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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Vechernaya Riga reports on the latest activities of the Naturalisation Board. With the financial support of the embassy of Great Britain, the Board will organise a tour with information booths where interested people will be able to receive all information about citizenship acquisition procedure. The Board is planning to have 9 information booths in Riga and 16 outside Riga. Chas

The Board of Latvia’s Way has asked party’s Saeima deputy, chairman of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics an explanation about the usage of funding allotted for the Roma Association from the state budget. A letter from Roma representatives stating that this money is not spent for integrating Roma into society motivated Latvia’s Way to ask for an explanation.

The Board of Latvias Way has asked partys Saeima deputy, chairman of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics an explanation about the usage of funding allotted for the Roma Association from the state budget. A letter from Roma representatives stating that this money is not spent for integrating Roma into society motivated Latvias Way to ask for an explanation. Diena

The First Party has announced its list of ministers for the 8th Saeima. Among already existing posts of ministers, the First Party has introduced the post of the Special Purpose Minister in National Minority Affairs and has nominated for the post conductor of the orthodox choir Aleksandrs Brandavs.

The First Party has announced its list of ministers for the 8th Saeima. Among already existing posts of ministers, the First Party has introduced the post of the Special Purpose Minister in National Minority Affairs and has nominated for the post conductor of the orthodox choir Aleksandrs Brandavs. Diena

Six MPs have proposed awarding honorary Latvian citizenship to vice Rabbi Dmitry Bekker for his contribution in promoting the integration of Jews into Latvian society and fostering understanding and tolerance among nationalities in Latvia. During the 7th Saeima Latvian citizenship for special contributions was awarded to ballet dancer Andris Liepa and basketball player Bruno Peterson.

Six MPs have proposed awarding honorary Latvian citizenship to vice Rabbi Dmitry Bekker for his contribution in promoting the integration of Jews into Latvian society and fostering understanding and tolerance among nationalities in Latvia. During the 7th Saeima Latvian citizenship for special contributions was awarded to ballet dancer Andris Liepa and basketball player Bruno Peterson. Rigas Balss

Chas

provides a summary of the activities of MPs of the 7th Saeima. The majority of MPs admit that amendments to the election laws lifting the language requirement for election candidates is the key event during this Saeima. The newspaper predicts that one of the most complicated issues will be the planned switch of minority schools to the Latvian language in 2004. provides a summary of the activities of MPs of the 7th Saeima. The majority of MPs admit that amendments to the election laws lifting the language requirement for election candidates is the key event during this Saeima. The newspaper predicts that one of the most complicated issues will be the planned switch of minority schools to the Latvian language in 2004. Editors of

Editors of Vesti Segodnja talk to leader of the New Era party Einars Repse. He states that his party does not divide people according their ethnic backgrounds and does not offer any special integration programme. He believes that first of all socio-economic problems should be solved and afterwards people themselves will be able to manage integration problems.