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 Report

Around 500 (also mentioned 2000, several thousands) mostly elderly people and some children rallied yesterday at Esplanade to protest the draft language regulations. 22 NGOs have expressed readiness to organize protest activities until the developers of regulations give in. The concerns expressed by ralliers include the possible loss of jobs, wish to use Russian freely, to have education in Russian. Many speakers harshly criticized the State Language Law passed last year. Observers note that the political demands were expressed efficiently and without causing public disorder.

Around 500 (also mentioned 2000, several thousands) mostly elderly people and some children rallied yesterday at Esplanade to protest the draft language regulations. 22 NGOs have expressed readiness to organize protest activities until the developers of regulations give in. The concerns expressed by ralliers include the possible loss of jobs, wish to use Russian freely, to have education in Russian. Many speakers harshly criticized the State Language Law passed last year. Observers note that the political demands were expressed efficiently and without causing public disorder. Diena, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti, Jauna Avize, Neatkariga

A commentary by Askolds Rodins in

A commentary by Askolds Rodins in Diena says that the draft language regulations could serve as a sample of a bad work of public servants, at the same time he has noticed that the object of protests of Russian-speakers actually is the State Language Law passed last year, and the demands for the second state language are heard again.

Representatives of the left-wing forces yesterday visited the Head of the UNDP Mission in Latvia Jan Sand Sorensen to hand over the signatures under the petition to international organizations asking to grant municipal election rights to non-citizens. Mr. Sorensen promised to deliver the petition to Geneva, UNCHR.

Representatives of the left-wing forces yesterday visited the Head of the UNDP Mission in Latvia Jan Sand Sorensen to hand over the signatures under the petition to international organizations asking to grant municipal election rights to non-citizens. Mr. Sorensen promised to deliver the petition to Geneva, UNCHR. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

It is possible that in September the Strasbourg Court will start the first hearing against the state of Latvia. In 1998 the Central Election Committee crossed out from the election list the candidate from For Human Rights in United Latvia for insufficient knowledge of the state language on the basis of conclusion of the language commission.

It is possible that in September the Strasbourg Court will start the first hearing against the state of Latvia. In 1998 the Central Election Committee crossed out from the election list the candidate from For Human Rights in United Latvia for insufficient knowledge of the state language on the basis of conclusion of the language commission. Vesti

The famous fighter for human rights Tatjana Zdanok will be one of the four representatives from Latvia to the Council of Compatriates under the Russian State Duma. The council is a consultative body with the lower house of the Russian parliament aimed at representing the interests of the Russian-speaking diaspora outside Russia and participating in discussion of draft laws providing for the protection of rights of compatriates.

The famous fighter for human rights Tatjana Zdanok will be one of the four representatives from Latvia to the Council of Compatriates under the Russian State Duma. The council is a consultative body with the lower house of the Russian parliament aimed at representing the interests of the Russian-speaking diaspora outside Russia and participating in discussion of draft laws providing for the protection of rights of compatriates. Vesti

In an interview to the national radio Prime Minister Andris Berzins said that the Russian-language press editions quite often reflect the work of the government more precisely than Latvian media. Cooperation with the Russian papers had always been constructive and business-like.

In an interview to the national radio Prime Minister Andris Berzins said that the Russian-language press editions quite often reflect the work of the government more precisely than Latvian media. Cooperation with the Russian papers had always been constructive and business-like. Respublika