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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission: Latvia fulfils international minority rights standards
• Latvian officials about the recommendations of the Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of United Nations
• Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council, answers to Latvia`s note to Russia
• The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia
• FHRUL will ask the governments of the EU member states to support minority rights to receive education in the mother tongue
• Serge Lagauche, Senator from France, is visiting Latvia
• An article about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has sent a response to the letter of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council, where he asked to pay attention to the violation of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, Latvia fulfils the EU political criteria in the area of minority protection and complies with the norms adopted by international human rights organizations and the EU member states.

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has sent a response to the letter of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council, where he asked to pay attention to the violation of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, Latvia fulfils the EU political criteria in the area of minority protection and complies with the norms adopted by international human rights organizations and the EU member states. Telegraf points to the different opinions of Gunter Verheugen and Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary – General of Council of Europe, about the observation of minority rights in Latvia. Diena, Chas, Telegraf, Lauku Avize

Vesti Segodnya and Lauku Avize feature the opinions of Latvian officials about the recommendations of the Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of United Nations to Latvia. The recommendations included granting of voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens who are long-term residents of Latvia, postponing the transition to bilingual education, the reduction of the number of professions prohibited for non-citizens, and raising of public awareness in field of racial discrimination. According to the officials, the recommendations of the Committee are not binding for Latvia. Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, stated that prevention of race discrimination should be one of the main issues discussed by an interministerial workgroup to be established next week to evaluate the recommendations of the Committee.

Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council answered to the note submitted by Latvia to Russia about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council. Rogozin believes that his expressions are valid, because it is not possible to speak about democratic parliament if 30% of the residents of Latvia do not have voting rights.

Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council answered to the note submitted by Latvia to Russia about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council. Rogozin believes that his expressions are valid, because it is not possible to speak about democratic parliament if 30% of the residents of Latvia do not have voting rights. Vesti Segodnya

Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning a visit to Latvia this week to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia meeting with state officials and representatives of NGOs and visiting Daugavpils.

Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning a visit to Latvia this week to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia meeting with state officials and representatives of NGOs and visiting Daugavpils. Lauku Avize

MPs of Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) are planning to send a letter to all the embassies of the EU member states in Latvia inviting their governments to support the stance of the FHRUL on the amendments of the Education Law.

MPs of Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) are planning to send a letter to all the embassies of the EU member states in Latvia inviting their governments to support the stance of the FHRUL on the amendments of the Education Law. Vesti Segodnya

Serge Lagauche, a Senator from France, is visiting Latvia to gather information about the issues of minority rights, education and economic situation.

Serge Lagauche, a Senator from France, is visiting Latvia to gather information about the issues of minority rights, education and economic situation. Lauku Avize

Vechernaya Riga features an article about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe.