• Newspapers discuss the statements of the PACE Monitoring Committee Chair György Frunda
• Cabinet of Ministers did not discuss the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Government assigns the director of the State agency for evaluation of the quality of general education
• Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration discusses the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Articles on the cases of alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board
• Government adopts regulations on the payment of benefits to Russian pensioners leaving Latvia
• Article on Belarussian culture in Latvia

Media discuss the statements of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda and the responses of the state officials. During his meetings with the staff of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, György Frunda has stated that Latvia had to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. György Frunda has suggested to abolish these reservations  during the meeting with a Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Vineta Muizniece. György Frunda believes that all children born after 21 August 1991 should be granted automatic Latvian citizenship. He also doubts that the requirement for naturalization applicants to know the national anthem is grounded and has suggested not to include the loyalty criteria in the Citizenship Law. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis and the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete believe that György Frunda has had the opinion on Latvia’s situation before he came to Latvia.

Media discuss the statements of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda and the responses of the state officials. During his meetings with the staff of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, György Frunda has stated that Latvia had to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities without any reservations. György Frunda has suggested to abolish these reservations during the meeting with a Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Vineta Muizniece. György Frunda believes that all children born after 21 August1991 should be granted automatic Latvian citizenship. He also doubts that the requirement for naturalization applicants to know the national anthem is grounded and has suggested not to include the loyalty criteria in the Citizenship Law. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis and the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete believe that György Frunda has had the opinion on Latvias situation before he came to Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has excluded from its meeting’s agenda the discussion on the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law stipulating the loyalty principle in acquiring Latvian citizenship. While the official explanation of this decision is the need to clarify the draft law’s annotation, according to Russian language media, this decision has been made alledegly because of the visit of György Frunda to Latvia.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has excluded from its meetings agenda the discussion on the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law stipulating the loyalty principle in acquiring Latvian citizenship. While the official explanation of this decision is the need to clarify the draft laws annotation, according to Russian language media, this decision has been made alledegly because of the visit of György Frunda to Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The government has assigned the head of Integration Department of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule to the post of the director of the State agency for evaluation of the quality of general education.

The government has assigned the head of Integration Department of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule to the post of the director of the State agency for evaluation of the quality of general education. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration has discussed with the head of the Department of Minority Affairs at the the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Irina Vinnik the implementation of the  Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. No requirements for the display of topographical indications in the Russian language have been made to the Secretariat. Aleksandrs Kirsteins from the People’s Party believes that the residents who have moved to Latvia during Soviet occupation should not be considered as national minorities. Janis Stradzins from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers has stated that large minorities are not endangered in Latvia while Dzintars Abikis from the People’s Party has stated that Latvia has implemented the norms of the convention apart from the two reservations already for many years.

Yesterday the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration has discussed with the head of the Department of Minority Affairs at the the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Irina Vinnik the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. No requirements for the display of topographical indications in the Russian language have been made to the Secretariat. Aleksandrs Kirsteins from the Peoples Party believes that the residents who have moved to Latvia during Soviet occupation should not be considered as national minorities. Janis Stradzins from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers has stated that large minorities are not endangered in Latvia while Dzintars Abikis from the Peoples Party has stated that Latvia has implemented the norms of the convention apart from the two reservations already for many years. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature articles on the reported cases of alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board. Yesterday the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has detained the head of Valmiera branch of the Naturalization Board and the head of the headquaters of Riga Municipality Police who has allegedly been an intermediator in the bribery. According to Chas, the bribery cases could be abused by politicians in the in the period before Saeima’s elections in order to suspend naturalization.

Newspapers feature articles on the reported cases of alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board. Yesterday the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has detained the head of Valmiera branch of the Naturalization Board and the head of the headquaters of Riga Municipality Police who has allegedly been an intermediator in the bribery. According to Chas, the bribery cases could be abused by politicians in the in the period before Saeimas elections in order to suspend naturalization. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulations on the payment of benefits to Russian pensioners leaving Latvia for a permanent residence. The decisions on the benefit will be made in each concrete case. There are 17 876 Russian demobilized pensioners and their familiy members in Latvia.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulations on the payment of benefits to Russian pensioners leaving Latvia for a permanent residence. The decisions on the benefit will be made in each concrete case. There are 17876 Russian demobilized pensioners and their familiy members in Latvia. Chas. Vesti Segonya

Chas features an article on Belarussian community and culture in Latvia and on the meeting devoted to 15th anniversary of the Belarussians society „Pramen.

