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

Proposed amendments to the regulations of the State Language Law expanding the list of professions in the private sector to be regulated with regard to language proficiency could become a controversial political issue. Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks, asserts that the proposed professions do not involve a legitimate public interest, which means that regulation would be a violation of the right to private life. Muiznieks goes on to note that “the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia was symbolically important, because it demonstrated that issues related to human rights and integration are more or less in order. However, this would be a signal in the completely opposite direction, that we cannot live without paternalistic supervision of the OSCE.” The majority of politicians questioned by

Proposed amendments to the regulations of the State Language Law expanding the list of professions in the private sector to be regulated with regard to language proficiency could become a controversial political issue. Director of the Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks, asserts that the proposed professions do not involve a legitimate public interest, which means that regulation would be a violation of the right to private life. Muiznieks goes on to note that the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia was symbolically important, because it demonstrated that issues related to human rights and integration are more or less in order. However, this would be a signal in the completely opposite direction, that we cannot live without paternalistic supervision of the OSCE. The majority of politicians questioned by Diena disagree with Muiznieks opinion. None of them recall that the OSCE had required preserving the list of professions in the private sphere without any amendments. Peoples party deputy Dzintars Abikis says that the amendments will not harm Latvias image, as the work of salespersons and hairdressers concerns a legitimate public interest. According to Abikis, the margin of a legitimate public interest is very vague, therefore the protection of consumer rights should be observed. Latvias Way Saeima faction chairperson Kristiana Libane thinks that Muiznieks concern is over exaggerated and ungrounded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet formulated its stance regarding the proposed amendments, promising to provide its opinion after reading the text of the document. Diena

Yesterday Prime Minister Andris Berzins called on the Coalition to launch discussions on the amendments to the election laws. The Prime Minister is also expecting Defense minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis to take a clear stance concerning this issue. The defense minister is a member of FF/LNNK, which does not support the amendments to the election laws. Also People’s Party leader Andris Skele stresses that “it would be strange if the minister responsible for Latvia’s integration into NATO would not be able to acquire the support of his party.” He also added that it is very important for his faction to know the stance of the defense and foreign affairs ministers. If the People’s Party is convinced that this is the only way Latvia will be invited to NATO, the party would support the amendments. People’s Party and Latvia’s Way have 44 votes in the Saeima, as well as the support of three New Christian Party deputies. The Prime Minister also hopes to receive the support of the Union of Social Democrats headed by Egils Baldzens

Yesterday Prime Minister Andris Berzins called on the Coalition to launch discussions on the amendments to the election laws. The Prime Minister is also expecting Defense minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis to take a clear stance concerning this issue. The defense minister is a member of FF/LNNK, which does not support the amendments to the election laws. Also Peoples Party leader Andris Skele stresses that it would be strange if the minister responsible for Latvias integration into NATO would not be able to acquire the support of his party. He also added that it is very important for his faction to know the stance of the defense and foreign affairs ministers. If the Peoples Party is convinced that this is the only way Latvia will be invited to NATO, the party would support the amendments. Peoples Party and Latvias Way have 44 votes in the Saeima, as well as the support of three New Christian Party deputies. The Prime Minister also hopes to receive the support of the Union of Social Democrats headed by Egils Baldzens. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Chas

interviews human rights expert Martins Mits. The main subject of the interview is the observance of human rights in Latvia. Regarding the Framework Convention Mits says that the Convention is a weak document and the fuss around the Convention is just a political game. He believes that a number of problems concerning human rights in Latvia are of psychological nature and mainly concern language. Regarding the Latvian government, Mits admits that the government is far from not only the public but also from researchers and experts. In this respect, he praises the Presidents initiative to invite not only politicians but also experts and researchers to become members of the Presidents State Language Commission. Mits states that the government has not done much to promote naturalization of non-citizens, but highly appreciates the work of the Naturalization Board in this field.interviews human rights expert Martins Mits. The main subject of the interview is the observance of human rights in Latvia. Regarding the Framework Convention Mits says that the Convention is a weak document and the fuss around the Convention is just a political game. He believes that a number of problems concerning human rights in Latvia are of psychological nature and mainly concern language. Regarding the Latvian government, Mits admits that the government is far from not only the public but also from researchers and experts. In this respect, he praises the President’s initiative to invite not only politicians but also experts and researchers to become members of the President’s State Language Commission. Mits states that the government has not done much to promote naturalization of non-citizens, but highly appreciates the work of the Naturalization Board in this field.

