• Minister of Justice calls off the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Peoples Party wants the resignation of the head of the Naturalisation Board
• Naturalisation Board staff members admit to be guilty in bribery
• Political scientist Valts Kalnins about division of political parties into right – and left-wing
• Exhibition about minorities in Latvia

The Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina has decided to call off the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provided the inclusion of the loyalty criteria in naturalisation requirements. The Interior Minister took the decision arguing that it is not a good timing to change the Citizenship Law. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis agrees with the Aboltina’s position.

The Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina has decided to call off the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provided the inclusion of the loyalty criteria in naturalisation requirements. The Interior Minister took the decision arguing that it is not a good timing to change the Citizenship Law. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis agrees with the Aboltinas position. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The People’s Party considers asking the resignation of Eizenija Aldermane, head of the Naturalisation Board. The representative of the party argued ‘the Naturalisation Board has been working without any control for several years and now we can see the results of this work – corruption and criminal cases.’ However, the Minister of Interior has stated that till now Eizenija Aldermane has been working in accordance with legislation and has fulfilled the tasks set by the government and law.

The Peoples Party considers asking the resignation of Eizenija Aldermane, head of the Naturalisation Board. The representative of the party argued ‘the Naturalisation Board has been working without any control for several years and now we can see the results of this work – corruption and criminal cases. However, the Minister of Interior has stated that till now Eizenija Aldermane has been working in accordance with legislation and has fulfilled the tasks set by the government and law. Vesti Segodnya prints a letter by the Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens in support for Eizenija Aldermane. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Latvijas Avize reports on the court proceeding regarding bribing the Naturalisation Board staff several years ago. All accused persons have admitted to be guilty.

Chas talks to political scientist Valts Kalnins about the upcoming Saeima elections. He argues that parties in Latvia are divided into left- and right-wing parties according to their stances in regard to ethnic issues. Political scientist speculates about possible choices of Russians in the upcoming elections.

Yesterday the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks opened the exhibition “Present and Past of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia.’ In November the exhibition will travel to Belarus and then to other countries and EU institutions.

Yesterday the Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks opened the exhibition Present and Past of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia. In November the exhibition will travel to Belarus and then to other countries and EU institutions. Latvijas Vestnesis, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

 

 

• Members of Muslim fundamental organisations visit Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya speculates about the future of the head of the Naturalisation Board
• 17 have applied for asylum in 2005
• Activities of the Russian community in Liepaja
• Situation of the Latvian language

According to the Centre for Anti-terrorism of the Security Police in couple last years members of radical Muslim organisations are visiting Latvia on more regular basis. However, the Centre assures that ‘there are no grounds for Latvian residents to be concerned and pay special attention to Muslims seen on the streets of Riga.’

According to the Centre for Anti-terrorism of the Security Police in couple last years members of radical Muslim organisations are visiting Latvia on more regular basis. However, the Centre assures that ‘there are no grounds for Latvian residents to be concerned and pay special attention to Muslims seen on the streets of Riga. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya analyses the situation in the Naturalisation Board in the context of the recent cases of bribery. The newspaper notes that some ruling politicians want Eizenija Aldermane, head of the Naturalisation Board, to take responsibility for the situation and resign from the post. Her future will be decided in two weeks.

In 2005, 17 persons asked for asylum in Latvia. Since 1998, in total 158 persons have asked for asylum in Latvia. Till now, the majority of these persons have arrived from the former CIS countries.

In 2005, 17 persons asked for asylum in Latvia. Since 1998, in total 158 persons have asked for asylum in Latvia. Till now, the majority of these persons have arrived from the former CIS countries. NRA

Chas prints an article about the activities of the Russian community in Liepaja.

Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive article about researches conducted to examine the situation of the Latvian language in the country. The article concludes that the legal status of the language is in a much better situation than use of language in practice.

 

 

• Latvian President on the statements of the member of the PACE recently visiting Latvia
• NRA: what is racism in Latvia
• Osipovs party pickets against the situation of non-citizens in Latvia

Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive interview with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. When asked to comment on the visit of the PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda and his statements, the President stresses that many statements made by him were ‘friendly recommendations and not demands.

The columnist of NRA writes about manifestation of racism in Latvia. The columnist argues that in Latvia racism in the understanding of U.S. Embassy is simply the interest of local people about the different and unusual as there are very few dark-skinned people in the country. 

