• Vesti Segodnya reports that the Security Police closed a criminal process on incitement to ethnic hatred opened in 2004
• Diena features an article on issues concerning EU integration and migration of labour force
• Chas reports on a press-conference for Russias mass media Russian Culture and Education in Latvia held in Riga

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Security Police closed a criminal process on incitement to ethnic hatred under Section 78 of the Criminal Law opened in 2004. The process was initiated on the basis of a complaint by MP Jakovs Pliners who argued that comments published on the nationalistic internet portal www.latvians.lv contain insulting statements towards Jews. However, recently, the Security Police have closed the criminal process arguing that a person who allegedly has placed a comment denied that it was his comment.

Diena features an article by the Director of the Economic Policy Research Centre in Brussels Daniel Gross and Director General of the business association and think tank in Rome Assonime Stefano Micossi on issues concerning EU integration and migration of labour force. According to the article, immigration is one of the biggest challenges in the EU countries. The authors believe that the so-called old EU member countries have to remove all restrictions concerning movement of the labour force from the new EU countries. The EU has to develop common procedures regarding guest workers from non-EU countries. The authors believe that setting common social minimum standards in the entire EU would be an effective security net for domestic workers whose work places might be endangered by EU integration, as well as a coordinated immigration policy would help EU citizens to feel more secure. Resultantly, it would decrease hatred towards guest workers and ensure their rights.

Chas reports on a press conference for Russias mass media Russian Culture and Education in Latvia held in Riga. Several academics shared their view on a situation and problems concerning the Russian culture and education in Latvia. Academic MP Jakovs Pliners (FHRUL) has stated that insufficient national support hinders development of the Russian culture.

• State Language Centre fines the head of the Matisa Prisons Investigation Department
• Latvijas Avize criticizes the initiative of the LASHOR to introduce a mandatory native language and literature examination in minority schools

The State Language Centre (SLC) has imposed a fine in the amount of LVL15 (~ EUR 20) on the head of the Investigation Department of the Matisa Prison and obligated her to improve her Latvian language proficiency till the next inspection. The prisons administration has expressed incomprehension about the decision noting that four months ago Latvian language proficiency of the official was already examined and qualified as sufficient. Head of the Control Department of the SLC Antons Kursitis explains that the decisions differ due to recent amendments in the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers which set higher state language proficiency level for prison staff. Diena

Latvijas Avize sharply criticizes an initiative of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools (LASHOR in its Russian acronym) to introduce a mandatory native language and literature examination in educational programmes of minority secondary schools. The newspaper calls the initiative an attempt by the LASHOR to strengthen the positions of the Russian-language in society so in the future it would be granted the official status. According to the newspaper, minority schools already have a right to include these subjects in the list of mandatory examinations. Last week, the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers removed the proposal from its agenda arguing that the proposal has legal deficiencies.

• Iterview with the head of the NGO Russian Community in Latvia Vjaceslavs Altuhovs
• State Security Police investigate information about possibilities to buy a book ‘Main Kampf in Riga

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the head of the NGO Russian Community in Latvia Vjaceslavs Altuhovs about the activities of the organisation and the situation of Russians in Latvia. Mr.Altuhovs argues that there are positive tendencies regarding issues concerning Russians, namely a growing number of Russians hired for responsible positions in the state administration; allocation of funding for projects implemented by Russian NGOs and signing the border agreement with Russia.

The State Security Police have started investigation regarding the information published by

The State Security Police have started investigation regarding the information published by Vesti Segodnya about possibilities to buy a book ‘Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler in one of the bookstores in Riga. The distribution of Nazi literature as well as propaganda of xenophobic views is prohibited by law in Latvia. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

• Russian-language newspapers discuss naturalisation issues
• Yesterday a Foundation for Non-Governmental Organizations was established

Russian-language newspapers report on citizenship granting event held by the Naturalisation Board. During the event 30 persons received Latvian citizenship. Newspapers note that voting rights as well as possibilities to travel, work and study in the EU have been mentioned as main motivations to naturalise. While the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has stated that the number of naturalisation applications received by the Board has dropped significantly since Latvia non-citizens were granted the right to free movement within the EU.

Russian-language newspapers report on citizenship granting event held by the Naturalisation Board. During the event 30 persons received Latvian citizenship. Newspapers note that voting rights as well as possibilities to travel, work and study in the EU have been mentioned as main motivations to naturalise. While the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has stated that the number of naturalisation applications received by the Board has dropped significantly since Latvia non-citizens were granted the right to free movement within the EU. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, a Foundation for Non-Governmental Organizations was established by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in collaboration with the Embassy of Norway and society ‘Latvian Civic Alliance’. In next four years it is planned to allocate Ls 3,514,000 (approximately EUR 5,000,000) for the support of Latvian NGOs. Long-term development of Latvian NGOs, as well NGOs’ projects will be funded by the organisation.

Yesterday, a Foundation for Non-Governmental Organizations was established by the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in collaboration with the Embassy of Norway and society ‘Latvian Civic Alliance. In next four years it is planned to allocate Ls3,514,000 (approximately EUR5,000,000) for the support of Latvian NGOs. Long-term development of Latvian NGOs, as well NGOs projects will be funded by the organisation.

• Vladimir Zhirinovsky: Russia should refrain from signing and ratification of any agreements with Latvia until the rights of Russians are observed

Speaker of the Russian State Duma and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky believes that Russia should refrain from signing any agreements with Latvia (including the border agreement) till Latvian citizenship is not granted to all Latvian non-citizens. According to Zhirinovsky, as minimum, Latvia should grant voting rights to the Russian minority and stop excluding the Russian language from public sphere. “The parliamentary group of the Liberal Democratic Party will object ratification of the border agreement with Latvia,” added Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

Speaker of the Russian State Duma and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Vladimir Zhirinovsky believes that Russia should refrain from signing any agreements with Latvia (including the border agreement) till Latvian citizenship is not granted to all Latvian non-citizens. According to Zhirinovsky, as minimum, Latvia should grant voting rights to the Russian minority and stop excluding the Russian language from public sphere. The parliamentary group of the Liberal Democratic Party will object ratification of the border agreement with Latvia, added Vladimir Zhirinovsky. Vesti Segodnya