Lauku Avize

reports on the FHRUL pre-election conference held in Daugavpils last Saturday. The newspaper provides excerpts of the speeches given. Tatjana Zdanoka said that now everyone – the United States, NATO, the EU - is exerting pressure on Latvia. The amendments to the election laws were not initiated by the President. It is the outcome of FHRULs work, said Zdanoka. FHRUL deputy Boriss Cilevics expressed his concern about Daugavpils Mayor Eigims party Latgales Light as being a serious competitor for FHRUL in the next Saeima elections. Participants of the Conference also discussed the language issue in Latvia. reports on the FHRUL pre-election conference held in Daugavpils last Saturday. The newspaper provides excerpts of the speeches given. Tatjana Zdanoka said that now everyone – the United States, NATO, the EU - is exerting pressure on Latvia. “The amendments to the election laws were not initiated by the President. It is the outcome of FHRUL’s work,” said Zdanoka. FHRUL deputy Boriss Cilevics expressed his concern about Daugavpils Mayor Eigims’ party Latgale’s Light as being a serious competitor for FHRUL in the next Saeima elections. Participants of the Conference also discussed the language issue in Latvia. Daugavpils City Council has passed a decision to provide bilingual education specialists with apartments in order to attract such specialists to Daugavpils. For the time being Daugavpils Education Board is studying the situation concerning teachers’ state language skills, and discussing distance learning possibilities at the bilingual education centre at Daugavpils Secondary school No. 3. The Centre is scheduled to be open on 1 September.

Daugavpils City Council has passed a decision to provide bilingual education specialists with apartments in order to attract such specialists to Daugavpils. For the time being Daugavpils Education Board is studying the situation concerning teachers state language skills, and discussing distance learning possibilities at the bilingual education centre at Daugavpils Secondary school No. 3. The Centre is scheduled to be open on 1 September. Lauku Avize

In response to a recent article by Special Task Minister Roberts Zile regarding the Convention on the future of the European Union, President of the European Movement in Latvia Ainars Dimants writes about the EU and Latvia’s national interests. He highlights that the European Movement in Latvia is for a Europe made of national states, but a Europe with strong federal features. The Movement advocates a Constitutional agreement that would have special guarantees for the development of national values and culture. In Dimants’ opinion, EU member-states are responsible for the diversity of languages, but the EU also has to contribute to promoting a diversity of languages.

In response to a recent article by Special Task Minister Roberts Zile regarding the Convention on the future of the European Union, President of the European Movement in Latvia Ainars Dimants writes about the EU and Latvias national interests. He highlights that the European Movement in Latvia is for a Europe made of national states, but a Europe with strong federal features. The Movement advocates a Constitutional agreement that would have special guarantees for the development of national values and culture. In Dimants opinion, EU member-states are responsible for the diversity of languages, but the EU also has to contribute to promoting a diversity of languages. Diena

According to s sociological survey conducted by the company Latvijas fakti, 63.9% of Latvia’s residents are positive about Latvia’s NATO membership. Only 24.5% believe that Latvia should not join NATO. 68.7% of Latvian citizens and 42.4% of non-citizens say yes to Latvia’s NATO membership.

According to s sociological survey conducted by the company Latvijas fakti, 63.9% of Latvias residents are positive about Latvias NATO membership. Only 24.5% believe that Latvia should not join NATO. 68.7% of Latvian citizens and 42.4% of non-citizens say yes to Latvias NATO membership. Neatkariga

OSCE ODIHR director Gerard Stoudmann who suggested granting the Russian language official status in Latvia has been nominated by the organising committee of the Cicero and Murphy award, for a Murphy award. The awards, promoted by the Latvian Journalists association, go to the person who has done the most to promote dialogue (Cicero) or made the biggest misstep.

OSCE ODIHR director Gerard Stoudmann who suggested granting the Russian language official status in Latvia has been nominated by the organising committee of the Cicero and Murphy award, for a Murphy award. The awards, promoted by the Latvian Journalists association, go to the person who has done the most to promote dialogue (Cicero) or made the biggest misstep. Diena, Neatkariga, BNS

Panorama Latvii publishes a article by Alexandr Rzavin about the experience of Canada in dealing with different ethnic issues, such as a two community society, official languages and bilingualism. In apparent reference to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Rzavin asks “When some Latvians who long lived in Canda speak about a sole state language in Latvia, the question arises: were they truly integrated in Canadian society?”

Panorama Latvii publishes a article by Alexandr Rzavin about the experience of Canada in dealing with different ethnic issues, such as a two community society, official languages and bilingualism. In apparent reference to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Rzavin asks When some Latvians who long lived in Canda speak about a sole state language in Latvia, the question arises: were they truly integrated in Canadian society?

Panorama Latvii

has a launched weekly supplement where the newspaper is planning to print a page of articles in languages of other ethnic minorities in Latvia. The page in todays issue is about Belarus in the Belarussian language. has a launched weekly supplement where the newspaper is planning to print a page of articles in languages of other ethnic minorities in Latvia. The page in today’s issue is about Belarus in the Belarussian language.