• First eight residents of Latvia were granted resettlement documents to Russia

Yesterday, the Russia’s Embassy to Latvia has granted first eight residents of Latvia resettlement documents to Russia. The resettlement is implemented in the framework of the Russia’s program on promotion of voluntary migration for Russia’s compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. According to the Board of Russia’s Migration Service in Latvia, already 253 persons are registered on a waiting list for resettlement.

Yesterday, the Russias Embassy to Latvia has granted first eight residents of Latvia resettlement documents to Russia. The resettlement is implemented in the framework of the Russias program on promotion of voluntary migration for Russias compatriots living abroad to the Russian Federation. According to the Board of Russias Migration Service in Latvia, already 253 persons are registered on a waiting list for resettlement. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, Latvijas Avize, NRA

• Chas reports that 92 years old woman has been granted citizenship through naturalisation

Chas reports that 92 years old woman from Madona district (Eastern part of Latvia) has been granted citizenship through naturalisation. The woman is the second oldest person who has been naturalised in Latvia.

• Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg
• Vesti Segodnya reports on ethnic minorities dancing festivity

Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. The report recommends to improve situation of ethnic minorities in the country.  Thomas Hammarberg believes that a large number of non-citizens hampers social consolidation and equality in Latvia. Mr. Hammarberg also recommends to ease naturalisation requirements for elderly people, to allow parents to choose the citizenship status of their children during registration of their birth, and to provide opportunities to use minority languages in written communication with authorities.

Newspapers report on a memorandum to the Latvian government on human rights prepared by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg. The report recommends to improve situation of ethnic minorities in the country. Thomas Hammarberg believes that a large number of non-citizens hampers social consolidation and equality in Latvia. Mr. Hammarberg also recommends to ease naturalisation requirements for elderly people, to allow parents to choose the citizenship status of their children during registration of their birth, and to provide opportunities to use minority languages in written communication with authorities. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, NRA, Diena, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports on ethnic minorities dancing festivity Latvian Diadem in a Round Dance held on 3 May.

• Chas features an interview with a political scientist Valts Kalnins on integration issues

Chas features an interview with a political scientist Valts Kalnins on integration issues. Valts Kalnins has stated that successful ethnic policy must be based on compromises. Mr. Kalnins criticized Latvian government for its unwillingness to co-operate and to discuss integration issues with opposition parties representing Russian speaking minorities. According to Mr. Kalnins, the implementation of education reform, the State Language Law, the Citizenship Law, and the Law on Elections deprive a considerable large part of the society of their basic rights. Valts Kalnins believed that Latvian society would not be segregated if non-citizens were granted voting rights already 10 years ago. Valts Kalnins also believed that speeding-up of naturalisation process would be a step towards integrated society.

• Chas: 151 persons from Africa reside in Latvia at present

According to

According to Chas, 151 persons from Africa reside in Latvia at present. According to the members of the Afro-Latvian Association (AfroLat), there are manifestations of racism in Latvia because not all residents accept people with a dark skin color as equal. Therefore, overcoming of negative stereotypes towards black skinned people is one of the AfroLats core objectives.