• Diena discusses possible political choices of recently naturalised citizens in the forthcoming municipal elections
• Interview with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Minority students discuss the implementation of the education reform
• State Security Police examine the Independent Transport Labour Union of Latvia and the Latvian Labour Union of Nurses
• Celebrations of the Tatjana Day, the holiday of the Russian culture and education, took place in Latvia last weekend

The daily

The daily Diena discusses possible political choices of the recently naturalised citizens in the forthcoming municipal elections. The daily talks to a number of experts and majority of them argue that it is impossible to give any accurate forecasts in the issue. Ethnologist Ilmars Mezs refers to the results of the European Parliament elections and concludes that a big part of naturalised citizens support Russian parties. The sociologist Aigars Freimanis states that also according to opinion polls non-Latvians mainly support Russian parties. The Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences, Professor Brigita Zepa argues that the implementation of the education reform will bring more votes for Russian parties, especially in Riga. Since last municipal elections in 2001, more than 40,000 persons have naturalised in Latvia. Diena

Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete about the implementation of the minority education reform. Ina Druviete argues that the implementation of the reform is successful, because in her meeting with students and teachers nobody has stated that there are any obstacles to the implementation of the minority education reform. The Minister also notes that control over minority schools has not been intensified due to the implementation of the reform.

Yesterday about 330 minority students participated in the meeting of minority students. During the meeting the implementation of the education reform was discussed. Student Boris Fedorenko stated that the implementation of the education reform divided Latvia’s society into Russians and Latvians. Students of the University of Latvia Kira Savcenko and Anja Iskenderova argued that the goal of the reform was to decrease the level of minority students’ competitiveness, so they would be denied the access to higher education. Jurij Zaicev, student from Daugavpils, noted that there were two typical scenarios: 1) several minority school directors implement the reform and teachers, despite their bad Latvian language knowledge, teach their subjects in not-understandable language, while students study these subjects without any comprehension. The second scenario is that several directors pretend that the reform has been launched, but in practice all subjects are taught in minority language.

Yesterday about 330 minority students participated in the meeting of minority students. During the meeting the implementation of the education reform was discussed. Student Boris Fedorenko stated that the implementation of the education reform divided Latvias society into Russians and Latvians. Students of the University of Latvia Kira Savcenko and Anja Iskenderova argued that the goal of the reform was to decrease the level of minority students competitiveness, so they would be denied the access to higher education. Jurij Zaicev, student from Daugavpils, noted that there were two typical scenarios: 1) several minority school directors implement the reform and teachers, despite their bad Latvian language knowledge, teach their subjects in not-understandable language, while students study these subjects without any comprehension. The second scenario is that several directors pretend that the reform has been launched, but in practice all subjects are taught in minority language. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The State Security Police launched examination of the Latvian Independent Transport Union (LITU) and the Latvian Union of Nurses (LUN) as there have been accusations that these unions are led by people who are working against the interests of the state. The Head of the Latvian Independent Transport Union Olegs Pronins was called to the Security Police on the basis of application which accused the LITU in ‘organising illegal drivers’ strikes.’ Olegs Pronins says that he asked for an interpreter during his conversation with a police officer, however, the police officer did not listen to the Pronins’ request and continued interrogation in Latvian. He believes that the Security Police have crossed the borders of Police’s competence. While the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis points that there is a link between the Latvian Union of Nurses leader Aigars Lavrinovics and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia that was involved in organising protest actions against the education reform. Therefore ‘this is not the strike of nurses. It is a political question.

The State Security Police launched examination of the Latvian Independent Transport Union (LITU) and the Latvian Union of Nurses (LUN) as there have been accusations that these unions are led by people who are working against the interests of the state. The Head of the Latvian Independent Transport Union Olegs Pronins was called to the Security Police on the basis of application which accused the LITU in ‘organising illegal drivers strikes. Olegs Pronins says that he asked for an interpreter during his conversation with a police officer, however, the police officer did not listen to the Pronins request and continued interrogation in Latvian. He believes that the Security Police have crossed the borders of Polices competence. While the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis points that there is a link between the Latvian Union of Nurses leader Aigars Lavrinovics and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia that was involved in organising protest actions against the education reform. Therefore ‘this is not the strike of nurses. It is a political question. Rigas Balss

Russian language newspapers reports on celebrations of the Tatjana Day, the holiday of Russian culture and education, in Latvia.

