Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission discuss the Statement of Russias State Council
• Saeima adopts in the first reading the amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Jakov Pliner, the head of the FHRUL, discusses minority situation in Latvia with Dmitry Rogozin, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council
• Nils Muiznieks about education reform for ITAR-TASS
• Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the World War II who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia
• Juris Dobelis, Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Dmitry Rogozin participate in a discussion on Russian TV

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen have discussed the Statement of Russia’s State Council about violations of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, the reproaches of Russia are ungrounded, and Latvia conforms to all international human rights standards in the area of observation of minority rights.

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen have discussed the Statement of Russias State Council about violations of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, the reproaches of Russia are ungrounded, and Latvia conforms to all international human rights standards in the area of observation of minority rights. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Saeima in the first reading adopted the draft amendments to the law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”. According to the amendments, non-citizens who become the residents of other states and get a travel document there, should renounce the status of a non-citizen of Latvia. The MPs from the People`s Harmony party believe that these rules have been proposed in order to reduce the number of Latvian non-citizens by means of administrative methods. Vladimir Buzajev, a MP from the FHRUL, has stressed that the amendments have been adopted without consulting international organizations, NGOs and minorities. According to

Yesterday the Saeima in the first reading adopted the draft amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. According to the amendments, non-citizens who become the residents of other states and get a travel document there, should renounce the status of a non-citizen of Latvia. The MPs from the People`s Harmony party believe that these rules have been proposed in order to reduce the number of Latvian non-citizens by means of administrative methods. Vladimir Buzajev, a MP from the FHRUL, has stressed that the amendments have been adopted without consulting international organizations, NGOs and minorities. According to Vechernaya Riga, around 60 persons have decided to renounce the non-citizen status this year with a view to becoming permanent residents of other states. Around 1000 of Latvian non-citizens have already left Latvia for residence abroad. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riha

Yesterday the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner met the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council Dmitry Rogozin to discuss minority situation and education reform in Latvia.

Yesterday the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner met the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin to discuss minority situation and education reform in Latvia. Chas

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has stated for the Russian media agency ITAR-TASS that the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language of instruction “is painful, but necessary”.

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has stated for the Russian media agency ITAR-TASS that the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language of instruction is painful, but necessary. Vesti Segodnya

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the Second World War who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the Second World War who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report about a TV-bridge meeting of Juris Dobelis, a MP from the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council, and Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council. The discussion was broadcasted on Russian TV.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Protest meeting against the 1991 resolution on citizenship
• Diena discusses the ECHR judgment in the case of Slivenko
• Discussion on the establishment of the new association Sadraudziba
• Interview with Nils Muiznieks, the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration
• Opinions of Latvian MPs about the Statement of Russias State Council
• Jakov Pliner, the head of the FHRUL, presents the factions stance on education reform at the forum in Moscow
• Ernest Buivids, the independent economist, about the negative impact of the state language policy on the economic situation of minorities

Yesterday around 300 people participated in a protest meeting against the resolution “On the Renewal of the Rights of Citizens of the Republic of Latvia and Fundamental Principals of Naturalization” passed by the Supreme Council on 15 October 1991. The meeting took place near the Saeima building and was organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools. According to

Yesterday around 300 people participated in a protest meeting against the resolution On the Renewal of the Rights of Citizens of the Republic of Latvia and Fundamental Principals of Naturalization passed by the Supreme Council on 15 October 1991. The meeting took place near the Saeima building and was organized by the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools. According to Lauku Avize, representatives of the parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia and the party Equality invited the participants of the meeting to naturalize in order to defend their human rights. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas, Vecernaya Riga

Diena prints an article about the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Tatjana Slivenko family. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, so far, Tatjana Slivenko has not applied for the return of the familys apartment in Riga and for residence permit. The newspaper also features an article of the MP from the People's Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics who points to the shortcomings of the court practice in Latvia.

Lauku Avize prints an article about the establishment of the NGO Sadraudziba, believing that its goals are contrary to promotion of social integration. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has underlined the neutral stance of the Secretariat on the establishment of the new association. He also stated that the task of the Secretariat is to deal with all minority NGOs. In his article for Neatkariga Rita Avize, Muiznieks stressed that the government will not change its priorities in the area of the state language policy. Lauku Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Internet portal

Internet portal www.policy.lv features an interview with the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks who discusses social integration problems and prospects in Latvia.

