• Hearing of the case of Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante, and Ilze Liepa accused in incitement of ethnic hatred has been repeatedly postponed
• 23 year old man fined with LVL 400 (EUR 570) for racially offensive comment on the Internet

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court resumed hearing of a criminal case of leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and its members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa accused in incitement of ethnic hatred in several publications in the national radical newspaper

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court resumed hearing of a criminal case of leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and its members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa accused in incitement of ethnic hatred in several publications in the national radical newspaper DDD published by the organisation in 2004 and 2005. However, the hearing of the case was repeatedly rescheduled for May because the invited experts failed to provide their conclusion on whether the statements incite to ethnic hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Prosecutor’s Office of the Riga Regional Court has imposed a fine on a 23 year old man in the amount of LVL 400 (EUR 570) for publishing racially offensive comments on one of the Latvian Internet sites.

Yesterday, the Prosecutors Office of the Riga Regional Court has imposed a fine on a 23 year old man in the amount of LVL 400 (EUR 570) for publishing racially offensive comments on one of the Latvian Internet sites. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• MP Visvaldis Lacis calls on law enforcement bodies to provide protection for commemorative processions on 16 March
• Chas continues to print series of articles on the situation of Russians in Latvia

The MP Visvaldis Lacis (Union of Greens and Farmers) has called on law enforcement bodies to provide protection for commemorative processions on 16 March –unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, the extreme ultra-right organisations the National Power Union and “Perkonkrusts” are planning to hold processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga.

The MP Visvaldis Lacis (Union of Greens and Farmers) has called on law enforcement bodies to provide protection for commemorative processions on 16 March –unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, the extreme ultra-right organisations the National Power Union and Perkonkrusts are planning to hold processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga. Vesti Segodnya

Chas continues to print a series of articles on the situation of Russians in Latvia. The newspaper interviews academician, sociologist Vladislavs Volkovs. According to Mr. Volkovs study Russians lag behind Latvians in use of means of public communication and political participation. Vladislavs Volkovs believes that Russians have to increase their competitiveness in all fields including economy, as economic marginalisation of Russians would be a serious threat to the future of the whole community.

• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is planning to launch discussions on relocation of the Victory Monument from Riga
• Boarder Guard detained seven foreign citizens illegally employed in Riga
• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens visited three minor Somalis
• Jewish Community of Liepaja has opened the Liepaja Jewish Museum
• Diena prints an article on intolerance in Latvia
• Diena prints an article on Russian culture in Latvia by a poet Sergejs Timofejevs

Latvijas Avize reports that the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM is planning to launch discussions on transportation of the Victory Monument or the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders from Riga to another location.

Latvijas Avize reports that the Boarder Guard has detained seven foreign citizens – five Moldavians, a Russian and an Indian - who have been employed without a working permit in Riga.

Diena reports that the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has visited three minor Somalis who live in an alternative family house. As reported, in 2006 seven, including three minors, Somalis have been granted alternative status in Latvia.

Diena reports that the Jewish Community of Liepaja (city in the Northern part of Latvia) has opened the Liepaja Jewish Museum. The museum shows the history of Jews in Liepaja from XVI century till present.

Diena prints an article on intolerance in Latvia. Though the main focus of the article is on increasing manifestations of homophobia, interviewed experts talk about intolerance in general and other forms of intolerance in Latvia. Political scientist Marija Golubeva argues that young generation might leave Latvia if level of intolerance increases as for many of the new generation tolerance and pluralism are important values. Deniss Hanovs, state official working with anti-racism issues, believes that if intolerance has been continuously promoted and supported in society, it is very difficult to hold discussions about positive contributions of diversity and ruin stereotypes.

Diena prints an article on the Russian culture in Latvia by poet Sergejs Timofejevs. Mr. Timofejevs states that there is a limited access to contemporary Russian culture as there us no support for development of the contemporary Russian culture at state level.

