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

After several months of disagreement the government yesterday confirmed the short version of the state program “Society Integration in Latvia” and agreed that the society integration work would be coordinated by Justice Ministry but the decision on establishing the practical mechanism of integration – the Society Integration Fund (SIF) – should be made by the Saeima. In March the government will seriously review the work accomplished in integration sphere. Justice Ministry now is assigned to develop a draft law on SIF. For the work with integration issues the ministry will create a small department. The minister Labucka hopes that the draft law on SIF will be passed by the end of this year.

After several months of disagreement the government yesterday confirmed the short version of the state program Society Integration in Latvia and agreed that the society integration work would be coordinated by Justice Ministry but the decision on establishing the practical mechanism of integration – the Society Integration Fund (SIF) – should be made by the Saeima. In March the government will seriously review the work accomplished in integration sphere. Justice Ministry now is assigned to develop a draft law on SIF. For the work with integration issues the ministry will create a small department. The minister Labucka hopes that the draft law on SIF will be passed by the end of this year. Diena, Jauna Avize, Vesti, Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis

A survey carried out by SKDS shows that an equal number – 47% - of residents of Latvia support and reject granting municipal election rights to non-citizens. 61.4% of citizens reject, 33 % agree; 6.6% of non-citizens reject, 90.6% agree. 27% of residents said they fully agree, 21% “sooner agree”; 32% completely reject and 17% “sooner reject”. Compared to February when the previous survey was carried out and the campaign for granting election rights had not started, the number of supporters was 51% of residents, while in June it has dropped to 47%.

A survey carried out by SKDS shows that an equal number – 47% - of residents of Latvia support and reject granting municipal election rights to non-citizens. 61.4% of citizens reject, 33 % agree; 6.6% of non-citizens reject, 90.6% agree. 27% of residents said they fully agree, 21% sooner agree; 32% completely reject and 17% sooner reject. Compared to February when the previous survey was carried out and the campaign for granting election rights had not started, the number of supporters was 51% of residents, while in June it has dropped to 47%. Diena, Vesti

Roughly 50 people yesterday gathered for a rally across the building of the Cabinet of Ministers to continue protesting against the draft language regulations. The rallying will continue for 3 days, then the protesters will decide on other activities. A group of young people demanded to have at least secondary education in Russian. Pensioners were worried that they will have to apply to state institutions in Latvian only.

Roughly 50 people yesterday gathered for a rally across the building of the Cabinet of Ministers to continue protesting against the draft language regulations. The rallying will continue for 3 days, then the protesters will decide on other activities. A group of young people demanded to have at least secondary education in Russian. Pensioners were worried that they will have to apply to state institutions in Latvian only. Neatkariga, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in a radio interview rejected the idea to have two state languages in Latvia and commented that Russian-language papers spread inaccurate information about the draft language regulations.

Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins in a radio interview rejected the idea to have two state languages in Latvia and commented that Russian-language papers spread inaccurate information about the draft language regulations. Jauna Avize, Vesti, Respublika

European Court of Human Rights sent a letter to the Latvian government to inquire about two cases from Latvia filed in the court. One is about a candidate for the last Saeima elections who was dismissed from the list because of insufficient state language proficiency, the other about registration in Latvia.

European Court of Human Rights sent a letter to the Latvian government to inquire about two cases from Latvia filed in the court. One is about a candidate for the last Saeima elections who was dismissed from the list because of insufficient state language proficiency, the other about registration in Latvia. Chas, Panorama Latvii