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

Dienas columnist Askolds Rodins writes about the ongoing investigation of the Naturalisation Board. Today the Coalition Council will review the suitability of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for the position. Askolds Rodins states that such a thorough investigation of a well performing organisation is one of the introductory bells of the 8th Saeima pre-election campaign. He stresses that none of three institutions charged with investigating the Naturalisation Board – the State Control Department, State Revenue Service and General Prosecutors Office – discovered any serious violations in the performance of the Board.

Vesti Segodnja

publishes its comments on possible dismissal of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The newspaper believes that the governing parties have finally found a reason to get rid of Aldermane, who is too loyal towards non-citizens. However, publishes its comments on possible dismissal of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The newspaper believes that the governing parties have finally found a reason to get rid of Aldermane, who is “too loyal towards non-citizens.” However, Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja predicts that dismissal is very unlikely because only FF/LNNK has voiced a clear demand on the issue, while minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka and Latvias Way want her to remain in the position. The Peoples Party has not taken a clear stance. predicts that dismissal is very unlikely because only FF/LNNK has voiced a clear demand on the issue, while minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka and Latvia’s Way want her to remain in the position. The People’s Party has not taken a clear stance.

Vesti Segodnja

interviews FHRUL MP Yakov Pliner about the future of education in Latvia. He believes that Latvia has lost many positive things in the sphere of education, in particular, he disapproves of the forcible implementation of bilingual education without adequate methodology, study and teaching aids and qualified teachers. He is convinced that the switch of secondary education to the Latvian language as a sole instruction language scheduled for 2004 will be postponed. interviews FHRUL MP Yakov Pliner about the future of education in Latvia. He believes that Latvia has lost many positive things in the sphere of education, in particular, he disapproves of the “forcible implementation of bilingual education without adequate methodology, study and teaching aids and qualified teachers.” He is convinced that the switch of secondary education to the Latvian language as a sole instruction language scheduled for 2004 will be postponed.

Telegraf

publishes an open letter of FHRUL deputy Boriss Tsilevich in response to President Vaira Vike-Freibergas interview in publishes an open letter of FHRUL deputy Boriss Tsilevich in response to President Vaira Vike-Freiberga’s interview in Telegraf Telegraf on May 13. Tsilevich notes the Presidents statement that Russians should study in Latvian and points out that neither President nor any of the ruling parties wants to know what Russians really want. He questions whether she is President of only Latvians or of all the people of Latvia. on May 13. Tsilevich notes the President’s statement that “Russians should study in Latvian” and points out that neither President nor any of the ruling parties wants to know what Russians really want. He questions whether she is President of only Latvians or of all the people of Latvia.

Panorama Latvii

reports that today and tomorrow the State Duma of the Russian Federation will listen to the reports of the members of the Compatriot Council about the problems Russians face when living abroad. The Council members of Latvia will also present their reports. reports that today and tomorrow the State Duma of the Russian Federation will listen to the reports of the members of the Compatriot Council about the problems Russians face when living abroad. The Council members of Latvia will also present their reports.