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.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Interviews with the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga
  
• Naturalisation Board conducts a study on the motives why people do not naturalise
• Opponents of the education reform: if the education reform is not postponed, people will not vote for the EU
• Conference on integration issues held yesterday
• Saeima faction of FF/LNNK held a sitting with the Education and Justice Ministers
• Law on Radio and TV re-opened
• Interview with the deputy of the Rabbi in Latvia Arje Bekers

Diena

interviews the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. When asked what her priorities in foreign policy for the next 4 years will be, the President states that there is still a lot to do regarding Latvias way towards the EU and NATO. She believes that relations with Russia will change after Latvia completes ratification of both agreements with the EU and NATO. After that Russia will not be able to continue the dialogue with Latvia in such a tone it did up till now. Regarding priorities in domestic policy, the President says that her previous priorities – court system, police and customs – will remain her top priorities for the next 4 years as well. The President agrees that Latvia still has many duties to fulfil in the field of social integration, however, Latvia is making progress in the field. She approves the education reform, but is planning to examine whether schools, which have to implement the reform, have sufficient resources and teaching aids. She considers that some schools should be allowed to have more flexible implementation schedule.

According to the study initiated by the Naturalisation Board and funded by the Finnish Embassy reasons why people do not want to naturalise are different in different regions of Latvia, therefore, in the future naturalisation awareness and promotion campaigns should be focused on specific target groups – according to the age groups and location. Out of 7,000 non-citizens a large share believes that they should be awarded Latvian citizenship automatically. This opinion prevails in Riga and Kurzeme, while non-citizens in Zemgale name their poor knowledge of history as the key reason for remaining in the status of non-citizen. Non-citizens in Vidzeme do not naturalise because they want to keep their privileges in obtaining visa to the CIS countries, while non-citizens in Latgale believe that their state language skills are too low. The Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks announced that his Secretariat will focus on promotion Latvian citizenship among young Latvian non-citizens. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Headquarter for the support for Russian schools held a rally. Diena reports that a new slogan appeared on the scene: if the education reform is not postponed, the Headquarter will call on people to vote against the EU. About 150-200 took part in the rally. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Lauku Avize reports that yesterday the conference Integrated Civic Society in Latvia and Latvias Integration into the European Democratic Space was held in Riga. There were almost no representatives of national minorities despite the fact that the lions share of discussed issues concerned integration of non-Latvians. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks said that his Secretariat will develop a new programme on Social Integration in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya notes that Nils Muiznieks seriously distressed those politicians who believe that there will be no problems in the field of integration in the future. The Integration Minister expressed his deep concern about the vast number of people (110,000) under the age of 27 who have not naturalised. Political scientist Artis Pabriks suggested paying more attention to issues concerning minority children education at kindergartens. Associated Professor of the University of Latvia Peteris Tabuns pointed out the negative influence and role of the Russian printed press. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

reports that the Saeima faction of FF/LNNK asked the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Justice Minister Aivars Aksenoks to take part in factions sitting. MPs of the FF/LNNK faction voiced their dissatisfaction with proportion of subjects taught in the state and minority languages at minority schools after implementation of the education reform. They believe that classes taught in the state language should be more than 60% of the curriculum as provided for by present norms, however, the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis stated that 60% classes held in the state language will ensure sufficient level of state language skills for minority students. Another concern of FF/LNNK was whether after Latvias accession to the EU Latvian citizens will have fewer rights than Latvian non-citizens. Telegraf

As the Constitutional Court ruling annulled the norm in the Law on Radio and TV stipulating that only up to 25% of programmes may be aired in foreign languages, MPs opened the Law on Radio and Television to introduce amendments. The key discussion subjects again were issues concerning language. The head of the National Radio and TV Council Ojars Rubenis suggested to award frequencies on the basis of a competition and one of the pre-requisites would be broadcast in the state language. Ojars Rubenis is not concerned that there will be no applicants as the frequencies can remain unfilled. Peoples Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich suggested to ask competent lawyers to develop a completely new law which would comply with all European directives and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. He suggests that there should be 2 laws: one for commercial TV and radio stations and one for public. Telegraf

Lauku Avize

talks to the deputy of the Rabbi in Latvia Arje Bekers. He reports that there are about 10,000 Jews in Latvia and stresses that relations between the Jewish Community and Latvian society are very good.