• Security Police jointly with the State Police have detained four skinheads who allegedly have attacked two Roma girls and two Armenians
• Riga Regional Court has postponed the hearing of Andris Jordanss case
• Several ethnic minority NGOs appealed to the President of Latvia, the government and the Saeima

The Security Police jointly with the State Police have detained four skinheads who allegedly have attacked two Roma girls and two Armenians. As reported, two 13-year-old girls were attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga in October. As later became known, the same group of skinheads later on the same day have attacked on Armenian man and woman. Four skinheads were detained on 25 February. The attackers are 17 to 21 years old. The Police have initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic or racial hatred.

The Security Police jointly with the State Police have detained four skinheads who allegedly have attacked two Roma girls and two Armenians. As reported, two 13-year-old girls were attacked allegedly by a group of skinheads in Riga in October. As later became known, the same group of skinheads later on the same day have attacked on Armenian man and woman. Four skinheads were detained on 25 February. The attackers are 17 to 21 years old. The Police have initiated a criminal proceeding on incitement to ethnic or racial hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, NRA

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court has postponed the hearing of Andris Jordans’s case because Jordan’s lawyer has refused to represent him in this case. Andris Jordans is charged with incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, at a public discussion in February 2007, Andris Jordans has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans’ and it would be preferable to exterminate them.

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court has postponed the hearing of Andris Jordanss case because Jordans lawyer has refused to represent him in this case. Andris Jordans is charged with incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, at a public discussion in February 2007, Andris Jordans has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

Several ethnic minority NGOs have sent an appeal to the President of Latvia, the government and the Saeima asking to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and to withdraw the reservations made to the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities.

Several ethnic minority NGOs have sent an appeal to the President of Latvia, the government and the Saeima asking to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and to withdraw the reservations made to the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. Chas

• Today, the Riga Regional Court starts hearing of Andris Jordanss case who is charged with incitement to ethnic hatred
• Chas reports that the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka has prepared recommendations to the EU member states on combating discrimination and implementation of anti-discrimination directives

Newspapers report that today, the Riga Regional Court starts hearing of Andris Jordans’s case who is charged with incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, in February 2007 at a public discussion, Andris Jordans has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans’ and it would be preferable to exterminate them. According to

Newspapers report that today, the Riga Regional Court starts hearing of Andris Jordanss case who is charged with incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, in February 2007 at a public discussion, Andris Jordans has stated that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. According to Diena, Andris Jordans was previously convicted with suspended sentence for hooliganism. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Telegraf

Chas reports that the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka has prepared recommendations to the EU member states on combating discrimination and implementation of anti-discrimination directives. According to the recommendations, in order to spot possible discrimination timely, there is a need to monitor and analyse participation of ethnic minorities, women, and disabled persons in various fields. Tatjana Zdanoka also points at discriminatory language and citizenship requirements in Latvia.

• Supreme Court has acquitted the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa of charges of incitement to ethnic hatred
• Hearing in the Riga City Central District Court: claimant accuses policeman of ethnically motivated assault
• Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula
• MP Maris Kucinskis: most likely, the majority of the Saeima will not support the proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• State Language Agency funded a documentary aimed at convincing non-Latvians to learn and to use Latvian language
• State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to foreign citizens for working in Latvia without work permits

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of the Riga Regional Court to acquit the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisation’s members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of the Riga Regional Court to acquit the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper DDD in 2004 and 2005. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports about a hearing in the Riga City Central District Court. The claimant accuses policeman of ethnically motivated assault. The claimant alleges that he was detained by the police on a street in Riga; when asked to explain the reason for detention one of the police officers stated that according to the law, Roma people are allowed to walk on Rigas streets only until 9 p.m. After that the man was heavily beaten and sustained serious injuries. The policeman has denied charges.

Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula (Riga’s district). The vandals have drawn all over almost all memorials swastikas and stars of David. The Police have started investigation and initiated a criminal procedure.

Newspapers report that on 27 February, unknown vandals have desecrated the Holocaust Memorial in Rumbula (Rigas district). The vandals have drawn all over almost all memorials swastikas and stars of David. The Police have started investigation and initiated a criminal procedure. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the head of the Saeimas faction Peoples party, MP Maris Kucinskis has stated that at present, most likely, the majority of the Saeima will not support the proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Mr. Kucinskis believes that the state has to provide more opportunities for those residents who want to learn Latvian language and to promote consolidation of society.

Telegraf reports about a documentary film In one Language funded by the State Language Agency. The aim of the documentary is to convince non-Latvians to learn and to use Latvian language. The documentary costs LVL 8,850 (EUR 12,592)

The State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to four citizens of Belarus, two citizens of Ukraine and one citizen of Russia for working in Latvia without work permits.