Chas refers to the opinions of Latvian MPs about the statement of Russias State Council about minority rights violations in Latvia. Most MPs from different factions sharply criticize the statement.

Vesti Segodnya features an article about the forum Foreign Diaspora – the Intellectual Resource of Russia taking place in Moscow. The head of the parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner informed the participants of the forum about the stance of the FHRUL on education reform in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya features an article by an independent economist Ernest Buivids who considers the state language policy in Latvia as the means to deprive minorities from economic benefits and to put them in a disadvantaged position on the labor market.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Russias State Council has adopted the Statement of the State Council about the Grave Violations of Human and Minority rights in Latvia
• The response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia (MFA) to the reproach of the MFA of Israel
• MFA of Latvia excludes a possibility to provide Slivenko with an apartment in Latvia
• Inga Reine: the ECHR has received eight complaints from the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia
• A controversy on the establishment of the new association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba
• Zdanok and Pliner meet the officials of MFA of Russia
• Chas discusses the prospects of naturalization process in Latvia
• The festival of national cultures Ventspils Vainags will take place on Saturday
• Politologist Artis Pabriks about the policy of Russia concerning the Russian minority in Latvia

Yesterday Russia’s State Council adopted unanimously “The Statement of the State Council about the Grave Violations of Human and Minority rights in Latvia”. The Statement does not stipulate the imposition of economical sanctions on Latvia, but challenges the legitimacy of the work of the Latvian Parliament and the government; it also stresses the large number of residents having no voting rights. The authors of the Statement point to discrimination and forcible assimilation of minorities and criticize the participation of Latvian officials in the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldier’s Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene. According to the Statement, Russia will ratify the border agreement between Latvia and Russia only after the improvement of minority rights situation in Latvia. According to

Yesterday Russias State Council adopted unanimously The Statement of the State Council about the Grave Violations of Human and Minority rights in Latvia. The Statement does not stipulate the imposition of economical sanctions on Latvia, but challenges the legitimacy of the work of the Latvian Parliament and the government; it also stresses the large number of residents having no voting rights. The authors of the Statement point to discrimination and forcible assimilation of minorities and criticize the participation of Latvian officials in the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldiers Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene. According to the Statement, Russia will ratify the border agreement between Latvia and Russia only after the improvement of minority rights situation in Latvia. According to Vesti Segodnya, this document includes an appeal to examine the draft law On Prevention of Violations of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Citizens of the Russian Federation and Russian Compatriots in Latvia stipulating also the imposition of economical sanctions on Latvia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia (MFA) has stated that the Statement does not reflect the real situation in Latvia. The MFA also connects its adoption with the pre-election situation in Russia. Diena, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The MFA of Latvia is not planning to respond to the reproach of the MFA of Israel about the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldier’s Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene and the participation of the Latvian officials in this event. Rets Plesums, the representative of the MFA of Latvia, has stated that Latvia and Israel have different opinions about the

The MFA of Latvia is not planning to respond to the reproach of the MFA of Israel about the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldiers Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene and the participation of the Latvian officials in this event. Rets Plesums, the representative of the MFA of Latvia, has stated that Latvia and Israel have different opinions about the Waffen SS. Israel considers both the Baltic Waffen SS and SS in Germany as criminal organizations. In its turn, Latvia takes into account the statement of the USA, considering the Baltic Waffen SS as a separate unit with other goals and motivation. Diena, Lauku Avize

The MFA of Latvia excludes a possibility to provide Tatjana Slivenko with an apartment in Latvia. The MFA refers to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), stipulating a compensation only for non-pecuniary damage.

The MFA of Latvia excludes a possibility to provide Tatjana Slivenko with an apartment in Latvia. The MFA refers to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), stipulating a compensation only for non-pecuniary damage. Telegraf

According to the representative of Latvia to international human rights organizations Inga Reine, the ECHR has received eight complaints from the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia. Pavel Laptev, the authorized representative from Russia to the ECHR, has stated recently the ECHR has received more than 100 of such complaints.

