• National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: it is difficult to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship

The ultra right radical organisation the National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, last year the Riga and Liepaja City Councils did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries due to possible security threats.

The ultra right radical organisation the National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, last year the Riga and Liepaja City Councils did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries due to possible security threats. Chas

Yesterday, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins responded to the application of the political party “The Concord Centre” regarding government’s position towards naturalisation in Latvia. Gaidis Berzins has stated that it is not possible to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship, however, the Minister believed that a person is not loyal enough if s/he does not use the Latvian language, argues against main facts of Latvian history, and demonstrates disrespect towards the Latvian culture and history.

Yesterday, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins responded to the application of the political party The Concord Centre regarding governments position towards naturalisation in Latvia. Gaidis Berzins has stated that it is not possible to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship, however, the Minister believed that a person is not loyal enough if s/he does not use the Latvian language, argues against main facts of Latvian history, and demonstrates disrespect towards the Latvian culture and history. Vesti Segodnya

• Oskars Kastens condems the attack on two Somalis
• Radical organisation the Latvian National Front has issued a calendar Year 2007 – Sixth Year of Decolonization of Latvia
• Article by a linguist Maris Puks on Latvian language and how it is influenced by Russian language

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has condemned the racist incident when two Somalis were attacked in the centre of Riga last week. According to Oskars Kastens, the Criminal Code must be improved with the amendments stipulating the investigation of racist crimes and enable to punish the participants of such crimes with administrative punishments.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has condemned the racist incident when two Somalis were attacked in the centre of Riga last week. According to Oskars Kastens, the Criminal Code must be improved with the amendments stipulating the investigation of racist crimes and enable to punish the participants of such crimes with administrative punishments. Chas

Chas and Vesti Segodnya reports that the ultra right radical organisation the Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda has issued a calendar with a title Year 2007 – Sixth Year of Decolonization of Latvia. The calendar contains a call for Russian speaking residents of Latvia to use Russias repatriation program and to follow the appeal of Russias President Vladimir Putin to all compatriots to come back to Russia for permanent residency.

Latvijas Avize prints an article by a linguist Maris Puks on Latvian language and how it is influenced by Russian language in Latvia. Maris Puks believes that Russian language is a threat for the development of Latvian language and strengthening of its positions in the state.

• Media print articles on racist crimes and their prevention
• NRA on the life of seven Somalis granted an alternative status

Diena interviews law enforcement officials on the issues of racist crimes. According to the Security Police, the number of racist crimes has increased in 2006 as compared to 2005. In total, 14 criminal cases have been initiated under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code. 8 of the cases have been initiated for the instigation of racial hatred. The press secretary of the Security Police has stated that fighting against skinhead groupings mostly committing racial attacks is hampered by the fact that these groupings act spontaneously and often under the influence of alcohol. According to the Security Polices representative, the crimes often cannot be unequivocally investigated under the scope of Section 78 of the Criminal Code, and are treated as the acts of hooliganism. Dienas columnist argues that the police are still too weak in preventing of racist crimes. In an interview to NRA, the head of the Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmens Office Liga Bikseniece has pointed to the lack of professionalism of the law enforcement officials in responding to the complaints of two Somalis who were physically assaulted by several persons, presumably skinheads, last week. The police officials did not received explanations from the victims, but gave them a telephone number of another police station. As reported, the Police have finally initiated an investigation under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code.

NRA continues to report on the life of seven Somalis who have arrived to Latvia in 2005 and were granted alternative status in 2006. The Somalis still have no permanent residency place and permanent job, although three minor Somalis are studying at school. In an interview with NRA, the leader of a project Step by Step funded the European Communitys Egual program Madara Miezite has stated that the aim of the project is to elaborate an effective system of social and professional integration of asylum seekers in Latvia. According to Madara Miezite, the situation with seven Somalis asylum seekers has revealed many problems since the number asylum seekers in Latvia were negligible before their arrival.

• Two Somalis attacked by a group of skinheads in Riga
• Chas prints an article about the influx of unofficial guest workers to Latvia
• Most popular political parties in December: Peoples Party, Concord Centre, Union of Greens and Farmers
• Interview with a candidate for post of Ombudsman Ringolds Balodis

NRA reports that two Somalis, who have arrived to Latvia in 2005 and in 2006 were granted alternative status, were attacked by several persons presumably skinheads in the centre of Riga on Wednesday. In an interview with the newspaper the Somalis have stated that they were stopped by a group of young people who physically assaulted them. After the incident the Somalis went to the Police and wrote an application. The Police have initiated an investigation.

Chas prints an article about the influx of unofficial guest workers to Latvia. According to the newspaper 11 unofficial immigrants citizens of Moldova were detained at the end of December in the Riga Airport. In total, 55 foreigners who have arrived to Latvia without required documents or have been unofficially employed were detained in December. The majority of unofficially employed were citizens of Bulgaria – 20 persons, Moldova – 11, and Russia – 9.

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" the People’s Party is the most popular political party – 15,7 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in December. The Concord Centre is supported by 12,7% of citizens; the Union of Greens and Farmers by 11,9%; the New Era by 9,2%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents.

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" the Peoples Party is the most popular political party – 15,7 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in December. The Concord Centre is supported by 12,7% of citizens; the Union of Greens and Farmers by 11,9%; the New Era by 9,2%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents. Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize interviews the second candidate for the post of Ombudsman Ringolds Balodis. Among other he states that work of the Ombudsmans Office will be similar to work carried out by the Latvian National Human Rights Office, however, it will more effective and it will not assist mainly Russian –speakers, but will help Latvians as well. (03.01.2007)

• Non-citizens will be able to travel within the EU without visas as of 19 January 2007

Newspapers report that non-citizens of Latvia will be able to travel within the EU countries, but the UK and Ireland, and Norway and Iceland without visas as of 19 January 2007. As reported, in December the Council of the European Union has approved the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime, which stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas.

Newspapers report that non-citizens of Latvia will be able to travel within the EU countries, but the UK and Ireland, and Norway and Iceland without visas as of 19 January 2007. As reported, in December the Council of the European Union has approved the draft amendments to the regulations of the EU visa regime, which stipulate granting non-citizens of Latvia and Estonia rights to travel within the EU without visas. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, NRA