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

The new OSCE Mission to Latvia Head Peter Somneby during his meeting with the Prime Minister A.Berzins prised Latvia’s economic progress and achievements in the fields that were within the interests of the OSCE Mission.

The new OSCE Mission to Latvia Head Peter Somneby during his meeting with the Prime Minister A.Berzins prised Latvias economic progress and achievements in the fields that were within the interests of the OSCE Mission.

P.Semneby found as successful also the Latvian negotiations to join EU. As very important step he thought the adoption of public integration program as well as the work on harmonising Latvian legislation. Important is also introduction of ombudsmen institution in Latvia. Both Prime Minister and the Ambassador prised the existing mutual co-operation in providing updated information about the development in public integration field to OSCE structures.

P.Semneby found as successful also the Latvian negotiations to join EU. As very important step he thought the adoption of public integration program as well as the work on harmonising Latvian legislation. Important is also introduction of ombudsmen institution in Latvia. Both Prime Minister and the Ambassador prised the existing mutual co-operation in providing updated information about the development in public integration field to OSCE structures. Neatkariga, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya

About 1000 former workers of Daugavpils factory “Toleram Fiber” addressed the OSCE with a call for help. They were fired basing on the decreasing of jobs when the former owners went bankrupt. The workers ask the OSCE to influence the Latvian government to make a decision to annul their debt of social tax payment.

About 1000 former workers of Daugavpils factory Toleram Fiber addressed the OSCE with a call for help. They were fired basing on the decreasing of jobs when the former owners went bankrupt. The workers ask the OSCE to influence the Latvian government to make a decision to annul their debt of social tax payment.

The Heads of Latvian diplomatic representatives will meet in Riga to discuss acute foreign policy issues and practical co-operation for realising Latvian foreign policy goals. The diplomats will be addressed by Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, Prime Minister and President.

The Heads of Latvian diplomatic representatives will meet in Riga to discuss acute foreign policy issues and practical co-operation for realising Latvian foreign policy goals. The diplomats will be addressed by Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins, Prime Minister and President. Neatkariga

At the farewell visit of the Japanese Ambassador T.Fudgy to Prime Minister A.Berzins, the Prime Minister said that Latvia considered a possibility to open an embassy in Japan but it would depend on the financial situation and budget possibilities.

At the farewell visit of the Japanese Ambassador T.Fudgy to Prime Minister A.Berzins, the Prime Minister said that Latvia considered a possibility to open an embassy in Japan but it would depend on the financial situation and budget possibilities. Neatkariga, Respublika

During the meeting of the ministers of Baltic States and Russia journalists got an impression that Russia was the one that dictated the rules. Russian Minister was guarded the most; most discussions went on in the Russian language.

During the meeting of the ministers of Baltic States and Russia journalists got an impression that Russia was the one that dictated the rules. Russian Minister was guarded the most; most discussions went on in the Russian language. Neatkariga

The high Russian guest described this visit as sensational and was satisfied with the documents signed during this visit, that opened possibilities for future co-operation.

The high Russian guest described this visit as sensational and was satisfied with the documents signed during this visit, that opened possibilities for future co-operation. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Russian speaking newspaper

Russian speaking newspaper Respublika called this a visit no future because it would not bring any changes in Latvian – Russian relations.

The new Regulations to the Language Law took effect almost two months ago but there are no reports on any repression. Just the opposite – the very author of these regulations - Head of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa shows incredible liberalism in interpretation of these legal norms. Opposition MP B.Cilevich sent a letter to the Centre with a request to fine him because he accepted a complain from M.Krumina in the Russian language and forwarded it the Prosecutor’s Office. And them complained about himself to the Centre, explaining the situation as followed - the complaint did not know the state language well enough to address the highest state institution and had no money to hire a translator. But Article 104 of the Satversme states that everybody addressing state or municipal institution holds the right to receive as answer in essence. Cilevich comments, “Every person, not only those who know the state language.”

The new Regulations to the Language Law took effect almost two months ago but there are no reports on any repression. Just the opposite – the very author of these regulations - Head of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa shows incredible liberalism in interpretation of these legal norms. Opposition MP B.Cilevich sent a letter to the Centre with a request to fine him because he accepted a complain from M.Krumina in the Russian language and forwarded it the Prosecutors Office. And them complained about himself to the Centre, explaining the situation as followed - the complaint did not know the state language well enough to address the highest state institution and had no money to hire a translator. But Article 104 of the Satversme states that everybody addressing state or municipal institution holds the right to receive as answer in essence. Cilevich comments, Every person, not only those who know the state language. Chas

National Security Council several times proudly announced that soon their Russian colleagues would come to visit them, they even go a special permission from the Saeima to receive these high guests but then received to postpone this visit for the next year. No reason was give.

National Security Council several times proudly announced that soon their Russian colleagues would come to visit them, they even go a special permission from the Saeima to receive these high guests but then received to postpone this visit for the next year. No reason was give. Vesti Segodnya

Panorama Latvii

interviewed Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins about the last activities of the Saeima – the draft law on decorations and demand Russia to compensate losses mad during last 50 years. I.Berzins was against the last draft law because even the authors of this draft law FF/LNNK faction acknowledged that there was no way go make Russia to pay and taking into consideration current Latvian – Russian relations, even less. What concerns decorations, the Minister advised his party not to support this proposal because there was no time to deal it.