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 nominated director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks for the post of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. Prime Minister Einars Repse supports the candidature. The Saeima will have a vote today. According to Muiznieks the top priorities in his work will be promotion of a more active dialogue between the state and society and formation of the new ministry as a pillar to integration processes. The Latvian First Party decided to nominate Muiznieks because of his professionalism and experience in the field of integration. As Latvian First Party member Janis Peters (former Latvian ambassador to Russia) noted, the candidacy of Muiznieks is supported by both largest ethnic communities in Latvia – Latvians and Russians. FF/LLNK MP Peteris Tabuns is against the candidacy of Muiznieks “He will integrate, integrate and integrate as much as possible, and that’s simply stunning.” The new ministry will be called the Nationality and Integration Ministry, the budget of the new ministry will be LVL 280,000 and the staff of the new ministry will be 25 persons. Leader of the People’s Party Skele does not comment the candidacy, however, he believes that the formation of the new ministry is not reasonable at this time.

The Latvian First Party nominated director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks for the post of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. Prime Minister Einars Repse supports the candidature. The Saeima will have a vote today. According to Muiznieks the top priorities in his work will be promotion of a more active dialogue between the state and society and formation of the new ministry as a pillar to integration processes. The Latvian First Party decided to nominate Muiznieks because of his professionalism and experience in the field of integration. As Latvian First Party member Janis Peters (former Latvian ambassador to Russia) noted, the candidacy of Muiznieks is supported by both largest ethnic communities in Latvia – Latvians and Russians. FF/LLNK MP Peteris Tabuns is against the candidacy of Muiznieks He will integrate, integrate and integrate as much as possible, and thats simply stunning. The new ministry will be called the Nationality and Integration Ministry, the budget of the new ministry will be LVL 280,000 and the staff of the new ministry will be 25 persons. Leader of the Peoples Party Skele does not comment the candidacy, however, he believes that the formation of the new ministry is not reasonable at this time. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas

The Russian language press stresses that although Muiznieks was born in the USA, he speaks Russian.

The Russian language press stresses that although Muiznieks was born in the USA, he speaks Russian. Vesti Segodnya writes that even the opposition – FHRUL – agrees that Nils Muiznieks is the only person in the current government who would be able to start a dialogue with non-Latvians.

Telegraf

asks several questions of Nils Muiznieks. He says that the education reform in 2004 is the most painful issue for Russian-speakers today: many schools are not ready for the switch, therefore the implementation of the reform should be discussed. asks several questions of Nils Muiznieks. He says that the education reform in 2004 is the most painful issue for Russian-speakers today: “many schools are not ready for the switch, therefore the implementation of the reform should be discussed.”

Lauku Avize

comments on the TV discussion Whats Going on in Latvia? which was devoted to integration issues. The newspaper states that the opposition does not want to implement integration, fostering a feeling of affiliation with this country in non-Latvians. According to comments on the TV discussion “What’s Going on in Latvia?” which was devoted to integration issues. The newspaper states that the opposition does not want to implement integration, fostering a feeling of affiliation with this country in non-Latvians. According to Lauku Avize’sLauku Avizes columnist Anda Lice the best solution would be the formation of a new non-political newspaper printed in both Latvian and Russian. columnist Anda Lice the best solution would be the formation of a new non-political newspaper printed in both Latvian and Russian.

Chas

reports that yesterday the European Parliament adopted a resolution about the expansion of the EU. The Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament has drafted a detailed report, which promises the support for candidate countries and also indicates the problem areas of each candidate country. The Latvian government is reproached for insufficient political support for integration and inadequate funding allotted for Latvian-language courses for non-Latvians. Regarding the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian, the European Parliament suggests not to implement the reform if the quality of education is threatened. reports that yesterday the European Parliament adopted a resolution about the expansion of the EU. The Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament has drafted a detailed report, which promises the support for candidate countries and also indicates the problem areas of each candidate country. The Latvian government is reproached for insufficient political support for integration and inadequate funding allotted for Latvian-language courses for non-Latvians. Regarding the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian, the European Parliament suggests not to implement the reform if the quality of education is threatened.

Latvijas Vestnesis

publishes the speech of British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere given on the occasion of the closing of the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation. publishes the speech of British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere given on the occasion of the closing of the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation.