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.

Press Review

Press Review

CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen considers that the right of vote in municipal elections shall be given also to non-citizens. If, after amending the Law on Citizenship, the number of citizens would not increase rapidly, the legislatures should consider a possibility to grant this right to Latvian non-citizens. The Saeima Human Rights Commission opposed to this , saying that the naturalisation windows had been abolished therefore non-citizen might receive citizenship and take part not only in municipal but also the Saeima election. O.Espersen agreed that Russian demands to liberalise Latvian Law on Citizenship had no grounds. Saeima Deputy Chairman I.Berzins thinks that if Russia wants to see any progress in the naturalisation of non-citizens in Latvia, it should be involved and help at least with a call to learn the Latvian language and get Latvian citizenship. O.Esperson met also the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane and pointed out that within two months after the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were adopted, only 16 non-citizens and aliens had requested Latvian citizenship for their children.

CBSS Commissioner O.Espersen considers that the right of vote in municipal elections shall be given also to non-citizens. If, after amending the Law on Citizenship, the number of citizens would not increase rapidly, the legislatures should consider a possibility to grant this right to Latvian non-citizens. The Saeima Human Rights Commission opposed to this , saying that the naturalisation windows had been abolished therefore non-citizen might receive citizenship and take part not only in municipal but also the Saeima election. O.Espersen agreed that Russian demands to liberalise Latvian Law on Citizenship had no grounds. Saeima Deputy Chairman I.Berzins thinks that if Russia wants to see any progress in the naturalisation of non-citizens in Latvia, it should be involved and help at least with a call to learn the Latvian language and get Latvian citizenship. O.Esperson met also the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane and pointed out that within two months after the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were adopted, only 16 non-citizens and aliens had requested Latvian citizenship for their children. Neatkariga, Diena

Another author in

Another author in Neatkariga stated that this announcement was more than honey for extremists.

Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee wants to take more active part in the formation of a unique foreign policy and control the activities of the executive power. The first of the planned activities will be evaluation of the MFA activity plan and control of its execution. The Chairman of the Commission G.Krasts informed that the Commission had started to elaborate its priority actions.

Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee wants to take more active part in the formation of a unique foreign policy and control the activities of the executive power. The first of the planned activities will be evaluation of the MFA activity plan and control of its execution. The Chairman of the Commission G.Krasts informed that the Commission had started to elaborate its priority actions. Neatkariga

Consultative Council on Nationalities will submit their proposals to the education part of the public integration program concept to continue the discussion on this important topic afterwards. During yesterday’s discussion there was a rather sharp criticism on it. State President G.Ulmanis pointed out that acknowledging and solving of education problems was one of the most important components of the integration program, and he would be pleased if this issue would be considered in a complex way. The author of et education part B.Petersone explained that education was in reality acting as a splitting but not integrating factor. She stressed that the two major directions of the concept – ensuring of the Latvian language training and development of the education content. The major critics came from B.Cilevich, who considered this education part was nothing new and foresaw abolishing of minorities education.

Consultative Council on Nationalities will submit their proposals to the education part of the public integration program concept to continue the discussion on this important topic afterwards. During yesterdays discussion there was a rather sharp criticism on it. State President G.Ulmanis pointed out that acknowledging and solving of education problems was one of the most important components of the integration program, and he would be pleased if this issue would be considered in a complex way. The author of et education part B.Petersone explained that education was in reality acting as a splitting but not integrating factor. She stressed that the two major directions of the concept – ensuring of the Latvian language training and development of the education content. The major critics came from B.Cilevich, who considered this education part was nothing new and foresaw abolishing of minorities education. Neatkariga

When writing about the picket at the Riga City Council, Latvian newspapers state that about 700 people took part in it, and it ended peacefully

When writing about the picket at the Riga City Council, Latvian newspapers state that about 700 people took part in it, and it ended peacefully. Neatkariga, Diena, Lauku Avize

Russian speaking newspapers estimate the number of participants in to several thousands (

Russian speaking newspapers estimate the number of participants in to several thousands (Chas) or fifteen hundred (SM) and write about some unsuccessful instigations. Biznes & Baltiya, Panorama Latvii

The government forming coalition and the Union of Latvian Social Democrats come to an agreement that the Director of NHRO did not comply with this post and should be exchanged, but also I.Ziemele, proposed by Social Democrats was not the right candidate.

The government forming coalition and the Union of Latvian Social Democrats come to an agreement that the Director of NHRO did not comply with this post and should be exchanged, but also I.Ziemele, proposed by Social Democrats was not the right candidate. Neatkariga

The plan how to introduce society with the national program For Public Integration in Latvia has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. A the Head of the Naturaisation board E.Aldermane explained, the program would be presented to public in a week.

The plan how to introduce society with the national program For Public Integration in Latvia has been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. A the Head of the Naturaisation board E.Aldermane explained, the program would be presented to public in a week. Diena

The Community of Latvian Jews will not commemorate March 16, and its Chairman considers that by turning this date into a commemoration day, Latvian officials have found themselves in “ a strange situation”.

The Community of Latvian Jews will not commemorate March 16, and its Chairman considers that by turning this date into a commemoration day, Latvian officials have found themselves in a strange situation. Diena

The Chairman of the Saeima commission Dz.Abikis announced that the draft language law was ready for the second reading and it guaranteed people the right to communicate in the state language in public institutions.

The Chairman of the Saeima commission Dz.Abikis announced that the draft language law was ready for the second reading and it guaranteed people the right to communicate in the state language in public institutions. Diena