Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

Press Report

Saturday is set to see the release of one of three Russian extreme National Bolsheviks, accused of terrorism, and convicted for hooliganism after they broke into a church in Riga one year ago. He will be handed over to Russia for serving their sentences at home.

Saturday is set to see the release of one of three Russian extreme National Bolsheviks, accused of terrorism, and convicted for hooliganism after they broke into a church in Riga one year ago. He will be handed over to Russia for serving their sentences at home. Chas

A.Brauna writes editorial in

A.Brauna writes editorial in Diena Latvia from European Perspective. She writes that according to the statements of some EU officials Latvia could have dramatic trials in regard to legal status of minorities, in particular, about citizens rights to be elected irrespectively of the level of their state language proficiency and about Latvias efforts in ensuring naturalisation of non-citizens. It seems, that politicians will not be able to escape without the abolishment of the language requirement for election candidates, and the Government will have to demonstrate its true intentions regarding society integration, inviting people to naturalise and providing broad possibilities to learn the language.

Two-day seminar “Baltic Ombudsman Workshop” is held in the National Human Rights Office in Riga. The seminar has gathered also relevant institutions from Estonia, Lithuania and the USA.

Two-day seminar Baltic Ombudsman Workshop is held in the National Human Rights Office in Riga. The seminar has gathered also relevant institutions from Estonia, Lithuania and the USA. Neatkariga

Diena

publishes Estonian Prime Minister M.Laars article NATO and the Baltic States where he names the main reasons why the Baltic States want to join NATO and why the status of neutral countries is not the best solution for these countries. publishes Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar’s article “NATO and the Baltic States” where he names the main reasons why the Baltic States want to join NATO and why the status of neutral countries is not the best solution for these countries. Press continues to inform about the launching event of the Public and Promotion of the Latvian Citizenship Campaign.

Press continues to inform about the launching event of the Public and Promotion of the Latvian Citizenship Campaign. Vechernaja Riga, Latvijas Vçstnesis, Panorama Latvii

Jauna

interviews State President V.Vike-Freiberga. The majority of questions are about the upcoming Latvias Independence Day. To the question What was the biggest challenge during your presidential period, the President replies It was the State Language Law. I was just elected and I had only few days to decide. It was a very serious political decision with long-term consequences. I think that the decision made was the overcoming of a big challenge. interviews State President V.Vike-Freiberga. The majority of questions are about the upcoming Latvia’s Independence Day. To the question “What was the biggest challenge during your presidential period”, the President replies “It was the State Language Law. I was just elected and I had only few days to decide. It was a very serious political decision with long-term consequences. I think that the decision made was the overcoming of a big challenge”.

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews UN Resident Co-ordinator J.S.Sorensen about the activities of the UN for 10 years since its establishment in Latvia. interviews UN Resident Co-ordinator J.S.Sorensen about the activities of the UN for 10 years since its establishment in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

asks opinion of several Latvian leading politicians about the meeting of Russian and American presidents. Latvian foreign affairs minister says that the whole world, including Latvia, will only profit from good relations between Russia and America. FF/LNNK J.Dobelis hopes that all agreements will be reasonable and not aimed against the development of three Baltic countries. asks opinion of several Latvian leading politicians about the meeting of Russian and American presidents. Latvian foreign affairs minister says that “the whole world, including Latvia, will only profit from good relations between Russia and America”. FF/LNNK J.Dobelis hopes that all agreements will be reasonable and not aimed against the development of three Baltic countries.

Vesti Segodnja objects to OSCE Mission Head P.Semneby who said that language problem is a subjective hindrance in naturalisation. As an example the newspaper gives the story of a woman who could not pass the language test for two times The newspaper also stresses that the international community is the one that takes care of ensuring and providing Latvian language courses and not the Latvian Government.