• Saeima rejected proposal of the FHRUL to soften state language proficiency requirements for certain professions
• FF/LNIM wants higher fines for violations of the State Language Law
• Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the head of the LASHOR Igors Pimenovs
• Chas prints an article on integration in Latvia
• Diena reports that three organisations have asked permission to hold public events on 16 March

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments developed by the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) which stipulated annulment of amendments to regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers which stiffer state language requirements for certain professions including fire-fighters.

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments developed by the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) which stipulated annulment of amendments to regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers which stiffer state language requirements for certain professions including fire-fighters. Chas, Telegraf

The Saeima has forwarded to its committees draft amendments to the Administrative Violation Code proposed by FF/LNIM. The proposed draft amendments set higher fines for violations of the State Language Law.

The Saeima has forwarded to its committees draft amendments to the Administrative Violation Code proposed by FF/LNIM. The proposed draft amendments set higher fines for violations of the State Language Law. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the head of the Latvian Association for Support of Russian Language Schools (LASHOR in its Russian acronym) Igors Pimenovs why three organisations - the LASHOR, the Latvian Association of Russian Language Teachers and Literature and the Russian Community in Latvia - were not included in the new Consultative Council on Ethnic Minority Education of the Ministry of Education under auspices of the Ministry of Education. Igors Pimenovs believes that the composition of the current body show incompetence of Ministrys officials in the field of minority education. Though his organisation is not included in the Council, Mr. Pimenovs says that the LASHOR will continue to work for improvement of education in Russian schools.

Chas prints an article on ethnic integration in Latvia. The columnist believes that national integration policy is ineffective due to counter-activities of a number of politicians. However, the columnist believes that society is integrated in individual areas which are not politicised, such as economy, culture and everyday life.

Diena reports that three organisations have asked the Riga City Council to issue a permission to hold public events on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries). The extreme ultra-right organisations the National Power Union and Perkonkrusts are planning to hold a processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis: Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of attracting cheep labour force
• MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs propose a new model how to teach the Russian culture in Latvias schools
• FHRUL has forwarded to the Saeima a draft law concerning citizenship
• Vice Mayor of the Liepaja: City Council is not planning to close any school providing education in Russian
• Telegraf reports that Latvia might be asked to grant asylum to Iraqi refugees
• Telegraf speculates that Moldavians will come to work to Latvia

Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis stated that Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of planning attract cheep foreign work force.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis stated that Latvia must introduce new technologies and increase labour productivity instead of planning attract cheep foreign work force. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs have drafted a new model on how to teach the Russian culture and forwarded a draft project to Minister of Education Baiba Rivza.

MPs Jakovs Pliners and Valerijs Buhvalovs have drafted a new model on how to teach the Russian culture and forwarded a draft project to Minister of Education Baiba Rivza. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) submitted to the Saeima a draft law on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service. The FHRUL argues that non-citizens who served during the time period must be granted Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday, For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) submitted to the Saeima a draft law on granting Latvian citizenship to persons who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service. The FHRUL argues that non-citizens who served during the time period must be granted Latvian citizenship. Chas

Chas prints an interview with the Vice Mayor of the Liepaja (city in the Northern part of Latvia) City Council Silve Golda regarding information spread by some media that the Liepaja City Council is planning to close several Russian language schools in the city. Silve Golda states that the Council has just launched discussions on development of education in the city. Mrs. Golda says that the number of school children in both Latvian and Russian schools is decreasing due to the low birth rate, therefore the school system has to be reconsidered. However, the Vice Mayor notes that there are no plans to close any Russian language school in Liepaja.

Telegraf reports that Sweden that receives the highest number of Iraqi refugees is going to call on other the EU member countries to grant asylum for Iraqi migrants. A representative of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in an interview with Telegraf reports that the Latvias stance has not been discussed yet. The representative of the MFA also argues that Latvia does not have capacities to accept a large number of refugees.

Telegraf reports that Rumania has prepared a draft law on speeding up granting Rumanian citizenship to Moldavians. The columnist argues that about one and a half million of Moldavians who have Rumanian citizenship might come to Latvia as guest workers in the nearest future. As reported, Latvia did not set any restrictions on free movement of workers from the two new EU countries -Rumania and Bulgaria.