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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Lauku Avize talks to Latvian language professor Ina Druviete and head of the International Migration Office in Riga Ilmars Mezs who have developed the chapter on ethnic policy in the programme of the New Era party. Druviete stresses that the programme is targeted not only at Latvians but also at all residents of Latvia. She states that all nationalities who live in Latvia should be responsible for the preservation of the Latvian language and culture, while Latvians should be responsible for the preservation of cultures and languages of different national minorities residing in Latvia. Both Ina Druviete and Ilmars Mezs admit that Latvians should be more open and tolerant in accepting people of different ethnic backgrounds. Concerning naturalisation, Ina Druviete says that the New Era supports naturalisation. However, it should be a qualitative process and Latvia should not listen to any ultimatums from foreign countries concerning citizenship. Ina Druviete believes that the term a national minority does not have a practical meaning and all nationalities, including Russians, residing in Latvia, except for Latvians, should be called minorities. She states that Latvia could ratify the Framework Convention if Latvia adopts pre-texts for Articles 9, 10 and 11.

Dienas

editorial comments on the latest FHRUL activities - the Baltic Forum and funding the rights to broadcast the World Cup on Latvian TV. Commentator Aivars Ozolins calls both activities pilot projects of partys pre-election campaign. Ozolins states that both activities required a serious amount of money and that it comes from Russia. Columnist notes that FHRUL attempts to be as one of European parties, however, it remains pro-Russian. Ozolins warns right wing and centric parties that they should seriously consider a policy, which would be acceptable alternative for those voters who could give their votes for football. editorial comments on the latest FHRUL activities - the Baltic Forum and funding the rights to broadcast the World Cup on Latvian TV. Commentator Aivars Ozolins calls both activities pilot projects of party’s pre-election campaign. Ozolins states that both activities required a serious amount of money and that it comes from Russia. Columnist notes that “FHRUL attempts to be as one of European parties, however, it remains pro-Russian.” Ozolins warns right wing and centric parties that they should seriously consider a policy, which would be acceptable alternative for those voters who could give their votes for football.

Lauku Avize

provides in-depth information on the results of the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper critically comments the assessment report on the results of the Campaign developed by independent researcher Ilze Brands Kehris. provides in-depth information on the results of the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper critically comments the assessment report on the results of the Campaign developed by independent researcher Ilze Brands Kehris. Yesterday the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs organised a press conference about the situation concerning immigrants and refugees in Latvia. In total 14 persons asked for asylum in Latvia last year and only one person this year.

Yesterday the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs organised a press conference about the situation concerning immigrants and refugees in Latvia. In total 14 persons asked for asylum in Latvia last year and only one person this year. Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas

Vechernaya Riga reports that the last week the Saeima reviewed in the first reading the new Immigration Law. Lawyer of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Denis Gorba explains what new the law will bring.

Vechernaya Riga reports that the last week the Saeima reviewed in the first reading the new Immigration Law. Lawyer of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Denis Gorba explains what new the law will bring.

Yesterday the Chancery of the President and the Saeima Committee on Education received an open letter signed by 3,5 thousand residents of Daugavpils. Parents of Russian students protest against the switch of minority secondary schools to the Latvian language.

Yesterday the Chancery of the President and the Saeima Committee on Education received an open letter signed by 3,5 thousand residents of Daugavpils. Parents of Russian students protest against the switch of minority secondary schools to the Latvian language. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja

Telegraf

reports on the unofficial meeting of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Russian Prime Minister Mihail Kasyanov. The spokesperson of the Latvian Prime Minister states that the results of the meeting could have been better. The countries repeatedly did not succeed in signing the agreement on social security, which would stipulate that the years till 1991 worked in Russia should be considered when calculating pensions for pensioners who are Latvian non-citizens as well. The Latvian party says that Russia is lingering with signing, while Russia claims that Latvia should consider the years till 1991 worked not only in Russia but also other territories of the former USSR. reports on the unofficial meeting of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Russian Prime Minister Mihail Kasyanov. The spokesperson of the Latvian Prime Minister states that the results of the meeting could have been better. The countries repeatedly did not succeed in signing the agreement on social security, which would stipulate that the years till 1991 worked in Russia should be considered when calculating pensions for pensioners who are Latvian non-citizens as well. The Latvian party says that Russia is lingering with signing, while Russia claims that Latvia should consider the years till 1991 worked not only in Russia but also other territories of the former USSR. Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that he is not going to submit the resignation letter, as was demanded by the Social Democrats. The Prime Minister called on the Social Democrats not to interfere in the coalition's matters but to better "bring their marriage in order" with the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (FHRUL).

Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that he is not going to submit the resignation letter, as was demanded by the Social Democrats. The Prime Minister called on the Social Democrats not to interfere in the coalition's matters but to better "bring their marriage in order" with the political union For Human Rights In A United Latvia (FHRUL). Diena, LETA

Head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Efraim Zurof announced about launching of a new project for all three Baltic countries which will “finally encourage criminally charge nazi war criminals.”

Head of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Efraim Zurof announced about launching of a new project for all three Baltic countries which will finally encourage criminally charge nazi war criminals. Diena

The Latvian State Archive will create a database on the losses which were caused by the 50 years of the Soviet occupation.

The Latvian State Archive will create a database on the losses which were caused by the 50 years of the Soviet occupation. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Lauku Avize

interviews famous Russian journalist Alexandr Bovin. The journalist states that the people in Russia are not so concerned about the NATO expansion to Baltic countries, but about the situation of Russian speakers in these three countries. He agrees that the Soviet Union occupied Latvia. However, he believes that this fact should not be used in todays political games. interviews famous Russian journalist Alexandr Bovin. The journalist states that the people in Russia are not so concerned about the NATO expansion to Baltic countries, but about the situation of Russian speakers in these three countries. He agrees that the Soviet Union occupied Latvia. However, he believes that this fact should not be used in today’s political games. On next Saturday about 500 Roma will come together in Jelgava to form the Organisation of Zemgale’s Roma. The organisers criticise leader of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics, because he has claimed himself as the only representative of the interests of Roma in the Saeima. The NGO is also planning to shoot a documentary about the situation of Roma and their discrimination in Latvia.

On next Saturday about 500 Roma will come together in Jelgava to form the Organisation of Zemgales Roma. The organisers criticise leader of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics, because he has claimed himself as the only representative of the interests of Roma in the Saeima. The NGO is also planning to shoot a documentary about the situation of Roma and their discrimination in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnja

reports about the official reception organised by the Russian ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov in honour of the Day of Russia. reports about the official reception organised by the Russian ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov in honour of the Day of Russia.