21 March, 2009

 Diena prints an article by a social scientist Aija Lulle on immigration issues in Latvia

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the President’s Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks. Mr. Razuks considers that the society is not ready yet to grant voting rights to non-citizens. Mr. Razuks also considers that Russian language should not be granted official status arguing that Russian language will force out Latvian language from its positions.

The Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council decided to start reorganisation of school system in Riga with closure of three Russian language schools (two elementary and one secondary) which have insufficient number of students. Three Russian schools and Estonian school will not be allowed to open 10th grade. According to the head of the Department, these are not the only schools which are forced to be closed due to cut of state funds. In the meantime, none of Latvian language schools are under the threat of closures yet. NRA, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by a social scientist Aija Lulle on immigration issues in Latvia. According to the article, even now the immigration issues are ignored at the level of policy modelling. Latvia did not elaborate any policy concept on integration of new immigrants. Aija Lulle believes that although Latvia did not face serious immigrants’ integration problems yet, it should elaborate strategic comprehensive integration system to prevent emergence of such problems in the future.

23 March, 2009

 Most popular political parties in Latvia in March: Concord Centre and New Era

Vesti Segodnya reports that a Latvian TV journalist Roberts Klimovics films a documentary about a famous Latvian aviator Herberts Cukurs who in 1941 became a member the notorious Arajs Commando, responsible for many Holocaust crimes in Latvia. Roberts Klimovics believes that Herberts Cukurs has been wrongfully slandered and by making the documentary Mr. Klimovics will try to rehabilitate Herberts Cukurs, arguing that he was Latvian national hero. The newspaper also notes that in an interview with radical newspaper DDD Roberts Klimovics has stated: “Holocaust is enormous industry of lies”.

Telegraf reports that according to a public opinion survey held by “Latvijas Fakti”, 63,9% of Latvian young people are considering the option to emigrate from Latvia permanently. The most popular countries for resettlement are the EU states as well as Australia, South American and African countries.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by “Latvijas Fakti”, the most popular political parties in Latvia are the Concord Centre and the New Era – 11,5% and 10,2% of respondents accordingly would vote for these parties if the Saeima elections are held in March. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6,3% of respondents. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 32,9 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 18,7% of respondents would not participate in the elections. Telegraf, Diena

For further information:

Latvain Centre for Human Rights