• FHRUL founded its youth organisation on Friday

A left-wing political party For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) founded its youth organisation on Friday. The main aim of the youth organisation is to prepare future political, social and business leaders for the Russian diaspora in Latvia.

A left-wing political party For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) founded its youth organisation on Friday. The main aim of the youth organisation is to prepare future political, social and business leaders for the Russian diaspora in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

• Juris Paiders: Latvia must give citizenship to all non-citizens
• European Court of Human Rights has abolished its judgement in the case of Sisojeva versus Latvia
• National minorities art festival United in Diversity 2005 started in Riga

Latvian publicist and economist Juris Paiders in an interview with

Latvian publicist and economist Juris Paiders in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that the present government implements the most anti-Latvian politics since Latvia regained independence. Juris Paiders argues that all non-citizens should be granted Latvian citizenship, which would give them the right to free movement within the EU. He believes that it is the only way how to keep in balance the proportions of citizens and non-citizens in Latvia, taking into account the increasing number of Latvian citizens who leave Latvia for work in other EU countries.

According to the lawyer of the Sisojevs, the European Court of Human Rights cancelled its previous ruling in the case of Sisojeva versus Latvia. As reported, the first judgement of the Court stated that Latvia had to pay 15,000 euros to Sisojeva for refusal to grant her the status of Latvian non-citizen and issue permission of permanent residents to her family members. Now the case has been forwarded for the revision by the Grand Chamber.

According to the lawyer of the Sisojevs, the European Court of Human Rights cancelled its previous ruling in the case of Sisojeva versus Latvia. As reported, the first judgement of the Court stated that Latvia had to pay 15,000 euros to Sisojeva for refusal to grant her the status of Latvian non-citizen and issue permission of permanent residents to her family members. Now the case has been forwarded for the revision by the Grand Chamber. Diena

The national minorities’ art festival “United in Diversity 2005” started today in Riga. The festival program includes concerts and discussions on minority cultures.

The national minorities art festival United in Diversity 2005 started today in Riga. The festival program includes concerts and discussions on minority cultures. Rigas Balss

• Conference on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Riga Regional Court starts a revision of appeals in the case of unapproved protest

An international conference on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the Baltic States was hold yesterday in Riga.A number of high European, Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian officials, as well as representatives of civil society took part in the conference. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that Latvia is doing very well with dealing minority issues and other countries should follow practices and policies implemented in this field in Latvia. The former President of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention Reiner Hoffmann congratulated Latvia with the ratification of the Convention, however, he noted that it is very important how the Convention is enforced in practice. Integration expert Nils Muiznieks argued that the Latvian government should make more efforts to involve minorities in drafting and discussing state’s policy and documents.

An international conference on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the Baltic States was hold yesterday in Riga.A number of high European, Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian officials, as well as representatives of civil society took part in the conference. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that Latvia is doing very well with dealing minority issues and other countries should follow practices and policies implemented in this field in Latvia. The former President of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention Reiner Hoffmann congratulated Latvia with the ratification of the Convention, however, he noted that it is very important how the Convention is enforced in practice. Integration expert Nils Muiznieks argued that the Latvian government should make more efforts to involve minorities in drafting and discussing states policy and documents. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court started revision of appeals submitted by 24 members of the unapproved protest action. The complainants were detained for ‘disturbance of public order’ when they participated in the protest action against ‘the revival of Fascism’ in Latvia,’ which was organized at the same place and time when a march to commemorate the controversial Latvian legionnaires of the Second World War was hold.

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court started revision of appeals submitted by 24 members of the unapproved protest action. The complainants were detained for ‘disturbance of public order when they participated in the protest action against ‘the revival of Fascism in Latvia, which was organized at the same place and time when a march to commemorate the controversial Latvian legionnaires of the Second World War was hold. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Conference on the implementation of the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Prosecutor asks to impose a fine in the amount of LVL 800 (EUR 1138) on national bolshevik Ayo Benes

An international conference on the implementation of the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the Baltic States is hold today in Riga. Among the distinguished participants are minority rights expert from the Council of Europe Reiner Hoffmann, Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks and the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkoviskis and representatives of the Lithuanian and Estonian governments. Minority rights NGOs, state officials will take part in the conference.

An international conference on the implementation of the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the Baltic States is hold today in Riga. Among the distinguished participants are minority rights expert from the Council of Europe Reiner Hoffmann, Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks and the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkoviskis and representatives of the Lithuanian and Estonian governments. Minority rights NGOs, state officials will take part in the conference. Chas

On Monday, prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court asked to impose a fine in the amount of LVL 800 on one of the leaders of the National Bolsheviks Ayo Benes for distribution of leaflets called to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods. Ayo Benes did not admit his guilt.

On Monday, prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court asked to impose a fine in the amount of LVL 800 on one of the leaders of the National Bolsheviks Ayo Benes for distribution of leaflets called to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods. Ayo Benes did not admit his guilt. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena

 

• FF/LNIM discussed the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law at its conference
• Somali refugees are waiting for a decision on their status
• 2300 persons from non-EU member countries have received work permissions in Latvia
• Delegation of education experts from Tallinn visits Riga

The faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM held a conference on Saturday. The main discussion subject was the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by the party. Members of the party stated that if the Saeima does not accept the draft amendments, the FF/LNIM would look for other ways to stop naturalization. The member of FF/LNIM and the deputy of Riga City Council Einars Cilinskis stated that  citizenship is the question of who has the power, and there is a possibility that Latvians may loose their power. The independent deputy of Saeima Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that  citizenship is not a right, but a gift given by citizens to other people.

The faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM held a conference on Saturday. The main discussion subject was the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by the party. Members of the party stated that if the Saeima does not accept the draft amendments, the FF/LNIM would look for other ways to stop naturalization. The member of FF/LNIM and the deputy of Riga City Council Einars Cilinskis stated that citizenship is the question of who has the power, and there is a possibility that Latvians may loose their power. The independent deputy of Saeima Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that citizenship is not a right, but a gift given by citizens to other people. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

A representative of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs stated that no decision about provision of asylum to seven asylum seekers from Somalia has been taken yet. It might be taken in the beginning of December, it will be decided whether the asylum seekers will be given any status or the investigations of the case will be continued. As reported, seven persons from Somalia who arrived to Latvia in the beginning of August have applied for asylum in Latvia.

A representative of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs stated that no decision about provision of asylum to seven asylum seekers from Somalia has been taken yet. It might be taken in the beginning of December, it will be decided whether the asylum seekers will be given any status or the investigations of the case will be continued. As reported, seven persons from Somalia who arrived to Latvia in the beginning of August have applied for asylum in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

2300 persons from non-EU countries have received work permissions in Latvia during the past 10 months. Work permissions were mainly given to citizens of Russia (1085), Ukraine (394), Belarus (236).

2300 persons from non-EU countries have received work permissions in Latvia during the past 10 months. Work permissions were mainly given to citizens of Russia (1085), Ukraine (394), Belarus (236). Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Last week, a delegation of representatives of the Tallinn’s Education Department and directors of Russian schools in Tallinn arrived to Riga to learn about the implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia. The delegation met with the Minister of Education, representatives of the Education Department of the Riga City Council. The delegation also visited several Russian schools and the Estonian school in Riga.

Last week, a delegation of representatives of the Tallinns Education Department and directors of Russian schools in Tallinn arrived to Riga to learn about the implementation of the minority education reform in Latvia. The delegation met with the Minister of Education, representatives of the Education Department of the Riga City Council. The delegation also visited several Russian schools and the Estonian school in Riga. Vesti Segodnya