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.

• FHRUL suggests amendments to the Citizenship Law
• Constitutional Court doubts authenticity of letters calling to recognise the education reform illegitimate
• Eizenija Aldermane: Latgale region needs a state supported Latvian language training programme
• Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about the pre-election campaign of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• Interview with the representative of the Latvias First Party Irina Vinnika
• Diena prints an article about the life and culture of minorities in Riga a century ago

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia submitted to Saeima amendments to the Citizenship Law. The proposed amendments stipulate that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulate that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language.

The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia submitted to Saeima amendments to the Citizenship Law. The proposed amendments stipulate that persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at state or municipal educational institutions after 1 September 1999 may acquire Latvian citizenship through registration. The amendments also stipulate that Latvian citizenship may be granted to persons who have completed elementary or general secondary education at private educational institutions, which provide at least a half of all classes, including foreign languages, in the state language. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Representatives of the Constitutional Court question authenticity of 34 out of 1116 individual letters, submitted to the Constitutional Court of Latvia by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The Headquarters organised an action in the framework of which it called people to sign already written letters in the support for the claim of 20 left wing politicians to Constitutional Court, calling to recognise the minority education reform illegitimate. The Constitutional Court reports that according to the regulations the Court has to provide an official reply to all applications, however, the Court was not able to respond to 32 applicants because the addresses indicated in these applications do not exist. While 2 applicants claimed that they have nothing to do with these letters.  The Constitutional Court considers a possibility to apply to the Prosecutor’s General Office to examine authenticity of the letters if more persons announce that they have nothing to do with the letters.

Representatives of the Constitutional Court question authenticity of 34 out of 1116 individual letters, submitted to the Constitutional Court of Latvia by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. The Headquarters organised an action in the framework of which it called people to sign already written letters in the support for the claim of 20 left wing politicians to Constitutional Court, calling to recognise the minority education reform illegitimate. The Constitutional Court reports that according to the regulations the Court has to provide an official reply to all applications, however, the Court was not able to respond to 32 applicants because the addresses indicated in these applications do not exist. While 2 applicants claimed that they have nothing to do with these letters. The Constitutional Court considers a possibility to apply to the Prosecutors General Office to examine authenticity of the letters if more persons announce that they have nothing to do with the letters. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane announced that ‘Latgale region (the eastern part of Latvia) needs a specific state supported Latvian language training programme.’ Since the regain of independence, the state has allotted more than LVL 1,000,000 (EUR 1,431,844) for Latvian language training for the residents of Daugavpils, the biggest city in the region and the second biggest city in Latvia, where the number of minorities constitutes more than 80% of the total population.

The Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane announced that ‘Latgale region (the eastern part of Latvia) needs a specific state supported Latvian language training programme. Since the regain of independence, the state has allotted more than LVL 1,000,000 (EUR 1,431,844) for Latvian language training for the residents of Daugavpils, the biggest city in the region and the second biggest city in Latvia, where the number of minorities constitutes more than 80% of the total population. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about the pre-election campaign of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia. According to the newspaper, the union keeps manipulating with minority problems, such as the minority education reform. In its programme the party promises to implement such curriculum, which would provide that the main language of instruction is students native language. The newspaper notes that this issue is beyond municipalitys competence.

Chas prints an interview with the representative of the Latvias First Party Irina Vinnik running for the municipal elections in Riga. Irina Vinnik promises to establish a particular department on minority issues under the Riga City Council.

Diena prints an article about the life and culture of minorities in Riga a century ago by Dr.phil. historian Kristine Volfarte, author of the book ‘Everybody Had Their Own Riga. Multinational Portray of the City from 1857 - 1914. She writes about the residential and other traditions of minorities living in Riga in the beginning of the 20th century. She notes that at that time various ethnic groups lived rather isolated and there were no closer relations among them. The historian concludes that the brief insight in the lives of people living in Riga at the beginning of the last century may create interest and wish to understand todays diverse residents of Riga.