The columnist of NRA writes about manifestation of racism in Latvia. The columnist argues that in Latvia racism in the understanding of U.S. Embassy is simply the interest of local people about the different and unusual as there are very few dark-skinned people in the country.

Friday night near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers the Latvian National Democratic Party led by Jevgenijs Osipovs held a picket. The party picketed against the attitude towards non-citizens in Latvia. One of the posters stated ‘a massive number of non-citizens in the country may lead to ethnic war. In this case, we will not stay apart.’ Although some MPs urged to look into these statements, the Security Police will not examine the case.

Friday night near the building of the Cabinet of Ministers the Latvian National Democratic Party led by Jevgenijs Osipovs held a picket. The party picketed against the attitude towards non-citizens in Latvia. One of the posters stated ‘a massive number of non-citizens in the country may lead to ethnic war. In this case, we will not stay apart. Although some MPs urged to look into these statements, the Security Police will not examine the case. Latvijas Avize, Chas

• Article on the planned state activities for implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Discussion on the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda to Latvia
• MP Boris Tsilevitch: Latvia should ratify the Protocol No.12 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
• PACE member Boris Tsilevitch on the prospects of post-monitoring and naturalization in Latvia
• MFA Sergey Lavrov on the the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia
• Chas: Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky is going to appeal the decision of the National Security Council of Latvia
• Media comment the alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board
• Latvia is rated as the 17th state in the world regarding the observation of press freedom

Lauku Avize prints an article on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). According to the official of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, the Secretariat of planning to organize seminars, to print information leaflets, and to translate of the Conventions text into Russian. The international conference in collaboration with the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ehnic Studies is planned. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be responsible for the preparation of the state report for the Advisory Committee on the FCNM with the involvement of minority representatives.

Newspapers continue to discuss the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda to Latvia.

Newspapers continue to discuss the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda to Latvia. Telegraf points to the passive responses of the Latvian officials to his statements and to the increased attention of the European officials to non-citizens problem and to the Latvian-Russian relations. Latvijas Vestnesis and Lauku Avize refer to György Frundas suggestion „not to make Russian minority suffer just because other people made this during the Soviet occupation.

After the visiting a seminar on the Protocol No.12 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Strasburg, the MP from the People’s Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch has pointed to the need for Latvia to ratify this protocol stipulating the general prohibition of discrimination against by any public authority.

After the visiting a seminar on the Protocol No.12 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Strasburg, the MP from the Peoples Harmony Party Boris Tsilevitch has pointed to the need for Latvia to ratify this protocol stipulating the general prohibition of discrimination against by any public authority. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf features an interview with the member of the Parliamentary Assambly of the Council of Europe from Latvia Boris Tsilevitch on the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda to Latvia, on the bribery in the Naturalization Board and on the prospects of naturalization. According to Boris Tsilevitch, PACE will not interrupt post-monitoring in Latvia since György Frundas statements show that Latvia does not fulfill its obligations before the Council of Europe. Boris Tsilevitch also assumes that possible suspention of naturalisation can be made in the interests of politicians and invites non-citizens to apply for Latvian citizenship as soon as possible.

Vesti Segodnya quotes the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov expressing the concern on the the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia. He has outlined the protection of the Russian diaspora`s rights as one of the priorities of Russia`s foreign policy.

Referring to the journal „Commersant”,

Referring to the journal „Commersant, Chas writes that the Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky is going to appeal the decision of the National Security Council of Latvia to include him in the persona non-grata list. According to Boris Berezovky, his lead Foundation
for Civic Freedoms will continue its work to promote integration of Russians in Latvia.

Lauku Avize continues to comment the cases of the alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board. Vesti Segodnyas columnist wonders on the increased attention paid to this cases by the state and believes that the devision the society into citizens and non-citizens has already made the conditions for curruption and for favourable position of Latvians. Chas also points to the allegedly deprived citizenship rights explaining the payment of Latvian citizenship by some non-citizens.

According to the NGO „Reporters Without Borders”, Latvia is rated as the 17th state in the world in the area of press freedom.

