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 and Russian foreign ministers at OSCE meeting in Maastricht
• European Parliament deputy from Germany criticizes Latvia on integration
• Interview with Chairperson of Human Rights Committee Ina Druviete
• Politicians views on definition of minority
• Historian on research and facts of Nazi war crimes in Bauska

In the OSCE minister meeting in Maastricht Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov criticized Latvia for not observing minority rights of Russian-speakers, while Latvia’s foreign minister Sandra Kalniete in her speech spoke of human rights violations in Chechnya and also called on Russia to fulfill obligations of troop withdrawal from Georgia and Moldova.  The Latvian foreign minister admitted that the Russian criticism was unexpectedly brief and moderate.

In the OSCE minister meeting in Maastricht Russian foreign minister Igor Ivanov criticized Latvia for not observing minority rights of Russian-speakers, while Latvias foreign minister Sandra Kalniete in her speech spoke of human rights violations in Chechnya and also called on Russia to fulfill obligations of troop withdrawal from Georgia and Moldova. The Latvian foreign minister admitted that the Russian criticism was unexpectedly brief and moderate. Diena also reports that the Russian foreign minister criticizes the OSCE lack of support for the Russian peace agreement proposal for Moldova, which foresees Russian troops remaining in the country until 2020, while presiding country foreign minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer expressed hope that a common resolution will be agreed upon shortly. Diena, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize publishes an interview with European Parliament deputy from Gemany Elisabeth Schroedter, who was in Latvia yesterday on an official visit. Ms Schroedter was critical of the level of activities for social integration and concerned about the large number of non-citizens, which in her view will be a question that will receive increased attention in debates in the European Parliament. Ms Schroedter was also critical of the education reform and transition to Latvian as the main language of instruction in secondary schools, despite admitting that the reform has in general been accepted by Europe.

Latvijas Avize publishes an interview with New Era member and Chairperson of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights and Social Affairs Ina Druviete on ethnic integration and the necessary predominance of the Latvian language. Ms Druviete admits that minority language rights are also part of human rights, but that this concerns the use of minority language in the private sphere, not in higher sociolinguistic spheres as, for instance, the police, armed forces, municipal institutions, state power and administrative institutions, which should be reserved for the state language.

In an overview of politicians’ views of the definition of minority in Latvia, Ina Druviete (New Era) argues that since no international consensus exists on a definition and since many minorities in Latvia would in any case not correspond to any generally established criteria, while the majority – Latvians – are not in a dominant economic position, a general definition for Latvia would not be feasible.  Instead, a real possibility for Latvia when talking about the ratification of the Framework Convention would be to establish a list of minorities, making sure that a clear distinction is drawn between linguistic and ethnic minorities.  First Party representative and parliamentary faction leader Oskars Kastens stresses the uniqueness of the situation in Latvia and Estonia and thinks that although problematic, an elaboration of a definition could serve as a precedent for other countries and that the elaboration of a definition should be the competence of the Minister for Social Integration Affairs.  Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement deputy Juris Dobelis and Anta Rugâte from People’s Party and head of the Citizenship Implementation Commission in parliament think that only citizens can be part of a minority.  Andris Berzins from the Union of Greens and Farmers refers to the working group in the Saeima which will be responsible for elaborating reservations to the Framework Convention and also should elaborate a definition for use in Latvia.  People’s Harmony Party representative Janus Urbanovics says that the definition should be based on European standards. 

In an overview of politicians views of the definition of minority in Latvia, Ina Druviete (New Era) argues that since no international consensus exists on a definition and since many minorities in Latvia would in any case not correspond to any generally established criteria, while the majority РLatvians Рare not in a dominant economic position, a general definition for Latvia would not be feasible. Instead, a real possibility for Latvia when talking about the ratification of the Framework Convention would be to establish a list of minorities, making sure that a clear distinction is drawn between linguistic and ethnic minorities. First Party representative and parliamentary faction leader Oskars Kastens stresses the uniqueness of the situation in Latvia and Estonia and thinks that although problematic, an elaboration of a definition could serve as a precedent for other countries and that the elaboration of a definition should be the competence of the Minister for Social Integration Affairs. Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement deputy Juris Dobelis and Anta Rug̢te from Peoples Party and head of the Citizenship Implementation Commission in parliament think that only citizens can be part of a minority. Andris Berzins from the Union of Greens and Farmers refers to the working group in the Saeima which will be responsible for elaborating reservations to the Framework Convention and also should elaborate a definition for use in Latvia. Peoples Harmony Party representative Janus Urbanovics says that the definition should be based on European standards. Latvijas Avize

In an article in

In an article in Diena, historian and head of the history department of the Bauska Local research art and history museum Aigars Urtans describes what has been established as fact through research on the 1941 Nazi crimes in Bauska.