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

In the new Russian foreign policy concept, adopted last Friday by the President V.Putin, special attention will be paid to protection of the rights and freedoms of Russian compatriots living abroad, and, according to press information, discussed relations with the Baltic States. Political scientists evaluate this concept differently, but they point out that it is a proof of increasing Russian pressure on Latvia to keep her in the Russian interest zone. Latvian MFA has not studied the document and abstained from making any comments.

In the new Russian foreign policy concept, adopted last Friday by the President V.Putin, special attention will be paid to protection of the rights and freedoms of Russian compatriots living abroad, and, according to press information, discussed relations with the Baltic States. Political scientists evaluate this concept differently, but they point out that it is a proof of increasing Russian pressure on Latvia to keep her in the Russian interest zone. Latvian MFA has not studied the document and abstained from making any comments. Diena

Part of farmers, getting support from the Saeima opposition Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and the Farmers’ Union, threaten to start the largest protest action in Latvia. They will start with blocking two border cross points on the southern border of Latvia. Thus farmers hope to attract Government’s attention to their problems.

Part of farmers, getting support from the Saeima opposition Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party and the Farmers Union, threaten to start the largest protest action in Latvia. They will start with blocking two border cross points on the southern border of Latvia. Thus farmers hope to attract Governments attention to their problems. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize, Chas,

The lacking 2.9 million Ls to increase teachers’ salaries will be found in the state budget only in the Government decides that the Government names education as its only priority. This was the conclusion after the meting of the Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Minister of Finances.

The lacking 2.9 million Ls to increase teachers salaries will be found in the state budget only in the Government decides that the Government names education as its only priority. This was the conclusion after the meting of the Prime Minister, Minister of Education and Minister of Finances. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

On Monday Latvian prosecutor L.Murniece went to Moscow to study documents on K.Kalejs and K.Ozols’s cases at the Central Federal Security Service Archives. These two men are accused for committing war crimes.

On Monday Latvian prosecutor L.Murniece went to Moscow to study documents on K.Kalejs and K.Ozolss cases at the Central Federal Security Service Archives. These two men are accused for committing war crimes. Diena

Police started criminal proceedings on the case of defiling Synagogue Memorial in Riga. The defiling took place on Monday – a day before the Commemoration Day of Jewish Holocaust victims.

Police started criminal proceedings on the case of defiling Synagogue Memorial in Riga. The defiling took place on Monday – a day before the Commemoration Day of Jewish Holocaust victims. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Respublika, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins expressed his indignation and deepest regret for this provocation and charged the Minister of Interior M.Seglins to pay more attention to protection of the commemoration places of the victims of Jewish Holocaust and investigation of this crime.

Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins expressed his indignation and deepest regret for this provocation and charged the Minister of Interior M.Seglins to pay more attention to protection of the commemoration places of the victims of Jewish Holocaust and investigation of this crime. Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins assured that the Cabinet of Ministers would adopt the State Language Law regulations complying with international standards. He made this statement at the discussion organised by G.Ulmains Foundation while speaking about Latvian – Russian relations. The work on preparing these regulations is coming to the end. Latvian experts are co-operating with international consultants. The draft regulations, prepared by two working groups and to be adopted by the Government by September 1, are now in the phase of harmonising. Totally there are nine draft regulations that have been prepared in close co-operation with the OSCE experts, and according to the information from the Minister of Justice I.Labucka, in 90% of cases understanding had been achieved. The State Language Centre Head some time ago informed that in the draft on the state language proficiency level and the procedure of the state language proficiency tests, necessary for fulfilling professional and official duties, the opinion of the OSCE experts would be taken into consideration and 2 lists of professions prepared – one for state officials and the other one for persons working in private businesses.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins assured that the Cabinet of Ministers would adopt the State Language Law regulations complying with international standards. He made this statement at the discussion organised by G.Ulmains Foundation while speaking about Latvian – Russian relations. The work on preparing these regulations is coming to the end. Latvian experts are co-operating with international consultants. The draft regulations, prepared by two working groups and to be adopted by the Government by September 1, are now in the phase of harmonising. Totally there are nine draft regulations that have been prepared in close co-operation with the OSCE experts, and according to the information from the Minister of Justice I.Labucka, in 90% of cases understanding had been achieved. The State Language Centre Head some time ago informed that in the draft on the state language proficiency level and the procedure of the state language proficiency tests, necessary for fulfilling professional and official duties, the opinion of the OSCE experts would be taken into consideration and 2 lists of professions prepared – one for state officials and the other one for persons working in private businesses. Neatkariga

Estonian newspaper

Estonian newspaper Postimees wrote yesterday that Estonia would not join Lithuania in her demand to Russia to compensate the damages made to Lithuania during Soviet times. Neatkariga

According to the author of the draft laws on imposing sanctions against Latvia A.Chekoyev, the Lower House of Russian Parliament will be able to discuss them only some time in autumn – the deputies are too busy with the legal initiatives of President V.Putin.

According to the author of the draft laws on imposing sanctions against Latvia A.Chekoyev, the Lower House of Russian Parliament will be able to discuss them only some time in autumn – the deputies are too busy with the legal initiatives of President V.Putin. Chas, Respublika

Panorama Latvii

continues publishing critical comments on the draft regulations to the State Language Law – this time on the profession lists. The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia continue to collect signatures under the call to ratify the framework convention on national minorities and grant municipal election rights to non-citizens. MP M.Mitrofanov informed that they have collected 53 000 signatures and the action was going on. The first pack of signatures would

The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia continue to collect signatures under the call to ratify the framework convention on national minorities and grant municipal election rights to non-citizens. MP M.Mitrofanov informed that they have collected 53 000 signatures and the action was going on. The first pack of signatures would

be soon sent to the OSCE, EU and CoE.

be soon sent to the OSCE, EU and CoE. Panorama Latvii