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.

• Russias plans to accuse Latvia at the meeting of the EU ministers of foreign affairs
• Gunter Verheugen meets with Dmitry Rogozin
• President of Latvia speaks at the conference Holocaust research continues
• Two Latvian delegations participate in the session of the UN Human Rights Committee
• The Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools are planning protest activities tomorrow
• The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs proposes to simplify procedures for granting citizenship to children
• The on-going conflict between a Latvian language teacher and her students
• Recommendations of the World Federation of Free Latvians to Latvia
• Discussion on the situation of a Russian school in Cesis

Today, at the meeting with the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU states, Russia is planning to present its complaints regarding situation of Russian-speakers in Estonia and Latvia. Latvian diplomats have stated that the later issue is not included in the meeting’s agenda, and consider possible accusations to be Russia’s response to the EU criticism regarding human rights situation in Chechnya.

Today, at the meeting with the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU states, Russia is planning to present its complaints regarding situation of Russian-speakers in Estonia and Latvia. Latvian diplomats have stated that the later issue is not included in the meetings agenda, and consider possible accusations to be Russias response to the EU criticism regarding human rights situation in Chechnya. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has met with Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council. During the meeting, Gunter Verheugen has stated that the EU is ready to support any initiatives on improving situation of Russian minority in Latvia, and promised to meet with the activists of the Latvian Human Rights Committee and the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools. At the same time, the Commissioner has denied a possibility of re-opening the question of Latvia’s accession to the EU.

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has met with Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council. During the meeting, Gunter Verheugen has stated that the EU is ready to support any initiatives on improving situation of Russian minority in Latvia, and promised to meet with the activists of the Latvian Human Rights Committee and the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools. At the same time, the Commissioner has denied a possibility of re-opening the question of Latvias accession to the EU. Telegraf, Chas

In her speech at the conference “Holocaust research continues” the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga said that Latvia has condemned the Holocaust officially and has recognized the need to study its history. The President has stressed the necessity to continue Holocaust studies in Latvia. She also pointed to Russia’s distorted interpretation of history as a topical issue in relationship between Latvia and Russia.

In her speech at the conference Holocaust research continues the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga said that Latvia has condemned the Holocaust officially and has recognized the need to study its history. The President has stressed the necessity to continue Holocaust studies in Latvia. She also pointed to Russias distorted interpretation of history as a topical issue in relationship between Latvia and Russia. Lauku Avize

An official and an alternative delegation from Latvia participate at the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations devoted to the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights in Latvia. Tatjana Zdanok and Miroslav Mitrofanov from the party “Equality” represent an alternative delegation.

An official and an alternative delegation from Latvia participate at the session of the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations devoted to the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights in Latvia. Tatjana Zdanok and Miroslav Mitrofanov from the party Equality represent an alternative delegation. Vesti Segodnya

Tomorrow the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools are planning a procession and three pickets nearby the Ministry’s of Education and Science building, Saeima building and the President’s palace. The Riga City Council has approved the procession, but has not approved the pickets and the planned meeting near the President’s palace. The Headquarters plan to organize a meeting with MPs if the pickets will not be approved.

Tomorrow the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools are planning a procession and three pickets nearby the Ministrys of Education and Science building, Saeima building and the Presidents palace. The Riga City Council has approved the procession, but has not approved the pickets and the planned meeting near the Presidents palace. The Headquarters plan to organize a meeting with MPs if the pickets will not be approved. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister on Children and Family Affairs has established a working group to examine possible simplification of administrative procedures for granting citizenship to children. The Secretariat has prepared amendments to the Citizenship Law. One of the amendments stipulate granting of Latvian citizenship to persons who have graduated from a comprehensive school with Latvian language of instruction or from a school with Latvian language stream, even if they have not completed  the whole education course in Latvian.

The Secretariat of the Special Task Minister on Children and Family Affairs has established a working group to examine possible simplification of administrative procedures for granting citizenship to children. The Secretariat has prepared amendments to the Citizenship Law. One of the amendments stipulate granting of Latvian citizenship to persons who have graduated from a comprehensive school with Latvian language of instruction or from a school with Latvian language stream, even if they have not completed the whole education course in Latvian. Chas

Lauku Avize continues discussion about the conflict between a Latvian language teacher and her students because of the alleged ethnic preconceptions of the teacher. According to the newspaper, the teacher has refused teaching the class after an allegedly defamatory article in Vesti Segodnya. The newspaper reviews the teachers professional career, quoting positive evaluations by her colleagues. The National Human Rights Office examines the teachers case and her rights to apply to the Court.

The board of the World Federation of Free Latvians has adopted resolutions and decisions at a congress last week. The Federation has invited the Latvian government and organizations of Latvians to protest against Russia’s statements on human rights violations in Latvia. The board also believes that Latvia should claim Russia’s recognition of the fact of Latvia’s occupation and to condemn Soviet regime crimes.

The board of the World Federation of Free Latvians has adopted resolutions and decisions at a congress last week. The Federation has invited the Latvian government and organizations of Latvians to protest against Russias statements on human rights violations in Latvia. The board also believes that Latvia should claim Russias recognition of the fact of Latvias occupation and to condemn Soviet regime crimes. The Official Gazette

Tomorrow the mayor of Cesis will meet with the Russian school where no first grade will be open next year because of the insufficient number of students.

Tomorrow the mayor of Cesis will meet with the Russian school where no first grade will be open next year because of the insufficient number of students. Chas reports on the article by MP from the Peoples party Dzintars Abikis published in Cesis regional newspaper Druva. Dzintars Abikis suggested a gradual transformation of the Russian school into a school with Latvian language of instruction. Chas