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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Dienas columnist Aivars Ozolins comments on the decision of the ruling coalition to ban Boris Tsilevich from speaking in the European Parliament. Ozolins states that efforts of FHRUL to split Latvian society and use international organisations to satisfy imperial needs of Moscow are non-acceptable, however, it is not acceptable that the majority deprives a minority of the right to express its opinion just because it can bring harm to the image of Latvia. The Saeima should be concerned with democracy within the country and not with the quality of the image which it wants to present to foreigners.

Boris Tsilevich will not represent Latvia in the European Parliament. New Era MP Krisjanis Karins promised to reflect Tsilevich’s opinion in his speech.

Boris Tsilevich will not represent Latvia in the European Parliament. New Era MP Krisjanis Karins promised to reflect Tsilevichs opinion in his speech. Vechernaya Riga

Chas provides the key issues that Tsilevich wanted to discuss in the European Parliament, such as the necessity to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and integration issues.

Chas provides the key issues that Tsilevich wanted to discuss in the European Parliament, such as the necessity to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and integration issues.

The State Language Centre is convinced that advisor to Riga City Mayor Guntars Kukuls is intentionally avoiding state language inspectors. State language inspectors are trying to arrange a meeting with Kukuls to draw up a protocol regarding language violations registered at the press conference of Moscow’s Mayor Luzhkovs. The press conference was held in the Russian language and no translation into the state language was provided.

The State Language Centre is convinced that advisor to Riga City Mayor Guntars Kukuls is intentionally avoiding state language inspectors. State language inspectors are trying to arrange a meeting with Kukuls to draw up a protocol regarding language violations registered at the press conference of Moscows Mayor Luzhkovs. The press conference was held in the Russian language and no translation into the state language was provided. Diena

Rigas Balss reports that during the discussions about the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration the decision was taken that 25 people will work in the new ministry

Rigas Balss reports that during the discussions about the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration the decision was taken that 25 people will work in the new ministry. Vechernaya Riga

Chas

reports that for the first time a book about Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is published in the Russian language. The President expressed the hope that the book will help to improve a dialogue between Russian-speakers and the President. reports that for the first time a book about Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is published in the Russian language. The President expressed the hope that the book will help to improve a dialogue between Russian-speakers and the President. FHRUL MP and

FHRUL MP and Vesti Segodnyas journalist Nikolay Kabanov comments on the formation of a new left-centrist party. He believes that the slogan of the party ethnic reconciliation is not topical either for Latvians or Russians.

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews new Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. She states that there are indications that political relations between Latvia and Russia could improve and that meetings of high state officials could take place next year. Kalniete says that her previous statements that Russia should apologise to Latvia were made as a private person and not in her capacity of an official. interviews new Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. She states that there are indications that political relations between Latvia and Russia could improve and that meetings of high state officials could take place next year. Kalniete says that her previous statements that Russia should apologise to Latvia were made as a private person and not in her capacity of an official.