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.

• Newspapers continue to write about the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus
• Newspapers launch a discussion about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Interview with the Parliamentary Secretary of the Special Tasks Ministers for Social Integration Secretariat Aleksandrs Brandavs
• Vasilijs Kononovs plans to apply with the European Court of Human Rights
• Aleksandrs Kazakovs: ‘I hope the European Court of Human Rights will make Latvian authorities account for my expulsion

Newspapers continue reporting on the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia. During discussions with state officials, Rolf Ekeus has recommended to speed up and facilitate naturalisation process and grant non-citizens the rights to participate in municipal elections. The Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, has stated that granting voting rights to non-citizens would not promote either naturalisation or social integration process.

Newspapers continue reporting on the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia. During discussions with state officials, Rolf Ekeus has recommended to speed up and facilitate naturalisation process and grant non-citizens the rights to participate in municipal elections. The Foreign Affairs Minister Artis Pabriks, however, has stated that granting voting rights to non-citizens would not promote either naturalisation or social integration process. Diena and Latvijas Avize report that the High Commissioner also visited Riga Secondary School No 40. Students of the school have complained that it is difficult to learn in Latvian and that the Latvian language used in textbooks is too complicated. Students also expressed their dissatisfaction with insufficient Latvian language skills of teachers. Chas and Telegraf write about the meeting of Rolf Ekeus with the member of Saeima Boris Tsilevitch and the representative of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools Igors Pimenovs. During the meeting Rolf Ekeus has admitted, that the Law on Minority Schools could decrease tension around the education reform and promote democratisation of the education reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Following the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus, newspapers launch a discussion about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. The High Commissioner has stated that in Latvia’s social environment favours ratification of the Convention. However, Rolf Ekeus admitted that Latvia could adopt the Convention with few reservations, if they comply with the basic principles of the Convention. 

Following the recommendations of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus, newspapers launch a discussion about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia. The High Commissioner has stated that in Latvias social environment favours ratification of the Convention. However, Rolf Ekeus admitted that Latvia could adopt the Convention with few reservations, if they comply with the basic principles of the Convention. Neatkariga Rita Avize features views of the Head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete and the leader of Peoples Harmony Party Janis Jurkans. Ina Druviete believes that Latvia should not ratify the Convention till goals of the Convention are not clear for society members and minorities should not have objections against education in the state language. While Janis Jurkans believes that the ratification of the convention could reduce tension in society. He notes that it would be important to grant a possibility for older persons to communicate with municipalities in their native language and ‘teach the state language at schools not with a stick but through agreement among schools, parents and municipalities. Journalist of Russian-language newspaper Chas believes that Latvia will not ratify the Convention in the nearest future, because politicians are afraid of Paragraph 15, which stipulates that ‘the Parties shall create the conditions necessary for the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, in particular those affecting them. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Parliamentary Secretary of the Special Tasks Ministers for Social Integration Secretariat Aleksandrs Brandavs on social integration issues. Aleksandrs Brandavs believes that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities should be ratified as soon as possible. The Parliamentary Secretary, referring to the analysis conducted by the Secretariat, states that ratification of the Convention would not require many amendments to Latvian legislation. Aleksandrs Brandavs also points to the necessity to develop the Law on Minority Schools so schools in co-operation with municipalities and school boards would be able to decide on a type of education they need.

Former ‘red partisan’ Vasilijs Kononovs is planning appeal with the European Court of Human Rights challenging the ruling of the Senate of the Supreme Court that found him guilty in committing war crimes in 1944.

Former ‘red partisan Vasilijs Kononovs is planning appeal with the European Court of Human Rights challenging the ruling of the Senate of the Supreme Court that found him guilty in committing war crimes in 1944. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, recently expelled from Latvia, has expressed a hope that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will make Latvian authorities account for his expulsion. Aleksandrs Kazakovs is obliged to exhaust local remedies before he may appeal with the ECHR. According to the Headquarters’ activist, he has received only the note from the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, which was issued in the response to the request of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry.

The activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools Aleksandrs Kazakovs, recently expelled from Latvia, has expressed a hope that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will make Latvian authorities account for his expulsion. Aleksandrs Kazakovs is obliged to exhaust local remedies before he may appeal with the ECHR. According to the Headquarters activist, he has received only the note from the Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry, which was issued in the response to the request of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry. Latvijas Avize