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.

• Vesti Segodnya comments on the report of the Councils of Europe Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles concerning minority situation in Latvia
• Statement of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the claim of Jurijs Petropavlovskis
• Number of naturalisation applications received by the Daugavpils Regional Branch of the Naturalisation Board has increased last year
• MP Boris Tsilevitch talks about perspectives of the so-called Russian and left-centric parties in the forthcoming municipal elections
• Several municipalities allow Russian-language schools have a day-off on 7 January

Vesti Segodnya comments on the report of the European Commissioner for Human RightsAlvaro Gill-Robles concerning minority situation in Latvia. In his report the Commissioner states that the large number of non-citizens is one of the key issues in the country and recommends the Latvian government to foster naturalisation and promote integration of non-citizens into society. According to Alvaro Gill-Robles, ‘Latvian authorities have been reluctant to increase the rights of non-citizens (notably in respect of electoral rights and the ability to communicate with the public administration in their own language) and broaden the protection of minority rights (as evidenced by the non-ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities), for fear of decreasing the incentives to naturalise and integrate. The Commissioner also notes that language reforms in the educational system have been adopted with insufficient dialogue with minority communities concerned and seemingly with too little sensitivity to the quality of education.

The Cabinet of Ministers will ask the Administrative Court to reject a claim submitted by Jurijs Petropavlovskis challenging the government’s refusal to grant him Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Minister argues that the decision was a political and not an administrative act, therefore may not be appealed with court.

The Cabinet of Ministers will ask the Administrative Court to reject a claim submitted by Jurijs Petropavlovskis challenging the governments refusal to grant him Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Minister argues that the decision was a political and not an administrative act, therefore may not be appealed with court. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

In 2004 the number of the naturalisation applications, received by the Daugavpils Regional Branch of the Naturalisation Board, has increased by 310 applications in comparison to the number of applications in 2003 (1335 applications).

In 2004 the number of the naturalisation applications, received by the Daugavpils Regional Branch of the Naturalisation Board, has increased by 310 applications in comparison to the number of applications in 2003 (1335 applications). Telegraf

Chas features an article by the MP Boris Tsilevitch (the Peoples Harmony Party) about perspectives of the so-called Russian parties and left-centric parties in the forthcoming municipal elections. The MP believes that these parties should join in a left-centric block, so they would be able to influence adoption of political decisions.

Several municipalities has permitted Russian-language schools to celebrate 7 January - Christmas Day celebrated by Orthodox believers and Old Believers – and have a day-off on that day,  although it has not been marked as national holiday in Latvia.

Several municipalities has permitted Russian-language schools to celebrate 7 January - Christmas Day celebrated by Orthodox believers and Old Believers – and have a day-off on that day, although it has not been marked as national holiday in Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize