• Festivity of Russian culture and education in Latvia will be held in December 2007 - January 2008
• Ministry of Justice has prepared the draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating punishment for denial, glorification or justification of genocide
• Vesti Segodnya reports on a conference Russian Info-space in the Baltic Countries held in Tallinn

Newspapers report that a festivity of Russian culture and education in Latvia will be held in December 2007 - January 2008. Russian  NGOs are planning to hold several events and activities in the framework of the festivity. The festivity is celebrated in Latvia since 2000 when it was launched by an initiative of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools.  

Newspapers report that a festivity of Russian culture and education in Latvia will be held in December 2007 - January 2008. Russian NGOs are planning to hold several events and activities in the framework of the festivity. The festivity is celebrated in Latvia since 2000 when it was launched by an initiative of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools. Telegraf, LA, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Ministry of Justice has prepared the draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating criminal prosecution for those persons who publicly glorify or justify persons sentenced for genocide, or those who publicly deny genocide, glorify or justify regime which realized genocide. The Ministry proposes to punish such crimes with up-to 5 years imprisonment or community service.

The Ministry of Justice has prepared the draft amendments to the Criminal Code stipulating criminal prosecution for those persons who publicly glorify or justify persons sentenced for genocide, or those who publicly deny genocide, glorify or justify regime which realized genocide. The Ministry proposes to punish such crimes with up-to 5 years imprisonment or community service. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports on a conference Russian Info-space in the Baltic Countries held by the Baltic Foundation on Regional Development in Tallinn on 15-17 November. Latvian media experts and journalists also have taken part in the conference. Academician and Latvian media expert Sergejs Kruks has stated that ethnic Latvians have prejudice towards Russian-language information space and are confident that Russia has great impact on media audience in Latvia.

• Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country
• The Ministry of Welfare proposes easing procedure on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries
• Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins and the Minister of Interior Ivars Godmanis about draft concept on migration of labour force
• Head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks: the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has done nothing for promotion of integration
• Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a visit of Nils Usakovs, MP and leader of the political party The Concord Centre to the U.S.A.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is planning to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding the rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country. According to a member of the Chamber of Local Governments Yan Micallef, Latvian authorities have ignored four times the invitation by the Congress to visit the Council of Europe to discuss problems of ethnic minorities in Latvia.

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe is planning to send a mission to Latvia to examine the situation regarding the rights of ethnic minorities and non-citizens in the country. According to a member of the Chamber of Local Governments Yan Micallef, Latvian authorities have ignored four times the invitation by the Congress to visit the Council of Europe to discuss problems of ethnic minorities in Latvia. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Welfare has proposed easing procedures on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries. According to the proposal, to invite guest workers employers will have to submit all required documents only to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board. The Ministry of Welfare considers that attraction of foreign labour force should be used only as absolute necessity.

The Ministry of Welfare has proposed easing procedures on issuing working permits for guest workers from non-EU countries. According to the proposal, to invite guest workers employers will have to submit all required documents only to the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Board. The Ministry of Welfare considers that attraction of foreign labour force should be used only as absolute necessity. Chas

Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) and the Minister of Interior Ivars Godmanis (Latvias First Party/Latvias Way) about draft concept on migration of labour force. According to Ivars Godmanis, there are two alternatives of the concept: to change nothing in the present Latvian migration policy or to introduce quotas for influx of the most needed foreign specialists. Gaidis Berzins has stated that free movement of labour force in the EU countries does not require specific concepts, therefore, there is no need to change present migration policy. Gaidis Berzins also believes that if Latvia opens its labour market for nationals of non-EU countries it might create uncontrolled influx of guest workers.

Vesti Segodnya prints criticism about the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens by the head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks. Mr. Kuzmuks considers that the Minister has done nothing for the promotion of naturalisation, for the promotion of teaching Latvian language for indigent people, and for combating discrimination and ethnic and racial intolerance. Mr. Kuzmuks considers that ineffective activities of the Minister and the Secretariat mean that either the Minister must be changed or there is a need for the evaluation of the work of the institution.

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a visit of the MP, leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Usakovs to the United States of America. According to Mr. Usakovs, it was the first official visit of Russian speaking politician from Latvia to the U.S. During the visit Nils Isakovs met several U.S. diplomats and parliamentarians informing them about politics in Latvia, including situation with Russian speaking residents.

• MP Janis Urbanovics: there are more urgent problems than ethnic issues

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the MP from the political party the Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics in response to the criticism by the newspapers columnist towards those Saeimas factions who tolerate the possibility of co-operating with the Concord Centre. As reported, the columnist of Latvijas Avize blamed the Concord Centre for its orientation towards the Russian speaking voters and their interests. Janis Urbanovics has stated that presently, there are more urgent problems in the country than ethnic issues, therefore, it is miserable to stress that The Concord Centre cares only about problems of Russian speakers.

• Weekly magazine Sestdiena prints an article on guest workers in Latvia
• Academician Janis Priedkalns: Latvian language should remain the only official language in Latvia

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Sestdiena prints an article on guest workers in Latvia. According to the article, the majority of guest workers arrive to Latvia from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Armenia and Uzbekistan. There has also been a regular inflow of workers from Rumania and Bulgaria to Latvia as they do not need working permits. According to a representative of the State Labour Inspectorate, guest workers are predominantly employed in construction work, transport and communications sector, and in manufacturing industry. Russian is the language of communication or the majority of guest workers.

Academician Janis Priedkalns has stated that Latvian language should remain the only official language in Latvia. Mr. Priedkalns considers that granting Russian the status of a minority  language would endanger the position and preservation of the Latvian language.

Academician Janis Priedkalns has stated that Latvian language should remain the only official language in Latvia. Mr. Priedkalns considers that granting Russian the status of a minority language would endanger the position and preservation of the Latvian language. NRA

• General Prosecutors Office reopened criminal proceedings against neo-Nazi Andris Jordans
• State Language Committee refused a proposal of the MP Ina Druviete to grant Russian the official status of ethnic minorities language in Latvia
• Telegraf: non-citizens will be able to cross internal borders of Shengen area without border control
• TV journalist Janis Domburs: political parties in Latvia should not be divided along ethnic lines

Chas reports that the MPs Vladislavs Rafalskis and Viktors Gluhovs have received a reply from the General Prosecutors Office regarding the case of neo-Nazi Andris Jordans. The General Prosecutors Office informs that the decision of the Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court to terminate Jordans case is revoked and criminal proceedings on incitement to ethnic hatred are reopened. As reported, neo-Nazi Andris Jordans, has publicly stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them.

The State Language Committee has refused a proposal of the MP Ina Druviete to grant Russian and other languages of traditional minorities the official status of ethnic minorities’ languages in Latvia. According to the Committee, Latvian language must remain the only official language of the country.

The State Language Committee has refused a proposal of the MP Ina Druviete to grant Russian and other languages of traditional minorities the official status of ethnic minorities languages in Latvia. According to the Committee, Latvian language must remain the only official language of the country. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Telegraf reports that since 21 December 2007, when Latvia joins the Shengen Agreement, all persons who legally reside in Latvia, including Latvian non-citizens will be able to cross internal borders of the Shengen area without border control.

In an interview with

In an interview with Telegraf, one of the leading Latvian TV journalists Janis Domburs has stated that political parties in Latvia should not be divided into Russian speaking and Latvian speaking ones, but should be opened for everyone.