According to the NGO „Reporters Without Borders, Latvia is rated as the 17th state in the world in the area of press freedom. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Media on the statements of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda
• The Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice of Latvia do not support the suggestion of FF/LNIM to dismiss Eizenija Aldermane
• Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee approves the draft law stipulating the evaluation of the conformity of the Russian-Latvian border agreement to the Constitution
• Chair of the World Federation of Free Latvians points to the meeting of representatives from the Latvian diaspora with the President of OSCE PA
• Article on a liquidated Russian school
• Lauku Avize criticises the printing an examination test for general schools students in both Latvian and Russian

Newspapers continue discussion on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda to Latvia. On the press conference in Saeima, György Frunda has summarized his recommendations to Latvia, including the abolishment of reservations to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, granting non-citizens the right to vote on municipal elections, granting automatic citizenship to children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991, easing naturalisation requirements for persons over 60 years old, and not including the loyalty principle for acquiring citizenship. György Frunda has generally supported minority education reform. In the meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia, György Frunda has suggested to introduce the similar pays for visas both for Latvian citizens and non-citizens for travelling to Russia. The PACE Monitoring Committee will make the decision on the interruption of post-monitoring on 23 November 2005. In the meeting with György Frunda, the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stressed that the question on the Latvian language as the only state language is not disputable, and social integration in the state priority. The PACE representative has also met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

Newspapers continue discussion on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda to Latvia. On the press conference in Saeima, György Frunda has summarized his recommendations to Latvia, including the abolishment of reservations to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, granting non-citizens the right to vote on municipal elections, granting automatic citizenship to children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991, easing naturalisation requirements for persons over 60 years old, and not including the loyalty principle for acquiring citizenship. György Frunda has generally supported minority education reform. In the meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia, György Frunda has suggested to introduce the similar pays for visas both for Latvian citizens and non-citizens for travelling to Russia. The PACE Monitoring Committee will make the decision on the interruption of post-monitoring on 23 November 2005. In the meeting with György Frunda, the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga has stressed that the question on the Latvian language as the only state language is not disputable, and social integration in the state priority. The PACE representative has also met with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

In the light of the reported cases of alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board, MPs from FF/LNIM and a MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins from People’s Party have sent a letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice where they asked to dissmiss the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane and to sustend naturalization. According to the Minister of Justice, there are no grounds to dismiss Eizenija Aldermane before the court proceedings on the separately reported cases are completed. The Prime Minister has supported the suggestion of FF/LNIM to make a duty investigation in the Naturalization Board. Eizenija Aldermane has stated that she is not going to resign.

In the light of the reported cases of alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board, MPs from FF/LNIM and a MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins from Peoples Party have sent a letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice where they asked to dissmiss the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane and to sustend naturalization. According to the Minister of Justice, there are no grounds to dismiss Eizenija Aldermane before the court proceedings on the separately reported cases are completed. The Prime Minister has supported the suggestion of FF/LNIM to make a duty investigation in the Naturalization Board. Eizenija Aldermane has stated that she is not going to resign. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya,

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a draft law stipulating the investigation of the conformity of the Russian-Latvian border argeement initialled in 1997 with the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft law, the Cabinet of Ministers should submit the application the Constitutional Court during 20 days after the law enters into force.

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a draft law stipulating the investigation of the conformity of the Russian-Latvian border argeement initialled in 1997 with the Constitution of Latvia. According to the draft law, the Cabinet of Ministers should submit the application the Constitutional Court during 20 days after the law enters into force. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

At the annual conference of the World Federation of Free Latvians, the chair of the Federation Janis Kukainis has informed on the meeting of the representatives of the American Latvian Association and the Committee of the United Balts with the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Alcee L. Hastings in order to inform him on minority rights situation in the Baltic States. According to Janis Kukainis, this meeting helped to avoid critics to the Baltic States on this issue at the forthcoming OSCE annual conference.

At the annual conference of the World Federation of Free Latvians, the chair of the Federation Janis Kukainis has informed on the meeting of the representatives of the American Latvian Association and the Committee of the United Balts with the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Alcee L. Hastings in order to inform him on minority rights situation in the Baltic States. According to Janis Kukainis, this meeting helped to avoid critics to the Baltic States on this issue at the forthcoming OSCE annual conference. Latvijas Avize

Telegraf features an article on the consequences of the liquidation of a two-stream secondary school (both with Latvian and Russian languages of instruction) made by the decision of the Riga City Council on May this year. The school had also special classes for Roma children. The newspaper points to the problems of teachers to find a job and to the lack of information whether all students currently attend other schools.

Lauku Avize features an article on the controversy errupted due to the printing of a diagnostic examination test on labour security for general school students both in Latvian and Russian. While the Centre for Curricula Development and Examination has printed this test in both languages allegedly because of the lack of funds, Lauku Avize and some interviewed representatives of administration in Latvian schools have expressed their dissappointment with Russian language use in Latvian schools.