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.

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus visits Latvia
• Number of naturalisation applications increases significantly
• Law on Radio and TV contains a norm which endangers the freedom of speech
• Article about a split in the leadership of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia
• Director of the Institute for Political Studies in Moscow Sergei Markov talks about further relationships between Russia and Latvia
• For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to collaborate with the Latvian National Democratic Party
• Group of national-bolsheviks wants to become a registered non-governmental organisation ‘NBP

Newspapers report on a three-day visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia. The goal of the visit is to discuss the social integration issues and the implementation of the education reform. After the meeting with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga the High Commissioner acknowledged that he was not concerned about the implementation of the education reform in Latvia and stressed that all states have the right and duty to ensure the education in the state language.

Newspapers report on a three-day visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia. The goal of the visit is to discuss the social integration issues and the implementation of the education reform. After the meeting with the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga the High Commissioner acknowledged that he was not concerned about the implementation of the education reform in Latvia and stressed that all states have the right and duty to ensure the education in the state language. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

2112 naturalisation applications have been received by the Naturalisation Board in September. This is the largest number of naturalisation applications, received by the Naturalisation Board in a month since the establishment of the institution. In total this year the Naturalisation Board has already received 14,789 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalisation.

2112 naturalisation applications have been received by the Naturalisation Board in September. This is the largest number of naturalisation applications, received by the Naturalisation Board in a month since the establishment of the institution. In total this year the Naturalisation Board has already received 14,789 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

‘The norm on the basis of which the National Radio and TV Council of Latvia fined the First Baltic Channel is very vague and hence endangers the freedom of speech,’ believe lawyers, interviewed by

‘The norm on the basis of which the National Radio and TV Council of Latvia fined the First Baltic Channel is very vague and hence endangers the freedom of speech, believe lawyers, interviewed by Diena. The controversial norm stipulates that ‘the broadcasting organisation shall ensure that programmes should reflect facts and events in a fair, objective and comprehensive manner, in accordance with the generally accepted principles of journalism and ethics. The lecturer of the Riga Graduate School of Law Martins Mits points that the vague definition of the norm provides room for a very broad interpretation and thus is problematic from the point of view of human rights. The First Baltic Channel was fined in the amount of almost EUR 3000 for broadcasting a historical programme, which according to the conclusion of a historian commission contained a one-sided and historically incorrect depiction of the Molotov-Ribentrop Pact.

Latvijas Avize features the article about split in the leadership of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia. According to the newspaper, in the leadership of the Congress well-known leaders of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools, mainly the MPs of the For Human Rigs in the United Latvia, as well as the leader of the Headquarters Jurijs Petropavlovskis, are not presented. The newspaper introduces to previously now so well known persons who are responsible actors in the Congress: Aleksandrs Kazakovs, Mihails Tjasins and Eduards Goncarovs.

Telegraf features an interview with the director of the Institute for Political
Studies in Moscow Sergei Markov about relationships between Russia and Latvia. Sergei Markov believes that the language and non-citizen issues in Latvia will always remain in the attention of Russia. According to the Director of the Institute, Russia will use the help of European institutions and will continue demanding Latvia to grant Russian the status of the second state language, have the right to acquire education in a native language and grant equal civil rights for all residents in Latvia.

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to collaborate with the Latvian National Democratic Party and its leader Jevgenijs Osipovs in the next municipal elections in Liepaja. In one of his previous statements the Head of State Security Police Janis Reiniks has described the Latvian National Democratic Party as ‘a radical organisation coming very close to extremism.’

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to collaborate with the Latvian National Democratic Party and its leader Jevgenijs Osipovs in the next municipal elections in Liepaja. In one of his previous statements the Head of State Security Police Janis Reiniks has described the Latvian National Democratic Party as ‘a radical organisation coming very close to extremism. Latvijas Avize

A group of national-bolsheviks had applied with the Register of Enterprises to register their group as a non-governmental organisation ‘NBP.’  State Security Police are drafting a resolution about the eligibility of the organisation to registration.

A group of national-bolsheviks had applied with the Register of Enterprises to register their group as a non-governmental organisation ‘NBP. State Security Police are drafting a resolution about the eligibility of the organisation to registration. Rigas Balss