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.

• Ministers from the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM are planning to come against the draft migration concept
• Vesti Segodnya prints various opinions on statements regarding Russian speaking residents made by the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers
• Latvijas Avize and Diena report on an international conference Ethics in Democracy held in Riga
• MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka has discussed situation and problems of Russians residing outside of Russia with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin
• State Language Centre has received and reviewed 453 complaints on possible violations of the State Language Law

Today, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers from the Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM are planning to come against the draft migration concept which stipulates simplifying procedures for the influx of guest workers to Latvia. According to the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins and Special Assignments Minister for Administration of European Union Funds Normunds Broks, opening of labour market is insufficiently studied and might cause undesirable social and ethnic consequences.

Today, at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers from the Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM are planning to come against the draft migration concept which stipulates simplifying procedures for the influx of guest workers to Latvia. According to the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins and Special Assignments Minister for Administration of European Union Funds Normunds Broks, opening of labour market is insufficiently studied and might cause undesirable social and ethnic consequences. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints various opinions on a statement made by the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers that Russians in Latvia are the best Russians in the world and other statements regarding Russian speaking residents. Head of the NGO Prata Speks Igors Kuzmuks considers that such statements show that Valdis Zatlers could finally be the President who represents all residents of Latvia. Politician Aleksandrs Brandavs believes that the President could take an initiative on consolidation of the society because he speaks Russian language, have lived in Latvia all his life, knows problems of the countrys population and is familiar with mentality of ethnic minorities.

Latvijas Avize and Diena report on an international conference Ethics in Democracy held by Ethics Research Centre in the University of Montréal, the Canadian Embassy to Latvia and the Latvian Centre for Human Rights in Riga on 5 and 6 November. Representative of the Ombudsman Office Liga Biksiniece has stated that intolerance exists in Latvia despite legal acts which prohibit it. According to Ms. Biksiniece, the Ombudsman Office has received almost 90 complaints on discriminating attitude based on gender, disability or ethnic background during 9 months of 2007 and half of these complaints were recognized as valid.

Russian language newspapers report about an assembly “Russian World” held in Moscow. Representatives of Latvia have also taken part. The MEP from Latvia and co-chairman of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka in an interview with the newspapers has told she had an opportunity to discuss situation and problems of Russians residing outside of Russia with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

Russian language newspapers report about an assembly Russian World held in Moscow. Representatives of Latvia have also taken part. The MEP from Latvia and co-chairman of the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka in an interview with the newspapers has told she had an opportunity to discuss situation and problems of Russians residing outside of Russia with the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The State Language Centre (SLC) has received and reviewed 453 complaints on possible violations of the State Language Law in time period from January till October 2007. In 2006 the SLC has received 414 complaints in total.

The State Language Centre (SLC) has received and reviewed 453 complaints on possible violations of the State Language Law in time period from January till October 2007. In 2006 the SLC has received 414 complaints in total. Latvijas Avize