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 Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession.
• Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins: there is no need to reconsider the Citizenship Law
• Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013 has been developed
• An initiative to grant non-citizens the right to vote in European Parliament elections

Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession. According the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Edgars Vaikulis, “the Prime Minister also believes that, like a year ago when he occupied the position of the Minister of Interior and possible oral or physical conflicts were averted, an optimal solution would be to hold the procession in Vermanes Garden” (a fenced park in the centre of Riga). Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehris noted that assessment of security and public order demands are outside of the Mr.Kastens’ competences and such unfounded statements could serve as a pretext for curtailing the freedom of assembly. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens responded that “the procession will invoke aggression and possibly unpredictable actions of some social groups”.

Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens believe that representatives of sexual minorities should not make a street procession. According the Prime Ministers Press Secretary Edgars Vaikulis, the Prime Minister also believes that, like a year ago when he occupied the position of the Minister of Interior and possible oral or physical conflicts were averted, an optimal solution would be to hold the procession in Vermanes Garden (a fenced park in the centre of Riga). Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands-Kehris noted that assessment of security and public order demands are outside of the Mr.Kastens competences and such unfounded statements could serve as a pretext for curtailing the freedom of assembly. The Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens responded that the procession will invoke aggression and possibly unpredictable actions of some social groups. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

At the meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins stated that Latvia’s Citizenship Law is one of the most liberal in Europe there is no need to reconsider it.

At the meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek, the Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins stated that Latvias Citizenship Law is one of the most liberal in Europe there is no need to reconsider it. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration developed “Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013”. 549195 Latvian lats (781439 Euros) are required for implementation of the Programme. However, the Programme does not name explicitly the specific groups that are exposed to the risk of discrimination or intolerance.

Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration developed Programme for Promotion of Tolerance 2009-2013. 549195 Latvian lats (781439 Euros) are required for implementation of the Programme. However, the Programme does not name explicitly the specific groups that are exposed to the risk of discrimination or intolerance. Vesti Segodnya

According to an MP Valerijs Agesins, the number of places in the European Parliament is calculated on the basis of the total population of the country. Thus, Latvia was allotted 9 places, and MEPs from Latvia representing nationalist “For Fatherland and Freedom” are also occupying the places that were allotted thanks to non-citizens living in the country. Therefore, the left-wing politicians are going to address all factions and the President of the European Parliament with the proposal to start discussions about granting non-citizens voting rights in the next European Parliament elections.

According to an MP Valerijs Agesins, the number of places in the European Parliament is calculated on the basis of the total population of the country. Thus, Latvia was allotted 9 places, and MEPs from Latvia representing nationalist For Fatherland and Freedom are also occupying the places that were allotted thanks to non-citizens living in the country. Therefore, the left-wing politicians are going to address all factions and the President of the European Parliament with the proposal to start discussions about granting non-citizens voting rights in the next European Parliament elections. Vesti Segodnya