• FF/LNIM drafted amendments to the Criminal Law stipulating criminal liability for public denial of Latvias occupation by the Soviet Union in 1940
• Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane: speed of naturalisation will decrease
• FHRUL supports the proposals to grant non-citizens rights to participate municipal elections
• LASHOR holds a festivity of Russian culture and education in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya prints an article on a book Latvian-Russian Relations: Internal and International Dimensions
• About 300 residents of Latvia are planning to leave for Russia
• Rigas Balss prints an article on use of the Latvian and Russian language in Latvia

The right-wing political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) has drafted amendments to the Criminal Law stipulating criminal liability for public denial of Latvia’s occupation by the USSR in 1940. The proposed sentence for the denial of occupation is up to three year imprisonment or up to 60 times minimal wage. The head of the FF/LNIM Saeima’s faction Maris Grinbalts has stated that there must be a common understanding of the key facts in the Latvian history.

The right-wing political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) has drafted amendments to the Criminal Law stipulating criminal liability for public denial of Latvias occupation by the USSR in 1940. The proposed sentence for the denial of occupation is up to three year imprisonment or up to 60 times minimal wage. The head of the FF/LNIM Saeimas faction Maris Grinbalts has stated that there must be a common understanding of the key facts in the Latvian history. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Yesterday, at the meeting of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane has stated that the speed of naturalisation probably will decrease because of cancelling of visa requirements for non-citizens to travel within the EU. Therefore the NB is planning to reduce the number of its examination commissions by one as well as other units which were formed due to the increased number of applicants for citizenship. Eizenija Aldermane considered that the number of naturalised persons might decrease by 800 persons a year. In total, about 11,000 persons were granted citizenship through naturalisation in 2006, and more than 100, 000 persons since the process was launched in 1998.

Yesterday, at the meeting of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee the Head of the Naturalisation Board (NB) Eizenija Aldermane has stated that the speed of naturalisation probably will decrease because of cancelling of visa requirements for non-citizens to travel within the EU. Therefore the NB is planning to reduce the number of its examination commissions by one as well as other units which were formed due to the increased number of applicants for citizenship. Eizenija Aldermane considered that the number of naturalised persons might decrease by 800 persons a year. In total, about 11,000 persons were granted citizenship through naturalisation in 2006, and more than 100, 000 persons since the process was launched in 1998. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

The Saeima’s faction for Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has reviewed an application of the NGOs “The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens” and “Humanitarian Perspective” sent to all Saeima’s factions. The NGOs propose to grant Latvian non-citizens the rights to participate in municipal elections. The FHRUL argues that the proposal complies with practices implemented by a majority of EU countries as well the recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

The Saeimas faction for Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has reviewed an application of the NGOs The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and Humanitarian Perspective sent to all Saeimas factions. The NGOs propose to grant Latvian non-citizens the rights to participate in municipal elections. The FHRUL argues that the proposal complies with practices implemented by a majority of EU countries as well the recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Chas

Newspapers report that the Latvian Association for Support Russian Language Schools (LASHOR in its Russian acronym) in cooperation with several Russian NGOs holds the Days of the Russian culture and education in Latvia. A number of activities will be organised till 27 January. The aim of the activities and events is promotion of education in the Russian language and preservation of the Russian culture in Latvia.

Newspapers report that the Latvian Association for Support Russian Language Schools (LASHOR in its Russian acronym) in cooperation with several Russian NGOs holds the Days of the Russian culture and education in Latvia. A number of activities will be organised till 27 January. The aim of the activities and events is promotion of education in the Russian language and preservation of the Russian culture in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an article on a book Latvian-Russian Relations: Internal and International Dimensions edited by the former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks. The book tells about mutual problems between Latvia and Russia and Eastern-Slavic minorities in Latvia.

Telegraf reports that according to the Russias Migration Service about 300 residents of Latvia are planning to leave permanently for Russia through the Russias repatriation program for compatriots.

Rigas Balss prints an article on use of the Latvian and Russian language in Latvia. The columnist argues that the Russian languages positions in Latvia become more secure thus endangering use of the Latvian language. According to the market research company TNS Latvia 94 % of Latvian residents speaks the Latvian language and 96 % are able to communicate in Russian.

• Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens proposes to evaluate a possibility to hold double citizenship

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens considers that the government has to evaluate a possibility to grant double citizenship for Latvian citizens’ children born outside Latvia. The Minister argues that recently a large number of children are born abroad and parents of these children choose foreign citizenship for them.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens considers that the government has to evaluate a possibility to grant double citizenship for Latvian citizens children born outside Latvia. The Minister argues that recently a large number of children are born abroad and parents of these children choose foreign citizenship for them. Chas

• National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: it is difficult to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship

The ultra right radical organisation the National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, last year the Riga and Liepaja City Councils did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries due to possible security threats.

The ultra right radical organisation the National Power Union is planning to hold a procession to commemorate Latvian WWII legionaries in Riga and Liepaja on 16 March – the unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. As reported, last year the Riga and Liepaja City Councils did not authorise commemorative processions of Latvian WWII legionaries due to possible security threats. Chas

Yesterday, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins responded to the application of the political party “The Concord Centre” regarding government’s position towards naturalisation in Latvia. Gaidis Berzins has stated that it is not possible to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship, however, the Minister believed that a person is not loyal enough if s/he does not use the Latvian language, argues against main facts of Latvian history, and demonstrates disrespect towards the Latvian culture and history.

Yesterday, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins responded to the application of the political party The Concord Centre regarding governments position towards naturalisation in Latvia. Gaidis Berzins has stated that it is not possible to determine loyalty of applicants for Latvian citizenship, however, the Minister believed that a person is not loyal enough if s/he does not use the Latvian language, argues against main facts of Latvian history, and demonstrates disrespect towards the Latvian culture and history. Vesti Segodnya

• Oskars Kastens condems the attack on two Somalis
• Radical organisation the Latvian National Front has issued a calendar Year 2007 – Sixth Year of Decolonization of Latvia
• Article by a linguist Maris Puks on Latvian language and how it is influenced by Russian language

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has condemned the racist incident when two Somalis were attacked in the centre of Riga last week. According to Oskars Kastens, the Criminal Code must be improved with the amendments stipulating the investigation of racist crimes and enable to punish the participants of such crimes with administrative punishments.

The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens has condemned the racist incident when two Somalis were attacked in the centre of Riga last week. According to Oskars Kastens, the Criminal Code must be improved with the amendments stipulating the investigation of racist crimes and enable to punish the participants of such crimes with administrative punishments. Chas

Chas and Vesti Segodnya reports that the ultra right radical organisation the Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda has issued a calendar with a title Year 2007 – Sixth Year of Decolonization of Latvia. The calendar contains a call for Russian speaking residents of Latvia to use Russias repatriation program and to follow the appeal of Russias President Vladimir Putin to all compatriots to come back to Russia for permanent residency.

Latvijas Avize prints an article by a linguist Maris Puks on Latvian language and how it is influenced by Russian language in Latvia. Maris Puks believes that Russian language is a threat for the development of Latvian language and strengthening of its positions in the state.

• Media print articles on racist crimes and their prevention
• NRA on the life of seven Somalis granted an alternative status

Diena interviews law enforcement officials on the issues of racist crimes. According to the Security Police, the number of racist crimes has increased in 2006 as compared to 2005. In total, 14 criminal cases have been initiated under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code. 8 of the cases have been initiated for the instigation of racial hatred. The press secretary of the Security Police has stated that fighting against skinhead groupings mostly committing racial attacks is hampered by the fact that these groupings act spontaneously and often under the influence of alcohol. According to the Security Polices representative, the crimes often cannot be unequivocally investigated under the scope of Section 78 of the Criminal Code, and are treated as the acts of hooliganism. Dienas columnist argues that the police are still too weak in preventing of racist crimes. In an interview to NRA, the head of the Discrimination Prevention Department of the Ombudsmens Office Liga Bikseniece has pointed to the lack of professionalism of the law enforcement officials in responding to the complaints of two Somalis who were physically assaulted by several persons, presumably skinheads, last week. The police officials did not received explanations from the victims, but gave them a telephone number of another police station. As reported, the Police have finally initiated an investigation under the Section 78 of the Criminal Code.

NRA continues to report on the life of seven Somalis who have arrived to Latvia in 2005 and were granted alternative status in 2006. The Somalis still have no permanent residency place and permanent job, although three minor Somalis are studying at school. In an interview with NRA, the leader of a project Step by Step funded the European Communitys Egual program Madara Miezite has stated that the aim of the project is to elaborate an effective system of social and professional integration of asylum seekers in Latvia. According to Madara Miezite, the situation with seven Somalis asylum seekers has revealed many problems since the number asylum seekers in Latvia were negligible before their arrival.