Stories about Latvia from March, 2009
The Baltics: Deportations of 1941 and 1949
Eric Dickens guest-blogs at A Step At A Time about the Baltic deportations of 1941 and 1949.
Latvia: Data Inspectorate vs Penguin Movement
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia reports that “the Latvian Data State Inspectorate has summoned the administrator of the website of the so-called Penguin Movement to explain what it claims were violations of laws and regulations with regard to handling and protecting personal data.”
Latvia: Health Care Budget Cuts
Latvian Abroad cites an example of how “the budget cuts are taking their toll” in Latvia: “Sometimes, it's a very heavy toll.”
Latvia: Corruption and the New Bridge
Baltic writes about Latvia's corrupt political “elite” and its role in the scandal surrounding the construction of a new bridge in Riga.
Latvia: Nothing special, just crisis…
Baltic reflects on the economic crisis in Latvia, departing from the slogan “Nothing special, just crisis” – a phrase uttered by the country's former finance minister, showing what many Latvians consider an alienated political élite.
Latvia: Crisis and Hot Water
Latvian Abroad writes about “signs of crisis in everyday life”: “A Latvian college whose funding has been cut by 30-something % cuts off the hot water in the student dormitories.”
Latvia: The Banned March
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia writes about and posts a video from “the banned march to commemorate members of the World War II Latvian Legion.”
Latvia: Ban on March 16 Rallies
Free Speech Emergency in Latvia writes about the ban on “the right to free assembly near the Freedom Monument [in Riga] on March 16, a date associated with commemorations of the World War II Latvian Legion as well as counter-demonstrations claiming the Legion memorials glorify Nazism.”
Global recession and its discontents
Today the world seems flat. From Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas, the people of the world are experiencing the traumatic effects of a global economic recession. This post is an attempt to describe the social impact of the great financial crisis as seen and felt by ordinary citizens around the world.
Latvia: The Penguins of “Nasing Spešal”
All About Latvia writes on how Latvians “resort to humor” – and to blogging – “to help their own helplessness.”
