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.

 Press Report

Press Report

The European Court of Human Rights has accepted for hearing the complaint by a former banker, currently on trial in Latvia for large-scale embezzlement, and will now offer the Latvian government and the complainant to try to agree on a settlement.

The European Court of Human Rights has accepted for hearing the complaint by a former banker, currently on trial in Latvia for large-scale embezzlement, and will now offer the Latvian government and the complainant to try to agree on a settlement.

The court found the complaint by Alexander Lavent, the former head of Banka Baltija, as substantiated, saying that, among other things, his rights to independent and unbiased trial as well as to be presume innocent until proven guilty had been violated..

The court found the complaint by Alexander Lavent, the former head of Banka Baltija, as substantiated, saying that, among other things, his rights to independent and unbiased trial as well as to be presume innocent until proven guilty had been violated.. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Respublika

Thursday Russia took over the chairmanship in the Council of the Baltic Sea States and official Moscow has set two priorities for its activities – first, provide support to the region of Kaliningrad, and second, deal with the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic Countries.

Thursday Russia took over the chairmanship in the Council of the Baltic Sea States and official Moscow has set two priorities for its activities – first, provide support to the region of Kaliningrad, and second, deal with the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic Countries. Vesti Segodnja reminds that one of the former CBSS commissioners Ole Espersen was very active in protecting the rights of national minorities in Latvia and that was the reason for his dismissal from the post. His successor is Helen Degn who was the representative of Denmark in the OSCE for years and it is possible, that she will manage that the decision to expend the mandate of the OSCE Mission in Riga is taken.

According to the survey carried out by Russian Independent Institute of Social and National Problems and published by Russia’s

According to the survey carried out by Russian Independent Institute of Social and National Problems and published by Russias Nezavisimaja Gazeta a half of Russian experts consider that the Baltic States are unfriendly towards Russia, the same number of experts also see the States and Afghanistan unfriendly in relations with Russia. 36,2% of the surveyed are against the expansion of NATO. Neatkariga.

Vesti Segodnja

publishes an article about the possibilities for people residing in Latvia who want to return to their ethnic motherland Russia. According to the Federal Migration Department to Latvia, every year they move to Russia about one and a half thousand people. The article tells what assistance and information they are entitled to receive. publishes an article about the possibilities for people residing in Latvia who want to return to their ethnic motherland Russia. According to the Federal Migration Department to Latvia, every year they move to Russia about one and a half thousand people. The article tells what assistance and information they are entitled to receive.  

Press Report

Diena

writes about the problems which Russian speaking people face when learning the Latvian language. The lack of Latvian language environment and the lack of language courses free of charge are named as the main problems. The newspaper also gives the opinion of the Latvian Language Institute professor I.Druviete on the language issues. I.Druviete says that the ideal language model is when people speak many languages and to achieve that it is necessary to have strong legislation for the language and good education system. She also emphasised that visual usage of the language is very important and fosters language learning. The most difficult situation regarding language matters is in big cities – for example, in Daugavpils even at some big public events the Latvian language is not spoken. However, according to the data 74% young people who belong to other nationalities know the Latvian language well. Because of the lack of information or political manipulations, non-Latvians fear the time when secondary education for non-Latvians will be provided only in the state language. The possible solutions could be that 60% of the subjects are taught in the state language, as it is in Estonia, or a special position – an assistant of a teacher – which observes if students can follow and assists them if necessary is introduced.

Lauku Avize

interviews Russian ambassador to Latvia I. Studennikov. The ambassador sees positive although slow changes after the meeting of the presidents – the countries pay more attention to solving social issues, such as pension system, recognition of diplomas of another state, etc. I.Studennikov states that although Latvian foreign minister I.Berzins has not set relations with Russia as a priority in Latvias foreign policy, the Baltic states will always be the priority for Russia. Today 9 graders of non-Latvians schools have the exam in the Latvian language, however, the Government still has not decided if the results of school examination can be used for naturalisation purposes. The decision will be taken today and according to unofficial information it will be in the advantage for students.

Today 9 graders of non-Latvians schools have the exam in the Latvian language, however, the Government still has not decided if the results of school examination can be used for naturalisation purposes. The decision will be taken today and according to unofficial information it will be in the advantage for students. Chas

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I. Berzins believes that the Irish referendum, refusing the Nice treaty on European Union structural reform, could slow the EU expansion process. Minister Berzins emphasised that the Irish referendum, in which only 33 percent of voters took part, being 53 percent against expansion, was a vote against the government and that the result was the consequence of Irish internal politics.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I. Berzins believes that the Irish referendum, refusing the Nice treaty on European Union structural reform, could slow the EU expansion process. Minister Berzins emphasised that the Irish referendum, in which only 33 percent of voters took part, being 53 percent against expansion, was a vote against the government and that the result was the consequence of Irish internal politics. Diena, Chas

Deputy Head of Russia’s State Duma International Affairs K.Kosachov gives his opinion on Russian Latvian relations. He voices that Russia has to define its foreign policy for each Baltic country individually and in regard to Latvia the main issue is the vast number of non-citizens. K.Kosachov says that if the EU had the same stance as Russia does Riga had given citizenship to everybody, however, he says that during last months the EU has changed its position and has started to make pressing on official Riga. Another issue, which has to be dealt with in order to have good relations between the countries, is NATO enlargement.

Deputy Head of Russias State Duma International Affairs K.Kosachov gives his opinion on Russian Latvian relations. He voices that Russia has to define its foreign policy for each Baltic country individually and in regard to Latvia the main issue is the vast number of non-citizens. K.Kosachov says that if the EU had the same stance as Russia does Riga had given citizenship to everybody, however, he says that during last months the EU has changed its position and has started to make pressing on official Riga. Another issue, which has to be dealt with in order to have good relations between the countries, is NATO enlargement. Vesti Segodnja

The Latvian government regulations about reducing the naturalisation fee is an important pre-condition for closing of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia already this year, the Latvian foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins told BNS he was certain that OSCE missions in both Latvia and Estonia will be closed simultaneously at the end of this year. "For Latvia the closing of the OSCE mission will be like breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull of a new ship about to be put into sea," said the minister. The OSCE mission closing will be a culmination of continued and successful efforts, said Berzins. All major tasks have been carried out, only the National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director had to be appointed yet. On June 14 the OSCE Permanent Council forum will decide about extending the mandate for the OSCE mission in Latvia which is to expire June 30.

The Latvian government regulations about reducing the naturalisation fee is an important pre-condition for closing of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Latvia already this year, the Latvian foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins told BNS he was certain that OSCE missions in both Latvia and Estonia will be closed simultaneously at the end of this year. "For Latvia the closing of the OSCE mission will be like breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull of a new ship about to be put into sea," said the minister. The OSCE mission closing will be a culmination of continued and successful efforts, said Berzins. All major tasks have been carried out, only the National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director had to be appointed yet. On June 14 the OSCE Permanent Council forum will decide about extending the mandate for the OSCE mission in Latvia which is to expire June 30. BNS, Vesti Segodnja