• Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive article on implementation of principle of multiculturalism in Latvia
• NRA reports that a citizen of Pakistan has returned home to Cesis with three of his children

Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive article on implementation of principle of multiculturalism in Latvia. The experts interviewed by the newspaper believe that multiculturalism is not the proper principle on which to built Latvian policy. Politician and linguist Ina Druviete has stated that all cultures and languages are equally valuable, however, national identity of Latvia is based on Latvian language and culture. Politician Artis Pabriks considers that immigrants should adjust to the norms of titular nations existence. Linguist Dzintra Hirsa believes that replacing the principle of national state with multiculturalism is an attempt to deform Latvian history by refusing acknowledgement of occupation and to deny Latvian language as a symbol of Latvian national state.

NRA reports that a citizen of Pakistan has returned home to Cesis (town in the Northern part of Latvia) with three of his children. As reported, the Pakistani man was missing with underage children born by his Latvian wife after he was deprived custody of children. The man is in the process of divorce from his wife who also has appealed to the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs asking to annul residence permit for her Pakistani husband.

• Chas reports about Thai guest workers employed in Latvia

Chas reports about Thai guest workers employed in Latvia. According to the representative of a recruiting company which deals with job placement of Thais in Latvia, the demand for Thai workers in Latvia is high. The representative of the company argues that import of Thais is profitable because they are silent, hard-working, reliable, and they are not looking for permanent residence in Latvia. The majority of Thais are employed in meat- and fish-processing, timber industry and clothing manufacture.

• FF/LNIM proposes to forbid persons with insufficient Latvian language proficiency from running for the Saeima elections
• ECRI calls upon Latvian governmental institutions to be more active in combating racism

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) has prepared the draft amendments to the Law on Saeima Elections according to which persons with Latvian language proficiency insufficient for execution of professional duties are forbidden from running for the elections.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls upon Latvian governmental institutions to be more active in combating racism. The ECRI recommends finding rapid and humane solutions for problem of large scale non-citizenship in Latvia.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) calls upon Latvian governmental institutions to be more active in combating racism. The ECRI recommends finding rapid and humane solutions for problem of large scale non-citizenship in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM strongly objects to granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM strongly objects to granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Gaidis Berzins has stated that those who want to participate in social processes should naturalise.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins has stated that the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM strongly objects to granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. Gaidis Berzins has stated that those who want to participate in social processes should naturalise. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Ministry of Education is planning to elaborate an educational program for new immigrants

At a meeting of the Saeima’s European Affairs Committee, the Minister of Education Tatjana Koke has stated that the Ministry of Education is planning to elaborate an educational programme for new immigrants – children of citizens from non-EU countries who have permanent residence permit in Latvia. The aim of the programme is to ensure equal opportunities to all residents of Latvia to receive state funded basic and general secondary education. V

At a meeting of the Saeimas European Affairs Committee, the Minister of Education Tatjana Koke has stated that the Ministry of Education is planning to elaborate an educational programme for new immigrants – children of citizens from non-EU countries who have permanent residence permit in Latvia. The aim of the programme is to ensure equal opportunities to all residents of Latvia to receive state funded basic and general secondary education. Vesti Segodnya