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

Yesterday the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Commission held a sitting on the results of the review of the Naturalization Board conducted by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Commission concerning the alleged sale of Latvian citizenship. The Commission believes that the investigation was not conducted thoroughly, therefore it sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting another review of the Naturalization Board. Concerning the suitability of NB head Eizenija Aldermane for the position, Ministry of Justice state secretary Aivars Maldups said that only the government is entitled to dismiss her from the position if the General Prosecutor Office establishes that the NB administration is negligent in its work.

Yesterday the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Commission held a sitting on the results of the review of the Naturalization Board conducted by the Ministry of Justice Investigation Commission concerning the alleged sale of Latvian citizenship. The Commission believes that the investigation was not conducted thoroughly, therefore it sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting another review of the Naturalization Board. Concerning the suitability of NB head Eizenija Aldermane for the position, Ministry of Justice state secretary Aivars Maldups said that only the government is entitled to dismiss her from the position if the General Prosecutor Office establishes that the NB administration is negligent in its work. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Neatkariga

interviews Great Britain parliament member Giselle Stewart. Giselle Stewart is the Head of the Westminster Democracy Foundation and was on a 3-day visit to Latvia last week. She talks about the election system in Great Britain. Regarding the language requirement for election candidates provided for by Latvian election laws she says that language is an emotional issue, however, an MP has to speak the language of the country to be able to represent his/her voters in the best way. She also provides information on the Westminster Democracy Foundation, its activities and achievements. interviews Great Britain parliament member Giselle Stewart. Giselle Stewart is the Head of the Westminster Democracy Foundation and was on a 3-day visit to Latvia last week. She talks about the election system in Great Britain. Regarding the language requirement for election candidates provided for by Latvian election laws she says that language is an emotional issue, however, an MP has to speak the language of the country to be able to represent his/her voters in the best way. She also provides information on the Westminster Democracy Foundation, its activities and achievements. Justice minister Ingrida Labucka has concluded that Daugavpils Mayor Eigims’ party Latgales Light has violated the law when the party denied admittance to Diena’s journalist in the party’s congress. Diena has the right to file its complaint with the court.

Justice minister Ingrida Labucka has concluded that Daugavpils Mayor Eigims party Latgales Light has violated the law when the party denied admittance to Dienas journalist in the partys congress. Diena has the right to file its complaint with the court. Diena

Latgale’s Light participation in the next Saeima elections is reportedly linked with its wish to capture FHRUL’s electorate. “Ruling coalition parties are trying to form a FHRUL 2 in the current conditions,” says FHRUL deputy Miroslavs Mitrofanovs. Right-wing parties deny their possible co-operation with Eigims’ party.

Latgales Light participation in the next Saeima elections is reportedly linked with its wish to capture FHRULs electorate. Ruling coalition parties are trying to form a FHRUL 2 in the current conditions, says FHRUL deputy Miroslavs Mitrofanovs. Right-wing parties deny their possible co-operation with Eigims party. Neatkariga

The Riga Council FHRUL faction has drafted amendments to city council regulations on language provisions which stipulate for that all sign boards and posters have to be in the Latvian language except for international events. The Riga City Council adopted these provisions already in 1997. FHRUL suggested that the provisions should be amended and proposed that the State Language Law and Council of Minister regulations should be observed in such cases. The Riga City Council Development department does not support the amendments. FHRUL deputy Buzajev comments that Riga City Council provisions contradict the law.

Vecernaya Riga

Vesti Segodnja

publishes an article about bilingual education by FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner. He believes that bilingual education is possible in Latvia, but on the condition that there is adequate methodology, teaching and studying aids and highly qualified teachers. Pliner thinks that the current process is a violent implanting of bilingual education in national minority schools. Pliner also stresses that almost all representatives of national minority schools are afraid to oppose the governments decision on education reform in 2004. Pliner concludes that the best solution would be to select only several schools for this experiment, and then on the basis of the results consider the best options for the implementation of bilingual education. publishes an article about bilingual education by FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner. He believes that bilingual education is possible in Latvia, but on the condition that there is adequate methodology, teaching and studying aids and highly qualified teachers. Pliner thinks that the current process is a “violent implanting of bilingual education in national minority schools.” Pliner also stresses that almost all representatives of national minority schools are afraid to oppose the government’s decision on education reform in 2004. Pliner concludes that the best solution would be to select only several schools for this “experiment,” and then on the basis of the results consider the best options for the implementation of bilingual education.

Vecernaya Riga

reports that the 1st conference Latvia towards 2002. Integration, Alternatives… will be held at the end of May. Social science experts, political scientists and representatives of NGOs are invited to the conference to share their experiences. The conference is organised by the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens, the open public foundation Citizenship. Education. Culture" and Civic Initiative XXI. reports that the 1st conference “Latvia towards 2002. Integration, Alternatives…” will be held at the end of May. Social science experts, political scientists and representatives of NGOs are invited to the conference to share their experiences. The conference is organised by the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens, the open public foundation “Citizenship. Education. Culture" and “Civic Initiative XXI.”