• Riga City Council did not authorize public events on 16 March

Yesterday, the Riga City Council did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries and “demonstrations against expressions of fascism” on 15 and 16 March.

Yesterday, the Riga City Council did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries and demonstrations against expressions of fascism on 15 and 16 March. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, NRA, Rigas Balss

• Russias Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy considers that the documentary Baltic Nazism does not incite to ethnic hatred
• Riga City Council will decide on authorization of commemorative processions on 16 March

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy considers that the documentary “Baltic Nazism” does not incite to ethnic hatred. “There is nothing terrible and perverse in the documentary… It reflects true facts, which are commented by several persons from different point of views… The documentary is not about Latvians, but the history of fascism,” believes Victor Kalyuzhniy. As reported, the documentary “Baltic Nazism” produced by the Russia’s TV company is allegedly accused in distortion of historical facts and incitement to ethnic hatred.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy considers that the documentary Baltic Nazism does not incite to ethnic hatred. There is nothing terrible and perverse in the documentary… It reflects true facts, which are commented by several persons from different point of views… The documentary is not about Latvians, but the history of fascism, believes Victor Kalyuzhniy. As reported, the documentary Baltic Nazism produced by the Russias TV company is allegedly accused in distortion of historical facts and incitement to ethnic hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA

Today, the Riga City Council will decide on authorization of commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March.

Today, the Riga City Council will decide on authorization of commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. Telegraf

• Russian National Union promises to abstain from demonstrations against fascism if the government does not authorise commemorative processions of WWII Latvian Legionaries
• Number of non-citizens in Liepaja has decreased
• Naturalisation Board has signed a cooperation agreement with the NGO Providus and U.K. Embassy on the evaluation of corruption in the Board
• Comprehensive review of contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism by academician Leo Dribins

The Russian National Union “Motherland” sent an open letter to the Head of National Security Committee, the Minister of Interior, and the Executive Director of the Riga City Council stating that they will not organize any “demonstrations against expressions of facism” on 16 March if the government does not authorise any commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries.

The Russian National Union Motherland sent an open letter to the Head of National Security Committee, the Minister of Interior, and the Executive Director of the Riga City Council stating that they will not organize any demonstrations against expressions of facism on 16 March if the government does not authorise any commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries. Vesti Segodnya

The number of non-citizens in Liepaja (city in the western part of Latvia) in the beginning of 2006 has decreased by 9.2% in comparison to the number of non-citizens in the respective period in 2004, while the number of citizens has increased by 3.1%. Currently, 68% inhabitants of Liepaja are Latvian citizens.

The number of non-citizens in Liepaja (city in the western part of Latvia) in the beginning of 2006 has decreased by 9.2% in comparison to the number of non-citizens in the respective period in 2004, while the number of citizens has increased by 3.1%. Currently, 68% inhabitants of Liepaja are Latvian citizens. Latvijas Avize

The Naturalisation Board signed a cooperation agreement with the NGO “Providus” and United Kingdom Embassy to Latvia on the evaluation of corruption risks in naturalization. “Providus” will evaluate risks and provide consultations on awareness, evaluation and prevention of corruption within the Naturalisation Board. The U.K. Embassy will fund the project.

The Naturalisation Board signed a cooperation agreement with the NGO Providus and United Kingdom Embassy to Latvia on the evaluation of corruption risks in naturalization. Providus will evaluate risks and provide consultations on awareness, evaluation and prevention of corruption within the Naturalisation Board. The U.K. Embassy will fund the project.

Academician Leo Dribins prints a comprehensive article in the supplement of the daily

Academician Leo Dribins prints a comprehensive article in the supplement of the daily Diena Kulturas Diena on manifestation of contemporary forms of anti-Semitism. The academician voices his concern about strong and non-restricted expressions of anti-Semitism in Russia, while regarding Latvia he notes that it has never been an ideological centre of anti-Semitism. However, he adds, Today, anti-Semitism is not wide spread in Latvia, however, there are active marginal anti-democratic political groups who support anti-Semitic ideas… Our attitude towards anti-Semitism must be strong and harsh. Kulturas Diena (10.03)

• The Washington Post publishes an article about the President of Latvia
• Concord Centreplaces the posters with an appeal toabstain from anydemonstrations on 16 March in Liepaja
• Human Rights Watch World Report 2005: there are germs of homophobia and racism in Latvia

The columnist of the USA daily

The columnist of the USA daily The Washington post in an article about the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga wrote that one of the Presidents challenges in Latvia is to persuade the Russians in the country, who make up 28.2 percent of the population, to adopt Latvian as their first language while maintaining Russian. The Presidents Secretariat has not commented the statement. However, the former Minister of Integration Nils Muiznieks stated that most likely it is a formulation of the columnist, not the President. Chas

The political party “The Concord Centre” has placed posters in Latvian and Russian in Liepaja (town in the western part of Latvia) calling to abstain from any demonstrations on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, several radical organizations have planned to hold the commemorative processions and the oppositional organizations are planning to hold protest actions against these processions.

The political party The Concord Centre has placed posters in Latvian and Russian in Liepaja (town in the western part of Latvia) calling to abstain from any demonstrations on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, several radical organizations have planned to hold the commemorative processions and the oppositional organizations are planning to hold protest actions against these processions. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

The U.S. Department of State in its Human Rights Watch World Report 2005 denoted that there are the germs of homophobia and racism in Latvia.

The U.S. Department of State in its Human Rights Watch World Report 2005 denoted that there are the germs of homophobia and racism in Latvia. Diena

• Most popular parties in February: New Era, FHRUL, and the Peoples Party
• FF/LNIM prepares the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 14.1% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.3%, People’s party – 8.9% if the Saeima elections were hold in February. Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (7.5%), Union of Greens and Farmers (6.4%), the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (5.8%) and The Concord Centre (5%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. However, 25.2 % of the respondents said that they have not decided which party they would give their vote, while 11.2 % consider not going to vote at all.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 14.1% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.3%, Peoples party – 8.9% if the Saeima elections were hold in February. Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (7.5%), Union of Greens and Farmers (6.4%), the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (5.8%) and The Concord Centre (5%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. However, 25.2 % of the respondents said that they have not decided which party they would give their vote, while 11.2 % consider not going to vote at all. Chas, Telegraf

The Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) is preparing draft amendments to the Citizenship Law. FF/LNIM proposes to close the Naturalisation Board and determine that only the Saeima is authorised to grant citizenship.  

The Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) is preparing draft amendments to the Citizenship Law. FF/LNIM proposes to close the Naturalisation Board and determine that only the Saeima is authorised to grant citizenship. Chas