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 Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks
• Gap in law obstructs the naturalization of non-citizens children
• Municipal voting rights recommended in the report of European Parliament on Immigration, integration and employment
• Newspapers report on Finnish article about the attempt of Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia through the EU
• Interview with activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools
• Draft report of the European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Special Task Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks about current events in the area of society integration and the future plans of the Special Task Ministers Secretariat. The Special Task Minister believes that it is not possible to grant voting rights at the municipal elections for non-citizens during the actual Saeimas term of office and calls on non-citizens to naturalize. Nils Muiznieks states that it is more necessary to motivate non-citizens to naturalize than to grant them additional political rights. The Minister also believes that the proportion of 40% subjects to be taught in minority language and 60% in Latvian must be established in the Law on Education.

Telegraf writes about the gap in the law, making difficult the registration of non-citizens children as citizens of Latvia. In a case described by the newspaper, the officials of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs have denied the application by a mother who just passed the exams of naturalization herself for the registration of her child as a citizen of Latvia, motivating their decision with stipulation that such an opportunity is available only for children, whose both parents are non-citizens. Special Task Minister for the Society Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that there is no reason for the refusal to register this child as a citizen of Latvia.

Newspapersfeature articles about recommendations included in the report of European Parliament (EP) on “Immigration, integration and employment”. The EP recommends granting voting rights at municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents.

Newspapersfeature articles about recommendations included in the report of European Parliament (EP) on Immigration, integration and employment. The EP recommends granting voting rights at municipal elections and European Parliament elections for all EU permanent residents. Latvijas Avize, Chas

Newspapers report on an article in the Finnish newspaper “Helsingin Sanomat”, which points to the attempt by Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia in the area of minority rights observation using the EU as a mediator. According to the “Helsingin Sanomat”, the EU itself is in a difficult situation because it lacks sufficient mechanisms to pressure Russia into accepting that the framework aqgreement of cooperation between EU and Russia also apply to new member states.

Newspapersreport on an article in the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, which points to the attempt by Russia to put pressure on Latvia and Estonia in the area of minority rights observation using the EU as a mediator. According to the Helsingin Sanomat, the EU itself is in a difficult situation because it lacks sufficient mechanisms to pressure Russia into accepting that the framework aqgreement of cooperation between EU and Russia also apply to new member states. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Chas features an interview with the activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools Vadim Gailish about the planned protest actions of this organization against the 2004 education reform.

Telegraf prints the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union.