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

• Comments on the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles
• Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks calls police to evaluate activities of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language schools
• Criticism of Vaira Vike-Freibergas decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education
• Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry about the Latvian legion
• Interview with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins

Newspapers continue discussion about the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, featuring the statements of the Latvian officials. The Head of Saeima’s Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Ina Druviete contrary to Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the granting of the voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections will impede the naturalization process. The ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the Latvian Ambassador to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs predict that Russia will use these recommendations for the Russian campaign against Latvia.

Newspapers continue discussion about the recommendations of the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles, featuring the statements of the Latvian officials. The Head of Saeimas Human Rights and Social Affairs Committee Ina Druviete contrary to Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the granting of the voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections will impede the naturalization process. The ambassador of Latvia to the European Union Andris Kesteris and the Latvian Ambassador to the Council of Europe Georgs Andrejevs predict that Russia will use these recommendations for the Russian campaign against Latvia. Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Alvaro Gil-Robles. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature articles about the conflicts between Russian and Latvian students in Riga. Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks has appealed to the State Police and Riga Municipal Police calling them to evaluate the activities of the organizers of the protest actions against education reform. The official has also asked the Municipal Police to intensify the patrolling in the districts in which the conflicts have occurred. According to Andrejs Vilks, there have been intensified conflicts between Latvian and Russian students in Riga after the protest campaign.

Newspapers feature articles about the conflicts between Russian and Latvian students in Riga. Head of the Riga City Council Security and Order Committee Andrejs Vilks has appealed to the State Police and Riga Municipal Police calling them to evaluate the activities of the organizers of the protest actions against education reform. The official has also asked the Municipal Police to intensify the patrolling in the districts in which the conflicts have occurred. According to Andrejs Vilks, there have been intensified conflicts between Latvian and Russian students in Riga after the protest campaign. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian-language newspapers criticize the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education.

Russian-language newspapers criticize the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education. Chas features the statements of Estonian and Russian politicians about the education reform 2004. The Secretary General of the Estonian United Peoples Party Anatoly Jegorov believes that the education reform is in conflict with the European minority rights values. Vice speaker of Russias State Council Dmitry Rogozin criticizes the President of Latvia for her decision to announce the amendments to the Law on Education and claims that by doing so the President has shown that 40% of the children of Latvia are unwanted for the state. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has published information about the participation of the Latvian legion in war crimes during 1941 – 1945. The ministry stresses that there are attempts in Latvia to revise the judgment of the Nuremberg Court, which recognized the activities of the legion as unlawful.

Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry has published information about the participation of the Latvian legion in war crimes during 1941 – 1945. The ministry stresses that there are attempts in Latvia to revise the judgment of the Nuremberg Court, which recognized the activities of the legion as unlawful. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the State secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins about the relations between Latvia and Russia.