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.

• Saeima Legal Committee supports amendments to the Constitution of Latvia to grant citizens of other EU countries the right to participate in municipal elections in Latvia
• NGOs and left-wing MPs wants European institutions to influence Latvia so she would grant Latvian non-citizens the right to participatein municipal elections
• Interview with the Peoples Harmony Party Parliamentary Group Janis Urbanovichs
• Security Police: part of funding for the protest actions against the education reform comes from Russia
• Open door day at the Naturalisation Board
• President congratulates all Jews in Latvia with the beginning of a new year

The Saeima Legal Committee supported amendments to the Constitution of Latvia which provide the right to citizens of other EU countries to vote in municipal elections. MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia - FHRUL) suggested to include in the amendments also a norm which would grant Latvian non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections as well. The Committee did not support the proposal. It did not support another Buzajev’s proposal to amend the Rules of Procedure, which would allow MPs to give speeches in Russian in Saeima’s sessions.

The Saeima Legal Committee supported amendments to the Constitution of Latvia which provide the right to citizens of other EU countries to vote in municipal elections. MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia - FHRUL) suggested to include in the amendments also a norm which would grant Latvian non-citizens the right to vote in municipal elections as well. The Committee did not support the proposal. It did not support another Buzajevs proposal to amend the Rules of Procedure, which would allow MPs to give speeches in Russian in Saeimas sessions. Latvijas Avize

A number of NGOs and left-wing MPs calls on the European Commission and the European Parliament to influence Latvia so it would grant its non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. Municipal elections will take place March 2005.

A number of NGOs and left-wing MPs calls on the European Commission and the European Parliament to influence Latvia so it would grant its non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. Municipal elections will take place March 2005. Rigas Balss, Chas

Chas interviews the leader of the Peoples Harmony Party Parliamentary Group Janis Urbanovichs, who is also the President of the upcoming ‘Baltic Forum. Janis Urbanovichs is convinced that Latvia herself has to deal with its domestic issues, although during 10 years of independence she has not made any progress regarding integration of two communities – Latvians and Russians. He believes that solution to the current situation would be if Latvians leave Russians alone anddo not impose on them the Latvian language, etc., while Russians realise that Latvians are afraid of them. He states that politicians should feel that there is a demand for peace and not for war.

According to the information, which is at the disposal of the Security Police, the advisor to the Head of the Russia State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandr Kazakov, who was very actively involved in the protest actions against the education reform in Latvia, has had relations with supporters in Russia who provided him with financial support.

According to the information, which is at the disposal of the Security Police, the advisor to the Head of the Russia State Dumas Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandr Kazakov, who was very actively involved in the protest actions against the education reform in Latvia, has had relations with supporters in Russia who provided him with financial support. Diena

Yesterday the Naturalisation Board organised the open door day to inform all interests about procedures of naturalisation and examinations.

Yesterday the Naturalisation Board organised the open door day to inform all interests about procedures of naturalisation and examinations. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Latvian President wished happy Rosh Hashanah to all Latvian Jews.

Yesterday the Latvian President wished happy Rosh Hashanah to all Latvian Jews. Latvijas Avize