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

Diena

reports that the amount required by the Presidents State Language Commission for its projects and activities is constantly increasing. The latest discussed amount is 500,000 lats for the Commissions projects and 200,000 lats for improving work of the State Language Centre. Minister of Finance Gundars Berzins has agreed to allocate the money and next week will meet with chairperson of the Presidents State Language Commission Mara Zalite to discuss priorities. reports that the amount required by the President’s State Language Commission for its projects and activities is constantly increasing. The latest discussed amount is 500,000 lats for the Commission’s projects and 200,000 lats for improving work of the State Language Centre. Minister of Finance Gundars Berzins has agreed to allocate the money and next week will meet with chairperson of the President’s State Language Commission Mara Zalite to discuss priorities.

Diena

devotes a page to discussions on Latvia and NATO. According to the opinion of the majority of politicians and political scientists, the most serious obstacle for NATO accession was the language requirement for election candidates in election laws and the controversial marches of the Waffen SS legionaries. The newspaper notes that the Saeima lifted the language requirement this week and the legionaries did not organise their march this year. devotes a page to discussions on Latvia and NATO. According to the opinion of the majority of politicians and political scientists, the most serious obstacle for NATO accession was the language requirement for election candidates in election laws and the controversial marches of the Waffen SS legionaries. The newspaper notes that the Saeima lifted the language requirement this week and the legionaries did not organise their march this year.

Neatkarigas

editorial is about the Russian governments new requirements for acquiring Russian citizenship, which are stricter than before. editorial is about the Russian government’s new requirements for acquiring Russian citizenship, which are stricter than before.

Lauku Avize

publishes more in-depth discussion of MPs concerning lifting the language requirement for election candidates. The newspaper publishes mostly the opinions of FF/LNNK deputies who voice their concern about the future of the Latvian language after the laws are amended. publishes more in-depth discussion of MPs concerning lifting the language requirement for election candidates. The newspaper publishes mostly the opinions of FF/LNNK deputies who voice their concern about the future of the Latvian language after the laws are amended.

Chas

comments that the right-wing parties have probably lost the trust of their voters by lifting the language requirement for election candidates. The columnist believes that it is not the last requirement of European experts for Latvia and other requirements, such as amendments to the Law on Education, will follow. comments that the right-wing parties have probably lost the trust of their voters by lifting the language requirement for election candidates. The columnist believes that it is not the last requirement of European experts for Latvia and other requirements, such as amendments to the Law on Education, will follow. Several NGOs that represent Russian-speakers’ interests will launch a campaign called “Vote in My Place” aimed at non-citizens urging them to convince citizens to participate in the 8th Saeima elections. According to organisers about 15-20% of Russian-speaking citizens of Latvia are very passive and do not vote in the Saeima and municipal elections. The organisers believe that non-citizens are more active than those who are Latvian citizens and could “wake up” the passive Russian-speaking citizens of Latvia and motivate them to vote in the 8th Saeima elections.

Several NGOs that represent Russian-speakers interests will launch a campaign called Vote in My Place aimed at non-citizens urging them to convince citizens to participate in the 8th Saeima elections. According to organisers about 15-20% of Russian-speaking citizens of Latvia are very passive and do not vote in the Saeima and municipal elections. The organisers believe that non-citizens are more active than those who are Latvian citizens and could wake up the passive Russian-speaking citizens of Latvia and motivate them to vote in the 8th Saeima elections. Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Next week the annual international conference “Baltic Forum” will take place in Riga. Politicians and political scientists from Russia, the USA, United Kingdom and Nordic Countries will arrive to Latvia.

Next week the annual international conference Baltic Forum will take place in Riga. Politicians and political scientists from Russia, the USA, United Kingdom and Nordic Countries will arrive to Latvia. Vesti Segodnja stresses that the Latvian government will not take part in this event. Chas, Panorama Latvii