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

Russian newspapers – “

Russian newspapers – Vesti Segodnja, Chas and Panorama Latvii – pointed out the part in Presidents speech in honour to Latvias Independence Day where she stressed that all residents of Latvia are her sons and daughters irrespectively to the colour of their passports and nationality. The President also invited all holders of purple passports to become the citizens of Latvia.

Friday morning Russia’s national bolshevists “occupied” St.Peter’s church steeple – 3 men put out red flags, announced that they were armed and demanded to release their party members detained couple days ago. Another demand was that Latvia must not join the NATO. At noontime all extremists were detained and taken to the police. Other members of the party informed that party members in Russia are planning to take in hostages the citizens of Latvia who are in Russia right now.

Friday morning Russias national bolshevists occupied St.Peters church steeple – 3 men put out red flags, announced that they were armed and demanded to release their party members detained couple days ago. Another demand was that Latvia must not join the NATO. At noontime all extremists were detained and taken to the police. Other members of the party informed that party members in Russia are planning to take in hostages the citizens of Latvia who are in Russia right now. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Jauna, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas

Archbishop of Lutheran Church J.Vanags refused to give a special service in honour to Independence Day and archbishops of other confessions joined his position. In his open letter to the State President, J.Vanags says that he feels sad and ashamed for the people who are leading our country.

Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas The section on agricultural issues of Latvia received the hardest criticism from the EU. Specialists consider that it is a hint that Latvia has no hopes to be included in the first group in negotiations.

The section on agricultural issues of Latvia received the hardest criticism from the EU. Specialists consider that it is a hint that Latvia has no hopes to be included in the first group in negotiations. Neatkariga

Pskov leadership has issued a statement where announces that the words of Pskov Mayor regarding “occupation of Estonia in 48 hours were the provocation of the journalist”. “It does not mean that if we are able to do it that we want or will do it” is said in the statement.

Pskov leadership has issued a statement where announces that the words of Pskov Mayor regarding occupation of Estonia in 48 hours were the provocation of the journalist. It does not mean that if we are able to do it that we want or will do it is said in the statement. Neatkariga

The residents of Latgale’s rural districts – Rezekne, Ludza, Preili – have small interest about Latvian language courses free of charge. Up to the moment only 20 applications have been received, comparatively in Jelgava district already 27 groups containing 12 participants each are organised. About 9% of Rezekne’s residents are not the citizens of Latvia.

The residents of Latgales rural districts – Rezekne, Ludza, Preili – have small interest about Latvian language courses free of charge. Up to the moment only 20 applications have been received, comparatively in Jelgava district already 27 groups containing 12 participants each are organised. About 9% of Rezeknes residents are not the citizens of Latvia. Diena

Vesti Segodnja

interviews the Minister of FA I.Berzins. The Minister was asked about the legionnaires, joining the EU and NATO, as well as Latvias relations with Russia. interviews the Minister of FA I.Berzins. The Minister was asked about the legionnaires, joining the EU and NATO, as well as Latvia’s relations with Russia.

Panorama Latvii

publishes an article about the case of four citizens of Russia residing in Riga who had to turn to the court of Latvia to protect their rights. The new head of the Social Care Department of Russias Embassy V.Litvinov fired four his employees, and in this process has several times violated the Labour Code of Latvia. The fired persons turned to the Ambassador of Russia for his help, but no assistance to solve the situation was provided. After that they turned to Latvias court, however, the judge refused to initiate a case basing her decision on the explanatory note of V.Litvinov: Social Care Department does not have a legal status, the department is a unit of Russias Ministry of Defence, and that means that in this case the defendant could be the MoD of Russia. However, former employees did not give up and turned to Riga District Court, which admitted that social departments of Russias Embassies in the Baltic states have a legal status and their employees should be hired and fired according to the regulations of the country of their location. publishes an article about the case of four citizens of Russia residing in Riga who had to turn to the court of Latvia to protect their rights. The new head of the Social Care Department of Russia’s Embassy V.Litvinov fired four his employees, and in this process has several times violated the Labour Code of Latvia. The fired persons turned to the Ambassador of Russia for his help, but no assistance to solve the situation was provided. After that they turned to Latvia’s court, however, the judge refused to initiate a case basing her decision on the explanatory note of V.Litvinov: “Social Care Department does not have a legal status, the department is a unit of Russia’s Ministry of Defence, and that means that in this case the defendant could be the MoD of Russia”. However, former employees did not give up and turned to Riga District Court, which admitted that “social departments of Russia’s Embassies in the Baltic states have a legal status and their employees should be hired and fired according to the regulations of the country of their location”.