• Lack of funding for the Days of Russian Culture in Latvia

The Days of the Russian Culture in Latvia will not be organized in the near future because of the lack of funding, stated the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova. In March of 2004, Latvia and Russia signed the protocol on organizing the Russian festival in Latvia. The organization of the festival was planned in 2004, but because of the lack of funding the organization was postponed for 2006. Helena Demakova said that, unfortunately, the funding for the festival has not been included in the national budget.

The Days of the Russian Culture in Latvia will not be organized in the near future because of the lack of funding, stated the Minister of Culture Helena Demakova. In March of 2004, Latvia and Russia signed the protocol on organizing the Russian festival in Latvia. The organization of the festival was planned in 2004, but because of the lack of funding the organization was postponed for 2006. Helena Demakova said that, unfortunately, the funding for the festival has not been included in the national budget. Chas

• FHRUL will hold a conference on the situation of democracy in Latvia

The left-wing union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will hold a conference - “Comparative analysis of democracy in the Republic of Latvia”- on 18 November, which is the Independence Day of Latvia. The main themes of the conference are “Constitutional system, voting rights and use of native tongue,” “Ethnocracy – the Latvian version,” and “Russians in Latvia in the prewar time and today.”

The left-wing union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will hold a conference - Comparative analysis of democracy in the Republic of Latvia- on 18 November, which is the Independence Day of Latvia. The main themes of the conference are Constitutional system, voting rights and use of native tongue, Ethnocracy – the Latvian version, and Russians in Latvia in the prewar time and today. Vesti Segodnya

• FHRUL will hold a conference on 18 November
• Russian Culture Community in Jelgava celebrates its first anniversary

The left-wing union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to organize a conference on the Independence Day of Latvia - 18 November . The main aim of the conference is to evaluate democracy in Latvia before World War II and today. Members of the Headquarter for the Defense of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia and the United Congress of The Russian Community in Latvia will attend the conference.

The left-wing union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to organize a conference on the Independence Day of Latvia - 18 November . The main aim of the conference is to evaluate democracy in Latvia before World War II and today. Members of the Headquarter for the Defense of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia and the United Congress of The Russian Community in Latvia will attend the conference. Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Culture Community in Jelgava “Veche”

The Russian Culture Community in Jelgava Veche celebrates its first anniversary. Veche is the member organization of the United Congress of The Russian Community in Latvia and involves about 40 activists. It has organized cultural events, free courses Business Women School and Leadership School, German and English language classes, preparation courses for naturalization, Russian culture and theater club. Now Veche is working at creation of a Russian museum in Zemgale. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

• MPs held discussions about a possibility of ethnic conflicts in Latvia
• NGO criticizes the professor Leons Taivans for his statements on Islam
• The advocates ask to soften penalty for the ex-staff members of the Naturalization Board

Yesterday members of the Saeima’s National Security Commission and representatives of security services discussed the conflicts in France and a possibility of such conflicts in Latvia in a confidential meeting of the Saeima’s National Security Committee. Members of the Security Committee argued that Latvia should learn from the events in France, as there is a possibility that in the future ‘the forces, including Islam radical organizations, which organized these protests in France, will come to Latvia However, the leaders of the security services assured that the situation in the country is stable and there is no place for worries in the nearest future.

Yesterday members of the Saeimas National Security Commission and representatives of security services discussed the conflicts in France and a possibility of such conflicts in Latvia in a confidential meeting of the Saeimas National Security Committee. Members of the Security Committee argued that Latvia should learn from the events in France, as there is a possibility that in the future ‘the forces, including Islam radical organizations, which organized these protests in France, will come to Latvia However, the leaders of the security services assured that the situation in the country is stable and there is no place for worries in the nearest future. Vesti Segodya

The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies and the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration believe that the comments of the professor Leons Taivans about Islam promotes intolerance and enforce prejudices and  stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. As reported earlier, the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia asked the resignation of the professor Leons Taivans for allegedly insulting comments towards Muslims. The University of Latvia announced that the professor will not  be dismissed, because he had expressed his point of view.The head of the Union of the Muslim Communities asked the administration of the University to re-consider their decision.

