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

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission discuss the Statement of Russias State Council
• Saeima adopts in the first reading the amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Jakov Pliner, the head of the FHRUL, discusses minority situation in Latvia with Dmitry Rogozin, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council
• Nils Muiznieks about education reform for ITAR-TASS
• Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the World War II who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia
• Juris Dobelis, Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Dmitry Rogozin participate in a discussion on Russian TV

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen have discussed the Statement of Russia’s State Council about violations of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, the reproaches of Russia are ungrounded, and Latvia conforms to all international human rights standards in the area of observation of minority rights.

The minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Sandra Kalniete and the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission Gunter Verheugen have discussed the Statement of Russias State Council about violations of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, the reproaches of Russia are ungrounded, and Latvia conforms to all international human rights standards in the area of observation of minority rights. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Saeima in the first reading adopted the draft amendments to the law “On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State”. According to the amendments, non-citizens who become the residents of other states and get a travel document there, should renounce the status of a non-citizen of Latvia. The MPs from the People`s Harmony party believe that these rules have been proposed in order to reduce the number of Latvian non-citizens by means of administrative methods. Vladimir Buzajev, a MP from the FHRUL, has stressed that the amendments have been adopted without consulting international organizations, NGOs and minorities. According to

Yesterday the Saeima in the first reading adopted the draft amendments to the law On the Status of Former Citizens of the USSR Who are Not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. According to the amendments, non-citizens who become the residents of other states and get a travel document there, should renounce the status of a non-citizen of Latvia. The MPs from the People`s Harmony party believe that these rules have been proposed in order to reduce the number of Latvian non-citizens by means of administrative methods. Vladimir Buzajev, a MP from the FHRUL, has stressed that the amendments have been adopted without consulting international organizations, NGOs and minorities. According to Vechernaya Riga, around 60 persons have decided to renounce the non-citizen status this year with a view to becoming permanent residents of other states. Around 1000 of Latvian non-citizens have already left Latvia for residence abroad. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riha

Yesterday the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner met the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council Dmitry Rogozin to discuss minority situation and education reform in Latvia.

Yesterday the head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner met the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin to discuss minority situation and education reform in Latvia. Chas

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has stated for the Russian media agency ITAR-TASS that the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language of instruction “is painful, but necessary”.

The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has stated for the Russian media agency ITAR-TASS that the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language of instruction is painful, but necessary. Vesti Segodnya

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the Second World War who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has stated that Russia is planning to provide support to veterans of the Second World War who are subjected to criminal persecution in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report about a TV-bridge meeting of Juris Dobelis, a MP from the faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council, and Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council. The discussion was broadcasted on Russian TV.