• NGO calls non-citizens to complain about ethnic discrimination to the EU
• Governing coalition endorsed rising pre-referendum signatures threshold from 10,000 to 150,000
• Controversy regarding discounts for foreign shopping tourists at "Elkor" electronics and clothessupermarket chain

NGO “For Honesty and Justice” begins a protest campaign “Aliens are coming!”, asking the non-citizens of Latvia to write to various EU bodies and complain about alleged ethnic discrimination. Organisers point out that Latvian non-citizens, who are mostly Russophones and resided in the country before the restoration of independence, could not take part in municipal elections, while citizens of other EU countries could take part in Latvian municipal elections after spending six months in the country.

NGO For Honesty and Justice begins a protest campaign Aliens are coming!, asking the non-citizens of Latvia to write to various EU bodies and complain about alleged ethnic discrimination. Organisers point out that Latvian non-citizens, who are mostly Russophones and resided in the country before the restoration of independence, could not take part in municipal elections, while citizens of other EU countries could take part in Latvian municipal elections after spending six months in the country. Chas, Vesti-Segodnya

Yesterday, the ruling coalition endorsed draft amendments envisaging that in order to initiate a referendum, its initiators should gather 150,000 signatures of the voters (at present, 10,000 signatures gathered by the initiators are required). As reported, discussions about amending relevant legislative framework were initiated by the radical nationalist union “All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM” (AL!FF/LNIM) following the referendum of the status of Russian language.

Yesterday, the ruling coalition endorsed draft amendments envisaging that in order to initiate a referendum, its initiators should gather 150,000 signatures of the voters (at present, 10,000 signatures gathered by the initiators are required). As reported, discussions about amending relevant legislative framework were initiated by the radical nationalist union All for Latvia!-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (AL!FF/LNIM) following the referendum of the status of Russian language. Chas, Vesti-Segodnya

Newspapers report about controversy regarding 11% discounts in March 2012 advertised to foreign tourists by “Elkor” electronics and clothes supermarket chain. Some politicians raised the issue as possible discrimination against Latvian citizens. MP Ingmars Caklais (Unity) believes that the discounts represented a direct incitement of hate, questions the loyalty of “Elkor” to the state and calls to boycott the supermarket chain. The Ombudsman’s Office recognised the situation as discriminatory, yet an amicable resolution has been reached. Representatives of “Elkor” emphasise that the offer was made in order to attract foreign tourists as new clients for shopping in Latvia.

Newspapers report about controversy regarding 11% discounts in March 2012 advertised to foreign tourists by Elkor electronics and clothes supermarket chain. Some politicians raised the issue as possible discrimination against Latvian citizens. MP Ingmars Caklais (Unity) believes that the discounts represented a direct incitement of hate, questions the loyalty of Elkor to the state and calls to boycott the supermarket chain. The Ombudsmans Office recognised the situation as discriminatory, yet an amicable resolution has been reached. Representatives of Elkor emphasise that the offer was made in order to attract foreign tourists as new clients for shopping in Latvia. Chas, Diena, NRA

• Host of a Russian language TV show Uncensored Andrejs Mamikins: Russian speaking residents have been pushed out of Latvian language informative space
• Head of a kindergarten complaints about too high state language requirements for nannies

Diena prints an interview with the host of a Russian language TV show Uncensored Andrejs Mamikins. Mr Mamikins believes that there are three informative spaces in Latvia: mass media in Latvian language; printed and broadcasted media from Russia; and Russian language media produced in Latvia. Andrejs Mamikins believes that Russian speaking residents have been pushed out of Latvian language informative space. At present, news in Latvian language do not report about Russian speakers in Latvia making an impression as if the Russian speakers do not exist here or showing them in negative context – believes Mr Mamikins. Mr Mamikins also criticizes the ex-Minister of Culture, presently the Prime Ministers adviser on integration issues Sarmite Elerte for her actions and statements regarding Russian speaking residents in Latvia, because those segregated the society even more.

Vesti Segodnya interviews the head of one of the Riga kindergartens with Russian language of instructions complaining about unreasonable state language requirements for nannies. Since January 2012 the nannies working in kindergartens are required to have the highest Latvian language proficiency level. According to the head of the kindergarten, taking into account the jobs duties and low salaries, such requirements are too high and put people in stress.

