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

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

The Latvian First Party will look for a new candidate for the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, as Aleksandrs Brandavs withdrew his candidature. Brandavs stated that he is an expert only on national minority issues, however, the minister’s responsibilities include other minorities and their integration into society as well. The Latvian First Party announced that it has several candidatures for the post, however, the party will give the name of their candidacy by the end of November.

The Latvian First Party will look for a new candidate for the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, as Aleksandrs Brandavs withdrew his candidature. Brandavs stated that he is an expert only on national minority issues, however, the ministers responsibilities include other minorities and their integration into society as well. The Latvian First Party announced that it has several candidatures for the post, however, the party will give the name of their candidacy by the end of November. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

One of the most active Russian organisations is the Association of the Russian Language and Literature Teachers, which held its conference last weekend. The first discussion subject was the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. Teachers expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s decision, as it was taken without taking into account views of minorities and teachers.

One of the most active Russian organisations is the Association of the Russian Language and Literature Teachers, which held its conference last weekend. The first discussion subject was the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. Teachers expressed their dissatisfaction with the governments decision, as it was taken without taking into account views of minorities and teachers. Vechernaya Riga, Chas

Chas

interviews member of Peoples Harmony Party Vladlen Dozorcev who came with an initiative to form a unified leftist party in Latvia. He believes that FHRUL has achieved its tasks and it is time to form a new party. The key tasks of the new party will be: first, develop ideology of solidarity and unity for all Latvian residents and form a unified political nation; second, balance the existing market mechanisms; third, implement a pragmatic approach to the Latvian domestic policy. Pensioners and employed persons, including, teachers and doctors, will be the electorate of the new party. Dozorcev stresses that the party programme will focus on solving naturalisation issues – the new party is interested in increasing the number of new citizens: we have to draw attention of the Latvian people on the sooner elimination of this weird institution – non-citizens. The party is planning to participate in the next municipal elections. interviews member of People’s Harmony Party Vladlen Dozorcev who came with an initiative to form a unified leftist party in Latvia. He believes that FHRUL has achieved its tasks and it is time to form a new party. The key tasks of the new party will be: first, develop ideology of solidarity and unity for all Latvian residents and form a unified political nation; second, balance the existing market mechanisms; third, implement a pragmatic approach to the Latvian domestic policy. Pensioners and employed persons, including, teachers and doctors, will be the electorate of the new party. Dozorcev stresses that the party programme will focus on solving naturalisation issues – the new party is interested in increasing the number of new citizens: “we have to draw attention of the Latvian people on the sooner elimination of this weird institution – non-citizens.” The party is planning to participate in the next municipal elections. Yesterday the Riga Centre Court declined the claim of Eduard Vasilyev and Yulia Bogdanova against the Central Electoral Commission. Bogdanova and Vasilyev were not satisfied with the response of the CEC regarding when, who and why they as non-citizens were deprived of the right to participate in elections.

Yesterday the Riga Centre Court declined the claim of Eduard Vasilyev and Yulia Bogdanova against the Central Electoral Commission. Bogdanova and Vasilyev were not satisfied with the response of the CEC regarding when, who and why they as non-citizens were deprived of the right to participate in elections. Chas

The Russian language press –

The Russian language press – Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii - reports that the ruling coalition wants to deprive FHRUL MP Boriss Tsilevich of the right to participate at the discussions in the European Parliament. The newspapers states that the ruling coalition believes that a report of Tsilevich about the situation of national minorities in Latvia could have a negative impact on the image of the country.

Telegraf

reports that 3 years ago the Latvian government promised to pay compensations to all Russians who repatriate to Russia, however, during these 3 years no money for this purpose has been allotted from the state budget. About 6,000 Russians residing in Latvia want to return to Russia. According to the data provided by the Repatriation Centre about 7,5 thousand people repatriated from Latvia over the last 8 years. reports that 3 years ago the Latvian government promised to pay compensations to all Russians who repatriate to Russia, however, during these 3 years no money for this purpose has been allotted from the state budget. About 6,000 Russians residing in Latvia want to return to Russia. According to the data provided by the Repatriation Centre about 7,5 thousand people repatriated from Latvia over the last 8 years.