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

Today the Saiema will hold an extraordinary session to review in the final reading the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language.

Today the Saiema will hold an extraordinary session to review in the final reading the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

Neatkarigas

editorial is about the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language. The newspaper stresses that the strength of the language lies in the peoples self-esteem and not in laws and undertakings. editorial is about the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language. The newspaper stresses that the strength of the language lies in the people’s self-esteem and not in laws and undertakings. FHRUL deputy Janis Urbanovics voices his views about the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the Latvian language. He criticises the government for excluding from the solemn oath the promise to observe international agreements binding on Latvia. He reproaches the governing parties for not ratifying agreements, which Latvia signed a long time ago, such as the Treaty with the Holy See and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

FHRUL deputy Janis Urbanovics voices his views about the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the Latvian language. He criticises the government for excluding from the solemn oath the promise to observe international agreements binding on Latvia. He reproaches the governing parties for not ratifying agreements, which Latvia signed a long time ago, such as the Treaty with the Holy See and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Diena

Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka has accepted the resignation letter of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa.

Justice Minister Ingrida Labucka has accepted the resignation letter of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Diena, Neatkariga

Lauku Avize

Board member Voldemars Krustins comments on the resignation of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Krustins believes that the governing parties are also responsible for her resignation. In Krustins opinion, they even wished for her resignation the Government did not like Hirsas initiatives which were the result of the real needs and complaints of Latvians. The activities of the Centre are not protected and taken care of. Board member Voldemars Krustins comments on the resignation of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Krustins believes that the governing parties are also responsible for her resignation. In Krustins’ opinion, they even wished for her resignation “the Government did not like Hirsa’s initiatives which were the result of the real needs and complaints of Latvians. The activities of the Centre are not protected and taken care of.”

Chas

reports that today the Cabinet of Ministers should have resumed granting Latvian citizenship to persons who have successfully passed naturalisation exams since. The government decided on 16 April had to postpone resumption for two weeks. The newspaper assumes that the process will not begin again today, as the issue was not included in todays Cabinet agenda. At the moment, the list of persons who have passed naturalisation exams and are waiting for approval of their new status as Latvian citizens amounts to 2000 persons. reports that today the Cabinet of Ministers should have resumed granting Latvian citizenship to persons who have successfully passed naturalisation exams since. The government decided on 16 April had to postpone resumption for two weeks. The newspaper assumes that the process will not begin again today, as the issue was not included in today’s Cabinet agenda. At the moment, the list of persons who have passed naturalisation exams and are waiting for approval of their new status as Latvian citizens amounts to 2000 persons.

Chas

publishes an interview with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The President states that she does not know anybody who would be against the Russian language, the issue is about the usage and influence of the Russian and Latvian languages. Regarding the switch of secondary education to Latvian instruction, the President says that the Education Minister has assured her that there will be a sufficient number of qualified teachers, students will be provided with books and study aids, but the President promises to keep an eye on the reform. When asked about naturalisation the President says that she would not like to think that naturalisation has been stopped intentionally. She believes that information campaigns about possibilities to acquire Latvian citizenship are a very good initiative and should be continued by the state. publishes an interview with President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. The President states that she does not know anybody who would be against the Russian language, the issue is about the usage and influence of the Russian and Latvian languages. Regarding the switch of secondary education to Latvian instruction, the President says that the Education Minister has assured her that “there will be a sufficient number of qualified teachers, students will be provided with books and study aids,” but the President promises “to keep an eye on the reform.” When asked about naturalisation the President says that she would not like to think that naturalisation has been stopped intentionally. She believes that information campaigns about possibilities to acquire Latvian citizenship are a very good initiative and should be continued by the state. The Roma culture association “Shatra” has launched its activities in Jekabpils. The head of the association Laila Leiskina stresses that they wanted to show that Roma are talented people. She admits that drug addiction is a very serious problem among young Roma e because many are without a job and education. She states that Roma very often face discrimination in the job market.

The Roma culture association Shatra has launched its activities in Jekabpils. The head of the association Laila Leiskina stresses that they wanted to show that Roma are talented people. She admits that drug addiction is a very serious problem among young Roma e because many are without a job and education. She states that Roma very often face discrimination in the job market. Neatkariga

Chas

talks to FHRUL MP and editor of the web page Minority Electronic Resources Boris Tsilevich. He believes that the key problems for Latvia concerning the rights of national minorities are the Education Law, the State Language Law, the representation of non-Latvians in state and government institutions and restrictions on foreign languages in Latvian TV and radio programmes. talks to FHRUL MP and editor of the web page Minority Electronic Resources Boris Tsilevich. He believes that the key problems for Latvia concerning the rights of national minorities are the Education Law, the State Language Law, the representation of non-Latvians in state and government institutions and restrictions on foreign languages in Latvian TV and radio programmes. The radio station Super FM has launched a new programme “One Is not Enough.” The programme will be a tool for promoting language learning, providing practical advice where and how to learn languages. Project director Igita Reke denies that the programme will be only about the Russian language for Latvians or the Latvian language for Russians.

