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.

• Ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: the top priority of the Presidents agenda
• FHRUL continues protest actions against the minority education reform
• FHRUL develops amendments to the Law on Education which provides a free choice of the language of instruction
• Integration Minister meets the Head of the Association of National Cultural Organisations
• Vesti Segodnya comments on an article about immigrants
• FHRUL the most popular party in Riga
• Latvian President will take part in the celebrations of the victory in World War II in Moscow

Yesterday the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga held a press conference. The President stated that in 2005 there are two topical issues in her agenda: signing of the border agreement with Russia and ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The President believes that ratification of the Convention is feasible in 2005.

Yesterday the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga held a press conference. The President stated that in 2005 there are two topical issues in her agenda: signing of the border agreement with Russia and ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The President believes that ratification of the Convention is feasible in 2005. Latvijas Avize

Chas reports that in the forthcoming weeks the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will launch the collection of signatures concerning the incompliance of the minority education reform with international norms. The Party also plans to challenge the Law on Education at the Constitutional Court once again. FHRUL argues that the level of students academic success has significantly dropped since the implementation of the reform. Vesti Segodnya

The union FHRUL has developed amendments to the Law on Education. The new amendments provide a possibility for schools to choose the language of instruction.

The union FHRUL has developed amendments to the Law on Education. The new amendments provide a possibility for schools to choose the language of instruction. Diena

Yesterday the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis met the Head of the Association of National Cultural Organisations Rafi Haradzanjan.

Yesterday the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis met the Head of the Association of National Cultural Organisations Rafi Haradzanjan. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reprints excerpts of the article about attitude of Latvian residents towards immigrants published in the public policy portal www.politika.lv. The author of the study Sigita Zankovska-Odina notes that Latvians (32 per cent) are less concerned about the possible influx of immigrants than Russian-speakers (39 per cent) are. Sigita Zankovska-Odina argues that Latvians are concerned because of their past experience with Soviet immigrants, while Russians are concerned because they are afraid of loosing jobs. The newspaper concludes that the author of research sees less threat in the influx of immigrants than in Russians who live here.

According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti’ the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is the most popular party in Riga, followed by the right-wing party New Era, while the third most popular party is the Latvian Social Democrats and Workers Party.

According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the company ‘Latvijas Fakti the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is the most popular party in Riga, followed by the right-wing party New Era, while the third most popular party is the Latvian Social Democrats and Workers Party. Diena, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga announced that she would participate in the May 9 events in Moscow. The President said that ‘she, as leader of an independent democratic country, must be everywhere where European leaders go. Such situations as the conferences in Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam, where the destiny of Latvia was decided without Latvia's participation, must not occur ever again.’ The President has also developed a declaration in English for the international community which comments what means the victory in World War II for Latvia.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga announced that she would participate in the May 9 events in Moscow. The President said that ‘she, as leader of an independent democratic country, must be everywhere where European leaders go. Such situations as the conferences in Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam, where the destiny of Latvia was decided without Latvia's participation, must not occur ever again. The President has also developed a declaration in English for the international community which comments what means the victory in World War II for Latvia. Diena, NRA, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf