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.

• Russia focuses on the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States when discussing a possibility to ratify a partnership agreement between Russia and the EU
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns the amendments to the Constitution which grant to Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections
• Discussions on the adoption of the EU Race Equality Directive held in the Saeima
• Interview with the head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• Register of Enterprises postpones the registration of the United Congress of the Russian Community as a non-governmental organisation
• Senate of the Supreme Court does not change the verdict in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs issued byt the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court
• Latvijas Avize features an article about the detention of students who participated in the protest action ‘Empty Schools in Ventspils
• Latest ratings of political parties
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Stoudennikov pays a farewell visit to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga

Yesterday discussions about a possibility to ratify the co-operation and partnership agreement between Russia and the EU took place in the Russian State Duma. Representatives of Russia, as well as EU states took part in the discussions. Speakers from Russia focused on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia and transit between Russia and Kaliningrad.  The Special representative of Russia to the EU Sergey Yastrzhembsky stated that Russia has the right to ratify the agreement and include in it a special statement regarding the above-mentioned issues. While the representatives of the EU countries noted the positive developments concerning the observation of minority rights in the Baltic States and invited Russia to ratify border agreements with these countries.

Yesterday discussions about a possibility to ratify the co-operation and partnership agreement between Russia and the EU took place in the Russian State Duma. Representatives of Russia, as well as EU states took part in the discussions. Speakers from Russia focused on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia and transit between Russia and Kaliningrad. The Special representative of Russia to the EU Sergey Yastrzhembsky stated that Russia has the right to ratify the agreement and include in it a special statement regarding the above-mentioned issues. While the representatives of the EU countries noted the positive developments concerning the observation of minority rights in the Baltic States and invited Russia to ratify border agreements with these countries. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement declaring that recently adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia, which grant EU citizens the right to vote in municipal elections, are a clear demonstration of the increasing inequality and injustice towards a big part of Latvian society – its non-citizens. In the Russia’s opinion, these amendments would be welcomed if also non-citizens were granted the right to participate in municipal elections, now, however, these amendments will only deepen division of Latvian society along ethnic lines.

The Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement declaring that recently adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia, which grant EU citizens the right to vote in municipal elections, are a clear demonstration of the increasing inequality and injustice towards a big part of Latvian society – its non-citizens. In the Russias opinion, these amendments would be welcomed if also non-citizens were granted the right to participate in municipal elections, now, however, these amendments will only deepen division of Latvian society along ethnic lines. Chas

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee discussed the elaboration of the EU Race Equality Directive into Latvian legislation. The MP Boriss Tsilevitch was the only member of the Committee who supported the adoption of required amendments developed by the Secretariat of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs to Latvian legislation. Boriss Tsilevitch foresees that most probably Latvia will not introduce the Directive and resultantly Latvia will have to account to the Court of Justice of the European Communities.

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee discussed the elaboration of the EU Race Equality Directive into Latvian legislation. The MP Boriss Tsilevitch was the only member of the Committee who supported the adoption of required amendments developed by the Secretariat of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs to Latvian legislation. Boriss Tsilevitch foresees that most probably Latvia will not introduce the Directive and resultantly Latvia will have to account to the Court of Justice of the European Communities. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins about societal integration issues and a forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins states that with the High Commissioner he would like to discuss the term ‘minority. Aleksandrs Kirsteins believes that Latvia should follow the experience of Sweden, that is, do not grant the status of minority to economic immigrants and persons who arrived to Latvia in 1960-ties or 1970-ties.

The Register of Enterprises has postponed the registration of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia as a non-governmental organisation due to inaccuracies in the documents submitted by the representatives of the Congress.

The Register of Enterprises has postponed the registration of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia as a non-governmental organisation due to inaccuracies in the documents submitted by the representatives of the Congress. Latvijas Avize

The Senate of the Supreme Court did not change the ruling in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs issued by the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court. In the ruling Vasilijs Kononovs was found guilty in committing war crimes in 1944. The court sentenced him to 1 year and 8 months imprisonment, which was equivalent to the time he has already spent in prison during the pre-trial investigation. The verdict of the Senate of the Supreme Court Senate may not be appealed.

The Senate of the Supreme Court did not change the ruling in the case of Vasilijs Kononovs issued by the Chamber of Criminal Cases of the Supreme Court. In the ruling Vasilijs Kononovs was found guilty in committing war crimes in 1944. The court sentenced him to 1 year and 8 months imprisonment, which was equivalent to the time he has already spent in prison during the pre-trial investigation. The verdict of the Senate of the Supreme Court Senate may not be appealed. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize features article about a case of students who participated in the protest action ‘Empty Schools in Ventspils, were detained and afterwards the Administrative Committee of the Ventspils City Council held responsible their parents and imposed a fine on them. The Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools (LASHOR) has issued a statement where they say that detention of the students and their interrogation without the presence of their parents or teachers were illegitimate. The press secretary of the Ventspils police Dzidra Skute responded that students have not been interrogated, but only submitted their explanatory notes to the police. The lawyer of the Administrative Committee Ivo Princis, referring to the Latvian legislation, confirms that parents or guardians of a child who does not attend school may be fined.

The latest opinion poll conducted by the company

The latest opinion poll conducted by the company Latvijas Fakti shows that in September the most popular party remains the New Era. A remarkable increase in the rating of another party – the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) can be observed in September. It is the second most popular party. According to the director of the Latvijas Fakti the raise of the FHRULs rating is related to the implementation of the education reform and the protest actions of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools against it. Other ratings are: For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM – 9,1%, Peoples Party – 8,5%, Union of Farmers and Greens – 6,3%, Peoples Harmony Party – 5,4%, Latvias First Party – 3,1%. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Stoudennikov paid a farewell visit to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. During the meeting Vaira Vike-Freiberga called Russia to ratify the boarder agreement between Latvia and Russia as soon as possible. Igor Stoudennikov after the meeting recognised that Russia and Latvia have not succeeded in building closer relationship due to the unwillingness of Latvia to fulfil the Russia’s requirements in the area of minority rights. The Ambassador of Russia also criticised the recently adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia, which stipulate that also citizens of other EU countries may vote in municipal elections, while do not grant such rights to Latvian non-citizens.

Yesterday the Ambassador of Russia to Latvia Igor Stoudennikov paid a farewell visit to the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga. During the meeting Vaira Vike-Freiberga called Russia to ratify the boarder agreement between Latvia and Russia as soon as possible. Igor Stoudennikov after the meeting recognised that Russia and Latvia have not succeeded in building closer relationship due to the unwillingness of Latvia to fulfil the Russias requirements in the area of minority rights. The Ambassador of Russia also criticised the recently adopted amendments to the Constitution of Latvia, which stipulate that also citizens of other EU countries may vote in municipal elections, while do not grant such rights to Latvian non-citizens. Rigas Balss, Telegraf