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.

• Article on a meeting of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga comments on the Kirsteins statement that Russia must deport all ‘civil occupants from Latvia
• Society Integration Centre opened in Jelgava
• Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticises the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas
• Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff comments on the article published in the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize on Herberts Cukurs
• State Security Police will evaluate the permission to organise the commemoration procession of Latvian legionnaires in Riga

Chas continues to write about the meeting of the Intergroup for the Defence of Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages of the European Parliament on societal integration issues in Latvia. The newspaper features views of several members of the group. Some of MPs, interviewed by the newspaper, state that they were not aware about the real situation of minorities in Latvia and expressed their surprise for the big number of non-citizens in Latvia. The MP Csaba Tabajdi (Hungary) said that he would put the issue on the agenda of the European Parliaments Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. While an anonymous MPs assistant, from a former USSR state, argued that ‘it is crazy that such a little nation [Latvians] demand members of a big nation [Russians] to study in their [Latvian] language instead of improving their Russian language skills which would open them doors into the worlds culture and science.

Regarding the recent Kirsteins’ statements the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that ‘Of course, there is a freedom of speech in our country, however, Aleksandrs Kirsteins should take moral responsibility about consequences of his statements.’ As reported, in his interview to the Latvian daily

Regarding the recent Kirsteins statements the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga stated that ‘Of course, there is a freedom of speech in our country, however, Aleksandrs Kirsteins should take moral responsibility about consequences of his statements. As reported, in his interview to the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize Aleksandrs Kirsteins stated that Latvia should sign such a border agreement with Russia which would stipulate that Russia must deport all ‘civil occupants from Latvia.

Yesterday the Society Integration Centre was opened in Jelgava. The Centre was opened with a financial support of the EU PHARE grant programme. The key goals of the Centre is to promote societal integration in the city and encourage young people to take part in societal integration processes.

Yesterday the Society Integration Centre was opened in Jelgava. The Centre was opened with a financial support of the EU PHARE grant programme. The key goals of the Centre is to promote societal integration in the city and encourage young people to take part in societal integration processes. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Yesterday the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper

Yesterday the Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised the Prosecutor General Office for not initiating a case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that several articles printed by Chas incite national hatred. Chas, Telegraf

Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, in which he sharply criticises the Latvian daily

Representative of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre Efraim Zuroff has issued a statement, in which he sharply criticises the Latvian daily Latvijas Avize about its attempts to justify Herberts Cukurs, one of Latvian pilots who is accused in taking part in the Holocaust during the World War II. Besides, Efraim Zuroff notes that Latvia avoids talking about the role of Latvians in the Holocaust and that no Nazi War criminals have been brought to trial since Latvia regained its independence. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise a picket aim of which was to protest against the propaganda of fascism in Latvia. The city official based the refusal on the argument that the picket was planned at the place and time of another meeting, which had already received authorisation: procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires organised by the national-radical youth organisation

Yesterday the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks refused to authorise a picket aim of which was to protest against the propaganda of fascism in Latvia. The city official based the refusal on the argument that the picket was planned at the place and time of another meeting, which had already received authorisation: procession in commemoration of Latvian legionnaires organised by the national-radical youth organisation Klubs 415. The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis will ask the State Security Police to evaluate the authorisation issued by the City Council to Klubs 415. According to the Prime Minister, the particular attention should be paid to the commemoration of Latvian legionnaires, because it always has brought about controversial domestic and international reactions. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf