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 Report

Press Report

Swedish Ambassador to Latvia H.Magnusson confirmed to

Swedish Ambassador to Latvia H.Magnusson confirmed to Diena that Swedish Vice Prime Minister L.Vallen had not called the Baltic States to realise that Holocaust during WW II had been realised by their compatriots but not by some alien forces as it had been stated in the information circulated by the press agency Interfax. Diena

For the first time after several municipal elections where nobody dared to compete with the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, several parties, represented in the Saeima, plan to propose their lists for the election of Venspils Council. Nevertheless, Social Democrats who were the first to come forth with such an announcement, most probably will be A.Lembergs allies in order not to allow People’s Party to get influence there.

For the first time after several municipal elections where nobody dared to compete with the Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, several parties, represented in the Saeima, plan to propose their lists for the election of Venspils Council. Nevertheless, Social Democrats who were the first to come forth with such an announcement, most probably will be A.Lembergs allies in order not to allow Peoples Party to get influence there. Diena

On May 29 – 30 Latvian Prime Minister will go to Brussels on a working visit where he has planned meetings with G.Verheugen and other EU officials.

On May 29 – 30 Latvian Prime Minister will go to Brussels on a working visit where he has planned meetings with G.Verheugen and other EU officials. Diena

During the program of Russian TV station NTV they showed subject about Latvian President V.V.Freiberga. Contrary to the current negative publicity of Latvia in Russian mass media, the information about the situation in Latvia was more objective. As the authors of this broadcast stated, Latvia associated in Russia more with different scandals, but it had also a different face – “completely intelligent and even attractive” – i.e. V.V.Freiberga.

During the program of Russian TV station NTV they showed subject about Latvian President V.V.Freiberga. Contrary to the current negative publicity of Latvia in Russian mass media, the information about the situation in Latvia was more objective. As the authors of this broadcast stated, Latvia associated in Russia more with different scandals, but it had also a different face – completely intelligent and even attractive – i.e. V.V.Freiberga. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

To reduce the tension in the discussion of differently interpreted questions of Latvian history, The Association of Latvian History Teachers published a handbook for teachers – Contradictory history, the first text book adopted for the bilingual education program. The reason for publishing such a book was the contradictory interpretation of several historical topics and using them in the activities of political parties.

To reduce the tension in the discussion of differently interpreted questions of Latvian history, The Association of Latvian History Teachers published a handbook for teachers – Contradictory history, the first text book adopted for the bilingual education program. The reason for publishing such a book was the contradictory interpretation of several historical topics and using them in the activities of political parties. Diena

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane informed Latvian parliamentarians that the Board found the statement of the Saeima deputies that the demands for the state language knowledge in Naturalisation Board language exams were too low as having no grounds. The demands are ones of the highest comparing to many other countries, and they complied with CoE proposals. According to previous information the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission members were present at the naturalisation exams in several regions of Latvia and found that the demands level at the language exams were too low, thus permitting to receive citizenship also persons with poor Latvian language knowledge.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane informed Latvian parliamentarians that the Board found the statement of the Saeima deputies that the demands for the state language knowledge in Naturalisation Board language exams were too low as having no grounds. The demands are ones of the highest comparing to many other countries, and they complied with CoE proposals. According to previous information the Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission members were present at the naturalisation exams in several regions of Latvia and found that the demands level at the language exams were too low, thus permitting to receive citizenship also persons with poor Latvian language knowledge. Diena

Swedish Ambassador to Latvia H.Magnusson arrived on an introductory visit to the new Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins. During his visit he confirmed that Sweden would continue rendering help to Latvia and discussed organisation of the visit of Swedish Prime Minister to Latvia on June 27.

Swedish Ambassador to Latvia H.Magnusson arrived on an introductory visit to the new Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins. During his visit he confirmed that Sweden would continue rendering help to Latvia and discussed organisation of the visit of Swedish Prime Minister to Latvia on June 27. Neatkariga

Today the Prime Minister of Iceland D.Odson is arriving to Latvia on an official visit. He will meet Latvian top officials and visit Latvian – Iceland joint ventures.

Today the Prime Minister of Iceland D.Odson is arriving to Latvia on an official visit. He will meet Latvian top officials and visit Latvian – Iceland joint ventures. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis, Respublika

Yesterday the Government granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 252 persons. Among them were 39 underage children.

Yesterday the Government granted Latvian citizenship through naturalisation to 252 persons. Among them were 39 underage children. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima State Administration and Municipalities Commission conceptually supports abolishment of the domicile registration system, replacing it by declaration of the place of residence. The Chairman of the Commission J.Legzdins said that along with adoption of the residence place declaration law amendments should be made to several more laws, normative acts to protect tenants, the rights of low income people to receive social aid.

The Saeima State Administration and Municipalities Commission conceptually supports abolishment of the domicile registration system, replacing it by declaration of the place of residence. The Chairman of the Commission J.Legzdins said that along with adoption of the residence place declaration law amendments should be made to several more laws, normative acts to protect tenants, the rights of low income people to receive social aid. Neatkariga, Respublika, Chas

Public organisation “Union of Citizens and Non-citizens” has decided to start collecting signatures of citizens to propose a draft law that would allow non-citizens to participate in municipal elections. The organisation has already prepared the necessary documents and planned the procedure of collecting signatures.

Public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens has decided to start collecting signatures of citizens to propose a draft law that would allow non-citizens to participate in municipal elections. The organisation has already prepared the necessary documents and planned the procedure of collecting signatures. Jauna Avize

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov and Swedish Vice-Prime Minister L.Elm-Vallen discussed the situation of Russian speakers in the Baltic States. Russian Party pointed out it was not permissible to encourage Latvian authorities in their persecution of war veterans – anti-Nazism coalition fighters.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Ivanov and Swedish Vice-Prime Minister L.Elm-Vallen discussed the situation of Russian speakers in the Baltic States. Russian Party pointed out it was not permissible to encourage Latvian authorities in their persecution of war veterans – anti-Nazism coalition fighters. Respublika

Latvian Human Rights Committee activists informed that they had collected 35 000 signatures (20 000 in May) under the address to the Saeima to ratify the Frame Convention on National Minorities Rights.

Latvian Human Rights Committee activists informed that they had collected 35 000 signatures (20 000 in May) under the address to the Saeima to ratify the Frame Convention on National Minorities Rights. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian Saeima once more ignored the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to ratify the Frame Convention on National Minorities Rights. Ju.Sokolovsky, faction representative told

Latvian Saeima once more ignored the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to ratify the Frame Convention on National Minorities Rights. Ju.Sokolovsky, faction representative told Panorama Latvii that the next step would be to address all international organisation and European structures, explaining them the double-faced policy of Latvian authorities.