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

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga considers that the OSCE Mission to Latvia has fulfilled all the guidelines and should be closed by the end of this year. The President praised Latvia’s co-operation with OSCE high commissioners and Mission members.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga considers that the OSCE Mission to Latvia has fulfilled all the guidelines and should be closed by the end of this year. The President praised Latvias co-operation with OSCE high commissioners and Mission members. Diena

The OSCE missions in Estonia and Latvia have not yet fulfilled their pledge to protect local ethnic Russians from discrimination, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov charged. Even though the OSCE activities have made a significant impact on the Baltic States' policy toward their sizeable Russian communities, issues of citizenship and Russian language remain unresolved, Ivanov said late Saturday. Citizenship for local Russians is a particular concern, with only 8,000 out of 550,000 legal aliens receiving Latvian citizenship this year. According to Ivanov, only 3,500 people out of 220,000 Russians living in Estonia received citizenship status last year. Moscow also called for "serious attention to be paid to Latvian and Estonian laws on the Russian language," Ivanov was as saying by the ITAR-TASS news agency.

The OSCE missions in Estonia and Latvia have not yet fulfilled their pledge to protect local ethnic Russians from discrimination, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov charged. Even though the OSCE activities have made a significant impact on the Baltic States' policy toward their sizeable Russian communities, issues of citizenship and Russian language remain unresolved, Ivanov said late Saturday. Citizenship for local Russians is a particular concern, with only 8,000 out of 550,000 legal aliens receiving Latvian citizenship this year. According to Ivanov, only 3,500 people out of 220,000 Russians living in Estonia received citizenship status last year. Moscow also called for "serious attention to be paid to Latvian and Estonian laws on the Russian language," Ivanov was as saying by the ITAR-TASS news agency. BNS, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnya

"I hope that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe will not succumb to Russia's pressure and the situation in Latvia will be evaluated according to the achievements," Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins said in commenting on the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's statement to OSCE member countries concerning the work of OSCE missions in Latvia and Estonia. Berzins said that the situation is not ideal and perfect in any country. Much can be done in any country concerning the human rights sector. Latvia's progress however has been recognised in the last report by the European Commission, which said that Latvia has complied with the Copenhagen criteria, added Berzins. Latvia has observed OSCE's guidelines, and the mission should be closed in Latvia at the end of December, stressed Berzins adding that the mission to Estonia should also be closed as the neighbour country has observed the OSCE requirements as well. Berzins said he regrets that the Estonian premier's statement has proved to be right, the statement said that Russia uses the OSCE missions for achieving goals that are different from the OSCE missions' goals.

"I hope that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe will not succumb to Russia's pressure and the situation in Latvia will be evaluated according to the achievements," Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins said in commenting on the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's statement to OSCE member countries concerning the work of OSCE missions in Latvia and Estonia. Berzins said that the situation is not ideal and perfect in any country. Much can be done in any country concerning the human rights sector. Latvia's progress however has been recognised in the last report by the European Commission, which said that Latvia has complied with the Copenhagen criteria, added Berzins. Latvia has observed OSCE's guidelines, and the mission should be closed in Latvia at the end of December, stressed Berzins adding that the mission to Estonia should also be closed as the neighbour country has observed the OSCE requirements as well. Berzins said he regrets that the Estonian premier's statement has proved to be right, the statement said that Russia uses the OSCE missions for achieving goals that are different from the OSCE missions' goals.
Prime Minister Andris Berzins' advisor Atis Sjanitis also told LETA that the guidelines set by the OSCE mission have been observed and all OSCE member countries are being informed about the situation in Latvia. The matter has also been discussed in Romania a few days ago. It will be decided at the end of December if the OSCE mission in Latvia is to be closed. Sjanitis said that the mission to Latvia has been working successfully. Sjanitis added that Russia's stance on the matter of Russian-speakers in the Baltic countries is nothing new, and such a statement of Ivanov did not surprise Latvia. Besides, Russia has only one vote at the OSCE, said Sjanitis. LETA

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins today and tomorrow (December 4) is taking part in an annual meeting of foreign ministers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) member states in Bucharest,

Minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins today and tomorrow (December 4) is taking part in an annual meeting of foreign ministers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) member states in Bucharest, LETA was informed by the press centre at the Ministry of Foreign Ministry.

