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 Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Statutes of the President’s State Language Commission. The Commission has been established for an indefinite period of time, the term of office for Commission members is 3 years. The Commission is under the President’s subordination. The Commission’s budget is composed of funding from the President’s Chancery and the state budget.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the Statutes of the Presidents State Language Commission. The Commission has been established for an indefinite period of time, the term of office for Commission members is 3 years. The Commission is under the Presidents subordination. The Commissions budget is composed of funding from the Presidents Chancery and the state budget. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

The European Commission congratulated Latvia on amending its election laws.

The European Commission congratulated Latvia on amending its election laws. Diena

The task group of the Saeima Committee on State and Regional Administration drafted amendments to the Law on Local Governments aimed at securing the status of the state language. One of the norms stipulates that the Latvian language is the sole working language of local governments.

The task group of the Saeima Committee on State and Regional Administration drafted amendments to the Law on Local Governments aimed at securing the status of the state language. One of the norms stipulates that the Latvian language is the sole working language of local governments. Chas

Newspapers report on the Latvian Roma congress. The Latvian Roma NGO “Glos

Newspapers report on the Latvian Roma congress. The Latvian Roma NGO Gloss announced that the state should provide USD 3 million to improve the economic and social conditions of Roma in Latvia. If the state gives no money, Gloss will urge that the Roma be granted an official status of emigrants, so that those Roma who want to leave Latvia can receive compensation. In 2001 some Roma joined the Latvian Socials Democratic Workers Party because this is the only party which does not consider a persons ethnic background. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnjua, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Chas provides the comments of Saeima MP and head of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics about the congress. He blames Social Democrats for splitting the Roma community in Latvia and states that “Gloss” is just carrying out propaganda and not doing real work.

Chas provides the comments of Saeima MP and head of the Roma Association in Latvia Normunds Rudevics about the congress. He blames Social Democrats for splitting the Roma community in Latvia and states that Gloss is just carrying out propaganda and not doing real work.

The Saeima Committee on the Implementation of Citizenship continues to discuss the review of the Naturalisation Board. Yesterday the Committee re-launched discussion about the suitability of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for the position. The Committee decided that the issue should be reviewed by the Coalition Council.

The Saeima Committee on the Implementation of Citizenship continues to discuss the review of the Naturalisation Board. Yesterday the Committee re-launched discussion about the suitability of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for the position. The Committee decided that the issue should be reviewed by the Coalition Council. Chas

Vesti Segodnja

reports about the organisation Movement of Non-citizens for Human Rights. The leader of the organisation Tamara Timofeyevna states that the existing political and non-governmental organisations that claim to represent the interests of Russian-speakers in Latvia lack a long-term vision and principled stand. She announced that she knows the mechanism how to make the Latvian government to grant Latvian citizenship to all residents of Latvia and to permit dual citizenship – Russian and Latvian. The organisation is going to collect 600,000 complaints about illegitimate deprivation of citizenship from 600,000 people who lost the status of citizens after Latvia regained independence and file a collective petition with the Constitutional Court. If the Court does not accept the petition or issues a negative ruling, the organisation will file a claim with the European Court of Human Rights. reports about the organisation “Movement of Non-citizens for Human Rights.” The leader of the organisation Tamara Timofeyevna states that the existing political and non-governmental organisations that claim to represent the interests of Russian-speakers in Latvia lack a long-term vision and principled stand. She announced that she knows the mechanism how to make the Latvian government to grant Latvian citizenship to all residents of Latvia and to permit dual citizenship – Russian and Latvian. The organisation is going to collect 600,000 complaints about illegitimate deprivation of citizenship from 600,000 people who lost the status of citizens after Latvia regained independence and file a collective petition with the Constitutional Court. If the Court does not accept the petition or issues a negative ruling, the organisation will file a claim with the European Court of Human Rights. Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja also publishes the comparison between Latvia and Macedonia concerning the observance of human rights in these countries made by Tamara Timofeyevna. also publishes the comparison between Latvia and Macedonia concerning the observance of human rights in these countries made by Tamara Timofeyevna.

Vesti Segodnja

reports about a unique exposition about national minorities, in particular, Jews opened in the Jewish Community House. The exposition is about the traditions, roots and history of Jews in Latvia for the period from XVI till XX century. reports about a unique exposition about national minorities, in particular, Jews opened in the Jewish Community House. The exposition is about the traditions, roots and history of Jews in Latvia for the period from XVI till XX century.

Chas

publishes an article about the best methods for learning the Latvian language and provides practical tips as well publishes an article about the best methods for learning the Latvian language and provides practical tips as well

Diena

publishes an article by deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Reikstins about Latvias role in NATO. He refers to the NATO meeting in Reykjavik and provides the key discussion subjects of the meeting. He concludes that Latvia will have reliable partners and security when it becomes the member state of NATO. publishes an article by deputy State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Reikstins about Latvia’s role in NATO. He refers to the NATO meeting in Reykjavik and provides the key discussion subjects of the meeting. He concludes that Latvia will have reliable partners and security when it becomes the member state of NATO.

Telegraf

interviews president of the International Foundation of Civic Freedoms Aleks Goldfarb. He states that it is very important that the Russian community in Latvia does not experience any discrimination. This is important not only for the sake of Latvia but also for the security sake of Russia. He admits that the culture and businesses of Russians in Latvia are prospering. Goldfarb informs about the activities his Foundation will be focusing on in Latvia – promotion of Russian culture and integration. interviews president of the International Foundation of Civic Freedoms Aleks Goldfarb. He states that it is very important that the Russian community in Latvia does not experience any discrimination. This is important not only for the sake of Latvia but also for the security sake of Russia. He admits that the culture and businesses of Russians in Latvia are prospering. Goldfarb informs about the activities his Foundation will be focusing on in Latvia – promotion of Russian culture and integration.