According to the representative of Latvia to international human rights organizations Inga Reine, the ECHR has received eight complaints from the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia. Pavel Laptev, the authorized representative from Russia to the ECHR, has stated recently the ECHR has received more than 100 of such complaints. Rigas Balss

Rigas Balss prints an article about a controversy between the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS), the new association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba (Commonwealth) and the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks. According to the head of the LANCS Rafi Haradzajan, the establishment of Sadraudziba has been supported by Nils Muiznieks allegedly in order to provide a stable background for the activities of the Secretariat. Haradzajan also points to political orientation of the new association. Muiznieks denies a particular support of the Secretariat to Sadraudziba, believing that the establishment of this organization should help to achieve common important goals of the society.

Vesti Segodnya features an article about the meeting of the leader of the political party Equality Tatjana Zdanok and the leader of the parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia Yakov Pliner with the officials of the MFA of Russia. According to Zdanok, the discussion was about the status of non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU, including the rights to travel, and education reform. Vesti Segodnya

Chas interviews the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks and the deputy head of the Naturalization Board Janis Kahanovics about the prospects of naturalization. Both officials assume that the naturalization process will accelerate after Latvias accession to the EU.

The representatives of 11 minority cultural societies will participate in the second festival of national cultures “Ventspils vainags” (“Ventspils Crown”), taking place in Ventspils on next Saturday.

The representatives of 11 minority cultural societies will participate in the second festival of national cultures Ventspils vainags (Ventspils Crown), taking place in Ventspils on next Saturday. Lauku Avize

Internet portal

Internet portal www.politika.lv features an article by politologist Artis Pabriks about the policy of Russia concerning the Russian minority in Latvia.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Slivenko family is planning to return for permanent residence to Latvia
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel asks Latvia for explanations about the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldiers Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene
• Draft statement of Russias State Council about observation of human rights in Latvia
• Prosecutor Generals Office of Russia refuses the claim of Latvia to extradite Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russias National Bolshevik party
• Enterprise Register registers the new party BITE
• Chas discusses the impact of international organizations on minority-related legislation in Latvia
• Media about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to Russia and international organizations

Newspapers continue discussion about the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Slivenko family.

Newspapers continue discussion about the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Slivenko family. Neatkariga Rita Avize and Lauku Avize refer to the Russian media Commersant and news agency Rosbalt informing that Tatjana Slivenko and her daughter are planning to return for a permanent residence to Latvia; they also will claim for returning of their apartment in Riga. The opportunity of the husband of Tatjana Slivenko Nikolay Slivenko to return to Latvia is temporarily unclear since there is no a legal basis for his residence in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya features a letter of a deputy of Riga City Council Aleksandr Gilman believing that the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga should apologize to Slivenko family for their deportation from the state. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Janis Lovniks, the ambassador of Latvia to Israel, has provided explanations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel about the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldier’s Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene. The official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel has reproached Latvia for the attempt to recede from a true assessment of the events during the Second World War.

Janis Lovniks, the ambassador of Latvia to Israel, has provided explanations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel about the unveiling of the Latvian Legion Soldiers Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene. The official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel has reproached Latvia for the attempt to recede from a true assessment of the events during the Second World War. Vesti Segodnya

Today Russia’s State Council examines a draft project of “The Statement of the State Council about the Grave Violations of Human and Minority rights in Latvia”. According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council Dmitry Rogozin, this document will include all Russia’s complaints against Latvia referring also to the criticism of international organizations.

Today Russias State Council examines a draft project of The Statement of the State Council about the Grave Violations of Human and Minority rights in Latvia. According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin, this document will include all Russias complaints against Latvia referring also to the criticism of international organizations. Chas, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf

The Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia has refused the claim of Latvia to extradite the leader of the Russia’s National Bolshevik party Vladimir Linderman to Latvia. This decision was motivated with the fact that Latvia has initiated persecution of Linderman due his political views and activities. Latvia has announced an international manhunt, incriminating to Linderman the appeal to overset the Latvian government and to reverse the state system as well as the storage of trotyl. According to

The Prosecutor Generals Office of Russia has refused the claim of Latvia to extradite the leader of the Russias National Bolshevik party Vladimir Linderman to Latvia. This decision was motivated with the fact that Latvia has initiated persecution of Linderman due his political views and activities. Latvia has announced an international manhunt, incriminating to Linderman the appeal to overset the Latvian government and to reverse the state system as well as the storage of trotyl. According to Neatkariga Rita Avize, this decision can be explained with the parliamentary pre-election campaign in Russia. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Enterprise Register has registered the new party BITE (Latvian acronym for “Free Choice in People’s Europe”).

