• Diena prints an article on Roma employment problems in Latvia
• Saeima has refused a draft declaration on the support of the Estonian decision to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn

Diena prints an article on Roma employment problems in Latvia. In an interview with the newspaper, a Romany man has stated that he has failed to find a job for a long time allegedly because of ethnicity and a low education level. According to the Roma NGOs Nevo Drom representative, Roma people have problems to find a job because of stereotypes about them in the society. A representative of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration has stated that in the framework of the national Roma integration program Roma in Latvia 2007-2009 it is planned to hold several seminars on Roma employment opportunities and a round table discussion Roma on the Latvian Labour Market with participation of Roma, representatives from Employers Confederation of Latvia, trade unions, and municipalities.

On 3 May, the Saeima has refused a draft declaration proposed by the faction “New Era” on the support of the Estonian decision to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn and on the condemnation of the Russian Federation’s attempts to interfere into Estonian internal affairs. However, the parliament has decided to forward the draft declaration to the Saeima’s Foreign Affairs Committee for further discussions.

On 3 May, the Saeima has refused a draft declaration proposed by the faction New Era on the support of the Estonian decision to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn and on the condemnation of the Russian Federations attempts to interfere into Estonian internal affairs. However, the parliament has decided to forward the draft declaration to the Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee for further discussions. Chas, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

• Aigars Kalvitis: Estonian events have provoked activities of radical organisations in Latvia
• Diena features opinions on the situation in Estonia
• Head of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee Peteris Tabuns believes that the number of state language inspectors should be increased

Newspapers continue to report on the events concerning the removal of Red Army war memorial from the centre of the Estonian capital. As reported, the removal of the memorial in Tallinn has caused mass protests and clashes between the police and mainly Russian speaking residents.

Newspapers continue to report on the events concerning the removal of Red Army war memorial from the centre of the Estonian capital. As reported, the removal of the memorial in Tallinn has caused mass protests and clashes between the police and mainly Russian speaking residents. Chas refers to the interview of the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis with TV channel LNT in which he has stated that Latvia supports the Estonian governments decision, although there are no plans to remove war memorials in Latvia. Aigars Kalvitis believed that the Estonian events have provoked the activities of the Latvian radical organisations and that a special attention should be paid to the prevention of similar possible disorders in Latvia. Chas, Diena

Diena prints various opinions on the situation in Estonia. The Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehre has stated that these events are a reminder that more attention should be paid to integration. The Ombudsman Romans Apsitis believed that the events have revealed integration problems. Romans Apsitis has stated that Latvia should learn from the Estonian experience and to review its integration policy. Political scientist Nils Muiznieks has pointed to the need for a more careful consideration of actions concerning historical symbols, particularly with the symbols of WWII, since those might be very important for a part of residents.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee its head Peteris Tabuns has stated that the usage of state language has diminished over the last years. The politician also believed that the number of state language inspectors should be increased According to Peteris Tabuns, the Estonian events concerning the removal of the Red Army war memorial might have a negative impact on the attitudes towards Latvian language.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee its head Peteris Tabuns has stated that the usage of state language has diminished over the last years. The politician also believed that the number of state language inspectors should be increased According to Peteris Tabuns, the Estonian events concerning the removal of the Red Army war memorial might have a negative impact on the attitudes towards Latvian language. Vesti Segodnya

• Extreme ultra-right organisation National Power Union has appealed to the Riga City Council to demolish the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders
• Ivars Godmanis: national referendum is the best way how to decide whether non-citizens of Latvia have to be granted voting rights in municipal elections
• Weekly magazine Nedela prints an interview with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis
• FHRUL has defined its future strategic objectives

Vesti Segodnya reports that the extreme ultra-right organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym) has appealed to the Riga City Council to demolish the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. Leaders of the NSS have stated that the Monument symbolises the occupational regime. NSS also has supported the decision of Estonian government to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the head of the political party Latvias Way Ivars Godmanis. Ivars Godmanis has stated that a national referendum is the best way how to decide whether non-citizens of Latvia have to be granted voting rights in municipal elections. Ivars Godmanis believed that non-citizens would not be loyal to the state if they do not have an opportunity to participate in elections. According to Mr. Godmanis, an in-depth study must be made in order to access possible increase of non-citizens involvement and responsibility due to granting them voting rights.

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Nedela prints an interview with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. The Ombudsman believed that persons who have arrived to Latvia during Soviet times cannot be granted citizenship automatically. According to Romans Apsitis, there is no state in the world granting citizenship without naturalisation, therefore, those who are willing to get Latvian citizenship can go through the naturalisation process.

Vesti Segodnya reports on a regional conference of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) defining its future strategic objectives. The preservation and development of the Russian speaking community as well as granting voting rights to non-citizens in municipal elections are among the FHRULs priorities.

• Newspapers report on the events over the Estonian governments decision to remove Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn
• 2,801 persons have arrived to Latvia for residency in 2006
• Conference For and Against Tolerance

Newspapers report on the events over the Estonian government’s decision to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn. The removal of the memorial has caused mass protests and clashes between the police and mainly Russian speaking residents. Several Latvian so-called ‘anti-fascistic’ and Russian NGOs have issued a public statement criticizing the decision of the Estonian government and the brutal way in which the police have suppressed the protests. NGOs believe that Estonian government has insulted Russians and has provoked tension in the society. 

Newspapers report on the events over the Estonian governments decision to remove the Red Army war memorial from the centre of Tallinn. The removal of the memorial has caused mass protests and clashes between the police and mainly Russian speaking residents. Several Latvian so-called ‘anti-fascistic and Russian NGOs have issued a public statement criticizing the decision of the Estonian government and the brutal way in which the police have suppressed the protests. NGOs believe that Estonian government has insulted Russians and has provoked tension in the society. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

According to the Central Statistics Bureau, 2,801 persons have arrived to Latvia for residency while 5,252 persons have emigrated from Latvia in 2006. 

According to the Central Statistics Bureau, 2,801 persons have arrived to Latvia for residency while 5,252 persons have emigrated from Latvia in 2006. Diena

Diena reports on a conference For and Against Tolerance held by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration on 27 April. The Ombudsman Romans Apsitis has stated that the number of complaints on discrimination has increased in 2006 as compared with the previous years. Romans Apsitis and a MEP from Latvia Georgs Andrejevs have stated that there is a need for elaboration of a mechanism of combating hate speech in legislation. The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has pointed to many declarative issues included in the national program for promotion of tolerance and to the need of its improvement. Diena

• Riga District Court Prosecutors Office has started a criminal prosecution against two young people for violation of ethnic and racial equality
• Saeima has refused FHRUL proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights

The Riga District Court Prosecutor’s Office

The Riga District Court Prosecutors Office has started a criminal prosecution against two young people under Section 78 of the Criminal Law for violation of ethnic and racial equality. As reported, in December 2006, a young girl, citizen of Brazil, accompanied by two locals, was attacked by a group of skinheads in the centre of Riga. Two of the skinheads were detained shortly after the incident. Chas

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused a proposal of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections.

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused a proposal of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize