• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis on future steps of the government regarding ECHR judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Judges Egils Levits and Giovanni Bonello about ECHR decision in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Naturalisation Boards head Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation process in Latvia
• Ethnologist Leo Dribins and MP Boris Tsilevitch about ethnic aspects which could have influenced results of the European Parliaments election
• Secretariat of the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora

Decision of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia must be carefully evaluated before deciding on any further steps, says the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. According to the prime minister’s advisor on public relations issues Ilona Lice, the state would only appeal the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) decision if there are real chances to win. Necessary amendments to laws in line with the ECHR judgement should also be evaluated.

Decision of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia must be carefully evaluated before deciding on any further steps, says the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. According to the prime ministers advisor on public relations issues Ilona Lice, the state would only appeal the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) decision if there are real chances to win. Necessary amendments to laws in line with the ECHR judgement should also be evaluated. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize continues discussion on the ECHR judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka, featuring the different opinions of two judges – Egils Levits (Latvia) and Giovanni Bonello (Malta). Judge Bonello points to the fact that Tatjana Zdanoka had been fighting against democracy in Latvia, and has not expressed any regret about it until now. Judge Egils Levits believes that Latvian society and the state should themselves be able to find the right way to deal with the totalitarian regimes consequences. According to him, the old traditional democracies cannot really assist in this process, because of the lack of own experience in this particular field. Therefore, says Levits, their given advice is too superficial, and the new democratic states should look for solutions themselves.

Chas prints an interview with the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation process in Latvia. According to the chairperson, it is impossible to grant citizenship to all the children born after the 1991 automatically, because of the necessity to open the Citizenship Law for this purpose. The governing coalitions agreement foresees that this law can be opened only with the consent of all coalition members. Eizenija Aldermane also mentioned that the Board in cooperation with the Ministry of Health is preparing a draft decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on simplification of the naturalisation procedure for disabled persons and pensioners.

Vesti Segodnya features opinions of ethnologist Leo Dribins and MP Boris Tsilevitch about ethnic aspects, which have possibly influenced results of the European Parliaments election. Leo Dribins regards the sceptical attitude of the minorities representatives towards Latvias EU accession, as well as the split inside the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL), as the main causes of low minorities participation in the elections. Boris Tsilevitch thinks that the slogan Russians are coming, used by the FHRUL, frightened and mobilised Latvians, at the same time failing to convince Russians. The MP points to the necessity for Peoples Harmony Party and FHRUL to sit down at the negotiating table in order to regain confidence of the electorate.

Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009, which must be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers until the 1 August 2004.

Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009, which must be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers until the 1 August 2004. Latvijas Avize

• Discussion on restrictions to stand for elections for former State Security Committee agents
• Constitutional Court of Latvia finds claim about non-compliance of the education reform to the Constitution of Latvia and the international legislation inadmissible

Newspapers continue discussion about restrictions to stand for elections for the former agents of the State Security Committee and the members of the Communist Party after January 13, 1991, after the European Court of Human (ECHR) Rights judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka.

Newspapers continue discussion about restrictions to stand for elections for the former agents of the State Security Committee and the members of the Communist Party after January 13, 1991, after the European Court of Human (ECHR) Rights judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka. Diena commentator Askolds Rodins believes that although neither Tatjana Zdanoka, nor her represented party For Human Rights in the United Latvia presently pose a threat to the independence of Latvia, the state must appeal the ECHR decision. The journalist believes that such an action would start a discussion on totalitarian consequences, faced by the states who have regained independence – which of those consequences can be overcome quickly, and which ask for thorough evaluation. Latvijas Avize and Chas feature opinions of the state officials on the issue. Minister of Justice Vineta Muizniece, for example, thinks that losing a case at the international court actually casts doubts on ability of Latvian representatives to this court to defend interests of their country qualitatively. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Constitutional Court of Latvia

Constitutional Court of Latvia has found claim of the MPs Boris Tsilevitch and Vitalijs Orlovs, who as private persons have challenged compliance of the education reform to the Constitution of Latvia and the international legislation, inadmissible. The MPs have previously promised to resubmit the application, getting it signed by ten MPs, and to apply to the ECHR as well, if the case would not be initiated. Diena, Chas

• Saeima did not support resignation of the government
• European Court of Human Rights satisfies two claims out of five in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Critical article about amendments to the Constitution of Latvia
• Protest action in Liepaja against necessity to naturalise
• Picketers want to remind Russia of Latvias occupation

Yesterday Saeima voted down resignation of the government of Indulis Emsis, demanded by the party New Era.

