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.

• FF/LNIM suggests amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations
• Representative of the PACE will issue a statement about the minority education reform in Latvia
• Latvian MPs respond to the statements of the prospective Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione about violation of non-citizens rights in Latvia
• Former President of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis comments on social integration issues
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools plans new activities
• Anti-Semitic slogans discovered on the fence in the centre of Riga

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has developed amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations. According to the new amendments persons who organise unapproved meetings, show disrespect towards the state language, will have to serve their punishment through forced labour. The Member of the People’s Harmony Party Valerijs Agesins believes that these amendments are an attempt to deal with political opponents.

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has developed amendments to the Code of Administrative Violations. According to the new amendments persons who organise unapproved meetings, show disrespect towards the state language, will have to serve their punishment through forced labour. The Member of the Peoples Harmony Party Valerijs Agesins believes that these amendments are an attempt to deal with political opponents. Telegraf

‘Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is planning to issue a statement about the minority education reform in Latvia,’ reports the representative of Latvia to the PACE Anta Rugate. The statement, drafted by the representative of France Jacques Legendre, could be reviewed by the PACE on April 2006.

‘Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) is planning to issue a statement about the minority education reform in Latvia, reports the representative of Latvia to the PACE Anta Rugate. The statement, drafted by the representative of France Jacques Legendre, could be reviewed by the PACE on April 2006. Vesti Segodnya

The right-wing members of the European Parliament (EP) from Latvia plan to send a letter to the prospective Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione containing an in-depth explanation about the situation in the area of minority rights in Latvia. The EP deputy Rihards Piks believes that Rocco Buttiglione has not read official reports concerning observation of human rights in Latvia and hence he is not able to discuss these issues objectively. Rocco Buttiglione has expressed concern about the situation of Latvian non-citizens, in particular, that they do not have rights to participate in municipal elections.

The right-wing members of the European Parliament (EP) from Latvia plan to send a letter to the prospective Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice Rocco Buttiglione containing an in-depth explanation about the situation in the area of minority rights in Latvia. The EP deputy Rihards Piks believes that Rocco Buttiglione has not read official reports concerning observation of human rights in Latvia and hence he is not able to discuss these issues objectively. Rocco Buttiglione has expressed concern about the situation of Latvian non-citizens, in particular, that they do not have rights to participate in municipal elections. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the former President of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis about political situation in Latvia and the implementation of the education reform. The former president points to the lack of dialogue between the state and society as the key reason of the problems in the area.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools plans to focus its activities mainly on minority schools. The Headquarters has issued a statement calling minority students to protect their rights more actively: demand Latvian –Russian dictionaries, ask teachers to explain all materials in Russian and answer to teachers’ questions in Russians. Representatives of the Headquarters plan to call parents to get involved more actively in activities of schools’ committees.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools plans to focus its activities mainly on minority schools. The Headquarters has issued a statement calling minority students to protect their rights more actively: demand Latvian –Russian dictionaries, ask teachers to explain all materials in Russian and answer to teachers questions in Russians. Representatives of the Headquarters plan to call parents to get involved more actively in activities of schools committees. Vesti Segondya, Chas, Telegraf

The State Police are looking for authors of anti-Semitic slogans and drawings of the symbol of the Nazi party, recently discovered on the fence in the centre of Riga.

The State Police are looking for authors of anti-Semitic slogans and drawings of the symbol of the Nazi party, recently discovered on the fence in the centre of Riga. Diena, Rigas Balss, Telegraf