Russian language newspapers reports on celebrations of the Tatjana Day, the holiday of Russian culture and education, in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij pays a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia
• Seven persons sought asylum in Latvia last year
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga talks about Latvian Russian relations

In response to the invitation of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij paid a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia. Although Latvian state officials hoped that the visit will help the Ambassador to look at the history from Latvia’s perspective, the Ambassador did not recognise occupation of Latvia and stated that in the Occupation Museum the history is presented in a ‘illiterate way.’ Viktor Kaluznij expressed his incomprehension about placement of the Adolf Hitler’s portrait  next to the portrait of Joseph Stalin. The Ambassador noted that ‘their activities are not comparable.’ Viktor Kaluznij is the first Russian ambassador who has visited the Occupation Museum.

In response to the invitation of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kaluznij paid a visit to the Occupation Museum of Latvia. Although Latvian state officials hoped that the visit will help the Ambassador to look at the history from Latvias perspective, the Ambassador did not recognise occupation of Latvia and stated that in the Occupation Museum the history is presented in a ‘illiterate way. Viktor Kaluznij expressed his incomprehension about placement of the Adolf Hitlers portrait next to the portrait of Joseph Stalin. The Ambassador noted that ‘their activities are not comparable. Viktor Kaluznij is the first Russian ambassador who has visited the Occupation Museum. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Seven persons coming from Egypt, Belorussia, Azerbaijan, Rumania and Georgia sought asylum in Latvia last year. Nobody has been granted a refugee status.

Seven persons coming from Egypt, Belorussia, Azerbaijan, Rumania and Georgia sought asylum in Latvia last year. Nobody has been granted a refugee status. Vesti Segodnya

Neatkariga Rita Avize reprints the excerpts of the interview of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, published by the Austrian newspaper Die Presse. When commenting on Latvian Russian relations, the President states that now Latvian Russian relations are at the lowest possible point and nothing can be worse. The President categorically refuses a possibility to sign a border agreement with Russia on 10 May.

• 85,352 Latvian non-citizens have naturalised since 1995
• Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks apologises to the Holocausts victims

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 85,352 non-citizens, among them 10,770 minors, have received Latvian citizenship through the naturalisation process within last 10 years. Naturalisation process in Latvia was launched on 1 February 1995.

According to the information of the Naturalisation Board, 85,352 non-citizens, among them 10,770 minors, have received Latvian citizenship through the naturalisation process within last 10 years. Naturalisation process in Latvia was launched on 1 February 1995. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

In his speech at the event in memory of the Holocaust’s victims in Salaspils the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks on the behalf of the state apologised to the Holocaust’s victims. The Minister apologised for inability of Latvia, which did not have the status of state at that time, to protect people in Latvia from the Holocaust.

In his speech at the event in memory of the Holocausts victims in Salaspils the Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks on the behalf of the state apologised to the Holocausts victims. The Minister apologised for inability of Latvia, which did not have the status of state at that time, to protect people in Latvia from the Holocaust. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

• Newspapers report on commemoration of the Holocaust

Newspapers report on today’s events planed in memory of Holocaust victims. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, state officials, representatives of the diplomatic corpus and members of the Jewish community will participate in the events at the Salaspils and Rumbula memorials. During the Holocaust in Latvia at least 30, 000 people were murdered in the Salaspils concentration camp and more than 25,000 Jews were shot in the Rumbula forest in 1941. The National Television will broadcast a premiere of the documental film

Newspapers report on todays events planed in memory of Holocaust victims. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, state officials, representatives of the diplomatic corpus and members of the Jewish community will participate in the events at the Salaspils and Rumbula memorials. During the Holocaust in Latvia at least 30, 000 people were murdered in the Salaspils concentration camp and more than 25,000 Jews were shot in the Rumbula forest in 1941. The National Television will broadcast a premiere of the documental film Incineration of the Victims about the Holocaust in Latvia today. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas

• Diena: the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools attempts to cause social instability
• Professor, dr.jur.habil. Juris Bojars comments on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Latvian government appoints the ECHR special judge from Latvia in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Peoples Harmony Party proposes amendments to the Law on Politically Repressed Persons
• Left-wing parties call teachers and parents of minority students to submit any information on the influence of the minority education reform on the level of academic success of minority students
• Russian-language newspaper reproach authors of a new text book for distortion of the Latvian history
• Russian language school teachers from all Baltic States meet in Riga
• Former Minister of Economics Juris Lujans (Latvias First Party) comments the stance of the party on social integration issues