The radio station Super FM has launched a new programme One Is not Enough. The programme will be a tool for promoting language learning, providing practical advice where and how to learn languages. Project director Igita Reke denies that the programme will be only about the Russian language for Latvians or the Latvian language for Russians. Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnja

reports about the incentive of FF/LNNK to create a new State Language Agency. The newspaper reports that the other two governing parties will support the initiative, as creation of different commissions and establishments is the usual way Latvian politicians show their voters they care about their problems. reports about the incentive of FF/LNNK to create a new State Language Agency. The newspaper reports that the other two governing parties will support the initiative, as “creation of different commissions and establishments” is the usual way Latvian politicians show their voters they care about their problems.

Telegraf

talks to TV experts about programmes in Russian. Acting National TV director Gundars Reders states that national TV has not fulfilled the allowed quota of programmes in the Russian language. Gunta Lidaka, programme director at TV5, states that Russians should feel that they have rights in Latvia and that somebody is concerned and talks about their problems in their language. She believes that programmes in Russian should provide more information about how to live in Latvia, about rights, the economy, and the latest developments in the corridors of power. Lidaka argues against the existing restrictions on the usage of foreign languages and the provision that a programme should be only in one language. Producer of the programme Rigas Balsam for the Soul Igor Pronin believes that the future of TV programmes in Russian first of all depends on people themselves and not on the government. Director of the television company Alter A Natalia Abola states that programmes in Russian survive thanks to the enthusiasm of several individuals and that it is very difficult to find sponsors. National TV and Radio Council member Ilmars Shlapins says that Channel II is not doing well and that programmes in Russian should not be purchased in Russia, but produced in Latvia. talks to TV experts about programmes in Russian. Acting National TV director Gundars Reders states that national TV has not fulfilled the allowed quota of programmes in the Russian language. Gunta Lidaka, programme director at TV5, states that Russians should feel that they have rights in Latvia and that somebody is concerned and talks about their problems in their language. She believes that programmes in Russian should provide more information about how to live in Latvia, about rights, the economy, and the latest developments in the corridors of power. Lidaka argues against the existing restrictions on the usage of foreign languages and the provision that a programme should be only in one language. Producer of the programme “Riga’s Balsam for the Soul” Igor Pronin believes that the future of TV programmes in Russian first of all depends on people themselves and not on the government. Director of the television company Alter A Natalia Abola states that programmes in Russian survive thanks to the enthusiasm of several individuals and that it is very difficult to find sponsors. National TV and Radio Council member Ilmars Shlapins says that Channel II is not doing well and that programmes in Russian should not be purchased in Russia, but produced in Latvia.

Telegraf

publishes an article of Russian language teacher Tatyana Korberg. She states that Russians themselves will kill the Russian language in Latvia as Russian language study books are not very helpful for teachers. publishes an article of Russian language teacher Tatyana Korberg. She states that Russians themselves will kill the Russian language in Latvia as Russian language study books are not very helpful for teachers.

Panorama Latvii

devotes a page to articles about Ukrainian culture in the Ukrainian language. devotes a page to articles about Ukrainian culture in the Ukrainian language.

Panorama Latvii

publishes an article about problems of national minorities and their solutions in Tyrol. publishes an article about problems of national minorities and their solutions in Tyrol. More than 500 children of 20 national minority associations took part in the sport games of national minorities held last Saturday.

More than 500 children of 20 national minority associations took part in the sport games of national minorities held last Saturday. Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize

publishes the discussion of Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Social Democrat Party leader Juris Bojars. The biggest part of the discussion was devoted to the amendments to the Constitution developed by Bojars. He believes that the Saeima is afraid of his Constitution and will try to block it. He also believes that new amendments to the Constitution should not be harmonised with either Moscow or the OSCE. He stresses that one-fifth part of his Constitution is devoted to human rights. Regarding the resignation of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa, Prime Minister Andris Berzins says that there was no pressure on her from the government and this was her personal decision. publishes the discussion of Prime Minister Andris Berzins and Social Democrat Party leader Juris Bojars. The biggest part of the discussion was devoted to the amendments to the Constitution developed by Bojars. He believes that the Saeima is afraid of “his Constitution” and will try to block it. He also believes that new amendments to the Constitution should not be harmonised with either Moscow or the OSCE. He stresses that one-fifth part of “his Constitution” is devoted to human rights. Regarding the resignation of director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa, Prime Minister Andris Berzins says that there was no pressure on her from the government and this was her personal decision.