• Controversies around holding commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionnaires continue
• OKROL: somebody wants to ruin our reputation
• Naturalisation Board held an information day for Lithuanians

The national radical youth organisation Visu Latvijai! led by Raivis Dzintars announced that they will not organise a commemorative procession of Latvian Second World War legionnaires to avoid possibilities of provocations by left wing radicals. However, another two national radical organisations Klubs 415 and National Power Unit have asked the Riga City Council to authorise the commemorative procession. The State Security Police announced that on 16 March police would take extra security measures.

The national radical youth organisation Visu Latvijai! led by Raivis Dzintars announced that they will not organise a commemorative procession of Latvian Second World War legionnaires to avoid possibilities of provocations by left wing radicals. However, another two national radical organisations Klubs 415 and National Power Unit have asked the Riga City Council to authorise the commemorative procession. The State Security Police announced that on 16 March police would take extra security measures. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday, a number of Riga residents found a letter offering financial assistance in the case of need signed by the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym). However, the OKROL states that they have nothing to do with the letters and claims its an attempt to ruin their reputation.

Yesterday, a number of Riga residents found a letter offering financial assistance in the case of need signed by the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym). However, the OKROL states that they have nothing to do with the letters and claims its an attempt to ruin their reputation. Chas

Yesterday, the Naturalisation Board held an information day about possibilities to naturalise for Latvian residents who are Lithuanians or Lithuanian citizens.

Yesterday, the Naturalisation Board held an information day about possibilities to naturalise for Latvian residents who are Lithuanians or Lithuanian citizens. Vesti Segodnya

• Minister of Integration: there is no racism or ethnical discrimination in Latvia
• Minister of Foreign Affairs asks municipalities not to issue permissions to hold commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March
• Naturalisation Board launches public awareness campaign to promote Latvian citizenship

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis in an interview with

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis in an interview with Telegraf stated that there is no racism or ethnical discrimination in Latvia. There were individual incidents, but it is not a tendency, considers Ainars Latkovskis. The Minister also believes that these problems will not be topical in the future, because the influx of immigrants is not expected.

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks asked municipalities not to issue permissions to hold commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March in the centre of Riga and other Latvian cities. “Public actions by right and left-wing radicals on 16 March ruin Latvia’s international image,” stated Artis Pabriks.

Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks asked municipalities not to issue permissions to hold commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March in the centre of Riga and other Latvian cities. Public actions by right and left-wing radicals on 16 March ruin Latvias international image, stated Artis Pabriks. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Today, the Naturalisation Board launches public awareness campaign with the aim to promote Latvian citizenship.

Today, the Naturalisation Board launches public awareness campaign with the aim to promote Latvian citizenship. Vesti Segodnya

• Yurijs Petropavlovskis will appeal the decision of the Riga Regional Court
• Russia asks France to influence the situation with national minorities in Latvia and Estonia
• FHRUL announces a project tender Russian culture in Latvia: heritage and development

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-language Schools Yurijs Petropavlovskis will appeal the decision of the Riga Regional Court. As reported, the Riga Regional Court refused his claim arguing that it is beyond court’s competence as it is political and not administrative case. Yurijs Petropavlovskis challenged the denial of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-language Schools Yurijs Petropavlovskis will appeal the decision of the Riga Regional Court. As reported, the Riga Regional Court refused his claim arguing that it is beyond courts competence as it is political and not administrative case. Yurijs Petropavlovskis challenged the denial of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship. Telegraf

Yesterday, the Russian Prime Minister Mihail Fradkov in the meeting with the Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin asked the French government influence the situation of national minorities in Latvia and Estonia. “We believe that Paris will support our efforts to protect the rights of Russian-speaking residents,” stated Mihail Fradkov.

Yesterday, the Russian Prime Minister Mihail Fradkov in the meeting with the Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin asked the French government influence the situation of national minorities in Latvia and Estonia. We believe that Paris will support our efforts to protect the rights of Russian-speaking residents, stated Mihail Fradkov. Vesti Segodnya

The political union For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) announces a project tender “Russian culture in Latvia: possibilities and development.” “Latvia’s integration policy is compulsive assimilation of national minorities, therefore, Russian community in Latvia needs its own program for preservation and development of the Russian language, schools, and culture,” considers FHRUL.

The political union For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) announces a project tender Russian culture in Latvia: possibilities and development. Latvias integration policy is compulsive assimilation of national minorities, therefore, Russian community in Latvia needs its own program for preservation and development of the Russian language, schools, and culture, considers FHRUL. Chas

• Riga Regional Court refused to review a complaint by Yurijs Petropavlovskis
• Naturalisation Board: presence of the group of MPs in naturalisation exams contradicts the Citizenship Law
• Members of LSDWP reproach its leader for nationalistic statements
• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs will discuss violations of the rights of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia with high officials from the EU

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court refused to review a complaint by Yurijs Petropavlovskis about the refusal of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship. As reported the Cabinet of Ministers argued that Petropavlovskis is not a loyal citizen because of his activities (as a member of the Headquarters) in organizing protest actions against the implementation of minority education reform. The Court stated that the Petropavlovskis’ case is political and not administrative therefore it is beyond Regional Court’s competence.

Yesterday, the Riga Regional Court refused to review a complaint by Yurijs Petropavlovskis about the refusal of the Cabinet of Minister to grant him Latvian citizenship. As reported the Cabinet of Ministers argued that Petropavlovskis is not a loyal citizen because of his activities (as a member of the Headquarters) in organizing protest actions against the implementation of minority education reform. The Court stated that the Petropavlovskis case is political and not administrative therefore it is beyond Regional Courts competence. Chas, Telegraf

The group of MPs, that will inspect the way naturalization exams are taken place, was planning to start its work yesterday. However, the Naturalisation Board stated that the uncoordinated presence of the group contradicts the Citizenship Law. A representative of the Naturalisation Board said that only members of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee may observe the process of naturalization exams, but others must coordinate their visit with the Head of the Board.

The group of MPs, that will inspect the way naturalization exams are taken place, was planning to start its work yesterday. However, the Naturalisation Board stated that the uncoordinated presence of the group contradicts the Citizenship Law. A representative of the Naturalisation Board said that only members of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee may observe the process of naturalization exams, but others must coordinate their visit with the Head of the Board. Chas, Telegraf

Several members of the

Several members of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDWP) reproach the leader of the party Juris Bojars for holding an unofficial meeting with leaders of the nationalistic party All for Latvia and for giving nationalistic statements. Several members of the party consider that LSDWP should continue focusing on social and not nationalistic policies. Latvijas Avize

On Wednesday, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov will meet EU high officials and will discuss violations of the rights of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia.

On Wednesday, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov will meet EU high officials and will discuss violations of the rights of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

• Discussion Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and Latvia
• Attitude of Latvias residents towards asylum seekers
• Leader of The Concord Centre: if ethnic issues are not solved no success will be achieved
• Several NGOs from Liepaja and members of the City Council protest against commemorative processions of WWII Latvian legionaries
• Meeting in support for imprisoned National Bolshevik Benes Ayo

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia and the Afro-Latvian Association held a discussion “Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and in Latvia.” U.S. Ambassador, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and representatives of various NGOs took part in the round-table. The majority agreed that the most common problem in Latvia is the denial of racism by officials and politicians. It was also stressed that everybody should take part in prevention racism. Representative of a black community in Latvia George Steele stated that racism is a topical issue in Latvia, “The government must recognize the problem while it has not become a wide-spread phenomenon.”

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia and the Afro-Latvian Association held a discussion Racism and Discrimination in the U.S. and in Latvia. U.S. Ambassador, Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and representatives of various NGOs took part in the round-table. The majority agreed that the most common problem in Latvia is the denial of racism by officials and politicians. It was also stressed that everybody should take part in prevention racism. Representative of a black community in Latvia George Steele stated that racism is a topical issue in Latvia, The government must recognize the problem while it has not become a wide-spread phenomenon. Telegraf, Diena

Aija Lulle and Vineta Polatside comment

Aija Lulle and Vineta Polatside comment on the results of the research The Attitude of Latvian Residents, State Officials and NGOs towards Asylum Seekers. According to academicians, the research reveals that a half of Latvian residents lack information about asylum seekers and lack of information results in preconceptions and negative attitude towards those asylum seekers who are visibly different. They believe that living conditions for asylum seekers are good, however, there are problems with their further social integration if they receive the status of the refugee of the alternative status. The academicians believe that broad public awareness campaigns must be implemented, because it is the duty of society to help those who are endangered in their native countries.

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs in an interview with

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs in an interview with Chas stated that the government must make a step towards ethnic minorities in Latvia. The government should ease naturalisation; grant non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections; and abolish the already adopted amendments to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities… If ethnic problems are not solved, no success is achieved in social sphere, considers Nils Ushakovs.

Several left-wing members of the Liepaja City Council (city in the North West of Latvia) and a number of non-governmental organizations – the Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian Communities in Liepaja, Jewish Religious Association and cultural organisations “OLIMP”, “Posolon”, and “Unison” - protest against the commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. “These  processions may raise tension in the city and bring disharmony in society… It is our duty to stand against the possible rebirth of fascism in Liepaja and in Latvia,” is written in a letter that the organizations have sent to the Liepaja City Council.

Several left-wing members of the Liepaja City Council (city in the North West of Latvia) and a number of non-governmental organizations – the Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian Communities in Liepaja, Jewish Religious Association and cultural organisations OLIMP, Posolon, and Unison - protest against the commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. These processions may raise tension in the city and bring disharmony in society… It is our duty to stand against the possible rebirth of fascism in Liepaja and in Latvia, is written in a letter that the organizations have sent to the Liepaja City Council. Chas

Yesterday, about 25 persons assembled in public to express their support for national bolshevik Benes Ayo, who is currently imprisoned, and the ideas of communism.

Yesterday, about 25 persons assembled in public to express their support for national bolshevik Benes Ayo, who is currently imprisoned, and the ideas of communism. Chas