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

The minister of foreign affairs after consultations with President V.Vike-Freiberga has decided to nominate to the post of Latvian ambassador to Russia the current Latvian ambassador to Great Britain N.Penke.

The minister of foreign affairs after consultations with President V.Vike-Freiberga has decided to nominate to the post of Latvian ambassador to Russia the current Latvian ambassador to Great Britain N.Penke. Diena

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer recommends Latvia to consider in the future a possibility to grant to non-citizens the right to vote in local elections but said this is not an "immediate demand" and presently Latvia should concentrate on society integration.

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer recommends Latvia to consider in the future a possibility to grant to non-citizens the right to vote in local elections but said this is not an "immediate demand" and presently Latvia should concentrate on society integration. Neatkariga

Neatkariga

gives a brief information on the course of the conference Society Integration in Latvia: Aspects, Opinions, Perspectives. gives a brief information on the course of the conference “Society Integration in Latvia: Aspects, Opinions, Perspectives”. Newspapers in Russian –

Newspapers in Russian – Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii – provides their view on the conference. Vesti Segodnja is rather surprised at Presidents announcement that society integration has been done already from 1992, as well as the newspaper is rather dissatisfied with the selection of the invited representatives from the side of national minorities (only 2 representatives).

The members of “For Equality” organised a protest meeting at the building of the CoM. They protested against national integration programme and the selected people representing national minorities at the conference.

The members of For Equality organised a protest meeting at the building of the CoM. They protested against national integration programme and the selected people representing national minorities at the conference.

Vesti Segodnja also comments on the public awareness campaign, which is a co-operation project of the Naturalisation Board, OSCE and UNDP. Actually there was no other alternative (for foreign governments and organisations) as to donate their money, as Latvian government did not listen to advice – to speed up naturalisation. And after all western politicians have realised - if they do not provide funding, they would not live to the day when at least half of non-citizens are naturalised.

President V.Vike-Freiberga has left for vacation to Greece till 18 May.

President V.Vike-Freiberga has left for vacation to Greece till 18 May. Vesti Segodnja

Prime Minister A.Berzins confirmed that he has made an invitation to Russian Prime Minister M.Kasjanovs to visit Latvia. Till now there was no response.

Prime Minister A.Berzins confirmed that he has made an invitation to Russian Prime Minister M.Kasjanovs to visit Latvia. Till now there was no response. Vesti Segodnja

Friday at Jelgava City Council a protest meeting took place against reorganisation of Russian school in Jelgava.

Panorama Latvii, Chas