The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies and the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration believe that the comments of the professor Leons Taivans about Islam promotes intolerance and enforce prejudices and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. As reported earlier, the Union of Muslim Communities in Latvia asked the resignation ofthe professorLeons Taivans for allegedly insulting comments towards Muslims. The University of Latvia announced that the professor will not be dismissed, because he had expressed his point of view.The head of the Union of the Muslim Communities asked the administration of the University to re-consider their decision. Diena

Yesterday, advocates of the accused ex staff members of the Naturalization Board for the alleged bribery asked the Riga Regional Court to soften punishment. The advocates asked the Court to consider all palliatives. As reported, the Public Prosecutor asked four years and one and a half year of imprisonment for the two accused ex-members of the Naturalisation Board, and to impose probation custody for other seven accused persons.

Yesterday, advocates of the accused ex staff members of the Naturalization Board for the alleged bribery asked the Riga Regional Court to soften punishment. The advocates asked the Court to consider all palliatives. As reported, the Public Prosecutor asked four years and one and a half year of imprisonment for the two accused ex-members of the Naturalisation Board, and to impose probation custody for other seven accused persons. NRA

• Representative of the Russian Presidents Administration speaks on Russias stance on Latvia
• Latvian scientists and officials compare the situation of minorities in Latvia and in France
• Article on education reform in professional schools

Yesterday the head of the presidential department for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries of the Russian Federation Modest Kolerov has participated in the discussion organized by the NGO Baltic Forum and has met with representatives of Russians in Latvia. Modest Kolerov has stated that the observation of human rights in Latvia is the priority issue for Russia regarding the Russian-Latvian relations. Modest Kolerov has pointed to the large number of non-citizens and has stated that integration of the national minorities should not be promoted through assimilation. He has also emphasized that occupation in Latvia is rather a political than a historical issue and Russia is not going to apologize to Latvia for Soviet occupation.

Yesterday the head of the presidential department for interregional and cultural ties with foreign countries of the Russian Federation Modest Kolerov has participated in the discussion organized by the NGO Baltic Forum and has met with representatives of Russians in Latvia. Modest Kolerov has stated that the observation of human rights in Latvia is the priority issue for Russia regarding the Russian-Latvian relations. Modest Kolerov has pointed to the large number of non-citizens and has stated that integration of the national minorities should not be promoted through assimilation. He has also emphasized that occupation in Latvia is rather a political than a historical issue and Russia is not going to apologize to Latvia for Soviet occupation. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Diena asks several experts on the differences between the status of minorities in Latvia and France. The researcher of integration issues Nils Muiznieks believes that like in France, there are no social and economical differences between minorities in Latvia; there are also no problematic relations between religious groups. The historian Aivars Stranga thinks that Latvian society is more open and diverse than in France. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks says that Latvia has paid more attention to promotion of integration at practical and academic levels as compared to other EU states; also, there are no large differences between Latvian and minority cultures in Latvia. According to the political scientist Zanete Ozolina, the Latvian immigrants community is not closed as it is in France. The director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs Atis Lejins believes that France could learn from Latvia promoting immigrants integration through training of Latvian history, culture and language.

Yesterday the Saeima Integration Subcommittee has discussed the switch to the Latvian language of instruction in professional schools. The official from the Ministry of Education and Science has positively evaluated the language reform, since traditionally the teaching staff has been able to teach the subjects in both languages.

Yesterday the Saeima Integration Subcommittee has discussed the switch to the Latvian language of instruction in professional schools. The official from the Ministry of Education and Science has positively evaluated the language reform, since traditionally the teaching staff has been able to teach the subjects in both languages. Vesti Segodnya