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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Cabinet of Ministers confirms Latvias Commissioner of the European Commission
• Naturalization Board receives the second largest amount of naturalization applications since the beginning of naturalization process
• Campaign to promote the naturalization of non-citizens children planned
• Russian-language school defenders request the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis
• Parliamentary faction FHRUL plans to challenge results of the elections of European Parliament if proposed amendments of election laws will not be accepted
• Saeima MP Vladimir Buzajev about the planned actions against education reform

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers unanimously confirmed the Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete as the Commissioner of the European Commission from Latvia.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers unanimously confirmed the Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete as the Commissioner of the European Commission from Latvia. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas

Last year the Naturalization Board received 11 268 naturalization applications, which is the second largest yearly amount of naturalization applications received by the Board since the beginning of naturalization process. Until now, 70 038 non-citizens have been naturalized since 1995.

Last year the Naturalization Board received 11268 naturalization applications, which is the second largest yearly amount of naturalization applications received by the Board since the beginning of naturalization process. Until now, 70038 non-citizens have been naturalized since 1995. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

Telegraf writes about a campaign to promote the naturalization of the non-citizens children who are entitled to become citizens of Latvia by registration, planned by the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs and the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Children and Family Affairs. According to the information from the Naturalization Board there are more than 17000 children in Latvia who are eligible for registration as citizens. Telegraf

Yesterday the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) and the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools issued a statement calling for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis. According to these organizations, the latest expressions of the Minister making a connection between the defenders of Russian-language schools to the recent extremist perpetrated vandalism against the Ministry of Education shows the Minister’s inability to properly evaluate previous constructive proposals by the organizations regarding the minority education reform.

Yesterday the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) and the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools issued a statement calling for the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis. According to these organizations, the latest expressions of the Minister making a connection between the defenders of Russian-language schools to the recent extremist perpetrated vandalism against the Ministry of Education shows the Ministers inability to properly evaluate previous constructive proposals by the organizations regarding the minority education reform. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas

The Saeima parliamentary group FHRUL (For Human Rights in United Latvia) plans to challenge the results of the elections of the European Parliament if amendments to the election laws will not be accepted.  The faction has proposed removing the prohibition to stand for elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. FHRUL spokesperson Miroslav Mitrofanov also calls attention to the pending case of Equality leader Tatjana Zhdanok before the European Court for Human Rights, in which the prohibition is challenged. Tatjana Zhdanok also plans to bring a complaint to the Constitutional Court in case the FHRUL proposed amendments to the Law on elections of the European Parliament are not accepted in parliament.

The Saeima parliamentary group FHRUL (For Human Rights in United Latvia) plans to challenge the results of the elections of the European Parliament if amendments to the election laws will not be accepted. The faction has proposed removing the prohibition to stand for elections for ex-officials of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia and those individuals who were members of the Communist Party and related organizations after January 13, 1991. FHRUL spokesperson Miroslav Mitrofanov also calls attention to the pending case of Equality leader Tatjana Zhdanok before the European Court for Human Rights, in which the prohibition is challenged. Tatjana Zhdanok also plans to bring a complaint to the Constitutional Court in case the FHRUL proposed amendments to the Law on elections of the European Parliament are not accepted in parliament. Latvijas Avize, Vesti segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas

Vechernaya Riga interviews Saeima deputy and representative of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools Vladimir Buzajev (FHRUL) about the planned actions to protest against the education reform.