• Extreme right parties Fatherland Union and National Power Union will run together for the Saeimas elections
• MP Janis Urbanovics: Russian has to be the official language in Latvia
• National Radio and Television Council will evaluate whether several TV programs have violated the State Language Law

Two extreme right wing parties Fatherland Union and the National Power Union will form one list for the upcoming Saeima’s elections. The parties stated that their main aim is establishment of ethnically homogenous Latvia; total de-occupation, and promotion of national interests.

Two extreme right wing parties Fatherland Union and the National Power Union will form one list for the upcoming Saeimas elections. The parties stated that their main aim is establishment of ethnically homogenous Latvia; total de-occupation, and promotion of national interests. Chas

The MP Janis Urbanovics (The Concord Centre) in an interview with

The MP Janis Urbanovics (The Concord Centre) in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that the Russian language has to be granted an official status: in reality Russian is the second language in Latvia, it is wealth of the country. However, the state pretends that it is not… Russian should not be an ordinary foreign language in Latvia.

The National Radio and Television Council will evaluate whether several TV programs broadcasted on 22 April have violated the State Language Law, in particular speaking in Russian without dubbing or translation.

The National Radio and Television Council will evaluate whether several TV programs broadcasted on 22 April have violated the State Language Law, in particular speaking in Russian without dubbing or translation. Latvijas Avize

• Conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration: appeal to use Russian in public space complies with legislation
• Diena features views on the draft amendments to the Citizenship law proposed by FF/LNIM

Chas features an article about a conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration held in Brussels. The conference was organised by the European Russian Alliance with support of Latvias MEP Tatyana Zhdanok and faction Greens/European Free Alliance. Participants discussed issues concerning integration of Russian-speaking residents in various European countries. The Chairman of the International Council of Russian Compatriots Petr Sheremetev stated that it is a shame that a big part of Latvian and Estonian residents, who have lived there for many years or were born there, are called non-citizens. Participants also adopted a draft the Partnership & Co-operation Agreement between Russia and EU which suggests to take into account specific interests of Russian-speakers in EU.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone stated that an appeal of the Union of Russian Entrepreneurs in Latvia and several NGOs for active use of the Russian language in public space and communication do not contradict legislation, therefore it is not negotiable. Karina Petersone believes that “whether to pursuance of the appeal depends personally on an entrepreneur’s business plans.”

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Karina Petersone stated that an appeal of the Union of Russian Entrepreneurs in Latvia and several NGOs for active use of the Russian language in public space and communication do not contradict legislation, therefore it is not negotiable. Karina Petersone believes that whether to pursuance of the appeal depends personally on an entrepreneurs business plans.

Diena features an article about the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to halt naturalisation and close the Naturalisation Board. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehre argues that it is a part of FF/LNIMs pre-election campaign and reproaches the party for being irresponsible. The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane states that both right and left wing radicals take advantage of such proposals. The head of the International and European Rights Unit of the Latvian University Kristine Kruma states that if Latvia halts naturalisation it would break several international agreements and would lost its international reputation.

• Co-chairman of OKROL Viktors Gushins: restoration of Latvias independence brought forcible assimilation of ethnic minorities in Latvia
• Saeimas Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee proposes to grant the status of official public holidays to Orthodox Christmas and Eastern
• Latvian National Front asks the Saeima to demolish the Monument to liberators of Riga from Hitlers military troops
• Days of the Slavic Culture in Daugavpils
• FF/LNIM discussed draft amendments to the Citizenship Law with the Union of Greens and Farmers

Co-chairman of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) Viktors Gushins stated that 4 May 1990 – the day of proclamation of the Declaration on Restoration of Latvia's Independence – was the beginning of forcible assimilation of ethnic minorities in Latvia and dividing Latvia’s residents into two groups - citizens and non-citizens.

Co-chairman of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) Viktors Gushins stated that 4 May 1990 – the day of proclamation of the Declaration on Restoration of Latvia's Independence – was the beginning of forcible assimilation of ethnic minorities in Latvia and dividing Latvias residents into two groups - citizens and non-citizens. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee decided to support a proposal to grant the status of official public holidays to Orthodox Christmas and Eastern.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee decided to support a proposal to grant the status of official public holidays to Orthodox Christmas and Eastern. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

The national radical organisation Latvian National Front has sent an official letter to the Saeima asking to demolish the Monument to liberators of Riga from Hitler’s military troops. The leader of the Latvian National Front Aivars Garda believes that “an army which occupied an independent country may not have the status of winners.”

The national radical organisation Latvian National Front has sent an official letter to the Saeima asking to demolish the Monument to liberators of Riga from Hitlers military troops. The leader of the Latvian National Front Aivars Garda believes that an army which occupied an independent country may not have the status of winners. Chas

The Days of the Slavic Culture began in Daugavpils (city in eastern part of Latvia) on 1 May.

The Days of the Slavic Culture began in Daugavpils (city in eastern part of Latvia) on 1 May. Vesti Segodnya

Representatives of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) discussed the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by FF/LNIM with members of the Union of Greens and Farmers. The Head of the Union of Greens and Farmers Augusts Brigmanis stated that members of his party do not share one view regarding the draft amendments, therefore the decision whether the draft amendments should be forwarded to the Saeima’s committees will be taken on the basis of individual vote. As reported, FF/LNIM elaborated the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to halt naturalisation and close the Naturalisation Board.

