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.

• Assault against a dark-skinned Indian in the Old Town of Riga
• Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee denies accusations of Russian-language media
• 54 residents of Daugavpils naturalised last Friday
• New collection of articles about minorities
• Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires
• Administrative District Court satisfies a claim of the Riga City Councils deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova concerning authorisation of a protest action against the education reform
• Latest ratings of political parties standing for municipal elections in Riga

Diena reports on a possibly racially motivated assault against a dark-skinned Indian in the Old Town of Riga. Arvinder Sing, who is employed as a cook by one of Rigas restaurants, was attacked by Russian-speaking skinheads when coming out of a shop, and received several blows to his head. According to Sing, although the incident took place in the middle of the day in a crowded part of the city, nobody tried to help him. The State Police are investigating the case.

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (Peoples Party). The official denies Russian-language medias allegations of his calling for deportation of representatives of a particular ethnic group from Latvia. According to Kirsteins, he only meant those persons, who ‘refuse to observe Latvian legislation and publicly call to sabotage the Law on Education and ‘those who speak about the necessity of establishing a separate community. The MP also believes that the Society Integration Programme should not be applied to all non-citizens (approximately 500,000), but only to ‘those 200,000 people who are, according to the opinion polls, ready to integrate into Latvian society and undergo the naturalisation process. As reported previously, last week Russian-language newspapers reprinted excerpts from Kirsteins interview with Latvijas Avize, in which he stated that Latvias border agreement with Russia should stipulate that all ‘civil occupants are to leave Latvia for Russia.

On March 4, fifty-four residents of Daugavpils (city in the south-eastern part of Latvia), including 29 persons aged 15 – 26, were naturalised. A total of 6541 persons went through naturalisation process at Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board.

On March 4, fifty-four residents of Daugavpils (city in the south-eastern part of Latvia), including 29 persons aged 15 – 26, were naturalised. A total of 6541 persons went through naturalisation process at Daugavpils Regional Department of the Naturalisation Board. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Public Foundation ‘The New Academy’ published its annual collection of articles ‘Sarunas VI’ (‘Conversations VI’). Among the published articles, there are lectures on ethnic minorities, presented during the Academy’s summer camp ’2004 in Mersrags.

Public Foundation ‘The New Academy published its annual collection of articles ‘Sarunas VI (‘Conversations VI). Among the published articles, there are lectures on ethnic minorities, presented during the Academys summer camp 2004 in Mersrags. Latvijas Avize

Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires planned by the national-radical youth organisation

Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks is not planning to revoke authorisation of the procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires planned by the national-radical youth organisation Klubs 415, although Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis asked the State Security Police to evaluate Tralmakss decision. Tralmaks refers to the last years experience, when Klubs 415 appealed his decision to ban the procession in court, and the claim was satisfied. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Administrative District Court satisfied a claim of Riga City Council’s deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova (For Human Rights in the United Latvia). The deputy challenged decision of the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban organisation of a protest action against the education reform ‘About reform with a smile’.

The Administrative District Court satisfied a claim of Riga City Councils deputy Tatjana Jemeljanova (For Human Rights in the United Latvia). The deputy challenged decision of the Executive Director of Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban organisation of a protest action against the education reform ‘About reform with a smile. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Opinion poll conducted by the polling centre SKDS shows that the New Era has remained the most popular party in Riga– in February, 13,3% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections in Riga. Ratings of other most popular political parties are as follows: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party – 9,4%, the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 9,2%, the People’s Party – 8,5%, the New Centre – 7,0%, the Latvia’s First Party – 6,7%.

Opinion poll conducted by the polling centre SKDS shows that the New Era has remained the most popular party in Riga– in February, 13,3% citizens would vote for the party in municipal elections in Riga. Ratings of other most popular political parties are as follows: the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia – 10%, the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party – 9,4%, the union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 9,2%, the Peoples Party – 8,5%, the New Centre – 7,0%, the Latvias First Party – 6,7%. Diena, Latvijas Avize