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.

• Working group which will develop amendments to the Citizenship Law established
• Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools calls to participate in unapproved protest action
• State Security Police will look after Muslims during the visit of the USA President George W.Bush to Latvia
• Interview with Russian journalist Vladislavs Andrejevs on relations between Latvians and Russians in Latvia

The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis signed a directive on establishment of a working group which task is development of amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments to the law should be submitted for the government’s review till 1 July.

The Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis signed a directive on establishment of a working group which task is development of amendments to the Citizenship Law. The amendments to the law should be submitted for the governments review till 1 July. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools calls its supporters to participate in non-violent unauthorised protest action – together with the Latvian President place flowers at the Monument of Freedom shortly before the official ceremony to be held on the occasion of the anniversary of Latvia’s Independence Proclamation Day on 4 May. The Headquarters call people, who will participate in the action, to wear a headband which says ‘alien.’ As reported, the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Eriks Skapars refused to authorise a protest action, planned by the Headquarters.

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools calls its supporters to participate in non-violent unauthorised protest action – together with the Latvian President place flowers at the Monument of Freedom shortly before the official ceremony to be held on the occasion of the anniversary of Latvias Independence Proclamation Day on 4 May. The Headquarters call people, who will participate in the action, to wear a headband which says ‘alien. As reported, the Executive Director of the Riga City Council Eriks Skapars refused to authorise a protest action, planned by the Headquarters. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

NRA reports that during the visit of the USA President George W.Bush to Latvia, the State Security Police will pay particular attention to the Muslim community in Latvia and Muslim tourists. According to the Chairman of the Antiterrorism Centre of the Security Police Juris Leitis, the Security Police will pay special attention to criminals, national radicals and mentally unstable people as well. While Imam Midhats Sadtanovs, leader of one of Muslim communities in Latvia, believes that the visit of the USA President will not bring any troubles for Muslims in Latvia. He states that ‘Security Police do not make any troubles for Muslims in Latvia, because I have discussed the differences between various Muslims communities with the Head of the Security Police for a number of times.’ According to Midhats Sadtanovs approximately 5,000 Muslims and their descendants live in Latvia.

NRA reports that during the visit of the USA President George W.Bush to Latvia, the State Security Police will pay particular attention to the Muslim community in Latvia and Muslim tourists. According to the Chairman of the Antiterrorism Centre of the Security Police Juris Leitis, the Security Police will pay special attention to criminals, national radicals and mentally unstable people as well. While Imam Midhats Sadtanovs, leader of one of Muslim communities in Latvia, believes that the visit of the USA President will not bring any troubles for Muslims in Latvia. He states that ‘Security Police do not make any troubles for Muslims in Latvia, because I have discussed the differences between various Muslims communities with the Head of the Security Police for a number of times. According to Midhats Sadtanovs approximately 5,000 Muslims and their descendants live in Latvia. Neatkariga Rita Avize

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The Neatkariga Rita Avize supplement ‘Mes (‘We) prints an interview with Russian journalist Vladislavs Andrejevs on relations between Latvians and Russians in Latvia. The young journalist states that rather many Latvians believe that all Russians are unsatisfied with their lives in Latvia. When asked about the minority education reform, the journalist is convinced that many issues would have been solved if the government had had a dialogue with minorities before the government started to implement the reform. He also notes that there is the lack of textbooks and curricula.