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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Interview with Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament
• Eizenija Aldermane, Head of Naturalisation Board, about the status of third country citizens after Latvias accession to EU
• Russian experts will participate in discussion on education reform
• Mock EU referendum among students: overwhelming support overall, but non-citizen students against
• Vesti Segodnya about EU criticism of Latvias failure to elaborate plan against discrimination of Russian-speakers on labour market within Development Plan
• Demand for NGOs free-of-charge Latvian language courses
• Chas continues discussion about education reform
• Court decides that Belorussian citizen born in Latvia may appeal his expulsion to the Supreme Court

Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament in an interview with

Pat Cox, the President of the European Parliament in an interview with Lauku avize affirms that the issue of naturalisation in Latvia is within the competence of the state itself and not the EU.

Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of Naturalisation Board, in a

Eizenija Aldermane, the Head of Naturalisation Board, in a Lauku Avize interview discusses the status of long-term residents and third country citizens after Latvias accession to EU.

A Russian delegation of six experts will participate in a discussion about the education reform concerning minority schools in Latvia. The experts have invited by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science.

A Russian delegation of six experts will participate in a discussion about the education reform concerning minority schools in Latvia. The experts have invited by the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science. Vesti Segodnya

In the shadow referendum among students organized in several large universities yesterday, almost 60% of students votes “yes” to Latvia’s accession to the EU. 

In the shadow referendum among students organized in several large universities yesterday, almost 60% of students votes yes to Latvias accession to the EU. Vesti segodnya notes that among the non-citizen students who participated in the mock referendum, a large majority (73%) were against joining the EU. Vesti segodnya, Chas, Rigas Balss, Diena, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya comments on the talks in Riga between representatives of the EU and the Latvian delegation on Latvias Development Plan within the EU. The newspaper contends that the EU representatives were critical of Latvias failure to heed the recommendation to elaborate a special plan for promoting employment among Russian speakers. Government representatives from Latvia in turn, were critical of the EU representative contention that there may be discrimination against Russian-speakers on the labour market.

Telegraf reports that many readers called in regarding the information that the NGO Prata Speks (Force of Mind) offered Latvian language courses free of charge. According to the newspaper this indicates that there is strong interest among non-Latvian speakers to learn Latvian, but not enough opportunities provided by the state. The NGO, which until now offered courses in Riga, has announced that it will start organizing courses in Liepaja as well.

Chas continues discussion about the education reform and states that Latvian-language newspapers misinform their readers about the issue.

Riga Regional Court has ruled that a Belorussian citizen who is born in Latvia and has been residing in Latvia may submit an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs expulsion decision.

Riga Regional Court has ruled that a Belorussian citizen who is born in Latvia and has been residing in Latvia may submit an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs expulsion decision. Vechernaya Riga