• Tatyana Zdanoka: non-citizens must have voting rights in the EP elections equally with Latvian citizens
• Latvijas Avize reports that the Saeima has refused the draft amendments to the General Education Law proposed by the FHRUL

Vesti Segodnya reports that Latvia has kept 9 seats in the European Parliament (EP) distributed accordingly to total number of Latvian residents. The MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has stated that if the seats are distributed in accordance with number of Latvian citizens Latvia would get only 7 seats because 17 % of residents are non-citizens. Therefore, Tatyana Zdanoka believes that non-citizens must have voting rights in the EP elections equally with Latvian citizens.

Latvijas Avize reports that the Saeima has refused the draft amendments to the General Education Law proposed by the oppositional party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). The FHRUL proposed to allow keeping those classes with Russian as main language of instructions, where the number of pupils is falling below the minimum required by the state at present. Due to this requirement many classes with Russian as a main language of instruction are being closed throughout Latvia regions. The FHRUL also proposed that in lessons supposedly taught in Latvian, a teacher could explain some aspects of the material in Russian if the pupils do not understand it in the state language.

• Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis supports introduction of quotas for guest workers moving to Latvia
• Ministry of Foreign Affair: all kinds of radical and extremist expressions, including anti-Semitism and xenophobia are inappropriate for Latvia
• European Jewish Congress will hold its next meeting in Riga in December
• FHRUL has asked the Minister of Regional Development and Local Government why in majority of municipalities non-citizens cannot be elected into local committees and working groups
• The least number of applications for asylum among the EU countries was submitted in Estonia and Latvia

The Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis supports introduction of quotas for guest workers moving to Latvia. The Prime Minister considers that quotas could be set for representatives of certain professions which are most acutely required by Latvian labour market.

The Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis supports introduction of quotas for guest workers moving to Latvia. The Prime Minister considers that quotas could be set for representatives of certain professions which are most acutely required by Latvian labour market. Chas, Telegraf

In a reply to a statement of the President of Russia Valdimir Putin that Latvian authorities tolerate glorification of the Nazis, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that all kinds of radical and extremist expressions, including anti-Semitism and xenophobia are inappropriate for Latvia.

In a reply to a statement of the President of Russia Valdimir Putin that Latvian authorities tolerate glorification of the Nazis, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that all kinds of radical and extremist expressions, including anti-Semitism and xenophobia are inappropriate for Latvia. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports that the Executive Committee of the European Jewish Congress will hold its next meeting in Riga in December 2007.

Yesterday, the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has sent a request to the Minister of Regional Development and Local Government Aigars Stokenbergs asking to explain why in majority of municipalities non-citizens cannot be elected into local committees and working groups alongside with deputies and to participate in public deliberations (local referendums). The FHRUL also asks the Minister to provide proposals how to solve this problem.

Yesterday, the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has sent a request to the Minister of Regional Development and Local Government Aigars Stokenbergs asking to explain why in majority of municipalities non-citizens cannot be elected into local committees and working groups alongside with deputies and to participate in public deliberations (local referendums). The FHRUL also asks the Minister to provide proposals how to solve this problem. Chas

According to Eurostat report, number of asylum seekers in the EU has decreased for past five years. The least number of applications for asylum was submitted in Estonia and Latvia.  20 persons have asked for asylum in Latvia in 2005 and only 10 persons in 2006.

According to Eurostat report, number of asylum seekers in the EU has decreased for past five years. The least number of applications for asylum was submitted in Estonia and Latvia. 20 persons have asked for asylum in Latvia in 2005 and only 10 persons in 2006. Diena

• MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka: Latvian non-citizens have to be granted voting rights in election of the European Parliament
• President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Latvian and Estonian authorities tolerate glorification of the Nazis

Chas prints an article on possible further distribution of the MEP seats intended to each of the EU member country. In an interview to the newspaper, the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has stated that, presently, number of seats for representatives of Latvia is distributed accordingly to total number of Latvian residents, therefore, Mrs. Zdanoka believes that it would be logical if Latvian non-citizens also would be granted voting rights in election of the European Parliament.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting with members of the Executive Committee of the European Jewish Congress stated that Latvian and Estonian authorities tolerate glorification of the Nazis. Particularly, Vladimir Putin criticized the fact that state institutions permit events on 16 March held for commemoration of Waffen SS unit - Latvian legion’ establishment.

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting with members of the Executive Committee of the European Jewish Congress stated that Latvian and Estonian authorities tolerate glorification of the Nazis. Particularly, Vladimir Putin criticized the fact that state institutions permit events on 16 March held for commemoration of Waffen SS unit - Latvian legion establishment. Diena

• Picket against mass scale non-citizenship will be held in Riga on 15 October
• Telegraf prints an interview with the Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns

The members of the Riga City Council from the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia are planning to hold a picket against mass scale non-citizenship at a representation office of the European Commission (EC) in Latvia on 15 October. Participants of the picket will hand over to the representatives of the EC a petition with an appeal to control implementation of recommendations made by various international organisations regarding elimination of mass scale non-citizenship in Latvia and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections.

The members of the Riga City Council from the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia are planning to hold a picket against mass scale non-citizenship at a representation office of the European Commission (EC) in Latvia on 15 October. Participants of the picket will hand over to the representatives of the EC a petition with an appeal to control implementation of recommendations made by various international organisations regarding elimination of mass scale non-citizenship in Latvia and granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Chas

In an interview with

In an interview with Telegraf, the Head of the Citizenship Law Implementation Committee, MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) has stated that every single resident of Latvia has to speak Latvian language. Therefore, the MP considers that the State Language Law must include severe norms on usage of state language, which would also be applied on private sector and manufacturing. Peteris Tabuns also considers that Latvia must not attract guest workers because there is no lack of labour force in the country and because influx of foreign labour force would endanger Latvians as nation.

• Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has accepted the draft concept on Migration Policy in the Context of Employment

Yesterday, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has accepted the draft concept on Migration Policy in the Context of Employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. According to the concept, influx of guest workers to Latvia is necessary due to the luck of domestic labour force. However, the concept stipulates only controlled immigration with introduction of quotas for influx of guest workers in particular regions and spheres. The concept also stipulates easing administrative procedures and reduction of state fee for attraction of guest workers from non-EU countries.

Yesterday, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has accepted the draft concept on Migration Policy in the Context of Employment prepared by the Ministry of Interior. According to the concept, influx of guest workers to Latvia is necessary due to the luck of domestic labour force. However, the concept stipulates only controlled immigration with introduction of quotas for influx of guest workers in particular regions and spheres. The concept also stipulates easing administrative procedures and reduction of state fee for attraction of guest workers from non-EU countries. Vesti Segodnya, Diena