Yesterday Saeima voted down resignation of the government of Indulis Emsis, demanded by the party New Era. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has passed a judgment in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka, satisfying two out of five Zdanoka’s claims. The ECHR ruled that Latvia has violated Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (rights to free elections) and Article 11 of the Convention (freedom of assembly and association). Latvia will be obligated to pay to Tatjana Zdanoka 3,421 EUR for pecuniary damage, 10,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage and 10,000 EUR for costs and expenses. Human rights expert Martins Mits, interviewed by

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has passed a judgment in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka, satisfying two out of five Zdanokas claims. The ECHR ruled that Latvia has violated Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights (rights to free elections) and Article 11 of the Convention (freedom of assembly and association). Latvia will be obligated to pay to Tatjana Zdanoka 3,421 EUR for pecuniary damage, 10,000 euros for non-pecuniary damage and 10,000 EUR for costs and expenses. Human rights expert Martins Mits, interviewed by Diena, believes that restrictions to stand for elections for persons who were members of the Communist Party after January 13, 1991 must be cancelled. According to Martins Mits, such restrictions should have a legitimate basis, like, for example, threat to the state security, and there is no basis for restrictions of this kind today. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya features a critical article about amendments to the Constitution of Latvia, supported by the Saeima in the second reading. The amendments foresee a possibility to participate at the municipal elections for the European Union citizens permanently living in Latvia, but not for non-citizens of Latvia.

Yesterday approximately 30 people participated in the picket in Liepaja, next to the monument to the city defenders during the World War II. Picketers protested against necessity to naturalise and demanded ‘zero variant’ of citizenship. One of the picketers, interviewed by

Yesterday approximately 30 people participated in the picket in Liepaja, next to the monument to the city defenders during the World War II. Picketers protested against necessity to naturalise and demanded ‘zero variant of citizenship. One of the picketers, interviewed by Chas, mentioned that it is also planned to apply to the European Court of Human Rights in order to attain this goal. Chas

Yesterday eight members of the union’s For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Liepaja’s section organised a picket near the building of the Russia Consulate General in Liepaja, in order to remind Russia of Latvia’s occupation 64 years ago. Similar picket was organised by the national extremist organisation Visu Latvijai! near the building of the Russia embassy in Riga.

Yesterday eight members of the unions For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Liepajas section organised a picket near the building of the Russia Consulate General in Liepaja, in order to remind Russia of Latvias occupation 64 years ago. Similar picket was organised by the national extremist organisation Visu Latvijai! near the building of the Russia embassy in Riga. Diena, Latvijas Avize

• First 100 days of Indulis Emsiss government
• Interview with the Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics
• About Latvia joining the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research
• Today European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its judgement in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• About alleged attempts of the Russian-language schools to get rid of the Latvian language teachers
• New publications of the Naturalisation Board
• Critical article about restrictive for non-citizens amendments to the Law on Aviation

Newspapers feature articles about performance of the government of Indulis Emsis during its first 100 days. Journalists predict that Saeima will not support requested resignation of the government today, because People’s Party is willing to grant more time to Indulis Emsis to ensure the right-wing majority in the government, and the People’s Harmony Party has decided to continue supporting the government at least until September. Journalist of

Newspapers feature articles about performance of the government of Indulis Emsis during its first 100 days. Journalists predict that Saeima will not support requested resignation of the government today, because Peoples Party is willing to grant more time to Indulis Emsis to ensure the right-wing majority in the government, and the Peoples Harmony Party has decided to continue supporting the government at least until September. Journalist of Vesti Segodnya Abiks Elkins, evaluating work of the Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration, concludes that it has actively worked on diminishing ethnic tensions in the society. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Vestnesis features an interview with Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics, who believes that there are many unused opportunities for improving the implementation process of the education reform within the framework of the present Law on Education.

Newspapers continue to write about Latvia becoming a full-fledged member of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. Latvia has already drawn up a plan of specific measures in the areas of education and research, including, for example, preparation of a new teaching aid about the Holocaust for schools, and research on the Holocaust victims. A new webpage

Newspapers continue to write about Latvia becoming a full-fledged member of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. Latvia has already drawn up a plan of specific measures in the areas of education and research, including, for example, preparation of a new teaching aid about the Holocaust for schools, and research on the Holocaust victims. A new webpage www.jews.lvprovides information about Jews in Latvia in both Latvian and English languages. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Today European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its judgement in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka. Tatjana Zdanoka applied to the ECHR, claiming that her voting rights and freedom of speech and association have been violated, when she was prohibited to stand as a candidate for Saeima elections in 1997, because of her membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991.

