• Anti-Fascistic Committee would do everything to stop commemorative processions on 16 March
• Chas prints an article by MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners on uniting of the Russian community in Latvia
• Telegraf reports on funding for ethnic minority NGOs

The Latvian Anti-Fascistic Committee (LAC) has stated that it would do everything to stop commemorative processions held by extreme ultra-right organisations on 16 March - unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, several radical organisations are planning to hold procession, while, the LAC is planning to organise an anti-fascistic meeting in the centre of Riga. The LAC has also called on the government not to permit the processions.

The Latvian Anti-Fascistic Committee (LAC) has stated that it would do everything to stop commemorative processions held by extreme ultra-right organisations on 16 March - unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, several radical organisations are planning to hold procession, while, the LAC is planning to organise an anti-fascistic meeting in the centre of Riga. The LAC has also called on the government not to permit the processions. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, NRA

Chas prints an article by MPs Valerijs Buhvalovs and Jakovs Pliners (both from FHRUL) on a uniting of the Russian community in Latvia. The MPs believe that the preservation of the Russian community and its development depends on five factors: 1) availability of a wide range of education models in Russian providing qualitative education; 2) intensive implementation of cultural and educational activities by Russian NGOs in Riga and across Latvia; 3) active involvement of Russian businesses in funding cultural and educational projects; 4) direct dialog among NGOs and local and central authorities; and 5) establishment of partnership relations with political parties which protect the rights of ethnic minorities.

Telegraf reports that the amount of state funding allotted for ethnic minority NGOs has increased 10 times over five years. LVL 144,600 (EUR – 205,747) was granted to NGOs in 2006, and LVL 145,000 (EUR 206,316) will be granted in 2007. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens in an interview with the newspaper has stated that increasing funding demonstrates Latvias serious commitment regarding ethnic minority issues.

• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens: 16 March is not the day to demonstrate Latvian patriotism
• Telegraf reports that Norway has cancelled visa regime for non-citizens of Latvia

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries - is not the day to demonstrate one’s patriotic feelings. The newspaper also reports that five organisation have applied for a permission of the Riga City Council to hold public events on 16 March – three organisations are planning to hold commemorational processions; Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee – a meeting against fascism; while a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs is planning to hold a procession with a aim to protect rights of tenants of denationalised houses. All applications are forwarded to security services for examination.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has stated that 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries - is not the day to demonstrate ones patriotic feelings. The newspaper also reports that five organisation have applied for a permission of the Riga City Council to hold public events on 16 March – three organisations are planning to hold commemorational processions; Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee – a meeting against fascism; while a member of the Riga City Council Genadijs Kotovs is planning to hold a procession with a aim to protect rights of tenants of denationalised houses. All applications are forwarded to security services for examination. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf reports that Norway has cancelled the visa regime for Latvian non-citizens. As of 5 March non-citizens are able to travel to Norway without visas.

• President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus: Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents
• Telegraf: State Language Centre objects proposal to soften state language requirements for fire-fighters

The President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus has stated that Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents. Valdas Adamkus has noted that “Russians in Lithuania are provided all conditions to preserve and foster their cultural activities.” Mr. Adamkus believes that Latvia and Estonia should consider Lithuania’s experience.

The President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus has stated that Latvia and Estonia should grant citizenship to their Russian speaking residents. Valdas Adamkus has noted that Russians in Lithuania are provided all conditions to preserve and foster their cultural activities. Mr. Adamkus believes that Latvia and Estonia should consider Lithuanias experience. Chas

Telegraf reports that a representative of the State Language Centre in an interview with the newspaper has stated that the Centre objects proposal to soften state language requirements for fire-fighters. As reported, in December, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers according to which fire-fighters must speak the state language at the highest level. However, the Ministry of Interiors has proposed to soften state language requirements for those fire-fighters who do not have a direct contact with residents.

• Latvijas avize: Integration Minister promises to promote the Russian language in Latvia
• State Language Centre inspects state language proficiency of school principles and teachers
• Interview with the new Riga Mayor Janis Birks
• New book on the observance of national minority rights in Europe
• Neatkariga comments on a possible consolidation of Latvias Way and Latvias First Party

On Friday, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij presented a programme The Year of the Russian Language developed and funded by Russia to foreign diplomats, Latvian politicians and representatives of the local Russian community. Within the presentation a round table discussions “Russian Mass Media in Latvia: Priorities, Problems and Support” were hold.

On Friday, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij presented a programme The Year of the Russian Language developed and funded by Russia to foreign diplomats, Latvian politicians and representatives of the local Russian community. Within the presentation a round table discussions Russian Mass Media in Latvia: Priorities, Problems and Support were hold. Chas reports on a number of other events foreseen in the programme. While Latvijas avize reports that in the presentation the Integration Minister Oskars Kastens has stated that the Russian community has to preserve its language and we will provide our support for the programme.

In February and March, the State Language Centre will examine state language proficiency of public school principles and teachers at 20 schools across Latvia. Inspectors will examine whether staff’s state language proficiency levels indicated in their state language proficiency certificates correspond to their actual state language skills. The Head of the General Education Quality Assessment State Agency under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule has voiced dissatisfaction with the activities of the State Language Centre. The Agency believes that inspections at schools should be co-ordinated with the respective units of the Education Ministry. Mrs.Papule also notes that the State Language Centre has been “too harsh towards minority schools.” 

In February and March, the State Language Centre will examine state language proficiency of public school principles and teachers at 20 schools across Latvia. Inspectors will examine whether staffs state language proficiency levels indicated in their state language proficiency certificates correspond to their actual state language skills. The Head of the General Education Quality Assessment State Agency under auspices of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule has voiced dissatisfaction with the activities of the State Language Centre. The Agency believes that inspections at schools should be co-ordinated with the respective units of the Education Ministry. Mrs.Papule also notes that the State Language Centre has been too harsh towards minority schools.

Latvijas Avize interviews the new Riga Mayor Janis Birks. When asked about granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, the Mayor states that if a person is not able or does not want to learn the Latvian language, s/he is not loyal to Latvia and therefore should not be given rights to participate in municipal elections.

Chas reports on a publication of a report on the observance of national minority rights in Europe. According to a number of criteria, researchers Christoph Pan and Beate Sibylle Pfeil ranked Latvia at the 28th place among European countries in observance the rights of national minorities, arguing that Latvia had fulfilled its commitments to the extent of 42%.

Neatkariga features an article on difficulties the two parties – Latvias Way and Latvias First Party – might face in their consolidation process. Though the leader of the Latvias Way Ainars Slesers has stated that the main aim of the consolidation of the two parties is the consolidation of both Latvian and Russian communities, the newspaper lists a number of aspects which might hamper the consolidation of the two parties, including an invitation to the Concord Centre to join the new party and parties attitudes towards sexual minorities.

• Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by FHRUL
• Saeima approves Romans Apsitis for the post of the Ombudsman

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, FHRUL proposed to abolish several requirements to receive the EU permanent resident status for Latvian non-citizens.

Yesterday, the Saeima rejected draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status proposed by the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. As reported, FHRUL proposed to abolish several requirements to receive the EU permanent resident status for Latvian non-citizens. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the Saeima approved Romans Apsitis, the ex-judge of the Constitutional Court, for the post of the Ombudsman. However, the leader of the Saeima’s faction “The Concord Centre” Janis Urbanovics stated that his party did not support Mr. Apsitis due his views on non-citizens. Janis Urbanovics noted that the new Ombudsman does not have sufficient understanding of the issues concerning non-citizens.

Yesterday, the Saeima approved Romans Apsitis, the ex-judge of the Constitutional Court, for the post of the Ombudsman. However, the leader of the Saeimas faction The Concord Centre Janis Urbanovics stated that his party did not support Mr. Apsitis due his views on non-citizens. Janis Urbanovics noted that the new Ombudsman does not have sufficient understanding of the issues concerning non-citizens. Chas, Telegraf