• State Duma of Russian Federation has ratified a border agreement between Latvia and Russia
• Chas prints an article about illegal immigration to Latvia
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins criticizes the FHRUL for proposed draft amendments to the State Language Law
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools decided to support Russian March
• MP Juris Dobelis is planning to come with a proposal to grant privileged status to Latvian WWII legionnaires
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has received a report evaluating functions, funding, staff and plans of the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre
• Prosecutors Office has forwarded a criminal case on hate speech to the Riga Regional Court

Yesterday, the State Duma of Russian Federation has ratified a border agreement between Latvia and Russia. Further the agreement has to be ratified by the Council of Federation and signed by the President of Russia. As reported, Latvia has ratified the agreement in May. The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks believes that ratification of the border agreement will improve mutual relations between both countries and ensure security of Latvia.

Yesterday, the State Duma of Russian Federation has ratified a border agreement between Latvia and Russia. Further the agreement has to be ratified by the Council of Federation and signed by the President of Russia. As reported, Latvia has ratified the agreement in May. The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks believes that ratification of the border agreement will improve mutual relations between both countries and ensure security of Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Chas prints an article about illegal immigration to Latvia. Columnist of the newspaper argues that business on illegal transportation of migrants through Latvian border is not topical anymore. According to columnist, more topical becomes illegal migration of wealthy persons from Russia or Belarus who in fictive way are trying to receive residency permit in Latvia with an aim to have visa-free travel within the Schengen countries (Latvia will join the Schengen agreement as of 1 January 2007), but are not planning to live in Latvia. The columnist also argues that there are two ways in which foreigners are trying to receive the permit – fictive marriages with Latvian residents and purchase of fictive real estate in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has criticized the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) for proposed draft amendments to the State Language Law, which will be reviewed by the Saeima today. The draft amendments stipulate granting official status to ethnic minorities languages in territories inhabited by ethnic minorities in substantial numbers. The Minister has stated that fluency in Latvian language is an indicator of attitude of a person towards the state. Therefore, the Minister believes that on the contrary, positions of the state language must be strengthened. Historian Ilga Kreituse in an interview with Latvijas Avize also has criticized the draft amendments. According Mrs. Kreituse, submission of such proposals is a waste of time because it will be refused in any case. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools decided to support Russian March planned by radical political organisations in Riga on 8 September. However, the Headquarters demanded to remove several slogans and emblem of the march – a bear with grenade and bloody arm. Only one of the members of the Headquarters disagreed with the decision arguing that the march is analogous with Russian Marches held in Russia, which were pro-fascist. As reported, the Riga City Council has decided to forbid the march due to the security reasons. However, the decision of was appealed in the court which has to review the complaint today.

The MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) is planning to come with a proposal to grant Latvian WWII legionnaires special status equal with the status of the members of the National resistance movement.

The MP Juris Dobelis (For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM) is planning to come with a proposal to grant Latvian WWII legionnaires special status equal with the status of the members of the National resistance movement. Latvijas Avize

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins received a report evaluating functions, funding, staff and plans of the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. The report was prepared by a working group of the Ministry and is a basis for elaboration of restructuring plan of both institutions. As reported, Gaidis Berzins has come with a proposal to merge the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre into one institution.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins received a report evaluating functions, funding, staff and plans of the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre. The report was prepared by a working group of the Ministry and is a basis for elaboration of restructuring plan of both institutions. As reported, Gaidis Berzins has come with a proposal to merge the Naturalisation Board and the State Language Centre into one institution. Latvijas Avize

The Prosecutor’s Office has forwarded a criminal case on hate speech to the Riga Regional Court. The case was initiated regarding insulting statement towards Latvia, ethnic Latvians and Latvian legionnaires published on an internet forum. The Security Police has found that an author of the statements is a 23 year-old woman. A woman has admitted her guilt.

The Prosecutors Office has forwarded a criminal case on hate speech to the Riga Regional Court. The case was initiated regarding insulting statement towards Latvia, ethnic Latvians and Latvian legionnaires published on an internet forum. The Security Police has found that an author of the statements is a 23 year-old woman. A woman has admitted her guilt. Latvijas Avize

 

 

 

 

 

• Members of the FHRUL will hold a picket in support of draft amendments to the State Language Law
• Ex-activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs criticizes plans to hold Russian March in Riga
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks has appealed to the members of the World Federation of Free Latvians not to revenge Russia for past insults

Tomorrow, members of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) will hold a picket in support of draft amendments to the State Language Law which stipulate granting official status to ethnic minorities’ languages in territories inhabited by ethnic minorities in substantial numbers. The draft amendments will be reviewed tomorrow in the Saeima.

