• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia Zufars Zainulins
• FHRUL accounts for its activities in the Saeima
• Most popular parties in February: Peoples Party, Union of Greens and Farmers and The Concord Centre

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia Zufars Zainulins. In response to the question, Zufars Zainulins stated that a Muslim cannot be a terrorist, because the Koran does not call to violence.

Yesterday, the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in Latvia (FHRUL) has reported on its activities over past 100 days. The main priorities of the party remains the protection of rights of Russian speaking residents, non-citizens, issues concerning citizenship, language and education.

Yesterday, the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in Latvia (FHRUL) has reported on its activities over past 100 days. The main priorities of the party remains the protection of rights of Russian speaking residents, non-citizens, issues concerning citizenship, language and education. Chas

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" in February, the People’s Party is the most popular political party – 13.9 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 12.9% of respondents; the Concord Centre by 11.93%; the New Era by 10%; Latvia’s First Party / Latvia’s Way – 6.9%; and For Fatherland and Freedom – 5.5%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents.

According to the latest public opinion survey conducted by the company "Latvijas fakti" in February, the Peoples Party is the most popular political party – 13.9 % citizens of Latvia would vote for the party if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 12.9% of respondents; the Concord Centre by 11.93%; the New Era by 10%; Latvias First Party / Latvias Way – 6.9%; and For Fatherland and Freedom – 5.5%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of the respondents. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena, NRA

• FHRUL has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status
• Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks: Latvia has to be ready to face issues related to migration in the nearest future

The Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, in order to receive status of EU permanent resident an applicant – third-country national and in Latvia also a Latvian non-citizen - has to meet a number of requirements, such as, Latvian language proficiency and be a permanent resident. The draft amendments provide abolishing of several requirements for Latvian non-citizens.

The Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia has submitted to the Saeima draft amendments to the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, in order to receive status of EU permanent resident an applicant – third-country national and in Latvia also a Latvian non-citizen - has to meet a number of requirements, such as, Latvian language proficiency and be a permanent resident. The draft amendments provide abolishing of several requirements for Latvian non-citizens. Chas

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia has to be ready to face migration in the nearest future. Artis Pabriks has stated that Latvia must develop strategies on maintaining ties with Latvian residents who have left Latvia countries and integration of foreigners who might arrive to Latvia for permanent residency.

• Telegraf prints an article on granting non-citizens rights to vote in municipal elections
• Latvijas Avize reports on a meeting of the IUMSILSs Ethnic Minority Council on Participation Affairs

Telegraf prints an article on granting Latvian non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The columnist of the newspaper criticizes a response of the governing coalition and the President of Latvia on the proposal of leader of the Latvias First Party Ainars Slesers to launch discussions on this issue. As reported, the majority of politicians have stated that it contradicts the national integration policy. The columnist concludes that granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections would be a real step towards promotion of integration in society.

Latvijas Avize reports on a meeting of the Ethnic Minority Council on Participation Affairs under auspices of the IUMSILSs (Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration). The aim of the meeting was to share opinions and proposals of NGOs on the state report on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. An expert from the Latvian Centre for Human Rights who took part in the meeting reported that the Latvian Centre for Human Rights is drafting the shadow report on the implementation of the Framework Convention and will include some proposals and opinions in its shadow report.

• Discussion on neo-Nazism in Latvia

On Thursday, the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee has held a discussion on neo-Nazism in Latvia. Representatives of ethnic minorities, human rights activists, so-called ‘anti-fascists’, members of extreme ultra-right organisations and neo-fascistic organisations took part in the discussion. As reported, several ultra-right organisations are planning to hold commemorative processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga. The aim of the discussion was stop national radicals from holding processions on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of WWII Latvian legionaries.

On Thursday, the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee has held a discussion on neo-Nazism in Latvia. Representatives of ethnic minorities, human rights activists, so-called ‘anti-fascists, members of extreme ultra-right organisations and neo-fascistic organisations took part in the discussion. As reported, several ultra-right organisations are planning to hold commemorative processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga. The aim of the discussion was stop national radicals from holding processions on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of WWII Latvian legionaries. Chas

 

• Latvias First Party establishes a special unit within a party - Russian Centre
• Statistics on inspections conducted by the State Language Centre in February
• National Power Union and Club 415 will organise a conference on the history of Latvian WWII legionaries
• Saeima has refused two draft projects proposed by FHRUL

The Latvia’s First Party established a special unit within the party - the Russian Centre. The new unit will focus on ethnic integration and co-operation with Russian- speaking residents of Latvia.  

The Latvias First Party established a special unit within the party - the Russian Centre. The new unit will focus on ethnic integration and co-operation with Russian- speaking residents of Latvia. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that inspectors of the State Language Centre have conducted numerous inspections on use of the Latvian language by employees of various organisations and companies - mostly, schools, hair saloons and shops - in Riga and other cities in February. Several persons were fined for failure or insufficient use of the state language while performing their duties in amount of LVL 5 to 50 (EUR 7 to 71).

The extreme ultra-right organisations the National Power Union and “Club 415” will organise a conference on history of Latvian WWII legionaries on 10 March. As reported, on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries - several ultra-right organisations are planning to hold commemorative processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga.

The extreme ultra-right organisations the National Power Union and Club 415 will organise a conference on history of Latvian WWII legionaries on 10 March. As reported, on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries - several ultra-right organisations are planning to hold commemorative processions, while the Latvian Anti-fascistic Committee is planning to hold a meeting against neo-Nazism in the centre of Riga. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Saeima has declined two draft projects proposed by the Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). FHRUL proposed to grant special status to soldiers of the anti-Hitler’s coalition, as well as to grant Latvian  citizenship to Latvian non-citizens who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service. 

Yesterday, the Saeima has declined two draft projects proposed by the Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). FHRUL proposed to grant special status to soldiers of the anti-Hitlers coalition, as well as to grant Latvian citizenship to Latvian non-citizens who performed alternative service or active military service in Latvia from October 1991 to May 1993 as within the period both citizens and non-citizens were subjected to military service.Vesti Segodnya