Closing the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) missions in Latvia and Estonia has not been included on the agenda of OSCE foreign ministers' summit in Bucharest, the OSCE chairman, Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Mircea Geoana told ITAR-TASS on Sunday. Geoana said that the matter would be reviewed later. He said that the OSCE would attempt to find an optimal solution, taking into account changes in internal legislation of Latvia and Estonia according to OSCE's directives and principles.

Closing the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) missions in Latvia and Estonia has not been included on the agenda of OSCE foreign ministers' summit in Bucharest, the OSCE chairman, Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister Mircea Geoana told ITAR-TASS on Sunday. Geoana said that the matter would be reviewed later. He said that the OSCE would attempt to find an optimal solution, taking into account changes in internal legislation of Latvia and Estonia according to OSCE's directives and principles. LETA

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has to date sent the Latvian government information and requested comments for 27 complaints filed by residents of Latvia, said Latvia's representative at the ECHR. Kristine Malinovska said that most of the complaints have cited European human rights clauses related to the right to a private and family life, inviolability of housing and correspondence (10 cases), as well as the rights to a fair trial and trial in fair time (9 cases).

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has to date sent the Latvian government information and requested comments for 27 complaints filed by residents of Latvia, said Latvia's representative at the ECHR. Kristine Malinovska said that most of the complaints have cited European human rights clauses related to the right to a private and family life, inviolability of housing and correspondence (10 cases), as well as the rights to a fair trial and trial in fair time (9 cases). BNS, Telegraf

The board of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP) will turn against those who want to split the ranks of Social Democrats. As

The board of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP) will turn against those who want to split the ranks of Social Democrats. As LETA was told by LSDSP Secretary General Janis Dinevics, the party's board has already prepared a call "On Unity of the Party", for which the party's November 28 board meeting did not vote only because the Saeima LSDSP deputies had confirmed their readiness to work in one faction. The situation is different now, after Deputy Janis Leja has announced his wish to leave LSDSP and its Saeima faction. Neatkariga

Ventspils’ event "Year of European Languages and Society Integration" concludes the year of European languages in Latvia. Events of the European languages year took place in 47 countries – the Council of Europe member countries and countries that have signed the European Cultural Convention.

Ventspils event "Year of European Languages and Society Integration" concludes the year of European languages in Latvia. Events of the European languages year took place in 47 countries – the Council of Europe member countries and countries that have signed the European Cultural Convention. Neatkariga says that the goal of the languages year was to increase awareness of the beauty of multi-lingual society, and Ventspils is a good place for this as several languages are spoken in the city. Neatkariga, Diena, Vechernyaya Riga

Diena

looks into positions of Latvias political parties ahead of eighth Saeima elections. Right-wing political forces – Latvias Way, the Peoples Party and TB/LNNK – have not lost hope to keep power after the Saeima elections, meanwhile, leftist forces – LSDSP and PCTVL – are convinced they can take power from the right-wing parties, says Diena. PCTVL could have very good results, chances of LSDSP are rather unclear, and they will be greatly determined by outcome of internal discussions within the party and on whether Egils Baldzens quits and establishes a new party. The eighth Saeima elections will be however the most serious test for right-wing forces that have been in power since Latvias independence was restored, which is proved by their defeat at Riga municipal elections, concludes the newspaper. looks into positions of Latvia’s political parties ahead of eighth Saeima elections. Right-wing political forces – Latvia’s Way, the People’s Party and TB/LNNK – have not lost hope to keep power after the Saeima elections, meanwhile, leftist forces – LSDSP and PCTVL – are convinced they can take power from the right-wing parties, says Diena. PCTVL could have very good results, chances of LSDSP are rather unclear, and they will be greatly determined by outcome of internal discussions within the party and on whether Egils Baldzens quits and establishes a new party. The eighth Saeima elections will be however the most serious test for right-wing forces that have been in power since Latvia’s independence was restored, which is proved by their defeat at Riga municipal elections, concludes the newspaper.