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.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis states that integration of society is in the interests of the state
• Latvias First Party wants to form a new political force based on family values and unity in the society
• Latvian National Human Rights Office has received 9 complaints on alleged racial and ethnic discrimination and 14 complaints on alleged language discrimination in 2006
• Weekly Nedela prints an article on skinhead groups in Latvia
• New members of the Consultative Council on Ethnic Minority Education held their first meeting

Telegraf prints an interview with the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis. Aigars Kalvitis has stated that integration of society is in the interests of the state. He argues that there is no ethnic discrimination in Latvia. Regarding possible attraction of a foreign labour force, Mr. Kalvitis commented that the government should discuss attraction of only highly qualified guest workers as an influx of a cheap labour force might have a negative impact on salaries.

On Saturday, the Latvia’s First Party held a party’s congress. Participants adopted a resolution on a formation of a new political force based on family values and unity in the society. The leader of the party Ainars Slesers stressed that efforts should be made to integrate Russian speakers into a Latvian society, as well as the government should  launch discussions on granting voting rights to Latvian non-citizens in municipal elections.

On Saturday, the Latvias First Party held a partys congress. Participants adopted a resolution on a formation of a new political force based on family values and unity in the society. The leader of the party Ainars Slesers stressed that efforts should be made to integrate Russian speakers into a Latvian society, as well as the government should launch discussions on granting voting rights to Latvian non-citizens in municipal elections. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

NRA reports that in 2006, the Latvian National Human Rights Office (LNHRO) received 9 written complaints on alleged racial and ethnic discrimination and 14 written complaints on alleged discrimination on the basis of language. The LNHRO has provided 55 verbal consultations on discrimination on the above mentioned basis.

The weekly N

The weekly Nedela prints an article on skinhead groups in Latvia. Over last two years a number of assaults on dark skinned persons were reported to the police in Latvia in 2006. According to the article, the Security Police (SP) carefully follow activities of Latvias skinheads and conducts monitoring of various internet sites. A representative of the SP in an interview with Nedela has stated that the SP in co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Science and the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration plan to develop and distribute materials on extremism and racism in Latvia.

Chas reports that new members of the Consultative Council on Ethnic Minority Education held their first meeting on Sunday. The Council includes 16 members – representatives of various Latvian schools and NGOs.