• State Language Centre punishment to a host of a TV5 programme Un-censored Andrejs Mamikins for disrespect towards Latvian language

The State Language Centre imposed an administrative punishment to a host of a TV5’ programme “Un-censored” Andrejs Mamikins for disrespect towards Latvian language. As reported, the Minister of Transportation Kaspars Gerhards was requested to speak Russian in Russian language programme “Un-censored”, however, he refused to do it and left the programme. In the meantime, Tthe National Council on Electronic Mass Media has, in its turn, notified the parent company of TV5% that the broadcasting licence of the channel might be annulled of broadcasting licence due to athe number of broadcasting violations (mostly regarding usage of state language.)

The State Language Centre imposed an administrative punishment to a host of a TV5 programme Un-censored Andrejs Mamikins for disrespect towards Latvian language. As reported, the Minister of Transportation Kaspars Gerhards was requested to speak Russian in Russian language programme Un-censored, however, he refused to do it and left the programme. In the meantime, Tthe National Council on Electronic Mass Media has, in its turn, notified the parent company of TV5% that the broadcasting licence of the channel might be annulled of broadcasting licence due to athe number of broadcasting violations (mostly regarding usage of state language.) Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Presidents Advisory Committee on Ethnic Minorities considers that Russian language schools should be more engaged in the national Song Festival

The President’s Advisory Committee on Ethnic Minorities considers that Russian language schools should be more engaged in the national Song Festival. There are 64 ethnic minority schools in Riga which have 40 song and 30 folk dance collectives, while, only 12 of those took part in the students’ Song Festival. The Committee believes that in such way children would faster and better integrate in the Latvian society.

The Presidents Advisory Committee on Ethnic Minorities considers that Russian language schools should be more engaged in the national Song Festival. There are 64 ethnic minority schools in Riga which have 40 song and 30 folk dance collectives, while, only 12 of those took part in the students Song Festival. The Committee believes that in such way children would faster and better integrate in the Latvian society. Latvijas Avize

• Civic Unions ethics committee will not evaluate statements made by its member, doctor Juris Vidins
• Concord Centre elaborated its strategy on human rights

The Ethics committee of the Civic Union will not evaluate statements made by the Union’s member, doctor Juris Vidins, because it has not received any formal complaint regarding his statements. As reported, Mr. Vidins stated that he would refuse to treat a person with a tattoo “USSR” and those who would demand from him to speak Russian. The doctors’ ethics committee also has not evaluated Vidins’ statements yet.

The Ethics committee of the Civic Union will not evaluate statements made by the Unions member, doctor Juris Vidins, because it has not received any formal complaint regarding his statements. As reported, Mr. Vidins stated that he would refuse to treat a person with a tattoo USSR and those who would demand from him to speak Russian. The doctors ethics committee also has not evaluated Vidins statements yet. Latvijas Avize

The Concord Centre elaborated its human rights strategy which provides guidelines on how to solve problem of non-citizenship in Latvia and promote integration and mastering of Latvian language by ethnic minorities.  According to the strategy, non-citizens and third country national should be granted voting rights in the municipal elections; naturalisation procedure should be easier; there is a necessity for festivities which would unite the society; mastering of state language should be more accessible; Latvia should be responsible for preservation of culture and language of ethnic minorities.

The Concord Centre elaborated its human rights strategy which provides guidelines on how to solve problem of non-citizenship in Latvia and promote integration and mastering of Latvian language by ethnic minorities. According to the strategy, non-citizens and third country national should be granted voting rights in the municipal elections; naturalisation procedure should be easier; there is a necessity for festivities which would unite the society; mastering of state language should be more accessible; Latvia should be responsible for preservation of culture and language of ethnic minorities. Vesti Segodnya

• MP Janis Urbanovics does not believe that the Presidents visit to Moscow will bring positive changes in relations between Latvia and Russia

Commenting the upcoming official visit of the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to Moscow, MP Janis Urbanovics (Concord Centre) states that he does not believe that the visit will bring positive changes in relations between the two countries. Mr. Urbanovic considers that the changes will come only when Latvian politicians will stop seeing ethnic Russian residents of Latvia and Russia as enemies.

Commenting the upcoming official visit of the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers to Moscow, MP Janis Urbanovics (Concord Centre) states that he does not believe that the visit will bring positive changes in relations between the two countries. Mr. Urbanovic considers that the changes will come only when Latvian politicians will stop seeing ethnic Russian residents of Latvia and Russia as enemies. Vesti Segodnya

• Telegraf prints an interview with the ex-Minister of Integration, political scientist Nils Muiznieks
• Resident of Riga complains to Vesti Segodnya that unknown persons scratched swastika on his car
• Telegraf reports about preparation of celebration of days of Russian culture in Latvia

Telegraf prints an interview with the ex-Minister of Integration, political scientist Nils Muiznieks. Mr. Muiznieks believes that Latvia still have problems with integration because ethnic Latvian politicians are not sufficiently interested in it and also because the pressure from outside has ceased once Latvia entered the EU. Nils Muiznieks supports the proposal to grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections in order to promote integration, however, he believes that the majority of the Saeima will not agree with it.

Resident of Riga complains to

Resident of Riga complains to Vesti Segodnya that unknown persons scratched swastika on his car. The cars owner believes that Nazi symbol was scratched because the car was decorated with Russias flag and St. George ribbon.

Telegraf reports about preparation of celebration of days of Russian culture in Latvia which will be held in January. The festivity will be financially supported by the Riga City Council and the Embassy of Russia in Latvia.