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

• European Parliament adopts the report on Latvias preparedness to join the European Union
• NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visits Latvia
• Russia National-Bolshevik Party protests against the education reform in Latvia
• Amendments to the law on On meetings, walks and pickets
• About minority schools preparedness to the education reform
• Nationalist youth organization Klubs 415 challenges the ban on the procession on 6 March
• Political scientist Juris Rozenvalds about the education reform
• Constitutional Court dismisses complaint about the EU accession referendum
• Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies awards Marks of Distinction for significant contributions in the area of minority culture development
• Interview with the MP of RussiaState Council Konstantin Zatulin

European Parliament has adopted the report on Latvia’s preparedness to join the European Union, submitted by the German Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter. The report points to the necessity of speeding up the naturalization process, and of ratifying the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible. European parliament also recommends to consider the possibility of granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, and to accelerate the society integration process.

European Parliament has adopted the report on Latvias preparedness to join the European Union, submitted by the German Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter. The report points to the necessity of speeding up the naturalization process, and of ratifying the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible. European parliament also recommends to consider the possibility of granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections, and to accelerate the society integration process. Chas features a statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks, saying that Latvia cannot ratify the Framework convention yet. According to the minister, ‘the national minorities in Latvia have not developed in the natural way, but are a consequence of occupation, and this kind of minorities cannot be equated with the minorities, living in Latvia for many centuries (like, for example, Old Believers). Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas

Yesterday NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Latvia. During the meeting with the Secretary General Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks called him to touch upon the issue of Latvia and Russia boarder agreement during the planned visit of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to Mocow.

Yesterday NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Latvia. During the meeting with the Secretary General Foreign Affairs Minister Rihards Piks called him to touch upon the issue of Latvia and Russia boarder agreement during the planned visit of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer to Mocow. Latvijas Avize features an interview with Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. Latvijas Vestnesis, Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf, Chas

15 representatives of the Russia National-Bolshevik Party were detained during the unapproved protest action against ‘closing down Russian schools,’ ‘depriving Russian-speakers of the citizenship’ and ‘on-going trials against anti-fascist veterans’ in Latvia, where they chained themselves to the fence of the Latvian embassy in Moscow.

15 representatives of the Russia National-Bolshevik Party were detained during the unapproved protest action against ‘closing down Russian schools, ‘depriving Russian-speakers of the citizenship and ‘on-going trials against anti-fascist veterans in Latvia, where they chained themselves to the fence of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law on “On meetings, walks and pickets”, stipulating that meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates with their electorate, which take place outdoors, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks, must be coordinated with the municipality.

Saeima has adopted amendments to the law on On meetings, walks and pickets, stipulating that meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates with their electorate, which take place outdoors, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks, must be coordinated with the municipality. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Newspapers feature articles about the minority schools’ preparedness to the education reform, stating that Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has requested  to work out a new timetable for consultations with the representatives of minority schools, minority students and their parents.

Newspapers feature articles about the minority schools preparedness to the education reform, stating that Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics has requested to work out a new timetable for consultations with the representatives of minority schools, minority students and their parents. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Telegraf

Nationalist youth organization “Klubs 415” (“Club 415”) has applied to the court, challenging the decision of the Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban the procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion. 

Nationalist youth organization Klubs 415 (Club 415) has applied to the court, challenging the decision of the Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to ban the procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya publishes the statements of the political scientist Juris Rozenvalds about the education reforms implementation. Juris Rozenvalds believes that there were many mistakes made during the process of the reform, stressing that the most absurd decision is to oblige Russian teachers to teach in the Latvian language. Although political scientist believes that the escalation of violence is unlikely, he stresses the necessity to seek a compromise on the issue, in order to take away the strain in the society.

Constitutional Court has dismissed the complaint case, submitted by the representatives of the Latvia Socialist party. Party asked to recognize the results of the EU accession referendum as illegitimate, because non-citizens were not allowed to vote.

Constitutional Court has dismissed the complaint case, submitted by the representatives of the Latvia Socialist party. Party asked to recognize the results of the EU accession referendum as illegitimate, because non-citizens were not allowed to vote. Diena

Yesterday the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies has awarded Marks of Distinctions for sustained and significant contribution in the area of minority culture development to 15 individuals.

Yesterday the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies has awarded Marks of Distinctions for sustained and significant contribution in the area of minority culture development to 15 individuals. ­Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the MP of Russia State Council Konstantin Zatulin about the education reform in Latvia.