Representatives of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) discussed the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by FF/LNIM with members of the Union of Greens and Farmers. The Head of the Union of Greens and Farmers Augusts Brigmanis stated that members of his party do not share one view regarding the draft amendments, therefore the decision whether the draft amendments should be forwarded to the Saeimas committees will be taken on the basis of individual vote. As reported, FF/LNIM elaborated the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to halt naturalisation and close the Naturalisation Board. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

• Chas features an interview with a member of the EU Parliaments faction Greens / European Free Alliance Miroslav Mitrofanov
• Head of the Naturalisation Board: carelessness towards the naturalisation process is disrespect towards oneself and Latvia
• Criminal case of Aivars Garda and Liga Muzikante on instigation of ethnic hatred forwarded to the court

Member of the EU Parliament’s faction “Greens / European Free Alliance” Miroslavs Mitrofanovs in an interview with

Member of the EU Parliaments faction Greens / European Free Alliance Miroslavs Mitrofanovs in an interview with Chas stated that all EU residents are equal before law and have rights to work and education: Race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation – none of these aspects cannot be the ground for exclusion. Miroslav Mitrofanov also stated that he supports the suggestion to introduce the principle of positive discrimination in EU legislation, which would provide that ethnic composition of staff in state institutions should correspond to ethnic composition of a country.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with Chas argued that the number of attempts to pass naturalisation exams should be limited to three times: I believe three attempts are enough to pass the exams at any age… Applicants should attend preparatory courses more actively... Carelessness towards the naturalisation process is disrespect towards oneself and Latvia! While the head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks argues that the state should promote Latvian language learning more actively. Chas

On 28 April, the Prosecutor’s Office forwarded a criminal case of the leader of the national radical organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the editor of the radical newspaper

On 28 April, the Prosecutors Office forwarded a criminal case of the leader of the national radical organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the editor of the radical newspaper DDD Liga Muzikante for alleged instigation to ethnic hatred in two articles published in 2005 to the Riga Regional Court. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration
• NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information
• Two FHRUL representatives present a study on minority rights in Latvia
• Chief of the Security Police about extreme groupings in Latvia
• PACE report on the usage of native language in European schools

The members of the European Russian Alliance, including representatives from Latvia, are taking part in a two-day conference “Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration” held in Brussels. The participants will discuss the integration of Russian-speaking residents in various European countries.

The members of the European Russian Alliance, including representatives from Latvia, are taking part in a two-day conference Russian-speaking residents in the EU: occupational and social integration held in Brussels. The participants will discuss the integration of Russian-speaking residents in various European countries. Chas

In a letter addressed to Latvian entrepreneurs, the Union of Russian entrepreneurs in Latvia and several Latvian NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information. The authors state that offering public information in Russian would demonstrate a respect towards a large part of clients: “about 40% of Latvian residents are the members of Russian cultural and language community… However, Russian language is rarely used in public information… The situation can be improved by taking an advantage of the rights stipulated by the domestic legislation to reproduce texts both in Latvian and Russian.”

In a letter addressed to Latvian entrepreneurs, the Union of Russian entrepreneurs in Latvia and several Latvian NGOs appeal to use Russian language in public information. The authors state that offering public information in Russian would demonstrate a respect towards a large part of clients: about 40% of Latvian residents are the members of Russian cultural and language community… However, Russian language is rarely used in public information… The situation can be improved by taking an advantage of the rights stipulated by the domestic legislation to reproduce texts both in Latvian and Russian. Chas, Vesti Segodnya,

At the press-conference held at the Latvian Human Rights Committee, a MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) and a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) presented their study on minority rights in Latvia. According to them, the unemployment rate among Russian-speaking residents is 30% higher than among Latvians. They argue that the lack of Latvian language proficiency and occupational restrictions for non-citizens are the main reasons of this inequality.   

At the press-conference held at the Latvian Human Rights Committee, a MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (FHRUL) and a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) presented their study on minority rights in Latvia. According to them, the unemployment rate among Russian-speaking residents is 30% higher than among Latvians. They argue that the lack of Latvian language proficiency and occupational restrictions for non-citizens are the main reasons of this inequality. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

In an interview with

In an interview with Chas, the Chief of the Security Police (SP) Janis Reiniks has stated that the SP observes the activities of various extreme groupings in Latvia: we observe and evaluate provocative public statements which could be treated as the incitement to national hatred and then we decide whether to ask the Prosecutors Office to initiate a criminal process. Janis Reiniks has noted that several young people are already on trial, mostly for the statements published in the Internet. Janis Reiniks has also stated that there are only few extreme groupings in Latvia, and the total number of their active members does not exceed 100 persons.

The French representative in the PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Jacques Legendre has prepared a report on the usage of native language in European schools. The report includes information on the situation on minority education reform in Latvia. According to the representative from Latvia in the PACE Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) whose recommendations were included in the report, Jacques Legendre points to the necessity for schools not only to teach the state language, but also to develop and preserve students` native language.

The French representative in the PACE (the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe) Jacques Legendre has prepared a report on the usage of native language in European schools. The report includes information on the situation on minority education reform in Latvia. According to the representative from Latvia in the PACE Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) whose recommendations were included in the report, Jacques Legendre points to the necessity for schools not only to teach the state language, but also to develop and preserve students` native language. Vesti Segodnya