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.

• Newspapers report on the forthcoming visit of the USA President George W. Bush to Latvia
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga returns the amendments to the Immigration Law to Saeima
• Prosecutors General Office evaluates the statements of the MP Nikolajs Kabanovs
• Chas prints results of an interactive opinion poll on the status of the Russian language in Latvia
• Article about the marriage traditions of Roma in the Latgale region

Newspapers report on the forthcoming visit of the USA President George W. Bush to Latvia. Several of them note that the USA President will call Latvia to improve relations with Russia and continue minority integration process. Russian language newspapers print the statement of the Head of the Parliamentary Group of the union  For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners. The MP states that he refuses to meet the president Bush because the USA President overlooks the problems, such as, mass non-citizenship, Latvia has concerning observance of minority rights.  

Newspapers report on the forthcoming visit of the USA President George W. Bush to Latvia. Several of them note that the USA President will call Latvia to improve relations with Russia and continue minority integration process. Russian language newspapers print the statement of the Head of the Parliamentary Group of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners. The MP states that he refuses to meet the president Bush because the USA President overlooks the problems, such as, mass non-citizenship, Latvia has concerning observance of minority rights. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga returned to Saeima the amendments to the Immigration Law, recently adopted by the Parliament. The amendments stipulated that foreigners who apply for permanent residence permits in Latvia should submit a declaration of loyalty towards Latvia and promise to respect the Latvian culture and traditions. The People’s Harmony Party invited the President not to promulgate the amendments.

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga returned to Saeima the amendments to the Immigration Law, recently adopted by the Parliament. The amendments stipulated that foreigners who apply for permanent residence permits in Latvia should submit a declaration of loyalty towards Latvia and promise to respect the Latvian culture and traditions. The Peoples Harmony Party invited the President not to promulgate the amendments. Diena

The Prosecutor’s General Office has evaluated the statements of the MP Nikolajs Kabanovs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) expressed during the TV discussion ‘The Process.’ The Prosecutor’s General Office admitted that the statement of the MP does not incite national hatred, however, the Prosecutor’s General Office noted that Saeima is entitled to evaluate statements of an MP. As reported, the MP stated that ‘voters will not trust in Latvian fascism.’ 

The Prosecutors General Office has evaluated the statements of the MP Nikolajs Kabanovs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) expressed during the TV discussion ‘The Process. The Prosecutors General Office admitted that the statement of the MP does not incite national hatred, however, the Prosecutors General Office noted that Saeima is entitled to evaluate statements of an MP. As reported, the MP stated that ‘voters will not trust in Latvian fascism. Latvijas Avize

Chas prints results of the interactive opinion poll conducted among its members of audience. They were asked what status should be granted to the Russian language in Latvia. 68% out of 1628 respondents stated that Russian should be granted the status of the second state language, 12% believe that secondary education in Russian should be provided by state, while only 9% think that in communication with local municipalities Russian may be used.

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The Diena supplement Sestdiena features an article about the marriage traditions of Roma in the Latgale region (the Eastern part of Latvia).