• Meeting of representatives of Latvian Human Rights Committee and ECRI

Russian language newspapers report on a meeting of representatives of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC). The representatives of the LHRC stressed that Latvia has ignored the EU recommendations concerning the observation of minority rights referring to the minority education reform as one of examples.

Russian language newspapers report on a meeting of representatives of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance and members of the Latvian Human Rights Committee (LHRC). The representatives of the LHRC stressed that Latvia has ignored the EU recommendations concerning the observation of minority rights referring to the minority education reform as one of examples. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Diena features several articles about minority schools in Latvia.
• European Parliament discusses the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia

Diena features several articles about minority schools in Latvia. Referring to the Director of the State General Education Evaluation Agency Evija Papule, the newspaper states that the ethnic composition of students of minority schools is becoming more diverse as the parents start to appreciate advantages of bilingual education offered by minority schools. Approximately 10 – 12 percent of students enrolled in schools having Latvian and Russian as the main instruction languages are not Latvians or Russians. Parents of children enrolled in minority schools argue that a flexible approach towards use of languages and tolerance towards persons of different ethnicity and cultural competence are the main benefits offered by minority schools. The newspaper also prints a comprehensive article about the Rezekne Polish Secondary School.

Russian-language newspapers report on debates about the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia launched at the European Parliament. According to the draft framework decision, criminal liability should be stipulated for intentional public incitement to violence or hatred, public insults or threats, public denial of genocide or crimes against humanity as defined in the Statute of the International Criminal Court, public dissemination or distribution of texts, pictures or other material containing expressions of racism and xenophobia and directing of a racist or xenophobic group. Russian-language newspapers report on debates about the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia launched at the European Parliament. According to the draft framework decision, criminal liability should be stipulated for intentional public incitement to violence or hatred, public insults or threats, public denial of genocide or crimes against humanity as defined in the Statute of the International Criminal Court, public dissemination or distribution of texts, pictures or other material containing expressions of racism and xenophobia and directing of a racist or xenophobic group. Chas, Vesti SegodnyaChas, Vesti Segodnya

• Aigars Kalvitis: after signing the border agreement with Latvia, Russia less critical regarding the minority issues in Latvia
• Inspection of the State Language Centre in the Riga Central Prison

Yesterday, the border agreement between Latvia and Russia was signed by the Prime minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis and Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Fradkov. Aigars Kalvitis believes that it has effected the Russia’s stance towards the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia as this time no reproaches have been received. However, Mikhail Fradkov stated that Russia will keep following the situation of its citizens and “compatriots” in Latvia. According to Fradkov, Russia expects Latvia meeting international standards and promoting naturalisation process.

Yesterday, the border agreement between Latvia and Russia was signed by the Prime minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis and Prime Minister of Russia Mikhail Fradkov. Aigars Kalvitis believes that it has effected the Russias stance towards the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia as this time no reproaches have been received. However, Mikhail Fradkov stated that Russia will keep following the situation of its citizens and compatriots in Latvia. According to Fradkov, Russia expects Latvia meeting international standards and promoting naturalisation process. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya reports on an inspection of the State Language Centre in the Riga Central Prison. The language inspectors examined state language proficiency of the prisons medical staff which ended in fining of two nurses. Representatives of the prisons medical staff reported about the inspection to the daily Vesti Segodnya and claimed that the inspectors required that their Latvian language proficiency is at higher level than it is set by the respective regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers.

• State Language Centre will held a campaign Use of the State Language in Shops from 1 April to 1 October
• Representative of the Naturalisation Board: number of the applicants for naturalisation has decreased significantly
• Today Latvia and Russia will sign a border agreement

The State Language Centre in co-operation with the Latvian Traders Association and the Centre for the Protection of Consumer Rights will held a campaign “Use of the State Language in Shops” from 1 April to 1 October. The organisers of the campaign claim that its aim is to create a favourable environment for the Latvian language in shopping places.  In the framework of the project inspectors of the State Language Centre and a commission of experts will examine observance of the State Language Law in small and large stores every month.

The State Language Centre in co-operation with the Latvian Traders Association and the Centre for the Protection of Consumer Rights will held a campaign Use of the State Language in Shops from 1 April to 1 October. The organisers of the campaign claim that its aim is to create a favourable environment for the Latvian language in shopping places. In the framework of the project inspectors of the State Language Centre and a commission of experts will examine observance of the State Language Law in small and large stores every month. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Representative of the Naturalisation Board Baiba Jakovleva in an interview with

Representative of the Naturalisation Board Baiba Jakovleva in an interview with Vesti Segodnya has stated that the number of applicants for naturalisation has decreased significantly in comparison to 2004-2005. Ms. Jakovleva believes that it is due to changes in legislation when Latvian non-citizens were granted the right to travel within the EU without visa.

Today, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis and Prime Minister of Russia Mihail Fradkov will sign a border agreement between the two countries. Most of political scientists believe that the border agreement will have some positive effect on mutual relations between Russia and Latvia, however, it will not change Russia’s stance concerning non-citizens and rights of Russian speaking residents in Latvia.

Today, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis and Prime Minister of Russia Mihail Fradkov will sign a border agreement between the two countries. Most of political scientists believe that the border agreement will have some positive effect on mutual relations between Russia and Latvia, however, it will not change Russias stance concerning non-citizens and rights of Russian speaking residents in Latvia. Chas, Diena

• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the chairman of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo
• LASHOR proposes to include a mandatory native language and literature examination in the educational programmes of minority secondary schools
• Latvijas Avize reports on a petition submitted to the European Parliaments Committee on Petitions with an appeal to stop naturalisation of non-citizens in Latvia

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the chairman of the Afro-Latvian Association Christopher Ejugbo about racism in Latvia. Christopher Ejugbo believes that ‘street racism is a significant problem in Latvia.

Telegraf reports that the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers will review a proposal 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. According to the LASHOR, it would motivate minority students to learn their mother tongue and literature.

Latvijas Avize reports that a Latvian resident Ina Leimane has submitted a petition to the European Parliaments Committee on Petitions asking to stop naturalisation of non-citizens in Latvia. Ina Leimane argues that persons who have arrived to Latvia during the Soviet times are illegal migrants and are disloyal towards the Latvian state, therefore they have to be repatriated to their ethnic motherland.