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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

People’s Party MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins calls President’s initiative to remove language requirement for election candidates “simple-mindedness and simple incompetence”. He refers to restrictions in election laws of other countries, mainly in Africa and South America.

Peoples Party MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins calls Presidents initiative to remove language requirement for election candidates simple-mindedness and simple incompetence. He refers to restrictions in election laws of other countries, mainly in Africa and South America. Diena

Telegraf

says current program director at the Latvian National Television could soon be replaced by Baldurs Apinis. According to says current program director at the Latvian National Television could soon be replaced by Baldurs Apinis. According to Telegraf Telegraf the replacement is due to political machinations ahead of the upcoming Saeima elections, as well as the wish of TV leadership to harden language requirements and reduce the number of TV programmes and shows aired in the Russian language. the replacement is due to political machinations ahead of the upcoming Saeima elections, as well as the wish of TV leadership to harden language requirements and reduce the number of TV programmes and shows aired in the Russian language. Heads of three Baltic states will meet in Latvian capital Riga on Tuesday to discuss foreign policy matters vital for Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia such as the US-Baltic Charter, integration into NATO and the European Union.

Heads of three Baltic states will meet in Latvian capital Riga on Tuesday to discuss foreign policy matters vital for Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia such as the US-Baltic Charter, integration into NATO and the European Union. Neatkariga, Chas

Today the Latvian Government discusses Latvia’s development report to be submitted to the UN. The report should cover data from all spheres, including economy, social sphere, human rights etc.

Today the Latvian Government discusses Latvias development report to be submitted to the UN. The report should cover data from all spheres, including economy, social sphere, human rights etc. Vesti Segodnja draws attention to the data provided in the previous reports according to which the number of the Latvians is increasing and the number of minorities is decreasing, therefore, the newspaper concludes that national minorities are the ones whose survival is under threat. The newspaper also states that the report does not say anything about violations of human rights of national minorities in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

Naturalisation Board branch in Daugavpils will continue to provide Latvian language courses free of charge also this year.

Naturalisation Board branch in Daugavpils will continue to provide Latvian language courses free of charge also this year. Vesti Segodnja

Latvian TV channel TV5 organised a discussion in the studio with

Latvian TV channel TV5 organised a discussion in the studio with Vesti Segodnja contributor Nikolay Kabanov and MP Janis Leja about the necessity to introduce TV channel in Russian. Leja said that the pressure to study the language should remain, however, he admitted that the removal of quota on programmes in Russian on the TV and radio has been included in many recommendations and if the issue is raised on a political level then it will be reviewed. Vesti Segodnja

Panorama Latvii

interviews Socialist party chairman Alfreds Rubiks. He is satisfied with his party performance and co-operation within the Union for Human Rights in a United Latvia last year. A.Rubiks forecasts that at the next Saeima election his party will have 20-22 seats in the Parliament. interviews Socialist party chairman Alfreds Rubiks. He is satisfied with his party performance and co-operation within the Union for Human Rights in a United Latvia last year. A.Rubiks forecasts that at the next Saeima election his party will have 20-22 seats in the Parliament.