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 discuss new ministers: the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis and the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete
• Declaration of the new government does not include ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Latvijas Avize comments on naturalisation of a refugee, Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda
• Phone line opened to report on problems concerning minority education reform
• Representatives of the Union of Politically Repressed Persons visit the European Parliament
• Celebration of the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will take place on 11 December

he Party New Era nominated Ainars Latkovskis to the post of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration. Until now Ainars Latkovskis has been the Head of the Saeima Committee on Supervising the Prevention and Combating of Corruption, Contraband and Organised Crime. The Chairmen of the Latvia’s First Party Ainars Slesers has questioned correspondence of Ainars Latkovskis and Ina Druviete (New Era’s candidacy for the post of the Education Minister) to ensure  consolidation of Latvia’s society,  because till  now the New Era held a radical position concerning these issues. Ainars Slesers also pointed to the former decision of Ina Druviete not to speak with the mass media in Russian, which ‘automatically brings towards a conflict.’

he Party New Era nominated Ainars Latkovskis to the post of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration. Until now Ainars Latkovskis has been the Head of the Saeima Committee on Supervising the Prevention and Combating of Corruption, Contraband and Organised Crime. The Chairmen of the Latvias First Party Ainars Slesers has questioned correspondence of Ainars Latkovskis and Ina Druviete (New Eras candidacy for the post of the Education Minister) to ensure consolidation of Latvias society, because till now the New Era held a radical position concerning these issues. Ainars Slesers also pointed to the former decision of Ina Druviete not to speak with the mass media in Russian, which ‘automatically brings towards a conflict. Vesti Segodnya reports that yesterday Ainars Latkovskis refused journalists request to discuss his future plans. The Columnist of Chas believes that the nomination of Ina Druviete to the post of the Minister of Education and Science may lead to the tension in society, because not only is she ‘thinking nationalistically, but also advocates for ‘forced acquisition of the Latvian language among non-Latvians and is ‘the supporter of imposed and rigid decisions regarding non-Latvians. Telgraf features an interview with Ina Druviete. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya writes about the governments declaration, which was signed by representatives of the four right-wing parties – the Peoples Party, the New Era, the Union of Farmers and Greens and Latvias First Party yesterday. Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is not included in the governments declaration. The declaration also does not include initiatives to promote naturalisation. However, the declaration does include articles which provide readiness to ‘improve Latvian legislation till it fully complies with the EU directives on the prevention of discrimination, ‘evaluate consequences of the occupation and ‘launch discussions on receiving compensations for the damages, caused by the Soviet Occupation. Neatkariga Rita Avize writes that the refusal of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM to participate in the new government, suddenly expressed on Wednesday, is related to the decision of other political parties to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National minorities. Vesti Segodnya, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Latvijas Avize features a commentary on naturalisation of a refugee, Palestinian Haisam Abu Abda. The outgoing Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks states that it is the first case not only in Latvia, but also in Eastern Europe when a refugee is receiving citizenship through naturalisation. Referring to the statement of Nils Muiznieks, Latvijas Avize comments that the case is the evidence the Latvias Citizenship Law is very liberal.

A phone-line, which is meant for receiving complaints concerning the implementation of the minority education reform, has been operated already for a month. The phone line was launched by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language School.

A phone-line, which is meant for receiving complaints concerning the implementation of the minority education reform, has been operated already for a month. The phone line was launched by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language School. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report on the visit of representatives of the Union of Politically Repressed Persons to the European Parliament. The main goal of the visit was to launch discussions on the necessity to condemn internationally the crimes of the Soviet Regime.

Newspapers report on the visit of representatives of the Union of Politically Repressed Persons to the European Parliament. The main goal of the visit was to launch discussions on the necessity to condemn internationally the crimes of the Soviet Regime. Vesti Segodnya states that the majority of members of parliamentary groups of the European Parliament refused the adoption of such a resolution. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Latvian Human Rights Committee, the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia plan to organise the ‘Celebration of Humanity’ in honour of the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 11 December.

The Latvian Human Rights Committee, the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia plan to organise the ‘Celebration of Humanity in honour of the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 11 December. Vesti Segodnya