• Telegraf: number of Roma in Latvia has decreased two times during last 12 years
• 23 August most likely will be commemoration day of victims of Stalinism and Nazism in Latvia

According to Telegraf, during last 12 years number of Roma in Latvia has decreased two times. Social scientist Aigars Freimanis considers that Roma always were one of the poorest ethnic minorities in Latvia and are most affected by the economic crisis affects. Roma are, therefore, forced to leave Latvia in search for better life. However, the head of Roma NGO “Nevo Drom” Anatolijs Berezovskis does not agree that it is crisis which forces Roma to emigrate. According to Mr. Berezovskis, economic crisis have not affected Roma as they always faced discrimination and joblessness in Latvia, and they began leaving the country long before the economic crisis started. Mr. Berezovskis also complains that Roma integration process stopped with the closure of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration in the end of 2008.

Yesterday, the governing coalition decided to support the proposal to proclaim 23 August (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) as commemoration day of victims of Stalinism and Nazism. Chas, Latvijas Avize