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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

Neatkariga provides brief information about national minority education in Latvia. Although in Latvian legislation there is no definition of a national minority school, altogether there are 17 national minority schools and 175 schools with Russian as a language of instruction. In addition to providing education programs in minority languages, national minority schools offer more in-depth study of a nations culture and traditions. The biggest problem for national minority schools is finding funding, as education for a student at a small minority school costs 500 lats in comparison to 155 lats at a regular school.

Lauku Avize

publishes the open letter of Aina Rodriguez-Mata to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she expresses her concern about the Presidents initiative to remove language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. Aina Rodriguez-Mata believes that Latvian politicians and officials have done very little to explain to the world Latvias particular circumstances and historical background and now Latvia is about to lose its independence. The newspaper also publishes a response by the Presidents Chancellery where it gives detailed arguments why Latvia should abolish the language requirement and its view of the situation. The newspaper provides also the views of some MPs regarding Aina Rodriguez-Matas letter. Peoples Party deputy Janis Lagzdins and FF/LNNK Peteris Tabuns agree that Latvian MFA officials should do a better job in presenting Latvias issues to the international community. publishes the open letter of Aina Rodriguez-Mata to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga where she expresses her concern about the President’s initiative to remove language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law. Aina Rodriguez-Mata believes that Latvian politicians and officials have done very little to explain to the world Latvia’s particular circumstances and historical background and now Latvia is about to lose its independence. The newspaper also publishes a response by the President’s Chancellery where it gives detailed arguments why Latvia should abolish the language requirement and its view of the situation. The newspaper provides also the views of some MPs regarding Aina Rodriguez-Mata’s letter. People’s Party deputy Janis Lagzdins and FF/LNNK Peteris Tabuns agree that Latvian MFA officials should do a better job in presenting Latvia’s issues to the international community. Last year State Language Center inspectors visited more than 3000 companies and examined more than 700 complaints. Language inspectors have drawn up 39 administrative protocols for violating language legislation.

Last year State Language Center inspectors visited more than 3000 companies and examined more than 700 complaints. Language inspectors have drawn up 39 administrative protocols for violating language legislation. Chas

Chas

interviews American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson. One of the first questions concerns the abolishment of the language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law and why Richard Armitages letter was sent only last year. The Ambassador replies that it is up to Latvia to decide what do with the Election Law. However, a language requirement is not characteristic of western democracies. Concerning the timing of the letter, he says that it was linked to the closure of the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia. The Ambassador also provides information about the main projects supported by the American embassy in Latvia. interviews American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson. One of the first questions concerns the abolishment of the language requirement for election candidates from the Election Law and why Richard Armitage’s letter was sent only last year. The Ambassador replies that it is up to Latvia to decide what do with the Election Law. However, a language requirement is not characteristic of western democracies. Concerning the timing of the letter, he says that it was linked to the closure of the OSCE Missions to Latvia and Estonia. The Ambassador also provides information about the main projects supported by the American embassy in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

comments on the amendments to the by-laws of the State Language Center adopted by the Government last week. The newspaper harshly criticizes the new norm, which provides the State Language Center the right to invite people to come to the State Language Center and examine their language proficiency in the Center. Now the Center also has the right to impose a fine of up to 250 lats if a person has twice refused to come to the Center. comments on the amendments to the by-laws of the State Language Center adopted by the Government last week. The newspaper harshly criticizes the new norm, which provides the State Language Center the right to invite people to come to the State Language Center and examine their language proficiency in the Center. Now the Center also has the right to impose a fine of up to 250 lats if a person has twice refused to come to the Center.

Chas, Telegraf

and and Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja provide some insight to the amendments to the Latvian Constitution developed by social democrat leader Juris Bojars. The newspapers emphasize that Bojars Constitution has a whole chapter devoted to the protection of national minority rights in Latvia, namely, all national minorities have rights to develop their languages and culture in Latvia. The newspapers note that Bojars now is advocating ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. provide some insight to the amendments to the Latvian Constitution developed by social democrat leader Juris Bojars. The newspapers emphasize that Bojar’s Constitution has a whole chapter devoted to the protection of national minority rights in Latvia, namely, all national minorities have rights to develop their languages and culture in Latvia. The newspapers note that Bojars now is advocating ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Daugavpils Council Committee on Education has developed a school “optimization” plan for 2002-2005. The plan provides for closing a number of schools and transferring all secondary schools to education in Latvian as the only language of instruction.

The Daugavpils Council Committee on Education has developed a school optimization plan for 2002-2005. The plan provides for closing a number of schools and transferring all secondary schools to education in Latvian as the only language of instruction. Panorama Latvii