• OKROL asks the Riga City Council not to allow the commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March
• Concord Centre will inform the European Commission about requirements for third country nationals set up by Latvia
• Einars Repse: Russians should establish their own right-wing political force
• Diena about possible developments regarding extreme right parties
• Project Roma in the Local Society and in School

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) asked the Mayor of Riga Aivars Aksenoks and Executive Director Eriks Skapars not to allow the commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. The OKROL argues that Latvian legionaries are accessaries in crimes committed by the Nazi during the WWII.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL in its Russian acronym) asked the Mayor of Riga Aivars Aksenoks and Executive Director Eriks Skapars not to allow the commemorative procession of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. The OKROL argues that Latvian legionaries are accessaries in crimes committed by the Nazi during the WWII. Chas

The political party “The Concord Centre” will report the European Commission about the requirements for applicants for the status of the EU permanent resident set by the Latvian government. The party believes that additional requirements asked by the Latvian government, such as, examination of Latvian language skills and state fee, contradict the respective European Directive, which provides that this process should not present difficulties to third country nationals.

The political party The Concord Centre will report the European Commission about the requirements for applicants for the status of the EU permanent resident set by the Latvian government. The party believes that additional requirements asked by the Latvian government, such as, examination of Latvian language skills and state fee, contradict the respective European Directive, which provides that this process should not present difficulties to third country nationals. Vesti Segodnya

The former Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Einars Repse (the New Era) in an interview with

The former Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Einars Repse (the New Era) in an interview with Telegraf stated that Russian residents of Latvia will not be able to take their chances in politics till they vote for left-wing politicians. Einars Repse believes that Russians should establish their own right-wing political movement, which would launch cooperation with governing coalitions. The former Minister of Defence and Prime Minister expressed his support for naturalisation.

The columnist of the biggest daily

The columnist of the biggest daily Diena considers that formation of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! could split supporters of extreme right parties and decrease representation of these parties in the next Saeima. All for Latvia! most likely, will not overcome the required 5% barrier to enter the Saeima if it runs for Saeima elections without support of other parties. However, supporters of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM may give their votes for this party, stated the political scientist Janis Ikstens in an interview with Diena.

Diena prints an article about the Education Initiative Centers project Roma in the Local Society and in School. Within the framework of the project Romani children are arranged possibilities to attend kindergarten and preschool groups, creative studios and seminars. The newspaper also reports that currently the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration develops the National Program on the Integration of Roma which focuses on prevention of discrimination against Roma.

• Research on minority education reform

The MP Yakovs Pliners and member of the Jelagava City Council Valeriys Buhvalovs (both from FHRUL) conducted a research on the results of the implementation of minority education reform. According to the research, the level of academic attainment of secondary school students in classes of the Latvian and Russian languages has dropped, as well as many schools do not have sufficient number of bilingual teaching aids, such as books, dictionaries and reference literature. The research also claims that school directors and representatives of school administrations believe that ninth grade students, who will be subjects of the reform next year, are not ready for the requirements set by the reform.

The MP Yakovs Pliners and member of the Jelagava City Council Valeriys Buhvalovs (both from FHRUL) conducted a research on the results of the implementation of minority education reform. According to the research, the level of academic attainment of secondary school students in classes of the Latvian and Russian languages has dropped, as well as many schools do not have sufficient number of bilingual teaching aids, such as books, dictionaries and reference literature. The research also claims that school directors and representatives of school administrations believe that ninth grade students, who will be subjects of the reform next year, are not ready for the requirements set by the reform. Chas

• Left wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs excluded from the Saeimas Committee of Foreign Affairs
• Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee: Russia seeks ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections
• Concord Centre will form a control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place
• Integration Minister criticizes recent statements of the Russian President
• All for Latvia calls to speak Latvian with non-Latvians
• Israeli journalist Frank Gordon about interethnic relations in Latvia

Yesterday, the Saeima excluded the left-wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs (FHRUL) from the Saeima’s C

Yesterday, the Saeima excluded the left-wing MP Nikolays Kabanovs (FHRUL) from the Saeimas Committee of Foreign Affairs. The right-wing MPs argued that Nikolays Kabanovs continuously ruins the image of Latvia referring to his active involvement in promotion of the documentary Baltic Nazism and presenting it at the Saeimas premises. Kabanovs party FHRUL responded that the decision of MPs is anti-democratic and called international organizations to comment on the Saeimas decision, as well as turn their attention torebirth of neo-Nazism in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

The Head of the Saeima’s National Security Committee Indulis Emsis stated that Russia seeks the ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections by granting funding for Russian-oriented non-governmental and media. However, the Embassy of Russia in Latvia refused the accusations and demanded the official explanation and apologies from Indulis Emsis.

The Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis stated that Russia seeks the ways to influence the upcoming Saeima elections by granting funding for Russian-oriented non-governmental and media. However, the Embassy of Russia in Latvia refused the accusations and demanded the official explanation and apologies from Indulis Emsis. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Diena

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs stated that the party will form their own control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place. “Our aim is to fight against unjustified requirements for applicants. We will monitor the “controllers” so that they would not be able to disturb examinees and examiners,” stated Nils Ushakovs. As reported, a group of MP’s will be formed to control the way naturalization exams are taken place, because the People’s Party considers that there have been a number of occasions when regional branches of the Naturalisation Board have committed illegal actions.

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs stated that the party will form their own control group over the group of MPs, which will control the way naturalization exams are taken place. Our aim is to fight against unjustified requirements for applicants. We will monitor the controllers so that they would not be able to disturb examinees and examiners, stated Nils Ushakovs. As reported, a group of MPs will be formed to control the way naturalization exams are taken place, because the Peoples Party considers that there have been a number of occasions when regional branches of the Naturalisation Board have committed illegal actions. Chas

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis criticized a recent statement made by the Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that 60% of Riga’s residents are Russians. Ainars Latkovskis emphasized that according to the latest statistics there are 43% Latvians, 42% Russians, 4% - Belarussians, 4% - Ukrainians, 2% - Poles in Riga.

The Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis criticized a recent statement made by the Russias President Vladimir Putin that 60% of Rigas residents are Russians. Ainars Latkovskis emphasized that according to the latest statistics there are 43% Latvians, 42% Russians, 4% - Belarussians, 4% - Ukrainians, 2% - Poles in Riga. Vesti Segodnya

The political party “All for Latvia” will hold an action “Let’s speak Latvian” next week. The key aim and challenge of the action are to encourage Latvians to speak Latvian with non-Latvians and promote the state language.

The political party All for Latvia will hold an action Lets speak Latvian next week. The key aim and challenge of the action are to encourage Latvians to speak Latvian with non-Latvians and promote the state language. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Israeli journalist Frank Gordon in an interview with

The Israeli journalist Frank Gordon in an interview with Latvijas Avize said that neither Latvia nor Israel needs a two-community country. Frank Gordon considers that there is nothing wrong with the political party All for Latvia! Though it is a radical party, it has never made any anti-Semitic statements, said Gordon. However, the Israeli journalist expressed his disappointment and concern that the internet portal www.latvians.lv, hosted by some members of the radical organization The National Force Union, uses any possibility to assault Jews.

• 105,648 persons have received Latvian citizenship through naturalisation
• Leader of the party The Concord Centre comments on the MPs decision to control naturalization exams
• FF/LNIM accuses the Integration Ministry of violation of the State Language Law
• Aleksandr Kazakov about relations between Russians and Latvians
• Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid legal norms to curb infringement on religious beliefs in the press

From the beginning of naturalisation process in 1995, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 105,648 persons, including 12,367 minors who received citizenship together with their parents. Besides, 4,666 children of Latvian non-citizens born after 21 August 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship through registration.

From the beginning of naturalisation process in 1995, Latvian citizenship has been granted to 105,648 persons, including 12,367 minors who received citizenship together with their parents. Besides, 4,666 children of Latvian non-citizens born after 21 August 1991 were granted Latvian citizenship through registration. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, NRA, Latvijas Vestnesis

The leader of the political party “The Concord Centre” Nils Ushakovs believes that MPs, who represent right-wing governing parties, decided to form a group of MPs who will control the way naturalization exams are taken place because those MPs are afraid of the growing number of new citizens and that they would vote for so called Russian parties. Therefore, Nils Ushakovs encourages all non-citizens, who are willing to become the citizens of Latvia, to go to the Naturalisation Board and apply for Latvian citizenship.

The leader of the political party The Concord Centre Nils Ushakovs believes that MPs, who represent right-wing governing parties, decided to form a group of MPs who will control the way naturalization exams are taken place because those MPs are afraid of the growing number of new citizens and that they would vote for so called Russian parties. Therefore, Nils Ushakovs encourages all non-citizens, who are willing to become the citizens of Latvia, to go to the Naturalisation Board and apply for Latvian citizenship. Vesti Segodnya

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM considers that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in Latvian acronym) had violated the State Language Law which provides that state institutions should provide information only in the state language. FF/LNIM notes that the IUMSILS provides its promotional booklets also in minority languages.

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM considers that the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS in Latvian acronym) had violated the State Language Law which provides that state institutions should provide information only in the state language. FF/LNIM notes that the IUMSILS provides its promotional booklets also in minority languages. Telegraf

The ex-activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov, who was expelled from Latvia and included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, in an interview with

The ex-activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov, who was expelled from Latvia and included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, in an interview with Vesti Segodnya stated that he will continue to fight for his rights to live in Latvia. Aleksandr Kazakov also stated that parties which are Russian-oriented have no future in Latvia, because of growing nationalism and efforts of ruling parties to strengthen mono-ethnical state system. The Russian parties must come out with their offers to the Latvian community… I believe that Latvias future depends on the dialog between Latvian and Russian communities, which has not been launched yet, said Kazakov.

The Head of the Saeima’s National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid regulations to curb infringement on one’s religious beliefs in the press. However, human rights experts consider that general and abstract limitations would threaten freedom of speech in the media. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris believes that infringement on one’s religious beliefs has a very broad interpretation, therefore, if MPs decide to introduce such amendments, they should be very precise.

The Head of the Saeimas National Security Committee Indulis Emsis proposed to introduce more rigid regulations to curb infringement on ones religious beliefs in the press. However, human rights experts consider that general and abstract limitations would threaten freedom of speech in the media. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris believes that infringement on ones religious beliefs has a very broad interpretation, therefore, if MPs decide to introduce such amendments, they should be very precise. Diena

• Employees of the Latvian Railway fined for not using Latvian during working hours
• Radical party NSS established its branch in Liepaja
• FF/LNIM asks to evaluate posting of the documentary Baltic Nazism on the internet

In January, 15 employees of the state joint stock company Latvian Railway were fined for not using the Latvian language during working hours. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers has delegated authority to the State Language Centre to examine actual state language skills of employees of various organizations.

In January, 15 employees of the state joint stock company Latvian Railway were fined for not using the Latvian language during working hours. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers has delegated authority to the State Language Centre to examine actual state language skills of employees of various organizations. Chas

The radical party Union of National Forces (NSS in its Latvian acronym) established its branch in Liepaja (city in the western part of Latvia). The main slogan of the NSS is Latvia for Latvians and giving special social and others privileges to Latvians.

The radical party Union of National Forces (NSS in its Latvian acronym) established its branch in Liepaja (city in the western part of Latvia). The main slogan of the NSS is Latvia for Latvians and giving special social and others privileges to Latvians. Vesti Segodnya stresses that some NSSs activists are known for their anti-Semitic statements. The NSS plans to run for the next Saeima elections. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM asked the General Prosecutor Office to evaluate if posting of the documentary “Baltic Nazism” on the internet is an intentional incitement to ethnic hatred. The documentary is available at the web page the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-Language Schools 

The political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM asked the General Prosecutor Office to evaluate if posting of the documentary Baltic Nazism on the internet is an intentional incitement to ethnic hatred. The documentary is available at the web page the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-Language Schools www.shtab.lv. As reported, the General Prosecutor Office already refused to initiate a criminal case concerning alleged incitement to ethnic hatred arguing that the documentary was not presented to general public. The Head of the Headquarters Vladimir Buzayev commented that by placing the documentary on the Internet everybody is given an opportunity to watch the documentary and build personal opinion about it. Latvijas Avize