• Newspapers discuss the visit of PACE Monitoring Committee Chair to Latvia
• Court proceedings on the case of bribery in the Naturalization Board
• Interview with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers on naturalization
• Data on foreigners employment in Latvia

Newspapers report on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of

Newspapers report on the visit of the Monitoring Committee Chair of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly György Frunda to Latvia and his meetings with representatives of NGOs and with a Russian language school. György Frunda is also planning to meet state officials and MPs. Latvijas Avize prints critical responses of the writer Mara Zalite, the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis, political scientist Ilga Kreituse and the readers to the statements of György Frunda in his yesterday interview to Latvijas Avize. The interviewed persons believe that György Frunda has fragmented information on the history of Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize, Telegraf and Chas report on the Riga Regional Courts proceedings started yesterday on the alleged bribery in the Naturalization Board. The criminal case is initiated against ten persons, including the intermediaries in the alleged briberies and the bribers. Four Naturalization Boards officials are charged against the alleged bribery. The court proceedings could last during a month.

The chairman of the parliamentary faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has informed Chas on the faction’s plans to discuss naturalization issues and the alleged bribary with the head of the Naturalization Board. The MP believes that naturalization should be continued, however, persons who have made a serious violation of the law should be deprived of the right to have an Latvian citizen’s passport.

The chairman of the parliamentary faction from the Union of the Greens and the Farmers Augusts Brigmanis has informed Chas on the factions plans to discuss naturalization issues and the alleged bribary with the head of the Naturalization Board. The MP believes that naturalization should be continued, however, persons who have made a serious violation of the law should be deprived of the right to have an Latvian citizens passport. Chas

Diena prints an article on the the lack of labour force in a fishing industry enterprise in Liepaja city. According to the president of the Fish Farmers Association, attracting workers from Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and other states is the only solution in this situation. 3029 persons, including 1614 family members of the workers and 785 citizens of the Russian Federation, have come to Latvia to work from the EU and other states until 1 October.

• OKROL held the second congress
• PACE post-monitoring visit in Latvia
• Interview with political scientist about the upcoming Saeima elections

Newspapers report on the second congress held by the Russian NGO the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) in Liepaja. About 70 participants took part in the Congress. The Congress called all constructive Russian forces join together. It was also noted that protest actions will become more radical.

Newspapers report on the second congress held by the Russian NGO the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) in Liepaja. About 70 participants took part in the Congress. The Congress called all constructive Russian forces join together. It was also noted that protest actions will become more radical. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize reports on the monitoring visit of the member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Council Georg Frunda. Today Mr. Frunda will meet state officials, visit minority schools and meet representatives of minorities. He notes that the situation of minorities in Latvia still requires attention of international organisations, in particular, he refers to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities with reservations and outspoken concern of some MPs regarding the growing number of naturalised persons.

Vesti Segodnya interviews political scientist Kristians Rozenvalds. He argues that there will be opposition between Russian and Latvian parties also in the next Saeima elections. He notes that the number of people who will not come to vote will increase as people both Latvians and Russians are disappointed in politicians.

• Another case of bribery in the Naturalisation Board
• MPs about the growing number of naturalised people
• Interview with the leader of the Russian NGO OKROL
• Article about a Romani women and their efforts to ensure that all her grandchildren go to school
• Article about two Pakistani men in Latvia

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, when investigating the reported case of alleged bribery in the Naturalisation Board, detected another case of the alleged bribery of a Naturalisation Board staff member. In the second case EUR 1,000 was paid to receive a positive evaluation in the naturalisation exam.

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, when investigating the reported case of alleged bribery in the Naturalisation Board, detected another case of the alleged bribery of a Naturalisation Board staff member. In the second case EUR 1,000 was paid to receive a positive evaluation in the naturalisation exam. Latvijas Avize interviews the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about the situation. She believes that these are individual cases and no general judgments should be made in regard to all employees of the NB. Neatkariga, Diena

Latvijas Avize asks views of a number of MPs about the growing number of naturalised people in Latvia. Anta Rugate, the Peoples Party, express her concern about the quality of naturalisation arguing that staff turnover is very high at the NB. Andris Berzins, the Union of the Greens and the Farmers, and Ausma Kantane, the New Era, see the increase in a positive light. While Peteris Tabuns, FF/LNIM, is ‘completely shocked about these numbers.

Chas interviews the leader of the NGO the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) Mihails Tyasins. He reports that since the establishment of the organisation about 20 other Russian organisations has joint the OKROL and it has regional representation as well. Regarding possible future co-operation with the Latvian government Mihails Tyasins states that ‘we are getting ready for a constructive dialogue, however, the issue is whether the other party is ready for it.

Diena features an article about a Romani woman whose main lifes goal is to ensure that all her 28 grandchildren go to school and acquire education.

Diena features an article about activities of two Pakistanis aimed at supporting victims of the recent earthquake in their home country, as well as their life in Latvia. According to the newspaper there is a Pakistani community in Latvia and both men feel well here. They both, however, state that there is a huge difference between people in Pakistan and Latvia.

 

• Vesti Segodnya: draft amendments to the Law on Meetings, Demonstrations and Pickets to restrict the rights of Russians
• Minister of Education comments on the establishment of the working group dealing with the use of languages in private universities
• Latvian non-citizens interested in provisions of the EU directive on the status of EU permanent residents
• Boriss Tsilevich on the use of languages in the field of health care
• Alleged bribery of a Naturalisation Board staff
• About 40 people protest against Russophobia in Latvia

Vesti Segodnya comments on the draft law On Meetings, Demonstrations and Pickets passed at first reading by the Saeima yesterday. The draft amendments provide more restrictions in organising pickets and meetings. The newspaper states that the draft amendments were developed aiming at restriction of freedom of expression of Russians and their organisations.

Yesterday the Parliamentary group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia received the response by the Minister of Education Ina Druviete regarding the establishment of the working group aimed at development regulations on the use of the state language in private universities. The Minister notes that higher education should be multilingual and in EU countries private universities are under the same regulations as public universities are. She refers to examples of Hungary and the Netherlands.  

Yesterday the Parliamentary group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia received the response by the Minister of Education Ina Druviete regarding the establishment of the working group aimed at development regulations on the use of the state language in private universities. The Minister notes that higher education should be multilingual and in EU countries private universities are under the same regulations as public universities are. She refers to examples of Hungary and the Netherlands.

Chas prints a comprehensive article by MP Boris Tsilevich about the use of languages in the field of health care. He provides practices of other countries and concludes that the requirement that doctors should be proficient in Latvian is not disputable, however, Latvian legislation does not provide that doctors and nurses should speak also other languages, for instance, Russian, which is the native language of a big part of society.

Netakariga reports on the growing interest of Latvian non-citizens about the EU Directive 2003/109/EC on the status of EU permanent residents. Latvia has started transposition of the directive by drafting a new law on the status of EU permanent citizen and developing amendments to the Law on Immigration. According to the EU Directive as of 2006 Latvian non-citizens will acquire a new status – permanent resident of the EU. The officials of the Office of Migration and Citizenship Affairs and the Information Centre of the European Union claim that there is a growing number of people who want to know when the directive comes into force in Latvia and when they could travel to EU countries without visa. However, the officials stress that the status of a permanent EU resident will not be granted automatically, the applicant will have to demonstrate a intermediate state language skills.

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau detained a Naturalisation Board’s staff member for alleged bribery of LVL 1000 (about EUR 1,400). The official received the bribe for ensuring a successful result of naturalisation tests of an naturalisation applicant.

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau detained a Naturalisation Boards staff member for alleged bribery of LVL 1000 (about EUR 1,400). The official received the bribe for ensuring a successful result of naturalisation tests of an naturalisation applicant. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Yesterday about 40 members of radical Russian organisations picketed in the centre of Riga protesting against Russophobia and rebirth of Nazism. After an hour they headed to the Monument to Soviet Liberators where several hundred people celebrated the liberation of the capital Riga from Nazi.

Yesterday about 40 members of radical Russian organisations picketed in the centre of Riga protesting against Russophobia and rebirth of Nazism. After an hour they headed to the Monument to Soviet Liberators where several hundred people celebrated the liberation of the capital Riga from Nazi. Chas, Vesti Segodnya