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.

• State officials, human rights experts and minority representatives comment on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Interview with the advisor of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ilmars Mezs
• Newspapers give evaluations to the recent statements of the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• Latvian government comments on the reproaches of the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov
• European Parliament may adopt two resolutions on the Baltic States today

Diena features views of state officials, human rights experts and minority representatives about proposals related to ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, in particular the definition of a national minority and two reservations. The former Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Nils Muiznieks states that the proposed minority ‘definition is good because it provides specific principles which defines minorities and it does not name specific groups. Regarding reservation, Nils Muiznieks admits that there was no need to make reservations regarding the usage of minority language in communication with local authorities. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehris points that the citizenship criteria included in the minority definition raises problems. The human rights expert argues that according to the proposed definition those citizens who have naturalised recently are not the subjects of the Convention. Ilze Brands Kehris also believes that there was no need to make any reservations to the Convention. While the Chairman of Latvian Association of National Cultural Organisations Rafi Haradzanjan is convinced that both reservations are acceptable. The MP Boris Cilevics (the Peoples Harmony Paty) criticises the Convention for dividing Latvian citizens into two groups. The head of the parliamentary group of the union Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners argues that all non-Latvians who reside in Latvia and identify themselves as minorities should be subjects of the Convention.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the advisor of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ilmars Mezs. The key discussion topic is ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Ilmars Mezs states that by ratifying the Convention Latvia undertakes obligations, which will neither reduce nor increase the scope of rights, which minorities in Latvia enjoy at the moment. However, Ilmars Mezs admits that Latvia most likely will be criticised for the introduction of reservations.

Newspapers provide views and assessment of the recent statements made by the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the People’s Party). Aleksandrs Kirsteins announced that several MPs of Jewish nationality ‘support Latvia’s external enemies and foster division of society… Taking into account historical experience, [the Jewish community] should not repeat the mistakes of 1940 and should not co-operate with Latvia’s external enemies.’ The MP made these statements in the response of the concerns expressed by the Council of Jewish Communities and Congregations that radicals and nationalists are trying to obtain the support of MPs. Human rights experts

Newspapers provide views and assessment of the recent statements made by the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the Peoples Party). Aleksandrs Kirsteins announced that several MPs of Jewish nationality ‘support Latvias external enemies and foster division of society… Taking into account historical experience, [the Jewish community] should not repeat the mistakes of 1940 and should not co-operate with Latvias external enemies. The MP made these statements in the response of the concerns expressed by the Council of Jewish Communities and Congregations that radicals and nationalists are trying to obtain the support of MPs. Human rights experts state that there is hidden anti-Semitism in the Kirsteins statements and that these statements are not far from calls to national hatred. Human rights expert Ilze Brands Kehre adds that ‘the Peoples Party should finally decide whether they want to deal with this issue. Latvijas Avize prints a full text of the statements of Aleksandrs Kirsteins. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

In the response to the reproaches of the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov about non-observance of minority rights in Latvia, the Latvian government announced that Latvian legislation fully complies with all international standards in the area of minority rights. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis noted that no discrimination of Russian-speakers in the Latvia’s job market had been observed. The Minister added that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has also admitted that Latvian legislation is in compliance with international norms. 

In the response to the reproaches of the Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Yuri Fedotov about non-observance of minority rights in Latvia, the Latvian government announced that Latvian legislation fully complies with all international standards in the area of minority rights. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Ainars Latkovskis noted that no discrimination of Russian-speakers in the Latvias job market had been observed. The Minister added that the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe has also admitted that Latvian legislation is in compliance with international norms. Diena

The European Parliament may adopt two resolutions concerning the Baltic States today. One of them will call Russia to recognise the occupation of the Baltic States, while the another will call the Baltic States to grant their non-citizens the rights to vote in municipal elections.

The European Parliament may adopt two resolutions concerning the Baltic States today. One of them will call Russia to recognise the occupation of the Baltic States, while the another will call the Baltic States to grant their non-citizens the rights to vote in municipal elections. Telegraf