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.

Press Review

Saeima

First Deputy-Speaker Andris Ameriks ("Saimnieks") says he is ashamed with the new draft Language Law. In his interview he told "CHAS" that "Saimnieks" was planning to discuss possible measures aimed at facilitating the naturalization process and preventing the adoption of the existing draft Language Law. Mr. Ameriks believes that the current situation inhibits Latvia's progress toward the European Union. Chas Journalist Sergey Zaletayev examined complaints received by the State Language Center. Most of them are cases of denunciation. This allows the author of the article to come to conclusion that the Center misinformed President Ulmanis on the language situation in the country; Mr. Ulmanis during his meeting with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel pointed to the "open discrimination" of the Latvian language.

Journalist Sergey Zaletayev examined complaints received by the State Language Center. Most of them are cases of denunciation. This allows the author of the article to come to conclusion that the Center misinformed President Ulmanis on the language situation in the country; Mr. Ulmanis during his meeting with OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel pointed to the "open discrimination" of the Latvian language. Diena

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The Saeima Chancellery banned former Communist leader Alfreds Rubiks, now a Socialist Party member, from the Saeima premises. Mr. Rubiks is on the list of persons not to be allowed to enter the Saeima. He was planning to hold a press-conference in the Saeima today.