The Enterprise Register has registered the new party BITE (Latvian acronym for Free Choice in Peoples Europe). Chas, Telegraf

Chas columnist discusses the influence of international organizations and human rights experts on minority-related legislation in Latvia. He believes that non-citizens should naturalize to achieve observation of human rights by means of participation in elections.

Russian language newspapersfeature articles about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to Russia’s State Council and international organizations, informing also about their next visit to the OSCE.

Russian language newspapersfeature articles about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to Russias State Council and international organizations, informing also about their next visit to the OSCE. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The statements of the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi about social integration in Latvia
• Discussion about the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Slivenko family
• More than 100 complaints have been submitted to the European Court of Human Rights by the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia
• Interview with Alvaro Gill – Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe
• Media about the establishment of the new association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba
• Russias State Council is planning to adopt a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia
• A session of the World Congress of Tatars in Riga

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the meetings of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga with representatives of the European Commission and the statements of the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi. According to him, social integration policy in Latvia conforms to all international standards. He also stated that both the European Commission and the OSCE invite Latvia to continue its activities in the area of social integration. According to

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the meetings of the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga with representatives of the European Commission and the statements of the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi. According to him, social integration policy in Latvia conforms to all international standards. He also stated that both the European Commission and the OSCE invite Latvia to continue its activities in the area of social integration. According to Telegraf, Prodi`s support allows to Latvian officials to ignore critical statements in the area of minority rights. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the lawyer Vitaly Portnov, representing the interests of Russian citizens at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He assumes that Latvia will be obliged to return to Slivenko family the status of permanent residents of Latvia and their apartment deprived due to its deportation from Latvia. Rigas Balss refers to the lawyer Inese Libina, stating that the decision of the ECHR does not stipulate the rights of Slivenko family to pretend to the status of permanent residents and to the assignment of residence in Latvia. Vechernaya Riga features an interview with the Aleksandr Asnis, the advocate of Tatjana Slivenko. Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

According to Pavel Laptev, the authorized representative from Russia at the ECHR, more than 100 complaints have been submitted to the ECHR by the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia.

According to Pavel Laptev, the authorized representative from Russia at the ECHR, more than 100 complaints have been submitted to the ECHR by the citizens of the former USSR about human rights violations in Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf, Chas

Telegraf features an interview with Alvaro Gill – Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, about observation of minority rights in Latvia. The Commissioner points to the necessity to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to naturalization and to facilitate the naturalization process. He believes that restrictions on the employment of non-citizens should be abolished after the decrease of the number of non-citizens. The Commissioner also informs that the EU is preparing the draft guidelines defining the status of non-citizens in the EU Member States and their rights to travel.

Newspapersprint articles about the establishment of the association of minority NGOs “Sadraudziba”.

Newspapersprint articles about the establishment of the association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba. Neatkariga Rita Avize points to the claims of the new association to establish bilingualism in Latvia and criticizes the promise of the director of the Department on Minority Affairs Irina Vinnik to fund the activities of Sadraudziba from the state budget. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Russia’s State Council is planning to adopt a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council Dmitry Rogozin, this statement will not stipulate the imposition of economical sanctions on Latvia.

The Russias State Council is planning to adopt a statement about observation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin, this statement will not stipulate the imposition of economical sanctions on Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Today a session of the World Congress of Tatars is taking place in Riga.  The session is visited by 40 delegates from Byelorussia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Finland, Estonia and Latvia.

Today a session of the World Congress of Tatars is taking place in Riga. The session is visited by 40 delegates from Byelorussia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Finland, Estonia and Latvia. Vesti Segodnya