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.

• Senate of the Supreme Court reviewed Aleksandr Kazakovs appellation
• Diena: leaders of two opposite extreme groupings might coordinate their activities
• Concord Centre will attend naturalization exams
• Head of Russias Foreign Policy Centre: situation of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia is exaggerated
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia: equal rights for Latvian non-citizens will remain on the Russias agenda
• Physical assault on two citizens of Sri Lanka might be committed by two high school students

On Friday, 17 February, the Supreme Court Senate reviewed Aleksandr Kazakov’s appellation asking to abolish his inclusion in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. As reported, activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov was expelled from Latvia in September of 2004, because of his activities against the implementation of the minority education reform. The Court will announce its final verdict on 24 February.

On Friday, 17 February, the Supreme Court Senate reviewed Aleksandr Kazakovs appellation asking to abolish his inclusion in the list of persons who are denied entrance in Latvia. As reported, activist of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools in Latvia Aleksandr Kazakov was expelled from Latvia in September of 2004, because of his activities against the implementationof the minority education reform. The Court will announce its final verdict on 24 February. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Diena publishes a photo depicting the leaders of two opposite extreme groupings having a conversation: Jevgenijs Osipovs, leader of the Latvian National Democratic Party (LNDP), and Raivis Dzintars, leader of the right-wing nationalistic party All for Latvia. Most probably the picture is three years old. The author of the article claims that the two leaders might coordinate their activities to accomplish greater publicity.

Several members of the political party “The Concord Centre” have asked the Head of the Naturalisation Board to attend naturalization exams. “We are planning to attend all regional departments to prove that the naturalization process goes on according to law,” said representative of “The Concord Centre.” As reported, the People’s Party claimed that there are cases when naturalisation exams are not taken place in accordance with legal norms, therefore a group of MPs was formed to inspect the way exams are taken place.

Several members of the political party The Concord Centre have asked the Head of the Naturalisation Board to attend naturalization exams. We are planning to attend all regional departments to prove that the naturalization process goes on according to law, said representative of The Concord Centre. As reported, the Peoples Party claimed that there are cases when naturalisation exams are not taken place in accordance with legal norms, therefore a group of MPs was formed to inspect the way exams are taken place. Vesti Segodnya

The Head of Russian Foreign Policy Centre Eleonora Mitrofanova stated that the situation of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia is exaggerated. “Many Russian-speakers do not want to naturalize, they do not register their children and do not want to study the state language,” stated Eleonora Mitrofanova. However, she noted that there are violations of non-citizen rights, for instance, regarding employment. 

The Head of Russian Foreign Policy Centre Eleonora Mitrofanova stated that the situation of Russian-speaking residents in Latvia and Estonia is exaggerated. Many Russian-speakers do not want to naturalize, they do not register their children and do not want to study the state language, stated Eleonora Mitrofanova. However, she noted that there are violations of non-citizen rights, for instance, regarding employment. Vesti Segodnya

The Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy in an interview with the National Radio stated that while Latvian non-citizens do not have equal voting rights, the issue will stay on the agenda.

The Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Victor Kalyuzhniy in an interview with the National Radio stated that while Latvian non-citizens do not have equal voting rights, the issue will stay on the agenda. Diena

Physical assault on two citizens of Sri Lanka that occurred in January might be committed by two high school students. However, the representative of the Security Police stated that while the case is under investigation, no information would be disclosed. As reported, in January two citizens of Sri Lanka reported on allegedly racially motivated attack on them.

Physical assault on two citizens of Sri Lanka that occurred in January might be committed by two high school students. However, the representative of the Security Police stated that while the case is under investigation, no information would be disclosed. As reported, in January two citizens of Sri Lanka reported on allegedly racially motivated attack on them. Diena