• FF/LNIM asks to examine whether the Head of the Naturalisation Board has been involved in bribery cases
• Russia will not tolerate the situation Russian-speaking residents face in Latvia and Estonia
• National radical organisation will form a special team to protect a procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March
• Internet portal of European Russian Alliance www.eursa.org

The Head of the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) asked the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis to examine whether the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has been involved in bribery cases reported in 2005. Eizenija Aldermane responded that politicians made all accusations as a part of their pre-election campaign. As reported, FF/LNIM is also developing amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provide halting of naturalization and liquidation of the Naturalisation Board as an institution. 

The Head of the political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) asked the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis to examine whether the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane has been involved in bribery cases reported in 2005. Eizenija Aldermane responded that politicians made all accusations as a part of their pre-election campaign. As reported, FF/LNIM is also developing amendments to the Citizenship Law, which provide halting of naturalization and liquidation of the Naturalisation Board as an institution. Vesti Segodnya, Chas , Latvijas Avize

The Subhead of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Grigoriy Karasin stated that Russia will not tolerate the situation of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia. “..mass non-citizenship is a cynical approach to destiny of people… However, we hope that the Latvian and Estonian government will be able to reject old approaches and find the solution,” said Grigoriy Karasin.

The Subhead of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Grigoriy Karasin stated that Russia will not tolerate the situation of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia. ..mass non-citizenship is a cynical approach to destiny of people… However, we hope that the Latvian and Estonian government will be able to reject old approaches and find the solution, said Grigoriy Karasin. Vesti Segodnya

One of the leaders of the nationalistic organization “The National Power Unity” (NNS in its Latvian acronym) stated that NNS is planning to form a special team of volunteers to protect the commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. As reported, several organizations plan to hold commemorative processions of Latvian legionaries, while a number of organisations plan to hold actions which protest against these processions.

One of the leaders of the nationalistic organization The National Power Unity (NNS in its Latvian acronym) stated that NNS is planning to form a special team of volunteers to protect the commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. As reported, several organizations plan to hold commemorative processions of Latvian legionaries, while a number of organisations plan to hold actions which protest against these processions. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the political union For Human Rights in United Latvia opened the internet portal of the European Russian Alliance

Yesterday, the political union For Human Rights in United Latvia opened the internet portal of the European Russian Alliance www.eursa.org. The Internet portal will discuss situation and problems faced by Russian Communities across EU countries. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

• Interview with director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehre
• Aleksandrs Kirsteins proposed the draft amendments to the Saeima Election Law
• Leader of the Latvian National Bolsheviks Benes Ayoimprisoned for nine months
• Representative of Russias Parliament comments the statements of Latvian politicians that Russia seeks ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections

Latvijas Avize prints a comprehensive interview with the Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights (LCHR) Ilze Brands Kehre. Ilze Brands Kehre states that society consolidation demands more efforts to build a shared understanding of history. She gives a positive evaluation of ratification of the European Council Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. She believes that it will give Latvia a chance to explain its situation regarding national minorities.

The independent MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins (known for his nationalistic views) have proposed draft amendments to the Saeima Election Law. According to the draft amendments persons who have become Latvian citizens less than nine years ago may not run for the Saeima elections. Aleksandrs Kirsteins argues that those who believed in independent and democratic Latvia have naturalized already 10 years ago. The Saeima will review the proposal next week.

The independent MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins (known for his nationalistic views) have proposed draft amendments to the Saeima Election Law. According to the draft amendments persons who have become Latvian citizens less than nine years ago may not run for the Saeima elections. Aleksandrs Kirsteins argues that those who believed in independent and democratic Latvia have naturalized already 10 years ago. The Saeima will review the proposal next week. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, the leader of the Latvian National Bolsheviks Benes Ayo was imprisoned for nine months. As reported, Benes Ayo was charged for public calls to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods.

Yesterday, the leader of the Latvian National Bolsheviks Benes Ayo was imprisoned for nine months. As reported, Benes Ayo was charged for public calls to abolish the existing State regime with violent methods. Chas, Latvijas Avize

The Head of the Russian Parliamentarian Committee for the Observation of the Rights of Russian Compatriots in an interview with

The Head of the Russian Parliamentarian Committee for the Observation of the Rights of Russian Compatriots in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that the statements of some Latvian politicians, that Russia wants to influence the results of the next Saeima by granting funding to NGOs addressing needs of Russians, show that these politicians do not offer policies which would be supported by Russian-speaking citizens. Nataliya Narochnickaya also states that there is nothing wrong that Russia helps Russian-speaking residents in Latvia to preserve their culture and language. She considers that it is a shame for Latvia that the notion ‘non-citizen exists in Latvia.