The State Boarder Guard Service has drawn administrative violation protocols to four citizens of Belarus, two citizens of Ukraine and one citizen of Russia for working in Latvia without work permits. Diena

• Riga City Council did not allow the NSS to hold procession on 16 March
• Study: general education institutions in Latvia provide opportunities for acquisition of ethnic minority language and culture
• Chas reports about a case of a Latvian non-citizen – pensioner whose appeal soon will be reviewed in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights

Yesterday, the Riga City Council has refused an application by the radical national organisation “National Power Union” (NSS in its Latvian acronym) to hold procession on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionaries. The City Council based its decision on the fact that the organisation is not reregistered as political organisation. However, head of the NSS Viktos Birze is planning to appeal the decision and to hold the procession.

Yesterday, the Riga City Council has refused an application by the radical national organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym) to hold procession on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvia Waffen SS legionaries. The City Council based its decision on the fact that the organisation is not reregistered as political organisation. However, head of the NSS Viktos Birze is planning to appeal the decision and to hold the procession. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

According to a study conducted by the centres of bilingual education in Riga, Rezekne, Liepaja and Daugavpils, general education institutions in Latvia provide opportunities for acquisition of ethnic minority language and culture and extra lessons for strengthening of ethnic identity, while, intercultural issues are included in the standards on each subject. The results of the research were presented by the Ministry of Education in the framework of the discussion “My Identity and School”.

According to a study conducted by the centres of bilingual education in Riga, Rezekne, Liepaja and Daugavpils, general education institutions in Latvia provide opportunities for acquisition of ethnic minority language and culture and extra lessons for strengthening of ethnic identity, while, intercultural issues are included in the standards on each subject. The results of the research were presented by the Ministry of Education in the framework of the discussion My Identity and School. Chas

Chas reports about a case of a Latvian non-citizen – pensioner whose appeal soon will be reviewed in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights. The pensioner sues Latvia for refusal to pay her pension for 17 years worked in Latvia. Latvia refuses to pay the pension for these years because a factory where the woman was employed, although located in Latvia, was registered in Ukraine and later in Russia. Latvia does not include the years of work outside of the country into the total length of service of non-citizens. The pensioner considers that this fact discriminates her on ground of citizenship.

• The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens criticizes the statements by the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova regarding multiculturalism
• Supreme Court has started adjudication of the case against national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa in the second instance
• Politicians Jurijs Zuravljovs and Viktors Kalnberzs: Latvia should grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, because the government has supported Albanians in Kosovo
• Saeimas Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee has supported establishment of the Day of Citizen in Latvia

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens criticizes the statements by the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova regarding multiculturalism published yesterday in

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens criticizes the statements by the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova regarding multiculturalism published yesterday in Latvijas Avize. As reported, the Minister of Culture has stated that multiculturalism cannot be foundation for integration and cultural policy in Latvia because Latvian future depends on common ideas such as Latvian language and national symbols. Oskars Kastens has stated that the statement of Mrs. Demakova shows that the Minister has not looked into the essence of the draft Guidelines for Social Integration Policy 2008 - 2018 which are based on the principle of multiculturalism. According to Mr. Kastens, the draft Guidelines envisage a number of important tasks such as increasing the state funding for acquisition of Latvian language, strengthening of civic consciousness and patriotism and promotion of social security. The Special Assignments Minister also has stated that the Secretariat will defend the approval of the draft concept despite the criticism. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has started adjudication of the case against national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa in the second instance. As reported, the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisation’s members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa are charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper

Yesterday, the Supreme Court has started adjudication of the case against national radicals Aivars Garda, Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa in the second instance. As reported, the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa are charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper DDD in 2004 and 2005. The Riga Regional Court has acquitted the persons in May 2007, however, the Prosecutor has appealed the ruling considering that there is enough evidence to punish the national radicals. Chas, Latvijas Avize

In an interview with

In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the politicians Jurijs Zuravljovs and Viktors Kalnberzs have stated that Latvia should grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, because the government supported Albanians in Kosovo by recognizing their independence. According to the politicians, the majority of Rigas residents are Russians like the majority of residents of Kosovo are Albanians, therefore, it is logical that Latvia grants at least voting rights to Latvias non-citizens who are mostly Russians.

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee has supported a proposal of the Naturalisation Board and the Ministry of Justice to establish a new public holiday - the Day of Citizen in Latvia.

Yesterday, the Saeimas Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee has supported a proposal of the Naturalisation Board and the Ministry of Justice to establish a new public holiday - the Day of Citizen in Latvia. Latvijas Avize