• Parliament did not support a proposal to grant voting rights in the municipal elections to non-citizens
• Political scientist Ilze Ostrovska about confrontation between Latvians and Russians

Yesterday the parliament did not support a proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant voting rights in the municipal elections to non-citizens of Latvia.

Yesterday the parliament did not support a proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant voting rights in the municipal elections to non-citizens of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews the political scientist Ilze Ostrovska on the issues concerning the commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. Ilze Ostrovska has stated that Latvian politicians are interested in maintaining ethnic confrontation between Latvians and Russians in order to prevent Latvians protests against the government. Ilze Ostrovska believes: Most of all, Latvians are afraid of Russians. They are concerned that if Russians would be granted more rights they would introduce Russian language as the second state language… While Russians have economic control over the state, Latvians hold the political power… So the language is the last ‘bastion which Latvians will not leave.

• Expert seminar Facing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Latvia
• Latvian Jewish Community plans to open a new Jewish school

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration and the Latvian Bible Society organized an expert seminar “Facing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Latvia.” The participants of the seminar have discussed the rise and the meaning of these phenomenons. The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis has stated that a lack of awareness on religious minorities leads to intolerance towards them.

Yesterday the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration and the Latvian Bible Society organized an expert seminar Facing Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in Latvia. The participants of the seminar have discussed the rise and the meaning of these phenomenons. The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis has stated that a lack of awareness on religious minorities leads to intolerance towards them. Vesti Segodnya

The Latvian Jewish Community with the financial support of several international Jewish organisations is planning to open a new Riga Jewish school on 1 September 2007. The Head of Riga Jewish Community Education Support Fund Boriss Epsteins stated that “the future of the Jewish community depends on the quality of education in school, which would be able to educate competitive young people maintaining their ethnic identity.”

The Latvian Jewish Community with the financial support of several international Jewish organisations is planning to open a new Riga Jewish school on 1 September 2007. The Head of Riga Jewish Community Education Support Fund Boriss Epsteins stated that the future of the Jewish community depends on the quality of education in school, which would be able to educate competitive young people maintaining their ethnic identity. Vesti Segodnya

• Government adopted regulations on granting a permanent residence permit
• Representatives of minorities make an appeal to Liepaja City Mayor
• Yesterday 464 persons were granted Latvian citizenship
• FF/LNIM asks parliamentary factions to review its proposals on the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law

Yesterday the government adopted regulations on granting a permanent residence permit. According to the regulations, the applicants for the permit will have to prove their Latvian language proficiency at least at the lowest level. The language proficiency examination will include oral and written tests. However, persons with eyesight and hearing problems and who have graduated an accredited special education program will be released from the tests.

Yesterday the government adopted regulations on granting a permanent residence permit. According to the regulations, the applicants for the permit will have to prove their Latvian language proficiency at least at the lowest level. The language proficiency examination will include oral and written tests. However, persons with eyesight and hearing problems and who have graduated an accredited special education program will be released from the tests. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the representatives of the national minority communities in Liepaja (city in western part of Latvia) have sent a letter to the Mayor of Liepaja City Council Uldis Sesks. In the letter, they expressed their dissatisfaction with not receiving an invitation to the city’s festivity. The communities argue that they make 36 000 in the total number of Liepaja’s residents. They invite the Council to promote a closer cooperation between the national minority communities and the municipality.

Yesterday the representatives of the national minority communities in Liepaja (city in western part of Latvia) have sent a letter to the Mayor of Liepaja City Council Uldis Sesks. In the letter, they expressed their dissatisfaction with not receiving an invitation to the citys festivity. The communities argue that they make 36 000 in the total number of Liepajas residents. They invite the Council to promote a closer cooperation between the national minority communities and the municipality. Chas

On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 464 persons, including 42 children. Since the beginning of naturalisation in 1995, 97 212 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved granting Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 464 persons, including 42 children. Since the beginning of naturalisation in 1995, 97 212 persons have been granted Latvian citizenship. Chas

The parliamentary faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has sent a letter to the MPs from the parties New Era, People’s party, and the Union of Greens and Farmers with an appeal to review its proposals on the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law. As reported, FF/LNIM has elaborated amendments with the objective to suspend naturalization and to liquidate the Naturalisation Board.

