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 does not adopt proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration in Latvia yesterday
• National Radio and TV Council imposes a fine on the Russian-language Radio PIK
• Author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals reproaches the Latvian President for being Russophobic
• Ratings of political parties

Yesterday Saeima turned down proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The proposed amendments stipulated that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulated that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language.

Yesterday Saeima turned down proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law, submitted by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The proposed amendments stipulated that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulated that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration issues in Latvia. Majority of Intergroup’s members admitted that the implementation of the minority education reform is legitimate and argued that Russian-speakers who live in Latvia should speak Latvian. However, MPs also noted that it is not normal that about 450,000 permanent residents of Latvia do not have Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament discussed integration issues in Latvia. Majority of Intergroups members admitted that the implementation of the minority education reform is legitimate and argued that Russian-speakers who live in Latvia should speak Latvian. However, MPs also noted that it is not normal that about 450,000 permanent residents of Latvia do not have Latvian citizenship. Latvijas Vestnesis, Latvijas Avize

The opinion poll conducted by the company

The opinion poll conducted by the company Latvijas fakti shows that the New Era has remained the most popular political party in February – 11.7% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections. Ratings of other parties are the following: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Peoples Party – 9.7%, the Union of Farmers and Greens – 7.5%, the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 5.7%, the Latvias First Party – 3.9%. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The National Radio and TV Council imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 700 (EUR 996) on the Russian-language Radio PIK for violating rules of the state language usage. According to the broadcasting programme of the Radio PIK, at least 75% of broadcast should be in the Latvian language. Nevertheless, the two-day monitoring of the radio’s broadcast revealed that during the first day the radio followed the rules, while the next day there was no programmes in Latvian at all.

The National Radio and TV Council imposed a fine in the amount of LVL700 (EUR996) on the Russian-language Radio PIK for violating rules of the state language usage. According to the broadcasting programme of the Radio PIK, at least 75% of broadcast should be in the Latvian language. Nevertheless, the two-day monitoring of the radios broadcast revealed that during the first day the radio followed the rules, while the next day there was no programmes in Latvian at all. Chas

Latvijas Avize, referring to the national news agency LETA, reports on the letter of the author of several books on the Holocaust Leonids Kovals to the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. In his letter Leonids Kovals points out that the Presidents personal experience of being a refugee after World War II has resulted in intolerance towards the Russian nation. The writer sharply criticizes the attitude of the President as well as the Latvian society towards events of the World War II. He states that for 14 years since Latvia re-established independence Russians have been objects of irrational hatred in the country.