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.

• Cabinet of Ministers has set higher state language proficiency requirements for fire-fighters
• Representatives of the extreme right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) are planning to come to Latvia on 16 March
• Leader of the Latvian National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs promises to organise cruel protest actions against optimisation of Russian language schools in Liepaja
• U.S. Ambassador to Latvia and representatives of the Afro-Latvian Association opened an exhibition on Afro-American writers in Riga

At the end of last year, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to regulations on required levels of state language proficiency for certain professions. According to the new norms fire-fighters must speak the state language at the highest level. The State Fire Safety and Rescue Service (SFSRS) noted that state language proficiency level of 545 or almost one fifth of all fire-fighters does not correspond the required level. The SFSRS has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to annul the amendments.

At the end of last year, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to regulations on required levels of state language proficiency for certain professions. According to the new norms fire-fighters must speak the state language at the highest level. The State Fire Safety and Rescue Service (SFSRS) noted that state language proficiency level of 545 or almost one fifth of all fire-fighters does not correspond the required level. The SFSRS has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to annul the amendments. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Representatives of the extreme right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) are planning to come to Latvia on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. They are planning to participate in a conference and procession of legionaries organised by the Latvian extreme right political organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym). However, leader of the NSS Viktors Birze in an interview with

Representatives of the extreme right National Democratic Party of Germany (NPD) are planning to come to Latvia on 16 March – unofficial commemoration day of Latvian WWII legionaries. They are planning to participate in a conference and procession of legionaries organised by the Latvian extreme right political organisation National Power Union (NSS in its Latvian acronym). However, leader of the NSS Viktors Birze in an interview with Telegraf has stated that presence of the NPD is not welcomed at the commemoration events because 16 March is a day of legionaries who have fight for Latvia. The Minister of Interiors Ivars Godmanis has stated that neo-Nazis should not be let into the country and included into the list of persons who are forbidden to enter Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, NRA

In response to the decision of the Liepaja City Council to close several Russian schools, leader of the ultra left political organisation Latvian National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs has sent an open letter to the Mayor of the Liepaja City Council demanding to hold public discussions and public opinion poll and then take a decision.  If the Council does not consider public opinion, Jevgenijs Osipovs promises to organise large and cruel protest actions.

In response to the decision of the Liepaja City Council to close several Russian schools, leader of the ultra left political organisation Latvian National Democratic Party Jevgenijs Osipovs has sent an open letter to the Mayor of the Liepaja City Council demanding to hold public discussions and public opinion poll and then take a decision. If the Council does not consider public opinion, Jevgenijs Osipovs promises to organise large and cruel protest actions. Chas

Yesterday, the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey and representatives of the Afro-Latvian Association opened an exhibition on Afro-American writers in Riga in the framework of the Afro-American History Months. In the framework of the Month a number of events will be held to introduce Latvian residents with history and culture of Afro-Americans.

Yesterday, the U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey and representatives of the Afro-Latvian Association opened an exhibition on Afro-American writers in Riga in the framework of the Afro-American History Months. In the framework of the Month a number of events will be held to introduce Latvian residents with history and culture of Afro-Americans. Chas, Latvijas Avize