The daily

The daily Diena argues that the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, after their failure to stop the implementation of the minority education reform, probably, attempts to cause social instability by encouraging employees of several industries (for example, nurses and bus drivers) to start strikes. According to the daily the Headquarters is acting through the recently formed organisation Latvian Council of Labour Unions (LCLU). Activists of the Headquarters as well as the LCLU refuse reproaches and state that these two organisations do not have anything in common. However, Diena states that there is a link between the two organisations – the leader of the LCLU Janis Kuzins together with members of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) fought against the minority education reform. The Minister of Health Gundars Berzins and the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis announced that the plans of LCLU to organise a strike in February is a pre-election campaign. Neatkariga Rita Avize prints an article of Aigars Lavrinovics, the President of the Latvian Union of Nurses, who is one of LCLU members. Aigars Lavrinovics denies any assumptions that the FHRUL and LCLU are co-operating. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the professor, dr.jur.habil. Juris Bojars on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Juris Bojars believes that it is very important that Latvia adopts its own minority definition. According to the professor, in case of Latvia national minorities should be defined on citizenship, historical and numerical criteria. Juris Bojars argues that the state will not be able to provide primary education in minority languages for about 100 ethnic minorities living in Latvia.

Professor of International Law of the Lund University Ineta Ziemele is appointed by the Latvian Government to the post of a special judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka. As reported, Latvia has appealed the verdict of Small Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights which ruled that the state of Latvia has violated the right of Zdanoka to free elections and obligated to pay EUR 10,000 for moral damages and to compensate the court and travel expenses.

Professor of International Law of the Lund University Ineta Ziemele is appointed by the Latvian Government to the post of a special judge of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka. As reported, Latvia has appealed the verdict of Small Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights which ruled that the state of Latvia has violated the right of Zdanoka to free elections and obligated to pay EUR10,000 for moral damages and to compensate the court and travel expenses. Diena

The Parliamentary Faction of the People’s Harmony Party issued an official statement calling to introduce amendments to the Law on Politically Repressed Persons. The effective law foresees giving the status of a politically repressed person to those who suffered from Nazi activities in 1942-1943 and Latvian citizens who were deported from Latvia to forced labour camps in other countries. While the PHP suggests that the status of a politically repressed person should be granted to all those persons who were sent to labour camps in Germany and other countries from 22 June 1941 till 8 May 1945, as well as to those permanent residents who were inmates of prisons, ghettos and concentration camps located in Latvia, Germany and other countries. The Party stresses that Latvian non-citizens should be the subjects of the Law on Politically Repressed Persons.

The Parliamentary Faction of the Peoples Harmony Party issued an official statement calling to introduce amendments to the Law on Politically Repressed Persons. The effective law foresees giving the status of a politically repressed person to those who suffered from Nazi activities in 1942-1943 and Latvian citizens who were deported from Latvia to forced labour camps in other countries. While the PHP suggests that the status of a politically repressed person should be granted to all those persons who were sent to labour camps in Germany and other countries from 22 June 1941 till 8 May 1945, as well as to those permanent residents who were inmates of prisons, ghettos and concentration camps located in Latvia, Germany and other countries. The Party stresses that Latvian non-citizens should be the subjects of the Law on Politically Repressed Persons. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Constitutional Court of Latvia announced that the claim challenging the compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia and international norms will be reviewed in a public hearing. Therefore MPs of the three opposition parties, who are the authors of the claim, call parents of minority students and teachers to participate in this case and submit any information on how the implementation of the education reform has influenced the level of academic success of minority students.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia announced that the claim challenging the compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia and international norms will be reviewed in a public hearing. Therefore MPs of the three opposition parties, who are the authors of the claim, call parents of minority students and teachers to participate in this case and submit any information on how the implementation of the education reform has influenced the level of academic success of minority students. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the presentation of the book ‘The Latvian History: XX Century’ took place.  The Russian language newspapers note that the book is published in two languages, however, they state that the authors of the book ‘have carefully avoided talking about atrocious events committed during the Nazi regime in Latvia.’

Yesterday the presentation of the book ‘The Latvian History: XX Century took place. The Russian language newspapers note that the book is published in two languages, however, they state that the authors of the book ‘have carefully avoided talking about atrocious events committed during the Nazi regime in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports on the meeting of teachers of Russian-language schools from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The meeting took place in Riga. Teachers agreed to organise regular meetings to support each in their efforts to develop and protect Russian schools.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the former Minister of Economics Juris Lujans (Latvia's First Party) running for post of Riga Mayor in the forthcoming municipal elections. When asked to comment the stance of his party on social integration issues, Juris Lujans states that Latvian First Party will not support granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections. The Party will not support the cancellation of the minority education reform either. Juris Lujans states that the draft Law on Minority Education, initiated by the former Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, has not received the support of the governing coalition and hence it is not forwarded for its revision in Saeima. He states: ‘We hope that loyal Russian speakers who have moderate political views will vote for us. However, he notes that there is a lack of choices of political parties for Russian speakers and that leads to rather monolithic support for the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia.