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.

• Telegraf discusses the definition of a minority offered by the government
• Senate of the USA Congress: Russia must recognise the occupation of the Baltic States realised by the Soviet Union
• Statement of the Council of the Jewish Communities in Latvia
• Diena discusses difficulties in teaching the Latvian history at Russian-language schools
• Newspapers report on the congress of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia

Telegraf prints a comprehensive article about the definition of a minority proposed by the government in the declaration added to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The newspaper states that according to the definition only descendants of those Latvian citizens who resided in Latvia before 1940 and belong to ethnic minorities will be covered by the Convention in Latvia. ‘Thus approximately 552,000 representatives of minorities will not be entitled to the status of a national minority, concludes the newspaper. Politicians argue that also those who are not subjects of the Convention but identify themselves as members of minorities are to the rights provided by the Convention if legal norms do not stipulate otherwise. However, Telegraf stresses that these persons will not be able to protect their rights in court. Human rights experts, interviewed by the newspaper, evaluate the minority definition offered by the government rather critically. The Head of the Human Rights Institute of the University of Latvia Arturs Kucs believes that the most appropriate solution would have been defining all minorities residing in Latvia for several generations national minorities. The MP Boris Cilevics (the Peoples Harmony Party) notes that the minority definition contradicts the Constitution of Latvia, which does not grades its inhabitants according to their citizenship status, but stipulates that all persons in Latvia are equal before law.

The Senate of the USA Congress has adopted a resolution asking Russia to recognise the occupation of the Baltic States realised by the Soviet Union and to condemn the occupation. According to the resolution of the Senate, the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union in 1940 was an aggressive act and was implemented against the will of sovereign nations. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Aleksandr Jakovenko has stated that the position of Russia towards the recognition of the Baltic States’ occupation has not changed after the resolution.

The Senate of the USA Congress has adopted a resolution asking Russia to recognise the occupation of the Baltic States realised by the Soviet Union and to condemn the occupation. According to the resolution of the Senate, the incorporation of the Baltic States into the Soviet Union in 1940 was an aggressive act and was implemented against the will of sovereign nations. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Aleksandr Jakovenko has stated that the position of Russia towards the recognition of the Baltic States occupation has not changed after the resolution. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Russian-language newspapers print a statement of the Council of the Jewish Communities in Latvia regarding Herberts Cukurs, famous pilot in pre-war Latvia, who in the World War II allegedly participated in the Holocaust. The Council is concerned that recent publications and a documentary about the life of Herberts Cukurs are attempts to justify him.

Russian-language newspapers print a statement of the Council of the Jewish Communities in Latvia regarding Herberts Cukurs, famous pilot in pre-war Latvia, who in the World War II allegedly participated in the Holocaust. The Council is concerned that recent publications and a documentary about the life of Herberts Cukurs are attempts to justify him. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena discusses difficulties faced by teachers of the Latvian history at Russian-language schools. The daily states that the understanding of the Latvian history among Latvian and Russian students differs. While history teachers interviewed by Diena points to a number of problems concerning teaching of the Latvian history at minority schools: the lack of good text books in Russian and negative attitude of several history teachers towards the state.

Newspapers report on the congress of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). A member of the union Vladimirs Buzajevs claimed that if there was no Russian organisations, in particular FHRUL, the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia would have been dramatic: the Russian language would be the only subject taught in Russian at Russian language schools, non-citizens would have only temporary residence permits, etc. The co-leader of the union and the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka stated that Latvia is a two-community state and if Russian political organisations grew stronger Latvia may become another Belgium.

Newspapers report on the congress of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). A member of the union Vladimirs Buzajevs claimed that if there was no Russian organisations, in particular FHRUL, the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia would have been dramatic: the Russian language would be the only subject taught in Russian at Russian language schools, non-citizens would have only temporary residence permits, etc. The co-leader of the union and the member of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka stated that Latvia is a two-community state and if Russian political organisations grew stronger Latvia may become another Belgium. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf