• Seminar Muslim Minorities in Europe: Diversity Assetor Vulnerable Minorities?
• Saeima faction FF/LNIM has prepared draft amendments to the Criminal Code

On 24 March, the Latvian Centre for Human Rights with the financial support of the Embassy of Canada in Riga held a seminar “Muslim Minorities in Europe: Diversity Asset or Vulnerable Minorities?

On 24 March, the Latvian Centre for Human Rights with the financial support of the Embassy of Canada in Riga held a seminar Muslim Minorities in Europe:Diversity Assetor Vulnerable Minorities?. The experts from Canada, Denmark, and France took part in the seminar. The Director of the LCHR Ilze Brands-Kehris stated that Islam is the second largest religion in the world, however, the hate and intolerance towards Muslims have grown up during the last years. The Ambassador of Canada to Latvia Claire Poulain called the intolerance and discrimination of other religions as the biggest challenge of this century: in the global world in which we live now it is impossible to think that we are alone and that our seeing of life is the only one. Chas

The

The parliamentary faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has prepared draft amendments to the Criminal Code. FF/LNIM proposes to punish persons who take the naturalisation exams instead of persons who actually must take the exams. As reported, there have been several cases when the Naturalisation Board denied granting Latvian citizenship to the persons who asked other persons to sit their Latvian language test. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Security Police asked the Prosecutions Office to start criminal prosecution against the editor-in-chief and editor of the national radical newspaper DDD for alleged incitement to ethnic hatred
• Presentation of the Arabic Culture Centre
• Presentations of a research Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvia Mass Media

The Security Police forwarded the case of Aivars Garda, editor-in-chief of the radical newspaper

The Security Police forwarded the case of Aivars Garda, editor-in-chief of the radical newspaper DDD, and Liga Muzikante, editor, accused in alleged incitement to ethnic hatred in two articles of the newspaper. The Security Police asked the Prosecutions Office to start a criminal persecution against these persons. Chas, Diena, Latvijas Avize

Today, the “Arabic Culture Centre” holds its official presentation. The head of the Centre Hosam Abu Merhi in an interview with

Today, the Arabic Culture Centre holds its official presentation. The head of the Centre Hosam Abu Merhi in an interview with Diena stated that the aim of the Arabic Culture Centre is to introduce the Latvian society with varied and ancient Oriental culture and its traditions.

Today, the Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism presents a research “Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvia Mass Media.”

Today, the Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism presents a research Manifestation of Intolerance in Latvia Mass Media. Latvijas Vestnesis

• Representative of PACE Adrian Severin: Latvia has to solve participation of non-citizens in municipal elections

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin stated that “it will not be possible to achieve any stability in the country without reconciliation with history and without cooperation among ethnic groups.” Adrian Severin also believed that Latvia has to deal with the issue concerning participation of non-citizens in municipal elections and promote inter-ethnic dialog. As reported, the representative of the PACE arrived to Latvia on a two-day visit to draft a new report on the situation of national minorities in Latvia.

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin stated that it will not be possible to achieve any stability in the country without reconciliation with history and without cooperation among ethnic groups. Adrian Severin also believed that Latvia has to deal with the issue concerning participation of non-citizens in municipal elections and promote inter-ethnic dialog. As reported, the representative of the PACE arrived to Latvia on a two-day visit to draft a new report on the situation of national minorities in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

• Representative of the PACE held numerous meetings with representatives of the government, NGOs, and the Russian Embassy to Latvia
• Naturalisation Board proposes amendments to regulations on naturalisation
• Exhibition Oriental Cultures in Latvia

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin during his visit to Latvia held numerous meetings with representatives of the government, NGOs and the Russian Embassy to Latvia and discussed the situation of national minorities in the country. During his meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Adrian Severin recommended to put more effort in searching for goals shared by all groups, as well as enhance communication with national minorities through the mass media. He believed that special attention should be paid to involvement of young people. 

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin during his visit to Latvia held numerous meetings with representatives of the government, NGOs and the Russian Embassy to Latvia and discussed the situation of national minorities in the country. During his meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Adrian Severin recommended to put more effort in searching for goals shared by all groups, as well as enhance communication with national minorities through the mass media. He believed that special attention should be paid to involvement of young people. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Naturalisation Board (NB) has developed draft amendments to regulations by the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalisation. The draft amendments provide a new procedure concerning the grant of Latvian citizenship. A representative of the NB stated that according to the draft amendments children who were born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 and who have reached the age of 15, would have to apply for naturalisation in person and demonstrate their state language proficiency.  The effective regulations provide that now parents of such children if they want their child to acquire Latvian citizenship should submit an application.

The Naturalisation Board (NB) has developed draft amendments to regulations by the Cabinet of Ministers on naturalisation. The draft amendments provide a new procedure concerning the grant of Latvian citizenship. A representative of the NB stated that according to the draft amendments children who were born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 and who have reached the age of 15, would have to apply for naturalisation in person and demonstrate their state language proficiency. The effective regulations provide that now parents of such children if they want their child to acquire Latvian citizenship should submit an application. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration (IUMSILS in its Latvian acronym) within the framework of the international week against racism holds an exhibition “Oriental Cultures in Latvia.” A representative of the IUMSILS stated, “the week against racism is devoted to giving insights in Oriental cultures.” In the framework of the week, a number of events will be organized: discussions on racism with school children; presentation of the newly established Centre for Arabic Culture and others.

The Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration (IUMSILS in its Latvian acronym) within the framework of the international week against racism holds an exhibition Oriental Cultures in Latvia. A representative of the IUMSILS stated, the week against racism is devoted to giving insights in Oriental cultures. In the framework of the week, a number of events will be organized: discussions on racism with school children; presentation of the newly established Centre for Arabic Culture and others. Vesti Segodnya

• Appeal Council for Refugee Matters turned down an appeal of seven asylum seekers from Somalia
• Representative of PACE arrived to Latvia
• Informative seminar What is racism?

The Appeal Council for Refugee Matters turned down an appeal of seven asylum seekers from Somalia who asked to abolish the decision taken by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. As reported, in February, the OCMA took the decision on the refusal on granting the status of the refugee for seven Somalians, who came to Latvia in August and applied for asylum.

The Appeal Council for Refugee Matters turned down an appeal of seven asylum seekers from Somalia who asked to abolish the decision taken by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. As reported, in February, the OCMA took the decision on the refusal on granting the status of the refugee for seven Somalians, who came to Latvia in August and applied for asylum. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin has arrived to Latvia to draft a new report on the situation of national minorities in Latvia. As reported, in January the Bureau of the PACE did not accept the decision of its Monitoring Committee to stop the post-monitoring dialog with Latvia.

The representative of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Adrian Severin has arrived to Latvia to draft a new report on the situation of national minorities in Latvia. As reported, in January the Bureau of the PACE did not accept the decision of its Monitoring Committee to stop the post-monitoring dialog with Latvia. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

The Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism holds an informative seminar “What is racism?”

The Secretariat of Minister for Special Assignment for Social Integration in the framework of the international week against racism holds an informative seminar What is racism? Latvijas Vestnesis