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.

• The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus visits Latvia
• Newspapers report on a public hearing in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka vs. Latvia at the European Court of Human Rights
• Telegraf continues discussion about the recent prohibition for local students to study in Russian at the Riga Technical University
• Naturalisation Board warns non-citizens not to trust an internet advertisement offering help with the naturalisation process

Today the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus visits Latvia. In a phone interview to

Today the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus visits Latvia. In a phone interview to Diena he stressed that recent ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is only a part of his visits agenda. The high commissioner is planning to meet with the foreign affairs minister, the special assignments minister for social integration, and the head of the Naturalisation Board. He will also visit the Riga Classical Gymnasium in order to evaluate implementation of the minority education reform. Diena, Chas

Newspapers report on the Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka vs. Latvia held at the European Court of Human Rights yesterday.

Newspapers report on the Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka vs.Latvia held at the European Court of Human Rights yesterday. Diena informs that Zdanokas lawyer characterised prohibitions for persons, who were members of the Communist Party after the 13 January 1991, to stand for elections in Latvia, as illegitimate and disproportional. According to the lawyer, the goal of these prohibitions was ‘to get rid of political opponents, and Tatjana Zdanoka, ‘whose only crime is being a leader of the Russian-speaking community, was one of them. The representative of the Latvian Government to the International Human Rights Organisations Inga Reine tried to defend the states position, explaining the historical context, as well as stressing that the state itself is more capable of assessing the necessity of prohibition than an international court. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf continues to discuss prohibitions for local students to study in the Russian language at the Riga Technical University. The newspaper criticises intention of the Ministry of Education and Science to propose amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, which would stipulate that only foreign nationals have a right to study in foreign languages at Latvian state universities. The MP and human rights expert Boris Cilevics believes such a norm would be discriminatory against the Russian-speaking residents of Latvia.

Naturalisation Board warns Latvian non-citizens not to trust an internet advertisement which offers help with the naturalisation process. According to the Naturalisation Board, those who are willing to naturalise should apply to the regional departments of the Board. As reported, the advertisement posted on the website

Naturalisation Board warns Latvian non-citizens not to trust an internet advertisement which offers help with the naturalisation process. According to the Naturalisation Board, those who are willing to naturalise should apply to the regional departments of the Board. As reported, the advertisement posted on the website www.ss.lv promises to ‘speed up the naturalisation process for a fee of Ls340. Telegraf