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 invites Russian parties to unite
• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM: Citizenship Law should be made more restrictive

Leaders of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Tatjana Zdanoka and Jakovs Pliners have invited the so-called Russian parties, notably Harmony Centre and Latvia’s Socialist Party, to unite before the forthcoming Saeima elections to be held in autumn 2006. The FHRUL hopes to achieve unity among the Russian-parties to seek the granting of official status to the Russian language and the renewal of the education system in the Russian language as well as ways of resolving the issue of mass non-citizenship. FHRUL also expects that these parties will offer financial and organisational support to the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian-language schools and its organised protest actions.

Leaders of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) Tatjana Zdanoka and Jakovs Pliners have invited the so-called Russian parties, notably Harmony Centre and Latvias Socialist Party, to unite before the forthcoming Saeima elections to be held in autumn 2006. The FHRUL hopes to achieve unity among the Russian-parties to seek the granting of official status to the Russian language and the renewal of the education system in the Russian language as well as ways of resolving the issue of mass non-citizenship. FHRUL also expects that these parties will offer financial and organisational support to the Headquarters for the Defence of the Russian-language schools and its organised protest actions. Latvijas Avize prints an article by the Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis, who believes that the activities of the Headquarters are used to increase the popularity of politicians and are not aimed at solving the problems in the realm of minority education and citizenship. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segondya

In response to the critics from the left-wing political parties regarding the draft law on benefits to national partisans, the chairman of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Janis Straume yesterday highlighted the need to make the Citizenship Law more restrictive. According to Straume, the FF/LNIM do not see the basis for the statements of several left-wing MPs who have branded national partisans bandits. The party also believes that the presence of MPs, ill-disposed towards Latvia, in the parliament is indicative of the existence of voters, ill-disposed towards Latvia, in society. Under these circumstances, according to the leader of the FF/LNIM, the Citizenship Law should be made more restrictive foreseeing both stronger requirements for naturalisation applicants, and provide for more possibilities to deprive an individual of the Latvian citizenship.

In response to the critics from the left-wing political parties regarding the draft law on benefits to national partisans, the chairman of the For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM Janis Straume yesterday highlighted the need to make the Citizenship Law more restrictive. According to Straume, the FF/LNIM do not see the basis for the statements of several left-wing MPs who have branded national partisans bandits. The party also believes that the presence of MPs, ill-disposed towards Latvia, in the parliament is indicative of the existence of voters, ill-disposed towards Latvia, in society. Under these circumstances, according to the leader of the FF/LNIM, the Citizenship Law should be made more restrictive foreseeing both stronger requirements for naturalisation applicants, and provide for more possibilities to deprive an individual of the Latvian citizenship. Chas, Telegraf