Tomorrow, members of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) will hold a picket in support of draft amendments to the State Language Law which stipulate granting official status to ethnic minorities languages in territories inhabited by ethnic minorities in substantial numbers. The draft amendments will be reviewed tomorrow in the Saeima. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf prints an interview with one of the activists of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs who was expelled from Latvia in 2004 because of his political activities. Aleksandrs Kazakovs considers that Russian March planned by radicals political organisations in Riga on 8 September is a provocation against Russian residents of Latvia. Mr. Kazakovs believes that the march is an aggressive event aimed at the split of society. On the surface this event may look like it is aimed at the protection of rights of Russians, but in reality it harms the interests of the Russian community. Mr. Kazakovs also has stated that he has made a decision not to be a member of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools anymore because the Headquarter has supported the march and radically minded organisations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks at the annual meeting of the World Union of Free Latvians held in Riga has appealed to the members of the meeting (mostly Latvians who live abroad) not to revenge Russia for past insults. Artis Pabriks believes that relations between Latvia and Russia are very important for further development of Latvia. The Minister also has stated that “western” Latvians have to share with their experience of democracy with new generation of Latvians

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks at the annual meeting of the World Union of Free Latvians held in Riga has appealed to the members of the meeting (mostly Latvians who live abroad) not to revenge Russia for past insults. Artis Pabriks believes that relations between Latvia and Russia are very important for further development of Latvia. The Minister also has stated that western Latvians have to share with their experience of democracy with new generation of Latvians. Chas, Telegraf

• Latvia got one of the lowest assessments in Simon Wiesenthal Centre annual report on worldwide investigation and prosecution of Nazi war criminals
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins blames the idea to hold Russian March
• State Language Centre has fined 22 shop owners

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has published its annual report on worldwide investigation and prosecution of Nazi war criminals according to which Latvia has one of the lowest assessments. According to the report, there are legal hindrances for investigation and prosecution of persons suspected in war crimes in Latvia, however, search of criminals is not conducted due to the luck of political will, resources or experts.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre has published its annual report on worldwide investigation and prosecution of Nazi war criminals according to which Latvia has one of the lowest assessments. According to the report, there are legal hindrances for investigation and prosecution of persons suspected in war crimes in Latvia, however, search of criminals is not conducted due to the luck of political will, resources or experts. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins blames the idea to hold “Russian March”. The Minister believes that slogans and symbols of “Russian March” contradict Latvian constitution and basic values of Latvian state and society. As reported, political organisations Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and Russian national union “Motherland” are planning to hold “Russian March” on 8 September in the centre of Riga in support of positions of Russian language and Russians in Latvia. Main slogans of the action are: “Citizenship and Voting Rights to All”, “Russian Education for Russians”, “This is Our Country ”, “Official Status for Russian Language” and other. The Riga City Council has decided to forbid the march due to the security reasons.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins blames the idea to hold Russian March. The Minister believes that slogans and symbols of Russian March contradict Latvian constitution and basic values of Latvian state and society. As reported, political organisations Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and Russian national union Motherland are planning to hold Russian March on 8 September in the centre of Riga in support of positions of Russian language and Russians in Latvia. Main slogans of the action are: Citizenship and Voting Rights to All, Russian Education for Russians, This is Our Country , Official Status for Russian Language and other. The Riga City Council has decided to forbid the march due to the security reasons. Chas

The State Language Centre has fined 22 shop owners in various cities for breach of a legal norm according to which marking of products and usage instructions must be translated to Latvian.

The State Language Centre has fined 22 shop owners in various cities for breach of a legal norm according to which marking of products and usage instructions must be translated to Latvian. Latvijas Avize

• Organisers of Russian March have appealed in the Administrative Regional Court the decision of the Riga City Council to forbid the march
• Saeima will review draft amendments to the State Language Law prepared by the FHRUL concerning granting official status to ethnic minorities languages
• Member of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! Imants Paradnieks: Russian speaking residents in Latvia are a consequence of occupation
• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with representative of an advertising company which has created discriminating advertising posters
• Latvijas Avize prints opinions of Latvian linguists on situation of state language.
• Concord Centre - the most popular political party in August

NGO Motherland and the Latvian National Democratic Party have appealed in the Administrative Regional Court the decision of the Riga City Council to forbid Russian March on 8 September. As reported, the City Council did not issue permission to the organisers of the event taking into account police recommendations concerning security reasons. The Court has to review the appeal on 4 September. Chas, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Chas reports that on 6 September, the Saeima is planning to review draft amendments to the State Language Law prepared by the political party For Human in United Latvia (FHRUL), which stipulate granting official status to ethnic minorities languages in territories inhabited by ethnic minorities in substantial numbers.

