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

• 10504 citizens of Russia living in Latvia participated in Russian President Elections
• Establishment of Afro-Latvian Association
• Study of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences The role of municipalities in the process of integration
• Interview with the ambassador of the United Kingdom to Latvia Andrew Tesoriere
• Official statement of the Latvian National Soldiers Association
• Leader of the Ventspils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs on Russias statements about the minority rights observation in Latvia
• Russia prepares to raise an issue about the overt discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia at the session of the UN Human Rights Committee
• Linguist Arturs Prieditis about society integration

10 504 citizens of Russia, living in Latvia, participated at Russian President Elections. According to the provisional results, most of them voted for Vladimir Putin.

10504 citizens of Russia, living in Latvia, participated at Russian President Elections. According to the provisional results, most of them voted for Vladimir Putin. Diena, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Afro-Latvian Association held its launching ceremony on Saturday. The Association represents interests of Latvian residents of African origin.

The Afro-Latvian Association held its launching ceremony on Saturday. The Association represents interests of Latvian residents of African origin. Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena features an article about the study of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences The role of municipalities in the process of integration. According to the study, municipalities believe that social integration is a greater problem than ethnic integration.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the ambassador of the United Kingdom to Latvia Andrew Tesoriere, who states that the education reform of Latvia fully complies with the international standards. Ambassador believes that the anxiety about the possible ethnic conflict in Latvia is not well justified, because the naturalization process is speeding up, and the education reform can not exterminate Russian culture and does not threaten Russian speakers with assimilation. Andrew Tesoriere also considers worthwhile to discuss making the language exam for old people and disabled persons easier.

Latvijas Avize features an official statement of the Latvian National Soldiers Association that the former legionnaires will not participate at the organized procession on the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of the Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and the leader of the Ventspils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs to Russia State Council and Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). According to Aleksandrs Kazakovs, the representatives of the Russia MFA have stated that the dialogue between Russia and Latvia is impossible without the dialogue between the state and the opponents of the education reform. Aleksandrs Kazakovs also says that Russia will continue to inform the international organizations about the violation of minority rights in Latvia.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of the Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin and the leader of the Ventspils Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs to Russia State Council and Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). According to Aleksandrs Kazakovs, the representatives of the Russia MFA have stated that the dialogue between Russia and Latvia is impossible without the dialogue between the state and the opponents of the education reform. Aleksandrs Kazakovs also says that Russia will continue to inform the international organizations about the violation of minority rights in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russia is preparing to raise an issue about the overt discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia during the session of the UN Human Rights Committee today.

Russia is preparing to raise an issue about the overt discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia during the session of the UN Human Rights Committee today. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Chas features opinions of the linguist Arturs Prieditis, who says that the state has betrayed minorities on three occasions – deviating from the zero (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship, not granting the voting rights for non-citizens at municipal elections, and implementing the education reform. According to Arturs Prieditis, if the state wants to avoid the conflict, it is necessary to apologize, cancel the ungrounded decisions, and to start the dialogue with the Russian community.