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

Prince Charles of Wales during his visit to Riga on Thursday admired the Latvian capital's architecture, visited the Occupation Museum and the First Christ Lutheran Parish church and met with the Latvian elite at a reception organised by the British embassy. During a brief conversation with Latvian justice minister Ingrida Labucka, the prince inquired about community work as an alternative punishment and formation of a probation service in Latvia. Latvian parliament vice-speaker Rihards Piks told BNS that the prince had asked questions about the parliament's involvement in foreign policy and forms of international Cupertino. Piks said the inter-parliamentary co-operation groups were active in the Latvian parliament.

Prince Charles of Wales during his visit to Riga on Thursday admired the Latvian capital's architecture, visited the Occupation Museum and the First Christ Lutheran Parish church and met with the Latvian elite at a reception organised by the British embassy. During a brief conversation with Latvian justice minister Ingrida Labucka, the prince inquired about community work as an alternative punishment and formation of a probation service in Latvia. Latvian parliament vice-speaker Rihards Piks told BNS that the prince had asked questions about the parliament's involvement in foreign policy and forms of international Cupertino. Piks said the inter-parliamentary co-operation groups were active in the Latvian parliament. BNS Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Prince Charles is visiting Daugavpils today. During this visit, he will be accompanied by President Vike-Freiberga. The guests are scheduled to meet with Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims, visit children's homes, and tour the city itself.

Prince Charles is visiting Daugavpils today. During this visit, he will be accompanied by President Vike-Freiberga. The guests are scheduled to meet with Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims, visit children's homes, and tour the city itself. LETA, Telegraf

The accused 88-year Latvian war criminal Konrads Kalejs died in a hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Kalejs died before completion review of his appeal requesting to appeal the verdict on his extradition to Latvia.

LETA, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii K.Plamse in

K.Plamse in Diena writes about the case of I.Podkolzina against the Latvian State in the EU Human Rights Court. A similar case is in the Strasbourg Court for discrimination during a parliamentary election and on the result of it and the reaction of the government will depend the closure of the OSCE Mission in Latvia or extension of its mandate. But so far it does not seem likely that Latvia could abolish language knowledge requirement for deputy candidates because the Saeima majority considers it to be a threat to the Latvian language. Although the complain of I.Podkolzina has no direct link either to the mandate of the OSCE Mission or to EU expansion, it is one of those cases the outcome of which and interpretation of the conditions most likely could become a precedent of international law. Diena

State police and Satversme Security Office will examine the information on the possibility to buy citizenship of Latvia and some other states. Officials suppose that is a fraud but are not able to explain why a company may continue offering this for a longer period of time and no cheated persons have addressed police.

State police and Satversme Security Office will examine the information on the possibility to buy citizenship of Latvia and some other states. Officials suppose that is a fraud but are not able to explain why a company may continue offering this for a longer period of time and no cheated persons have addressed police. Diena

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane, answering the information about a possibility to buy Latvian citizenship, assures that is not possible and explains why.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane, answering the information about a possibility to buy Latvian citizenship, assures that is not possible and explains why. Neatkariga

Latvijas Vestnesis

published an interview Prime Minister A.Berzins gave to the Latvian Radio. Answering the question published an interview Prime Minister A.Berzins gave to the Latvian Radio. Answering the question “How do you evaluate the fact that Estonian deputies will be allowed not to know the Estonian language?”How do you evaluate the fact that Estonian deputies will be allowed not to know the Estonian language? Prime Minister said, In reality there was a situation like that in Latvia. Remember Zigerists, who was elected and did not know the Latvian language. And then the deputies decided to make according amendments to the election law. Almost in no country in the world such a norm exists. But in Latvia, to my mind, it is too early to say that something could be changed. There is a strange thing. Several cases have been started against the Latvian State in Strasbourg International Human Rights Court. And before these cases are considered, we shall not make any movements concerning this. I have repeated already for several times that Latvia will observe its international obligations, including court judgements if there are any. If they are such judgements that we have to amend the election law, we shall definitely establish a working group and change something. But we do not want to influence the court, especially in this situation, in this process. Prime Minister said, “In reality there was a situation like that in Latvia. Remember Zigerists, who was elected and did not know the Latvian language. And then the deputies decided to make according amendments to the election law. Almost in no country in the world such a norm exists. But in Latvia, to my mind, it is too early to say that something could be changed. There is a strange thing. Several cases have been started against the Latvian State in Strasbourg International Human Rights Court. And before these cases are considered, we shall not make any movements concerning this. I have repeated already for several times that Latvia will observe its international obligations, including court judgements if there are any. If they are such judgements that we have to amend the election law, we shall definitely establish a working group and change something. But we do not want to influence the court, especially in this situation, in this process.

Panorama Latvii

asked for the opinion of several MPs about the statement of the Director of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa that the governments decision to limit the rights of state language inspectors would not influence Centres work. Peoples Party representative Dz.Abikis said that the Centre had the right to check the state language knowledge, especially when there were discovered violations of its usage and inadequate state language knowledge. Cabinet of Ministers decision does not contradict this right. The case of Podkolzina is an individual case and most likely will not influence legislation. M.Mitrofanov (FHRUL) said that Ms. Hirsa was a high ranking state official, and her announcement was a defiance to the government. If the Cabinet of Ministers swallows it, it will become evident who is the master in this country – the government or haughty linguists. asked for the opinion of several MPs about the statement of the Director of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa that the government’s decision to limit the rights of state language inspectors would not influence Centre’s work. People’s Party representative Dz.Abikis said that the Centre had the right to check the state language knowledge, especially when there were discovered violations of its usage and inadequate state language knowledge. Cabinet of Ministers’ decision does not contradict this right. The case of Podkolzina is an individual case and most likely will not influence legislation. M.Mitrofanov (FHRUL) said that Ms. Hirsa was a high ranking state official, and her announcement was a defiance to the government. If the Cabinet of Ministers “swallows” it, it will become evident who is the master in this country – the government or “haughty linguists”.

Panorama Latvii

published the speech of the leader of the movement Equality T.Zhdanok in the Congress of compatriots in Moscow. Ms.Zhdanok said that Russians in Latvia believe in Russia and hope for its help. Russian community in Latvia wants the Russian State to have a clear-cut position on the Russian issue and is ready to participate in the development and implementation of a complex state program of the Russian Federation for co-operation with Russian Diaspora. published the speech of the leader of the movement Equality T.Zhdanok in the Congress of compatriots in Moscow. Ms.Zhdanok said that Russians in Latvia believe in Russia and hope for its help. Russian community in Latvia wants the Russian State to have a clear-cut position on the Russian issue and is ready to participate in the development and implementation of a complex state program of the Russian Federation for co-operation with Russian Diaspora.