• Riga City Council granted additional funding for Latvian language courses
• U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism visits Latvia

Due to high demand for free-of-charge Latvian language courses, the Riga City Council granted additional funding for the courses. The target audiences of the courses are adults, excluding unemployed persons as they can attend courses conducted by the State Employment Agency, and workers of pre-school establishments and municipal police officers.

Due to high demand for free-of-charge Latvian language courses, the Riga City Council granted additional funding for the courses. The target audiences of the courses are adults, excluding unemployed persons as they can attend courses conducted by the State Employment Agency, and workers of pre-school establishments and municipal police officers. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the U.S. Department of State Hannah Rosenthal visits to Latvia. The Special Envoy meets with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Jewish Communities, visits Ghetto museum, Jewish school, memorial, and museum of occupation.

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism of the U.S. Department of State Hannah Rosenthal visits to Latvia. The Special Envoy meets with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Jewish Communities, visits Ghetto museum, Jewish school, memorial, and museum of occupation. Vesti Segodnya

• State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove street sign in Latvian and Russian languages
• Study The State Language Situation 2004-2010: 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency
• President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian

The State Language Centre requested Jevgenijs Osipovs to remove a street sign in Latvian and Russian languages from his house in Liepaja. According to a representative of the Centre Antons Kursitis, the street sign in foreign language violates the State Language Law and the rules of the Liepaja City Council. Mr Kursitis also believes that the street sign is not a private property and, therefore, owner of the house has no rights to translate it into foreign language. The analogue requests will be sent also to other persons who placed street signs in Latvian and Russian languages. Vesti Segodnya

According to a study The State Language Situation 2004-2010 conducted by the State Language Agency (SLA), 75% of Russian speaking residents have good or intermediate Latvian language proficiency. 94% of young Russian speakers have good state language skills. However, authors of the study note that the biggest problems concern usage of the state language in services sector and private enterprises. The SLA also criticizes the state officials and other public persons for speaking Russian to mass media as it damages prestige of Latvian language. Latvijas Avize

The President of the Latvian Doctors Association Peteris Apinis stated that Latvia cannot insure that instructions to all medicines are translated into Russian language because there are representatives of various nationalities residing in the country. Mr Apinis also stated that those who need instruction in Russian can find it on the Internet. Vesti Segodnya

• Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the Radio NABA
• MP Janis Urbanovics: many so-called nationalist politicians in Latvia are mere Russophobes

The Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the “Radio NABA” broadcast for anti-Semitic statements and incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, on 20 March, hosts of the radio show and their guest – former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaire – actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. The highest fine for such administrative violation is LVL 1,500 (EUR 2,146).

The Council on Electronic Mass Media initiated an administrative case regarding the Radio NABA broadcast for anti-Semitic statements and incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, on 20 March, hosts of the radio show and their guest – former Latvian Waffen SS legionnaire – actively discussed negative role of Jews in history. The highest fine for such administrative violation is LVL 1,500 (EUR 2,146). Vesti Segodnya

The MP Janis Urbanovics (leader of the Concord Centre) believes that in Latvia, many so-called “nationalist” politicians are not true nationalists, but instead, they are mere Russophobes. Mr Urbanovics believes that true nationalism declares faithfulness and devotion to nation, political independence and work for the good of nation. Mr Urbanovics alleges that this category of politicians are completely corrupt and forget about the nation soon after the elections, while Latvia lost its independence to the EU and IMF under the leadership of these “nationalists”.  Mr Urbanovics cites nationalist MEP Roberts Zile, who proposed to substitute for the diminishing ethnic Russian labour force by bringing workers from China. Mr Urbanovics emphasised that he does not oppose the Chinese, but believes that this example shows that the slogan “for ethnically Latvian Latvia” is seen by these politicians as “Latvia without ethnic Russians”.

The MP Janis Urbanovics (leader of the Concord Centre) believes that in Latvia, many so-called nationalist politicians are not true nationalists, but instead, they are mere Russophobes. Mr Urbanovics believes that true nationalism declares faithfulness and devotion to nation, political independence and work for the good of nation. Mr Urbanovics alleges that this category of politicians are completely corrupt and forget about the nation soon after the elections, while Latvia lost its independence to the EU and IMF under the leadership of these nationalists. Mr Urbanovics cites nationalist MEP Roberts Zile, who proposed to substitute for the diminishing ethnic Russian labour force by bringing workers from China. Mr Urbanovics emphasised that he does not oppose the Chinese, but believes that this example shows that the slogan for ethnically Latvian Latvia is seen by these politicians as Latvia without ethnic Russians. Chas