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.

• Janis Jurkans repeatedly elected as the chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party
• Russia criticizes the statements of Laila Freivalde, the MFA of Sweden
• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK opposes the establishment of the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs
• Igor Pimenov opposes Josette Durrieu on education reform
• About the Latvian language courses free of charge in Ventspils

At the People’s Harmony Party’s (PHP) congress, Janis Jurkans has been repeatedly elected as the party’s chairman. Another candidate for the chairman’s post was the Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov. According to the new party’s program, the PHP is a social democratic left wing centrist party. According to Janis Jurkans, other social democratic parties will not be the PHP’s competitors because they work for Latvian electorate. The chairperson has also pointed to the necessity to broaden the traditional PHP’s electorate.

At the Peoples Harmony Partys (PHP) congress, Janis Jurkans has been repeatedly elected as the partys chairman. Another candidate for the chairmans post was the Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov. According to the new partys program, the PHP is a social democratic left wing centrist party. According to Janis Jurkans, other social democratic parties will not be the PHPs competitors because they work for Latvian electorate. The chairperson has also pointed to the necessity to broaden the traditional PHPs electorate. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

The Foreign Affairs Department of Russia has criticized the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde during her visit to Riga. The Minister has accused Russia for its statements on the violations of Russian-speakers’ rights.

The Foreign Affairs Department of Russia has criticized the statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Laila Freivalde during her visit to Riga. The Minister has accused Russia for its statements on the violations of Russian-speakers rights. Neatkariga Rita Avize

At the session of the party’s board, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has opposed the initiative of the New Era party to establish the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs for examining the opportunities to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to

At the session of the partys board, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK has opposed the initiative of the New Era party to establish the Saeima Sub-Committee on Integration Affairs for examining the opportunities to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to Vesti Segodnya columnist, the true objective of the Sub-Committees establishment is to postpone the ratification of the Framework Convention. Vesti Segodnya

Chas features the critical response of the Chairman of the Board of Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools Igor Pimenov to the statements of the chairperson of the Monitoring Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Josette Durrieu. Igor Pimenov opposes Josette Durrieu who believes that the compromise on 2004 education reform has been achieved.

Telegraf informs about the planned Latvian language courses free of charge in Ventspils. The project is supported by the Society Integration Foundation.