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

Riga District Court yesterday delayed hearing of the criminal case against the radical right-wing group Perkonkrusts (Thundercross). The members of the group appeared before the court after the attempt to blow up the Victory Monument. A small group of supporters gathered outside the court building. Some of them were distributing leaflets with information that the closest task of Perkonkrusts is overturning the current government and building the state of Latvians.

Riga District Court yesterday delayed hearing of the criminal case against the radical right-wing group Perkonkrusts (Thundercross). The members of the group appeared before the court after the attempt to blow up the Victory Monument. A small group of supporters gathered outside the court building. Some of them were distributing leaflets with information that the closest task of Perkonkrusts is overturning the current government and building the state of Latvians. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Head of the Russian State Duma’s Commission for CIS matters and contacts with compatriates Boris Pastuhov during the yesterday’s meeting with the Latvian Ambassador to Russia Imants Daudiss noted that introducing economic sanctions against Latvia is not the most efficient and necessary step for improving the relations between the countries.

Head of the Russian State Dumas Commission for CIS matters and contacts with compatriates Boris Pastuhov during the yesterdays meeting with the Latvian Ambassador to Russia Imants Daudiss noted that introducing economic sanctions against Latvia is not the most efficient and necessary step for improving the relations between the countries. Diena, Panorama Latvii, Vesti (give a more detailed report on the meeting).

Russia has decided to turn attention of the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Commission to the human rights violations in the Baltic countries, especially Latvia.

Russia has decided to turn attention of the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Commission to the human rights violations in the Baltic countries, especially Latvia. Neatkariga, Respublika

The request to the government to consider accepting 100 refugees from Chechnya in Latvia was forwarded to the Foreign Ministry. The ministry’s spokesperson informed that a week will be needed to consider the request and develop the government’s position.

The request to the government to consider accepting 100 refugees from Chechnya in Latvia was forwarded to the Foreign Ministry. The ministrys spokesperson informed that a week will be needed to consider the request and develop the governments position. Jauna Avize, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

March 22 the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will meet the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov to discuss the bilateral relations and other topical issues. The meeting was initiated by the Russian ambassador.

March 22 the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will meet the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov to discuss the bilateral relations and other topical issues. The meeting was initiated by the Russian ambassador. Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Latvian MPs from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia are invited for consultations to the Russian State Duma on March 28, a day before Duma is scheduled to have the third reading of the draft law on economic sanctions against Latvia. Last week leader of the Latvia’s Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks met Russian officials calling to not support the sanctions.

Latvian MPs from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia are invited for consultations to the Russian State Duma on March 28, a day before Duma is scheduled to have the third reading of the draft law on economic sanctions against Latvia. Last week leader of the Latvias Socialist Party Alfreds Rubiks met Russian officials calling to not support the sanctions. Diena

The Russian Embassy to Latvia has asked the government’s permission to set up another polling station in Riga – at Skonto sports hall – as they expect big activity of the Russian citizens at the presidential elections this Sunday. This is the first time when a polling station is being arranged outside the territory of the Russian Embassy or consulate.

The Russian Embassy to Latvia has asked the governments permission to set up another polling station in Riga – at Skonto sports hall – as they expect big activity of the Russian citizens at the presidential elections this Sunday. This is the first time when a polling station is being arranged outside the territory of the Russian Embassy or consulate. Diena

The Constitutional Court will consider whether the restrictions for the former KGB officers and members of the forbidden organizations to stand for elections comply with the Constitution. Diena

The Constitutional Court will consider whether the restrictions for the former KGB officers and members of the forbidden organizations to stand for elections comply with the Constitution. Diena

The appeal case of the former red partisan Vasily Kononov will be considered by the Latvian Supreme Court on April 13.

The appeal case of the former red partisan Vasily Kononov will be considered by the Latvian Supreme Court on April 13.

Results of a sociological survey in Estonia show that four fifth of the residents see Russia as a potential source of threat for the independent Estonia. 49% said Russia is a certain source of threat, 17% said Russia is very dangerous to Estonia.

Results of a sociological survey in Estonia show that four fifth of the residents see Russia as a potential source of threat for the independent Estonia. 49% said Russia is a certain source of threat, 17% said Russia is very dangerous to Estonia. Neatkariga, Respublika