Integration monitor
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.
April 20, 2002
Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies
Defence Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis, delegated to the post by FF/LNNK, is ready to give his stance regarding the abolition of the language requirement for election candidates in the election laws. Although the stance of his party is against the lifting of the language requirement, Kristovskis said if this is an important requirement for Latvias NATO membership, the election laws should be amended. FF/LNNK chairperson Maris Grinblats stated that the faction is not going to support the lifting of the language requirement, but will not criticise the defence minister. Diena
Vecernaya Riga
talks to chairperson of the Riga Education Board Guntis Helmanis. He disagrees with the statement of the newspaper that the school optimisation plan, which call for closing several schools due to the insuffiecient number of students, concerns only Russian schools. He stresses that all schools have equal possibilities, but it is the responsibility of a school to apply and initiate projects. Regarding the switch to education in the Latvian language in 2004, Helmanis states that schools have started preparation a long time ago and should be ready for 2004. talks to chairperson of the Riga Education Board Guntis Helmanis. He disagrees with the statement of the newspaper that the school optimisation plan, which call for closing several schools due to the insuffiecient number of students, concerns only Russian schools. He stresses that all schools have equal possibilities, but it is the responsibility of a school to apply and initiate projects. Regarding the switch to education in the Latvian language in 2004, Helmanis states that schools have started preparation a long time ago and should be ready for 2004.Chas
interviews history professor Ilga Apine about the relations of national minorities in Latvia. She believes that Russians are not under threat of assimilation in Latvia. Regarding the school reform in 2004 she states that people have to have a choice, and to learn Latvian it is not necessary to study all subjects at school in the Latvian language. When asked what is integration, Apine replies that integration is expansion of participation. In her opinion, the situation regarding Russians has improved and it will change completely when a new generation of Russians who know the Latvian language and are competitive will constitute a bigger part of society. She believes that Russians have to be more pro-active regarding their rights. Regarding the Latvian language she says that no more administrative measures should be introduced to strengthen the status and usage of Latvian, on the contrary, people should have the rights to communicate with their municipalities in Russian. interviews history professor Ilga Apine about the relations of national minorities in Latvia. She believes that Russians are not under threat of assimilation in Latvia. Regarding the school reform in 2004 she states that people have to have a choice, and to learn Latvian it is not necessary to study all subjects at school in the Latvian language. When asked what is integration, Apine replies that “integration is expansion of participation.” In her opinion, the situation regarding Russians has improved and it will change completely when a new generation of Russians who know the Latvian language and are competitive will constitute a bigger part of society. She believes that Russians have to be more pro-active regarding their rights. Regarding the Latvian language she says that no more administrative measures should be introduced to strengthen the status and usage of Latvian, on the contrary, people should have the rights to communicate with their municipalities in Russian.Vesti Segodnja
states that the governing national parties are against the Constitution developed by leader of Social Democrats Juris Bojars because it stipulates that international conventions signed by Latvia are higher in the legal hierarchy than Latvian legislation. states that the governing national parties are against the Constitution developed by leader of Social Democrats Juris Bojars because it stipulates that international conventions signed by Latvia are higher in the legal hierarchy than Latvian legislation. 25 minority NGOs, such as the Latvian Human Rights Committee, Baltic-Slavic Association of Culture and others have developed a statement on the rights of national minorities in Latvia addressed to international organisations.25 minority NGOs, such as the Latvian Human Rights Committee, Baltic-Slavic Association of Culture and others have developed a statement on the rights of national minorities in Latvia addressed to international organisations. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii
Neatkariga
interviews Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Jilly. He talks about Austrian experience in issues topical for Latvia now, such as, rebuilding of the economy, EU membership and language issues. interviews Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Jilly. He talks about Austrian experience in issues topical for Latvia now, such as, rebuilding of the economy, EU membership and language issues.