The parliamentary faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has sent a letter to the MPs from the parties New Era, Peoples party, and the Union of Greens and Farmers with an appeal to review its proposals on the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law. As reported, FF/LNIM has elaborated amendments with the objective to suspend naturalization and to liquidate the Naturalisation Board. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Ministry of Justice proposes draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers stipulating the procedure of granting Latvian citizenship
• FHRUL proposal to grant voting rights in municipal elections to non-citizens
• Deputy of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs points to the increased number of students in Russian-language schools

The Ministry of Justice has proposed draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalization procedure for the government’s review. According to the draft amendments, disabled persons of the Group I and Group II with progressive mental disease as well as all deaf and deaf-and-dumb persons will be released from the naturalization tests in Latvian history and in Latvian language grammar. The graduates of secondary schools will be released from the test in Latvian language only if s/he has one of three highest language proficiency categories – A, B, C. At present, graduates with category D are also released from the test. The draft amendments also stipulate that if an applicant does not pass one of the tests (in Latvian language, Latvian history and the Constitution of Latvia) for a second time, the Naturalisation Board suspends the review of her or his application for naturalisation.

The Ministry of Justice has proposed draft amendments to the regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalization procedure for the governments review. According to the draft amendments, disabled persons of the Group I and Group II with progressive mental disease as well as all deaf and deaf-and-dumb persons will be released from the naturalization tests in Latvian history and in Latvian language grammar. The graduates of secondary schools will be released from the test in Latvian language only if s/he has one of three highest language proficiency categories – A, B, C. At present, graduates with category D are also released from the test. The draft amendments also stipulate that if an applicant does not pass one of the tests (in Latvian language, Latvian history and the Constitution of Latvia) for a second time, the Naturalisation Board suspends the review of her or his application for naturalisation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has proposed draft amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft amendments, voting rights in the municipal election are granted not only to Latvian citizens and citizens of the EU, but also to Latvian non-citizens.

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has proposed draft amendments to the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft amendments, voting rights in the municipal election are granted not only to Latvian citizens and citizens of the EU, but also to Latvian non-citizens. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The member of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) refers to the data of Riga City School Board concerning the number of students in Riga schools. According to Genadijs Kotovs, the previous academic year was critical for Russian-language schools: “the number of students in Riga decreased for 8.000 or for 17 percent. For the first time, the number of students in Russian schools was smaller as compared to the Latvian schools.” However, regarding the current academic year, the number of the first grade pupils in Russian-language schools has exceeded the number of first grade students in Latvian-language schools. This year, the total number of students in Russian-language schools has increased for 1.500. The number of students in Russian schools had a tendency to decrease in average for 3.000 a year during the last 15 years.

The member of Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs (FHRUL) refers to the data of Riga City School Board concerning the number of students in Riga schools. According to Genadijs Kotovs, the previous academic year was critical for Russian-language schools: the number of students in Riga decreased for 8.000 or for 17 percent. For the first time, the number of students in Russian schools was smaller as compared to the Latvian schools. However, regarding the current academic year, the number of the first grade pupils in Russian-language schools has exceeded the number of first grade students in Latvian-language schools. This year, the total number of students in Russian-language schools has increased for 1.500. The number of students in Russian schools had a tendency to decrease in average for 3.000 a year during the last 15 years. Vesti Segodnya

• Head of the Latvian Roma National Culture Association Normunds Rudevics about Roma integration issues

Chas features an interview with the head of the Latvian Roma National Culture Association Normunds Rudevics. He believes that the integration program proposed by the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration does not take into account cultural traditions of Roma. We have created our own alternative project… I do not find any discrimination of Roma in Latvia. 98 percent of them are citizens. Roma are already integrated in the areas of language, culture, and religion. We just have to find our own field for economic integration, believes Normunds Rudevics. He also emphasized the need to support Roma family business in various fields.