• Seven Somalians were granted the alternative status
• School textbook contains alleged anti-Semitic drawing
• Collection of materials  “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Latvia – Past, Actual Situation, Solutions” published
• Norms aimed at easing approval of job permits to foreigners under development
• Chas: policy of right-wing politicians is aimed against the Russian community of Latvia

Yesterday, the Refugee Affairs Appeal Council granted the seven Somalians the alternative status. The alternative status means that the Somalians are issued documents, which give them right to work and study in Latvia. However, the status does not entitle neither to place of residence or any social security. As reported, the seven Somalians arrived in Latvia in August 2005. Diena, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA, Latvijas Vestnesis

Vesti Segodnya reports about an alleged manifestation of anti-Semitism in a school textbook. In particular, a biology textbook for 9^th grade students (published in 2003) contains a drawing of a naked man that illustrates parts of a human body. The man is naked, with a kipa on his head. The executive director of the Riga Jewish Community Gita Ulmanovska stated that the drawing clearly indicates which group the man belongs and noted that the Jewish traditions prohibit depiction of a naked person. The Ministry of Education has not provided any response to or explanation about the illustration.

The Latvian Bible Society in cooperation with the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration published a collection of materials “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in Latvia – Past, Actual Situation, Solutions.” The collection of publications includes materials about  Islamophobia and anti-Semitism; tolerance in Latvian society; Islam and tolerance; and tolerance in Judaism. Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Welfare is drafting legal norms, which will ease approval and issuance of job permits to foreigners. According to the suggested procedure entry of foreigners’ family members in Latvia will be easier as well.  Chas

Chas features an article about the attitude of right-wing politicians towards non-Latvians by the columnist of Chas. He considers that the policy of right-wing politicians is aimed against the Russian community of Latvia: “its main aim is formation of two-community and two-stratum society where one group has lower social status.”