Today European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will announce its judgement in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka. Tatjana Zdanoka applied to the ECHR,claiming that her voting rights and freedom of speech and association have been violated, when she was prohibited to stand as a candidate for Saeima elections in 1997, because of her membership in the Communist Party after January 13, 1991. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Chas writes about statement of the official of the Ministry of Education and Science Arija Berzina that several directors of the Russian-language schools allegedly attempt to get rid of the Latvian language teachers. According to Arija Berzina, ministry has received a letter from two Latvian language teachers of Riga Secondary School Nr. 34, whose contract has been terminated allegedly because of the Education State Inspection recommendation. Arija Berzina insists that no such recommendations have been given by the inspection to the directors of the schools. Deputy Director of the school Natalija Suslova denies reproaches, saying that teachers education qualifications do not correspond to the subject they are teaching. According to the Latvian legislation, teachers having, for example, qualification of a foreign language teacher, would not be able to teach Latvian language from the 1 September 2004.

Naturalisation Board published a Terminology Dictionary for the Latvian Language Proficiency Examination and a Handbook for the Language Tests Authors.

Naturalisation Board published a Terminology Dictionary for the Latvian Language Proficiency Examination and a Handbook for the Language Tests Authors. Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features a critical article about amendments to the Law on Aviation, supported by the Saeima Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee. The amendments stipulate that all crewmembers of the aircrafts registered in Latvia should be Latvian citizens.

• Human rights experts discuss results of the public dispute on draft Programme on Tolerance Promotion
• Russian experts carry out monitoring on situation of the Russian-speakers in all republics of the former USSR
• Chairman of the NGO Baltijas Forums Janis Urbanovics on society integration in Latvia
• About the draft Anti-Discrimination Law
• Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet writes about society integration in Latvia
• Vesti Segodnya features an article about the National Programme for Latvian Language Training

Public policy portal

Public policy portal www.politika.lvpublishes discussion among the human rights experts about results of the public dispute on draft Programme of Tolerance Promotion. While the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks regards ethnic minorities as the main groups, which suffer from prejudices and stereotypes in the society, researcher of the Public Policy Centre PROVIDUS Marija Golubeva, referring to the public opinion poll made by SKDS, states that intolerance is very frequently expressed also against sexual minorities. Marija Golubeva and Inga Reine, Latvian representative to the international human rights organizations, believe that values of tolerance must be introduced into the basic standards of educational programmes.

Experts from Russian Federation have carried out monitoring on situation of the Russian-speakers in all former USSR republics. One of the experts, professor of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova, recognizes that economic and social situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia are much better than, for example, in Central Asia, however, she points to problems in the area of human rights. Poloskova names two issues as the most acute problems of Russian-speakers in Latvia: the education reform, which, according to her, has been adopted in a rush and implemented extremely unprofessionally, and a high percentage of non-citizens.

Experts from Russian Federation have carried out monitoring on situation of the Russian-speakers in all former USSR republics. One of the experts, professor of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministrys Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova, recognizes that economic and social situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia are much better than, for example, in Central Asia, however, she points to problems in the area of human rights. Poloskova names two issues as the most acute problems of Russian-speakers in Latvia: the education reform, which, according to her, has been adopted in a rush and implemented extremely unprofessionally, and a high percentage of non-citizens. Vesti Segodnya

Chas features opinion of the chairman of the NGO Baltijas Forums (Baltic Forum) Janis Urbanovics about society integration in Latvia. According to Janis Urbanovics, Latvian residents are witnesses to the birth and escalation of new radicalism, caused by the education reform. Chairperson also points to the necessity of resolving the Russian-speakers issue in Latvia, as well as within the European Union, at the same time calling to suspend ‘futile attempts to assimilate non-Latvians, and to create ‘real provisions for solution of the non-citizenship problem.

Public policy portal

Public policy portal www.politika.lv features an article by the lawyer of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilvija Puce about the draft Anti-Discrimination Law. According to the lawyer, the draft law selectively ‘borrows provisions of the Race Equality Directive and the Employment Directive , at the same time ignoring other international documents binding for Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya reprints fragments of the article, published by the Norwegian newspaper Morgenbladet, about society integration in Latvia. Norwegian newspaper concludes that Russian-speakers desire to re-vitalize Russian cultural community is antagonistic to the ethnic Latvians wishes. Newspaper states that implementation mechanism of official policy of society integration is the slow systematic diminishment of possibilities to live in an exclusive Russian-language environment.

Vesti Segodnya features an article about activities of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and current situation with the teaching aids for Latvian language learning.