• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga was not prevented
• Russian State Duma elaborates a draft law against rehabilitation of Nazi accomplices in former republics of Soviet Union

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) was not prevented and that, at the same time, the police activities were turned against anti-fascists. Russia considers that this practice could be viewed as encouragement to neo-Nazis.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes Latvian officials for the fact that unsanctioned procession of former Waffen SS legionnaires in the centre of Riga on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) was not prevented and that, at the same time, the police activities were turned against anti-fascists. Russia considers that this practice could be viewed as encouragement to neo-Nazis. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya and Telegraf report that the Russian State Dumas Committee on CIS Affairs and Contacts with Compatriots elaborates a draft law against rehabilitation of Nazi accomplices in former republics of Soviet Union.

• Newspapers report about 16 March events
• Head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks took part in a meeting of the Council of Ethnic Minorities NGOs
• Telegraf reports that Iceland might deport a number of Latvian and Estonian non-citizens
• Rector of the BA School of Business and Finance: Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs
• Latvijas Avize prints an article on reorganisation plans of Latvian schools due to state budget cuts

Newspapers report about 16 March events. Despite the ban of the Riga City Council on events near the Monument of Freedom, a dozen former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and about 100 their supporters held a procession from the Riga Old City to the Monument of Freedom. At the same time, several dozens of anti-fascists gathered near the Monument of Freedom protesting against the procession. The police and special security units surrounded area around the Monument of Freedom in order to prevent possible clashes. By the end of the day, the police detained 13 persons, including three activists of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and eight persons in Soviet and Nazi stylized uniforms. In the meantime, the police and state border guards held an inspection of documents in the office of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee, blocking seven members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation “Night Watch” in the premises of the office.

Newspapers report about 16 March events. Despite the ban of the Riga City Council on events near the Monument of Freedom, a dozen former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and about 100 their supporters held a procession from the Riga Old City to the Monument of Freedom. At the same time, several dozens of anti-fascists gathered near the Monument of Freedom protesting against the procession. The police and special security units surrounded area around the Monument of Freedom in order to prevent possible clashes. By the end of the day, the police detained 13 persons, including three activists of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and eight persons in Soviet and Nazi stylized uniforms. In the meantime, the police and state border guards held an inspection of documents in the office of the Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee, blocking seven members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation Night Watch in the premises of the office. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Vesti Segodnya reports that head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks took part in a meeting of the Council of Ethnic Minorities NGOs. At the meeting, Mr. Razuks stated that the aim of the Advisory Council is improvement of a dialogue between the state and all ethnic groups. Mr. Razuks also stated that the main criterion for selection of members of the Advisory Council was state language proficiency because without it a person is not able to understand position of ethnic Latvians.

Telegraf reports that Iceland might deport a number of Latvian and Estonian non-citizens who worked and lived in Iceland for a while. The newspaper notes that until recently, Iceland treated Latvian and Estonian non-citizens equally with EU-citizens. According to a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, none of non-citizens was deported from Iceland yet. Apparently, Icelandic authorities initially did not see a difference between passports of citizens and non-citizens of Latvia, and thus, some non-citizens were registered in Iceland as EU citizens. Icelands officials began checking their documents before deciding whether to re-register these people and grant them a new status in the country.

According to the rector of the BA School of Business and Finance, Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs because Russian language proficiency has a great importance for those who are planning to work with Russia’s enterprises.

According to the rector of the BA School of Business and Finance, Russian language might be included in the entrepreneurship study programs because Russian language proficiency has a great importance for those who are planning to work with Russias enterprises.

Latvijas Avize prints an article on reorganisation plans of Latvian schools due to state budget cuts. According to the article, the Ministry of Education and Science envisages that in the future, an exception for opening of a class with insufficient number of students could not be applied to ethnic minority schools. The MP Karlis Sadurskis (Civil Union) considers that Latvian language schools should have a priority over ethnic minority schools. The MP Dzintars Abikis (Peoples Party) considers that reorganisation should apply to Russian language schools.

• Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference Future – Without Nazism
• Foundation Russian World established in Riga.

The Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference “Future – Without Nazism” on Saturday. Newspapers report that members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation “Night Watch” who travelled to Riga with an aim to take part in the conference were prevented from entering Latvia. The Border Guard Service argued that they are included in the list of persons whose entry to Latvia is forbidden.

The Latvian Anti-Fascist Committee and the Human Rights Committee held an international conference Future – Without Nazism on Saturday. Newspapers report that members of Estonian anti-fascist organisation Night Watch who travelled to Riga with an aim to take part in the conference were prevented from entering Latvia. The Border Guard Service argued that they are included in the list of persons whose entry to Latvia is forbidden. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Newspapers report about opening of a centre of foundation “Russian World” in Riga. Foundation “Russian World” is funded by the Russian government and its aim is consolidation of all those who speak Russian language and love Russian culture world wide.

Newspapers report about opening of a centre of foundation Russian World in Riga. Foundation Russian World is funded by the Russian government and its aim is consolidation of all those who speak Russian language and love Russian culture world wide. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Administrative District Court of Riga turned down appeals of organisations whose applications for events on 16 March were refused by the Riga City Council

The Administrative District Court of Riga turned down appeals of organisations whose applications for events on 16 March (unofficial day of commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Freedom in Riga were refused by the Riga City Council. 

The Administrative District Court of Riga turned down appeals of organisations whose applications for events on 16 March (unofficial day of commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) near the Monument of Freedom in Riga were refused by the Riga City Council. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

• Vesti Segodnya reports that the NSS will go to the Monument of Freedom on 16 March despite the ban on public events

Leader of a nationalistic organisation “National Power Union” (NSS in its Latvian acronym) Viktors Birze stated that although the Riga City Council banned public events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires), members of the NSS will take flags and lay flowers beneath the Monument of Freedom in order to honour “heroism and sacrifices of fathers and grandfathers.”

Leader of a nationalistic organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym) Viktors Birze stated that although the Riga City Council banned public events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires), members of the NSS will take flags and lay flowers beneath the Monument of Freedom in order to honour heroism and sacrifices of fathers and grandfathers. Vesti Segodnya