• Yesterday Saeima adopted a declaration condemning crimes of totalitarian communism
• Neatkariga Rita Avize reports on results of a society integration project realised by students from Olaine
• Latvijas Avize continues to write about the forthcoming ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

Yesterday Saeima by 70 votes of the right-wing MPs adopted a declaration condemning the USSR totalitarian communist regime. According to the declaration, the Latvian government should claim compensations from Russia for damages caused by the occupation regime. Referring to the international documents, the declaration calls for continuing repatriation of former Soviet Army military personnel and their families. The Russian-language newspaper

Yesterday Saeima by 70 votes of the right-wing MPs adopted a declaration condemning the USSR totalitarian communist regime. According to the declaration, the Latvian government should claim compensations from Russia for damages caused by the occupation regime. Referring to the international documents, the declaration calls for continuing repatriation of former Soviet Army military personnel and their families. The Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya evaluates this document as a ‘declaration of ethnic cleansing. Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks insists that repatriation of the Russian militaries does not mean deportation, but rather support to persons willing to move back to their native country. Yesterday the European Parliament also adopted a resolution on the consequences of the World War II, recognising that the end of the war for several states meant not liberation, but another tyranny, imposed by the Soviet Union. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize reports on results of a society integration project, realised by the students of the Olaine College of Mechanics and Technology. The goal of the project was to promote the naturalisation process in Olaine town. Opinion poll, conducted by the students during the project, showed that non-citizens lack information about advantages provided by the Latvian citizenship. In response, students organised the Information Days on naturalisation issues, as well as seminars for non-citizens. A special Information Room was opened, where consultations on citizenship issues will be provided by the Naturalisation Board (NB). According to the NB, amount of naturalisation applications increased threefold during the implementation of the project. 61% of people living in Olaine are non-ethnic Latvians, and 40% are non-citizens.

Latvijas Avize continues to write about the forthcoming ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, and possible definition of the national minority.

• Newspapers continue discussions on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

Newspapers continue to write about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It has been stated that the Convention most likely will be adopted with two reservations: on the usage of minority languages in communication with municipalities and street signs. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis believes that reservations are necessary due to the specific historic circumstances in Latvia. Russian language newspapers report on plans of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia to organise a picket in support of ratification of the Convention without reservations near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers on 17 May. Representatives of the political party believes that all rights, provided by the Convention, should be granted to all Latvia’s permanent residents.

Newspapers continue to write about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It has been stated that the Convention most likely will be adopted with two reservations: on the usage of minority languages in communication with municipalities and street signs. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis believes that reservations are necessary due to the specific historic circumstances in Latvia. Russian language newspapers report on plans of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia to organise a picket in support of ratification of the Convention without reservations near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers on 17 May. Representatives of the political party believes that all rights, provided by the Convention, should be granted to all Latvias permanent residents. Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the MP Boriss Cilevics (the Peoples Harmony Party) about the mechanisms of the implementation of the Convention. The MP believes that the government will be obligated to make amendments to the State Language Law and the Law on Education and cancel the minority education reform. Telegraf prints a full text of the Convention. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

• Newspapers continue discussions on the minority definition developed by the government
• President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso talks about observation of minority rights in the Baltic States
• Telegraf reports on the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to form a new Subcommittee on Minority Rights
• Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins talks about the necessity to revise naturalisation procedure
• Minority representatives about their meeting with the USA President George W.Bush

Newspapers continue to hold discussions on the minority definition developed by the government for the purposes of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. As reported, the national minority definition will include only Latvian citizens who reside in Latvia permanently, have long-term relations with the country, differ from the core nation on the grounds of ethnicity, language, culture and religion and want to maintain their culture and identity.

Newspapers continue to hold discussions on the minority definition developed by the government for the purposes of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. As reported, the national minority definition will include only Latvian citizens who reside in Latvia permanently, have long-term relations with the country, differ from the core nation on the grounds of ethnicity, language, culture and religion and want to maintain their culture and identity. Diena features comments of several minority and international law experts. The lecturer of the Riga Graduate School of Law Kristine Kruma states that the UN Human Rights Committee and the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination are against linking of minorities with citizenship. According to the lecturer, the Constitution of Latvia also does not restrict minority rights on the basis of citizenship. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that the inclusion of citizenship criteria in the definition actually means the restriction of the term ‘national minority, which is not desirable. The former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks states that the proposed definition is a compromise. He believes Russia and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will criticise Latvia if the proposed definition will be adopted. The MP Boris Tsilevich in an interview with a Russian-language newspaper states that the proposed definition of national minorities is discriminatory against non-citizens. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

‘All European Union member states, including the Baltics, should observe minority rights,’ stated the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso in his interview with the Russian radio station ‘Eho Moskvi’ yesterday. According to

‘All European Union member states, including the Baltics, should observe minority rights, stated the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barosso in his interview with the Russian radio station ‘Eho Moskvi yesterday. According to Chas, Mr. Barosso stated that all residents of these countries should be granted the possibility to acquire citizenship of the country of their residence and be granted equal rights. Chas

Telegraf reports on the decision of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to form a new Subcommittee on Minority Rights. The chairman of the Subcommittee could be the Saeima MP Boris Tsilevich (Peoples Harmony Party).

Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an article by the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about the necessity to revise naturalisation procedure. The MP believes that amendments which would prevent the acquisition of Latvian citizenship by persons who are far from the Latvian society and culture should be adopted.

Latvijas Avize prints comments of several minority representatives about their meeting with the USA President George W.Bush. Representative of the Romani community Vanda Zamicka-Bergendale stated that she talked about discrimination against Roma in the job market and low integration level of Roma into Latvian society. Zamicka-Bergendale also expressed the hope that more effective cooperation between the government and the Romani community will be developed in the future. While the chairperson of the medical equipment company ‘Lesmed Olga Cibe pointed that Latvian and minorities have equal possibilities in doing business. Teacher of the Belorussian language at the Riga Belorussian Elementary School stressed that Belorussians should be integrated into Latvian society through its educational system.

• Ruling parties: Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified till the end of June

Yesterday the ruling parties came to an agreement that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified till the end of June. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis stated that till that time the minority definition will also be elaborated. According to the Minister the national minority definition will cover only Latvian citizens who reside in Latvia permanently, have long-term relations with the country, differ from the core nation on the grounds of ethnicity, language, culture and religion and want to maintain their culture and identity. Hence people who arrived in Latvia during the Soviet occupation will not be the subjects of the Convention.

Yesterday the ruling parties came to an agreement that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified till the end of June. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis stated that till that time the minority definition will also be elaborated. According to the Minister the national minority definition will cover only Latvian citizens who reside in Latvia permanently, have long-term relations with the country, differ from the core nation on the grounds of ethnicity, language, culture and religion and want to maintain their culture and identity. Hence people who arrived in Latvia during the Soviet occupation will not be the subjects of the Convention. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

• Newspapers comment on the speech delivered by the USA President George W. Bush
• Articles about the meeting of the USA President George Bush with representatives of the Latvian civic society

Newspapers report on the visit of the USA President George W. Bush to Latvia. Newspapers mainly pay attention to and comment on the USA President’s speech delivered in Riga, in particular, two issues mentioned in the President’s speech: occupation of the Baltic States at the end of the World War II and minority rights. In his speech the USA President noted that ‘the promise of democracy starts with national pride, and independence and elections. But it does not end there. The promise of democracy is fulfilled by minority rights, and equal justice under the rule of law, and an inclusive society… A country that divides into factions and dwells on old grievances cannot move forward, and risks sliding back into tyranny.’ The USA president recognised that ‘Latvia is facing the challenges that come with ethnic diversities’ and called to reach out to all who share the future of Latvia. Several state officials and experts believe the Bush’s statements on minority issues may be interpreted as a signal that Latvia should improve the situation of minorities. They note that the statements may be as well an attempt to soften the USA President’s statements which recognised the occupation of the Baltic States. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her interview for Russian journalists stressed that the USA President did not analyse the Latvia’s policy on national minorities. While the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks believes that the USA President meant that the experience of Latvia in the area of minority rights is a good practice in this field and should be followed by other countries.

Newspapers report on the visit of the USA President George W. Bush to Latvia. Newspapers mainly pay attention to and comment on the USA Presidents speech delivered in Riga, in particular, two issues mentioned in the Presidents speech: occupation of the Baltic States at the end of the World War II and minority rights. In his speech the USA President noted that ‘the promise of democracy starts with national pride, and independence and elections. But it does not end there. The promise of democracy is fulfilled by minority rights, and equal justice under the rule of law, and an inclusive society… A country that divides into factions and dwells on old grievances cannot move forward, and risks sliding back into tyranny. The USA president recognised that ‘Latvia is facing the challenges that come with ethnic diversities and called to reach out to all who share the future of Latvia. Several state officials and experts believe the Bushs statements on minority issues may be interpreted as a signal that Latvia should improve the situation of minorities. They note that the statements may be as well an attempt to soften the USA Presidents statements which recognised the occupation of the Baltic States. The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her interview for Russian journalists stressed that the USA President did not analyse the Latvias policy on national minorities. While the Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia Artis Pabriks believes that the USA President meant that the experience of Latvia in the area of minority rights is a good practice in this field and should be followed by other countries. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the USA President George Bush with representatives of the Latvian civic society. Representatives of minorities, such as Russians, Poles, Roma and others were also invited to participate in the discussion with the USA President. In the discussion the representative of the Afro-Latvian Association pointed to difficulties faced by dark-skin people to find a job in Latvia, as well as indifference of the Police towards attacks based on racial grounds. While representatives of other minorities indicated to difficulties experienced by their members, for instance difficulties of Roma to integrate into society. The member of the Riga City Council and representative of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools Igors Pimenovs pointed to problems in the area of minority rights – mass non-citizenship and the implementation of the minority education reform.

Newspapers feature articles about the meeting of the USA President George Bush with representatives of the Latvian civic society. Representatives of minorities, such as Russians, Poles, Roma and others were also invited to participate in the discussion with the USA President. In the discussion the representative of the Afro-Latvian Association pointed to difficulties faced by dark-skin people to find a job in Latvia, as well as indifference of the Police towards attacks based on racial grounds. While representatives of other minorities indicated to difficulties experienced by their members, for instance difficulties of Roma to integrate into society. The member of the Riga City Council and representative of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools Igors Pimenovs pointed to problems in the area of minority rights – mass non-citizenship and the implementation of the minority education reform. Diena, Chas, Telegraf