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.

• Latvia may hold a national referendum on amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Guest workers might be invited to Latvia in four or five years
• Security Police initiate cases against members of National Bolsheviks and the Union of National Forces
• 534 new naturalized citizens of Latvia
• Baltic Forum will organise discussions on integration issues
• Members of East-West Network conference will attend a Russian school

The representatives of the Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM in an interview with

The representatives of the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM in an interview with Chas stated that the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law developed by FF/LNIM might be discussed at a national referendum. As reported, among other the draft amendments provide that persons, who arrived to Latvia during the USSRs regime, should not have the right to naturalization, while those, entitled to naturalization, should present guarantees of their loyalty provided by two Latvian citizens. One of the leaders of the Latvias First Party Ainars Slesers, in an interview with Vesti Segodnya, stated that he believes that there should not be any restrictions on naturalization and his party will not support the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law.

Yesterday, deputy head of the Saeima’s Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Augusts Brigmanis, stated that Latvia may face the acute need in guest workers from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine after four or five years, arguing that the increasing number of local work force leaves the country. However, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis believes that the situation is not so serious and there will be no need to make the Latvian job market more open.

Yesterday, deputy head of the Saeimas Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Augusts Brigmanis, stated that Latvia may face the acute need in guest workers from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine after four or five years, arguing that the increasing number of local work force leaves the country. However, the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis believes that the situation is not so serious and there will be no need to make the Latvian job market more open. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Security Police initiated a criminal case against three National Bolsheviks, who hung out a banner “Burial of Freedom” from the window of the Hotel de Rome on the Latvian Independence Day. Another criminal case was initiated against a member of the ultra-right organization the Union of National Forces for incitement to ethnic hatred in a TV show in May of 2005. The member of the Union of National Forces called to create conditions for repatriation of people who came to Latvia during the USSR’s regime to their ethnic homeland.

Yesterday the Security Police initiated a criminal case against three National Bolsheviks, who hung out a banner Burial of Freedom from the window of the Hotel de Rome on the Latvian Independence Day. Another criminal case was initiated against a member of the ultra-right organization the Union of National Forces for incitement to ethnic hatred in a TV show in May of 2005. The member of the Union of National Forces called to create conditions for repatriation of people who came to Latvia during the USSRs regime to their ethnic homeland. Chas, Diena

534 persons, including 42 children, were naturalized yesterday in Latvia.

534 persons, including 42 children, were naturalized yesterday in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

The Head of the Baltic Forum Janis Urbanovics is planning to organize discussions on  integration issues in the end of November. 20 well known persons were asked to answer the following question “What measures should be taken by Latvians and Russian speaking residents to unite the two groups and improve mutual relations.” One of the surveyed persons Dzintra Hirsa, former head of the State Language Centre, in an interview with

The Head of the Baltic Forum Janis Urbanovics is planning to organize discussions on integration issues in the end of November. 20 well known persons were asked to answer the following question What measures should be taken by Latvians and Russian speaking residents to unite the two groups and improve mutual relations. One of the surveyed persons Dzintra Hirsa, former head of the State Language Centre, in an interview with Latvijas Avize stated that there will be no integration if there is no common understanding of history in the society. Dzintra Hirsa also believes that Latvians should not yield to Russians. Latvijas Avize

An international conference “East-West Network” will be organized in Riga on 25 and 26 November. Before the conference, its guests from Europe and CIS countries will attend a Russian school and hold discussions with Russian students about the implementation  and problems of the minority school reform launched in 2004.

An international conference East-West Network will be organized in Riga on 25 and 26 November. Before the conference, its guests from Europe and CIS countries will attend a Russian school and hold discussions with Russian students about the implementation and problems of the minority school reform launched in 2004. Chas