• Saeimas commissions will review draft amendments stipulating criminal liability for taking naturalisation exams for the actual applicant
• Seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities
• Diena prints an article about kindergartens experiences with children of various ethnic backgrounds

Yesterday, the Saeima forwarded to its commissions draft amendments to the Criminal Law developed by For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. The draft amendments stipulate that persons who take the naturalisation exams for actual naturalisation applicants will be hold criminally liable. For the offence, the draft amendments provide the penalty of two years of imprisonment, or community work or a fine up to 50 times the minimum wage.

Yesterday, the Saeima forwarded to its commissions draft amendments to the Criminal Law developed by For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. The draft amendments stipulate that persons who take the naturalisation exams for actual naturalisation applicants will be hold criminally liable. For the offence, the draft amendments provide the penalty of two years of imprisonment, or community work or a fine up to 50 times the minimum wage. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The NGO “Humanitarian Perspective” in cooperation with the Baltic American Partnership Foundation held a seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities. Teachers, students and their parents from Russian-language schools, and experts took part in the seminar. Participants concluded that parents have very few opportunities to influence the education system. The main obstacle in their view is the lack of will of school administrations to cooperate with parents and receive their suggestions or criticism. One of parents stated, “the directors do not want to go against the official system and to risk with their jobs.”

The NGO Humanitarian Perspective in cooperation with the Baltic American Partnership Foundation held a seminar on effective participation of parents in the education policy in schools of national minorities. Teachers, students and their parents from Russian-language schools, and experts took part in the seminar. Participants concluded that parents have very few opportunities to influence the education system. The main obstacle in their view is the lack of will of school administrations to cooperate with parents and receive their suggestions or criticism. One of parents stated, the directors do not want to go against the official system and to risk with their jobs. Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article about children of various ethnic backgrounds in kindergartens in Latvia. A representative of a kindergarten states that children do not differentiate other children according to their ethnicity and colour of skin and do not have any problems making friends. A representative of the kindergarten Mazulis Ru argues Children notice that other children are different, but do not categorise them as better or worse. Parents are the ones who create these categories. A staff member of a kindergarten Pasacina shares positive experiences regarding implementation of the EU project on the integration of Romani children in mainstream groups, at first some Latvian and Russian parents were worried about the project, however children friendly accepted the newcomers. Diena (30.03)

• Riga Regional Court reviews a criminal case on instigation of racial hatred
• Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee discusses naturalisation with representatives of the Naturalisation Board
• MP (FF/LNIM) Juris Dobelis: loyalty towards the country is determined by the degree how strong a person loves the country
• Most popular parties in March: New Era, FHRUL, and FF/LNIM

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court started revision of a criminal case against three young men allegedly accused in instigation of racial hatred. As reported, in July 2005, several persons physically assaulted an African American, who happened to be a staff member of the US embassy to Latvia. Although the police charged the three young men with hooliganism, the court reviews the case under Article of the Criminal Law which prohibits racial discrimination. The three accused do not plea guilty in racially motivated attack.

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court started revision of a criminal case against three young men allegedly accused in instigation of racial hatred. As reported, in July 2005, several persons physically assaulted an African American, who happened to be a staff member of the US embassy to Latvia. Although the police charged the three young men with hooliganism, the court reviews the case under Article of the Criminal Law which prohibits racial discrimination. The three accused do not plea guilty in racially motivated attack. Rigas Balss

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee discussed naturalisation with representatives of the Naturalisation Board. Representatives of the NB reported that about 27% of applicants for citizenship are not able to pass the naturalisation exams first time, however, they do not think that major changes should be brought into examination process. Nevertheless, they noted that the time period between the first and repeated examinations could be prolonged to six months, so the applicants would have more time to prepare.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee discussed naturalisation with representatives of the Naturalisation Board. Representatives of the NB reported that about 27% of applicants for citizenship are not able to pass the naturalisation exams first time, however, they do not think that major changes should be brought into examination process. Nevertheless, they noted that the time period between the first and repeated examinations could be prolonged to six months, so the applicants would have more time to prepare. Telegraf

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya MP Juris Dobelis (FF/LNIM) stated that persons Latvian language proficiency and his/her love towards the state determines his/her loyalty towards the state. Juris Dobelis also believes that the naturalisation process must become stricter, as well as a number of persons who have already received Latvian citizenship should be examined.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 14.3% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.5%, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 8.5% if the Saeima elections were hold in March. People’s party (7%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (7%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 14.3% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.5%, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 8.5% if the Saeima elections were hold in March. Peoples party (7%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (7%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. Chas, Telegraf, Diena

• Head of the Naturalisation Board: draft amendments to the Citizenship Law proposed by FF/LNIM are in contradiction with the European Convention on Human Rights and domestic laws

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane in an interview with Telegraf stated that the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law proposed by the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) are in contradiction with the European Convention on Human Rights and domestic legislation. As reported, in March the party FF/LNIM elaborated amendments to the Citizenship Law aimed at halting naturalization and liquidation of the Naturalisation Board as an institution. Eizenija Aldermane believes that the activities around naturalisation is part of the pre-election campaign of the party: FF/LNIM uses ‘sensitive citizenship and ethnicity issues before the elections and it can lead to greater divisions in society.

• Russia asks the Council of Europe to support evaluation of the situation of Russian-speaking minorities in Latvia and Estonia
• Academician Mikelis Asmanis: upcoming parliamentary elections will proceed along ethnic lines

Russia has asked the Council of Europe (CoE) to support the evaluation by independent experts from the CoE and the OSCE of the Russian-speaking minority situation in Latvia and Estonia. According to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, the CoE should promote the conformity of minority situation in Latvia and Estonia with all European and international standards.

Russia has asked the Council of Europe (CoE) to support the evaluation by independent experts from the CoE and the OSCE of the Russian-speaking minority situation in Latvia and Estonia. According to the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, the CoE should promote the conformity of minority situation in Latvia and Estonia with all European and international standards. Chas

According to the academician Mikelis Asmanis, the upcoming parliamentary elections will proceed along ethnic lines. Mikelis Asmanis believes that ethnic issues will be topical and popular among politicians and in the society during the next ten or twelve years: “the actualization of ethnic, national and historical issues is a way to hide urgent social problems from the society.”

According to the academician Mikelis Asmanis, the upcoming parliamentary elections will proceed along ethnic lines. Mikelis Asmanis believes that ethnic issues will be topical and popular among politicians and in the society during the next ten or twelve years: the actualization of ethnic, national and historical issues is a way to hide urgent social problems from the society. Chas

• Presentation of a research Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvian Mass Media 2004/2005

On 24 March, the Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism presented a research conducted by the academicians Sergejs Kruks and Ilze Sulmane “Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvian Mass Media 2004/2005” The research shows that the issues of minorities and tolerance are not urgent on press agenda. Ilze Sulmane informed that more than a half of press articles showed a neutral attitude towards minorities. However, the manifestation of intolerance towards sexual and small ethnic minorities has been smaller than towards Latvians and Russians.

On 24 March, the Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism presented a research conducted by the academicians Sergejs Kruks and Ilze Sulmane Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvian Mass Media 2004/2005 The research shows that the issues of minorities and tolerance are not urgent on press agenda. Ilze Sulmane informed that more than a half of press articles showed a neutral attitude towards minorities. However, the manifestation of intolerance towards sexual and small ethnic minorities has been smaller than towards Latvians and Russians. Diena