian language as a symbol of Latvian national state.

NRA reports that a citizen of Pakistan has returned home to Cesis (town in the Northern part of Latvia) with three of his children. As reported, the Pakistani man was missing with underage children born by his Latvian wife after he was deprived custody of children. The man is in the process of divorce from his wife who also has appealed to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs asking to annul residence permit for her Pakistani husband.