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.

• Josette Durrieu, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, visits Latvia
• The EP will send a letter to the Saeima on Martjan Bekasovs recall
• Discussion on reasons behind Russias statements on minority issues in Latvia and Estonia
• Interview with Boris Tsilevitch on naturalization, education reform and Latvian-Russian relations

During her visit to Riga, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Council’s of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu has discussed the prospects of the Framework Convention’s for the Protection of National Minorities ratification and possible reservations on specific articles. Josette Durrieu has pointed to the still slow naturalization pace, despite the recent increase in the amount of naturalization applications. The chairperson has welcomed abolishing of the language restrictions in commercial electronic mass media and the compromise made in the area of education reform. The youth NGO “Strasbourg” has organized a picket against education reform near the Ministry’s of Education and Science building during the visit of Josette Durrieu.

During her visit to Riga, the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu has discussed the prospects of the Framework Conventions for the Protection of National Minorities ratification and possible reservations on specific articles. Josette Durrieu has pointed to the still slow naturalization pace, despite the recent increase in the amount of naturalization applications. The chairperson has welcomed abolishing of the language restrictions in commercial electronic mass media and the compromise made in the area of education reform. The youth NGO Strasbourg has organized a picket against education reform near the Ministrys of Education and Science building during the visit of Josette Durrieu. Diena, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The European Parliament (EP) is planning to send an official letter to the Saeima, pointing to the incompliance of the Saeima’s decision to recall Martjan Bekasov with the basic principles of freedom of speech. According to the spokesman for the President of EP David Harley, the EP will refer to the legal provisions protecting the EP members’ freedom of speech. The EP is also planning to invite the Saeima to the discussion before making a final decision on this issue.

The European Parliament (EP) is planning to send an official letter to the Saeima, pointing to the incompliance of the Saeimas decision to recall Martjan Bekasov with the basic principles of freedom of speech. According to the spokesman for the President of EP David Harley, the EP will refer to the legal provisions protecting the EP members freedom of speech. The EP is also planning to invite the Saeima to the discussion before making a final decision on this issue. Diena, Chas

According to experts, surveyed by

According to experts, surveyed by Diena, Russias accusations of Latvia and Estonia are not connected with the forthcoming Russia State Dumas elections. The state secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins believes that the purpose of these statements is to influence the social integration process in Latvia. The ex-diplomat Peteris Vinkelis thinks that the main reason behind the accusations is Russias attempt to split the EU countries. Diena

Chas features an interview with the observer to the European Parliament Boris Tsilevitch (Peoples Harmony Party) about the causes of slow naturalization process, education reform and relationship between Latvia and Russia. Boris Tsilevitch considers the unwillingness of many non-citizens to naturalize as a form of protest against the existent naturalization rules.