• Call to deny permission to hold commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March
• Journalist Karlis Streips criticises the political party All for Latvia! for their nationalistic ideas
• Latvian language teacher calls students Russian pigs
• Minister of Interior will report on the Asylum and Migration Regulation System

People, who took part in protest actions against holding commemorative processions of Latvian WW II legionnaires last year, asked the Riga City Council’s Chairman Aivars Aksenoks and the executive director Eriks Skapars not to issue permission to hold commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. “We consider that such events provoke rebirth of Nazism… processions contradicts the principles of democracy and fosters ideas of xenophobia and fascism,” stated protesters.

People, who took part in protest actions against holding commemorative processions of Latvian WW II legionnaires last year, asked the Riga City Councils Chairman Aivars Aksenoks and the executive director Eriks Skapars not to issue permission to hold commemorative processions of the Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. We consider that such events provoke rebirth of Nazism… processions contradicts the principles of democracy and fosters ideas of xenophobia and fascism, stated protesters. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Latvian journalist Karlis Streips criticised the political party “All for Latvia!” for their nationalistic stances on the Internet portal www.apollo.lv. Karlis Streips wrote that that if nationalists acquire support for their ideas to repatriate all non-Latvians and close borders for guest workers from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, it would result in economic catastrophe. He also believes that the party’s slogan “Power should be returned to Latvians” is not topical, because the majority of members of the governing coalition already are Latvians. He also noted that many recently naturalised Latvian citizens vote for so-called Russian parties because governing parties do not want to address to them.” He also criticised holding of commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March.

Latvian journalist Karlis Streips criticised the political party All for Latvia! for their nationalistic stances on the Internet portal www.apollo.lv. Karlis Streips wrote that that if nationalists acquire support for their ideas to repatriate all non-Latvians and close borders for guest workers from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, it would result in economic catastrophe. He also believes that the partys slogan Power should be returned to Latvians is not topical, because the majority of members of the governing coalition already are Latvians. He also noted that many recently naturalised Latvian citizens vote for so-called Russian parties because governing parties do not want to address to them. He also criticised holding of commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries on 16 March. Vesti Segodnya

Chas and Vesti Segodnya print an article about a case at a Russian language school, where a Latvian language teacher called students Russian pigs and little pieces of shit. Parents of children complained about the teacher to the school administration and asked resignation of the teacher. However, the director of the school claimed that according to legislation the teacher might be dismissed only after s/he has received three verbal warnings.

Tomorrow, the Minister of Interior Dzintars Jaundzeikars on the session of the Cabinet of Ministers will report on the “Asylum and Migration Regulation System.”

Tomorrow, the Minister of Interior Dzintars Jaundzeikars on the session of the Cabinet of Ministers will report on the Asylum and Migration Regulation System. Vesti Segodnya

 

• Parties ratings in January
• Persons denied entrance in Latvia may not appeal their inclusion in the black list, if the decision was based on the information provided by security services

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 13.2% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.4%, The People’s party – 9.1% if the Saeima elections were hold in January. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (6.9%), the Union of Greens and Farmers (6.6%), the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (6.5%), and The Concord Center (6%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier.

According to a public opinion survey conducted by "Latvijas fakti," the party New Era would receive 13.2% of votes, For Human Rights in United Latvia – 9.4%, The Peoples party – 9.1% if the Saeima elections were hold in January. For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (6.9%), the Union of Greens and Farmers (6.6%), the union of Latvia's Way and Latvia's First Party (6.5%), and The Concord Center (6%) would also pass the required 5 per cent barrier. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize

According to the adopted amendments to the Immigration Law the persons included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, do not have the right appeal their inclusion in the blacklist any more, if the decision was based on the information provided by security services.

According to the adopted amendments to the Immigration Law the persons included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, do not have the right appeal their inclusion in the blacklist any more, if the decision was based on the information provided by security services. Vesti Segodnya. NRA (27.01)

 

 

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia reproaches Latvia and Estonia for making heroes out of their WWII legionaries
• Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Pension Law and the proposals to grant the status of the politically repressed person to non-citizens
• Persons denied entrance in Latvia may not appeal their inclusion in the black list any more

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhniy sent an open letter to the Saeima. In his letter, the Russian Ambassador reproaches Latvia for making heroes out of Latvian and Estonian WWII legionaries. “The documentary “Baltic Nazism” is not about all Latvians, it tells about terrible crimes of Nazis on the territory of Latvia and local people who followed their ideas,” stated Viktor Kalyuzhniy. As reported, the documentary “Baltic Nazism” produced by the Russian TV company is blamed by several Latvian MPs in anti-Latvian propaganda and in incitement of ethnic hatred. The Union of Greens and Farmers asked the Ambassador of Russia to forbid airing of the documentary in Russia.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhniy sent an open letter to the Saeima. In his letter, the Russian Ambassador reproaches Latvia for making heroes out of Latvian and Estonian WWII legionaries. The documentary Baltic Nazism is not about all Latvians, it tells about terrible crimes of Nazis on the territory of Latvia and local people who followed their ideas, stated Viktor Kalyuzhniy. As reported, the documentary Baltic Nazism produced by the Russian TV company is blamed by several Latvian MPs in anti-Latvian propaganda and in incitement of ethnic hatred. The Union of Greens and Farmers asked the Ambassador of Russia to forbid airing of the documentary in Russia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Pension Law proposed by the left-wing party Harmony Center. As reported, the draft amendments stipulated that the time period, which non-citizens were employed outside of Latvia during the Soviet times, must be included in the total number of years worked. The Saeima also refused the proposals to grant the status of politically repressed person by the Nazi regime to non-citizens.

Yesterday, the Saeima refused the draft amendments to the Pension Law proposed by the left-wing party Harmony Center. As reported, the draft amendments stipulated that the time period, which non-citizens were employed outside of Latvia during the Soviet times, must be included in the total number of years worked. The Saeima also refused the proposals to grant the status of politically repressed person by the Nazi regime to non-citizens. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Immigration Law. According to the amendments, the persons included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, do not have the right appeal their inclusion in the blacklist any more.

Yesterday, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Immigration Law. According to the amendments, the persons included in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia, do not have the right appeal their inclusion in the blacklist any more. Vesti Segodnya. NRA

• Seminar on racial violence for policemen held yesterday
• 37,500 foreigners with a residence permit reside in Latvia
• Newspaper Biznes&Baltija calls of statements of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about Tatyana Zdanok printed in the newspaper

Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a seminar about racial violence and hate crimes for police officers. The seminar covered a number of topics, including movements of extremists in the U.S. and Europe. The main speaker of the seminar was special agent of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service Chuck Hunter. Regarding Latvia, he stated that racism is not a wide spread phenomena yet, however the state should pay attention and deal with the first signs of it. Chuck Hunter also talked about skinhead organizations in Latvia.

Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy to Latvia in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Special Assignment Minister for Social Integration held a seminar about racial violence and hate crimes for police officers. The seminar covered a number of topics, including movements of extremists in the U.S. and Europe. The main speaker of the seminar was special agent of the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service Chuck Hunter. Regarding Latvia, he stated that racism is not a wide spread phenomena yet, however the state should pay attention and deal with the first signs of it. Chuck Hunter also talked about skinhead organizations in Latvia. Telegraf, Chas, Diena

In Latvia, there are 37,500 foreigners who hold residence permit. The number has increased for 3,000 persons in comparison to the respective period in 2005. Family reunion, studies and work are the main purposes of arrivals.

In Latvia, there are 37,500 foreigners who hold residence permit. The number has increased for 3,000 persons in comparison to the respective period in 2005. Family reunion, studies and work are the main purposes of arrivals. Chas

The newspaper Biznes&Baltija; calls off the publication where the newspaper claimed that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov in an interview with the newspaper stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by non-citizens Latvia, however Russia does not want to politicize these problems like Tatyana Zdanok does.

The newspaper Biznes&Baltija calls off the publication where the newspaper claimed that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov in an interview with the newspaper stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by non-citizens Latvia, however Russia does not want to politicize these problems like Tatyana Zdanok does. Diena

• Permanent residents of Latvia can submit applications for the reception of the status of EU permanent resident
• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs: we dont want to politicize problems of Russians in Latvia like Tatyana Zdanok does

The Office of Citizenship and Migration announced that non-citizens and permanent residents of Latvia might submit applications for receiving the status of the EU permanent resident since 23 January. However, the status will be granted only after the requirements of the EU Directive concerning the status of third country nationals will be transposed in national legislation, in particular when the draft amendments will be adopted to the Immigration Law. As reported, 23 January 2006 was the deadline for the transposition of the EU Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents into legislations of member states.

The Office of Citizenship and Migration announced that non-citizens and permanent residents of Latvia might submit applications for receiving the status of the EU permanent resident since 23 January. However, the status will be granted only after the requirements of the EU Directive concerning the status of third country nationals will be transposed in national legislation, in particular when the draft amendments will be adopted to the Immigration Law. As reported, 23 January 2006 was the deadline for the transposition of the EU Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents into legislations of member states. Vesti Segodnya

In an interview with the newspaper Biznes&Baltija; the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by Russian speaking residents in Latvia in the field of their rights and freedoms. However, Sergey Lavrov said: “We are against the politicization of this problem, because we do not want to let some politicians like Tatyana Zdanok (MEP from Latvia) to use these problems for their political business.” Tatyana Zdanok refused to  comment on the statement.

In an interview with the newspaper Biznes&Baltija the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia wants to help to solve the problems faced by Russian speaking residents in Latvia in the field of their rights and freedoms. However, Sergey Lavrov said: We are against the politicization of this problem, because we do not want to let some politicians like Tatyana Zdanok (MEP from Latvia) to use these problems for their political business. Tatyana Zdanok refused to comment on the statement. Diena