 

• Liepaja Municipal Police will evaluate calls to participate in the anti-fascistic procession on 16 March
• Leader of LSDSP comments the merger with All for Latvia

The Liepaja (the city in western part of Latvia) Municipal Police will evaluate the call of the Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to participate in anti-fascistic procession on 16 March. As reported, the LNDP and FRHUL have asked the Liepaja City Council the permission to hold anti-fascistic procession on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. However, the permission has not been granted yet, therefore calls to participate in a yet-non-approved procession is a violation of regulations according to the Police.

The Liepaja (the city in western part of Latvia) Municipal Police will evaluate the call of the Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP) and party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) to participate in anti-fascistic procession on 16 March. As reported, the LNDP and FRHUL have asked the Liepaja City Council the permission to hold anti-fascistic procession on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. However, the permission has not been granted yet, therefore calls to participate in a yet-non-approved procession is a violation of regulations according to the Police. Chas, Latvijas Avize

The leader of the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party (LSDLP) Juris Bojars in an interview with

The leader of the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party (LSDLP) Juris Bojars in an interview with Telegraf spoke about the possible merger of the LSDLP with the nationalistic party All for Latvia. Juris Bojars stated that two parties have similar stances on various issues and merging would help LSDLP to get into the next Saeima. Juris Bojars also said that naturalization of non-citizens should be continued, however, applicants should be loyal to the State. Loyalty means whether you are ready to take weapons and risk with your life to defend your Motherland, said Bojars.

• Opening of the Black History Month in Riga
• State Police strengthen guarding of the Norwegian, Danish, and French Embassies in Riga

The U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey and Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks opened a poster exhibit Black History Month "1963 March on Washington" at the National Library of Latvia on Tuesday. The show and other upcoming events, such as lections and discussions on anti-racism and discrimination, during all February are organized by the American Embassy in Latvia in cooperation with the non-governmental organization AfroLat. “Within past years Latvia has become a country where racial discrimination has been registered on few occasions... Latvia’s residents must learn how to be tolerant towards people with different colour of skin … and the U.S. is the country we can learn from,” stated Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks.

The U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey and Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks opened a poster exhibit Black History Month "1963 March on Washington" at the National Library of Latvia on Tuesday. The show and other upcoming events, such as lections and discussions on anti-racism and discrimination, during all February are organized by the American Embassy in Latvia in cooperation with the non-governmental organization AfroLat. Within past years Latvia has become a country where racial discrimination has been registered on few occasions... Latvias residents must learn how to be tolerant towards people with different colour of skin … and the U.S. is the country we can learn from, stated Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

Taking into account the situation in some European and Asian countries - Muslim protest actions against publications of the caricatures on the prophet Muhamed in the Danish and other countries’ press - the State Police strengthened guarding of the Norwegian, Danish, and French Embassies in Riga. However, representatives of the Muslim communities in Latvia stated that their members do not support such aggressive actions.

Taking into account the situation in some European and Asian countries - Muslim protest actions against publications of the caricatures on the prophet Muhamed in the Danish and other countries press - the State Police strengthened guarding of the Norwegian, Danish, and French Embassies in Riga. However, representatives of the Muslim communities in Latvia stated that their members do not support such aggressive actions. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Member of All for Latvia: naturalisation may lead to the loss of the political power
• Latvian Conservative Youth Union held a discussion on Integration through the culture

Member of the political party “All for Latvia!” Janis Derums stated that “massive naturalisation has resulted in an army of disloyal citizens” on the party’s internet home page. “Naturalization may lead to the situation when Latvians lose political power, as the number of naturalized persons has already reached 10% of all Latvian citizens,” says Janis Derums. He also believes that all extreme right parties should form a coalition.

Member of the political party All for Latvia! Janis Derums stated that massive naturalisation has resulted in an army of disloyal citizens on the partys internet home page. Naturalization may lead to the situation when Latvians lose political power, as the number of naturalized persons has already reached 10% of all Latvian citizens, says Janis Derums. He also believes that all extreme right parties should form a coalition. Vesti Segodnya

On 30 January, the Latvian Conservative Youth Union held a discussion “Integration through the culture.” Columnists, journalists, actors, education experts, doctors and others took part in the discussion. Members of the discussion came to a conclusion that currently politicians do not see the dialog between Latvians and Russians in a positive light: politicians of both wings think about election results and not about harmony in society. Members of discussion also concluded that Latvian society needs to develop the idea of consolidation.

On 30 January, the Latvian Conservative Youth Union held a discussion Integration through the culture. Columnists, journalists, actors, education experts, doctors and others took part in the discussion. Members of the discussion came to a conclusion that currently politicians do not see the dialog between Latvians and Russians in a positive light: politicians of both wings think about election results and not about harmony in society. Members of discussion also concluded that Latvian society needs to develop the idea of consolidation. Latvijas Avize