A member of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! Imants Paradnieks in an interview with Vesti Segodnya has stated that large number of Russian speaking residents in Latvia is a consequence of occupation of Latvia by the U.S.S.R. Imants Paradnieks has stated we will come to mutual understanding only when Russian speakers will recognise the fact that Latvia was occupied and that they reside here because of the occupation.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Andris Zusts, representative of an advertising company Inorek&Grey which has created advertising posters for an enterprise Buvniecibas ABC. As reported, in April, the Centre for the Protection of Consumer Rights has fined Buvniecibas ABC in amount of LVL 5,000 (EUR 7,144) for discriminating advertisement which shows an African man who in broken Latvian says I to want building yours house and the text behind the advertisement says All for construction and repair work but foreign labour force. Andris Zusts believes that the advertisement does not contain any racial insults towards guest workers or black skinned people while scandal around it had political background. However, according to Mr. Zusts, Inorek&Grey after the scandal has decided not to use images of people with not-white skin colour in their advertisements.

Latvijas Avize prints opinions of Latvian linguists on situation of state language. Representative of the State Language Centre Antons Kursitis considers that positions of Latvian language could be strengthen by the following steps: legal acts have to set levels of state language proficiency for all workers in service sphere including both private companies and governmental institutions; law has to stipulate obligation for employers to determine language proficiency of employees; law should determine punishment for the refusal to hire someone because he/she is not capable to communicate in Russian, given that at least 50% of those already employed at the enterprise are speaking Russian; and state language proficiency requirements for naturalisation candidates has to be raised.

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" in August, the Concord Centre is the most popular political party – 11.1 % of Latvian citizens would vote for them if the Saeimas elections were held in August. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 10.9% of citizens; the Peoples Party by 10.3%, and the New Era by 7.2 %. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents. Diena

• New claim against Latvia has been submitted to ECHR
• Riga City Council decides to reorganize the Russian-language Riga Secondary School Nr.17
• Discussion on planned demonstration ‘Russian March
• Managing director of the society Humanitarian Perspective Elizabete Krivcova speaks about the possibilities to promote the naturalisation

Resident of Latvia Ruslan Pankratov has submitted a claim to the European Court of Human Rights. He objects against Latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending –s) in his passport.

Resident of Latvia Ruslan Pankratov has submitted a claim to the European Court of Human Rights. He objects against Latvianisation of his first and last names (adding the ending –s) in his passport. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article about the decision of the Riga City Council to reorganize the Russian-language Riga Secondary School Nr.17 merging it with the M. Lomonosov Russian-language Secondary School. The newspaper points to the fact that decision has been made only few days before the new school year and could cause problems for the students of the School Nr.17 to start their studies successfully.

Today Riga City Council is planning to make a decision about the authorisation of the so-called ‘Russian March’ planned by the radical Latvian National Democratic Party on 8 September. As reported, the State Security Police suggested refusing of the authorisation of this demonstration due to the possibility of advocating of ideas of ethnic intolerance as well as deliberate encouragement to the confrontation between the representatives of several ethnic groups during this demonstration. While the representatives of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia believe that refusing of the authorisation of this demonstration could be regarded as violation of the Constitution of Latvia. According to FHRUL, the freedom of assembly granted by the Article 103 of the Constitution can not be restricted only on the basis of the current arguments of the State Security Police.

Today Riga City Council is planning to make a decision about the authorisation of the so-called ‘Russian March planned by the radical Latvian National Democratic Party on 8 September. As reported, the State Security Police suggested refusing of the authorisation of this demonstration due to the possibility of advocating of ideas of ethnic intolerance as well as deliberate encouragement to the confrontation between the representatives of several ethnic groups during this demonstration. While the representatives of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia believe that refusing of the authorisation of this demonstration could be regarded as violation of the Constitution of Latvia. According to FHRUL, the freedom of assembly granted by the Article 103 of the Constitution can not be restricted only on the basis of the current arguments of the State Security Police. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas,

Diena prints an article by the managing director of the society Humanitarian Perspective Elizabete Krivcova about the possibilities to promote the naturalisation. The author believes that unwillingness of the non-citizens to naturalise is caused by the longstanding resentment. The author regards the granting of voting rights to the non-citizens at municipal elections as one of the possible instruments changing the attitude of the non-citizens towards the naturalisation process.