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

The draft EU Progress Report praises Latvia’s achievements in the EU accession talks. However, Latvia should continue to pay more attention to social integration and strengthening of the court system. The author of the report Elizabeth Shroedter congratulated Latvia on amending the election laws and suggested Latvia postpone the planned switch of secondary schools in 2004 to instruction in the Latvian language. Shroedter stressed that this is only a suggestion and not a precondition for Latvia’s accession to the EU. Latvian minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins stated that the suggestion is not binding on Latvia and hasty conclusions do not foster social integration in Latvia.

The draft EU Progress Report praises Latvias achievements in the EU accession talks. However, Latvia should continue to pay more attention to social integration and strengthening of the court system. The author of the report Elizabeth Shroedter congratulated Latvia on amending the election laws and suggested Latvia postpone the planned switch of secondary schools in 2004 to instruction in the Latvian language. Shroedter stressed that this is only a suggestion and not a precondition for Latvias accession to the EU. Latvian minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins stated that the suggestion is not binding on Latvia and hasty conclusions do not foster social integration in Latvia. Diena

Yesterday Ambassador of the US Brian Carlson held a meeting with head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and voiced his support for naturalisation in Latvia. He stated that he is satisfied with the performance of the Naturalisation Board and its head Eizenija Aldermane and believes that naturalisation is a very well run process.

Yesterday Ambassador of the US Brian Carlson held a meeting with head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and voiced his support for naturalisation in Latvia. He stated that he is satisfied with the performance of the Naturalisation Board and its head Eizenija Aldermane and believes that naturalisation is a very well run process. Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima turned down the proposal of FF/LNNK to review the amendments, which would require the dismissal of a council of the local government if it does not observe language requirements stipulated by the Constitution and other laws. The rejected proposals would also have given a council the right to annul the mandate of a member of local government who does not know the state language on the level necessary to perform his/her professional duty.

The Saeima turned down the proposal of FF/LNNK to review the amendments, which would require the dismissal of a council of the local government if it does not observe language requirements stipulated by the Constitution and other laws. The rejected proposals would also have given a council the right to annul the mandate of a member of local government who does not know the state language on the level necessary to perform his/her professional duty. Diena, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima Committee on Human Rights decided to postpone the review of the issue concerning the expansion of the list of politically repressed persons, in particular, giving this status to non-citizens as well. The proposal will be reviewed after the 8th Saeima elections.

The Saeima Committee on Human Rights decided to postpone the review of the issue concerning the expansion of the list of politically repressed persons, in particular, giving this status to non-citizens as well. The proposal will be reviewed after the 8th Saeima elections. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

reports that LATO – a pro-NATO NGO in Latvia – and the NGO Western Russians have launched a campaign aimed at convincing Russian-speakers and Latvian non-citizens to support Latvias NATO membership. The representatives of the above mentioned organisations believe that it is not normal that between ethnic groups in Latvia there are diverging opinions concerning security issues. According to a recent poll conducted by the company SKDS, only 27% of Russians residing in Latvia support Latvias aspirations to NATO. Representatives of the two NGOs believe that the key argument is that NATO will increase the security of Russians and it is hoped that Russians will realise that. reports that LATO – a pro-NATO NGO in Latvia – and the NGO “Western Russians” have launched a campaign aimed at convincing Russian-speakers and Latvian non-citizens to support Latvia’s NATO membership. The representatives of the above mentioned organisations believe that it is not normal that between ethnic groups in Latvia there are diverging opinions concerning security issues. According to a recent poll conducted by the company SKDS, only 27% of Russians residing in Latvia support Latvia’s aspirations to NATO. Representatives of the two NGOs believe that the key argument is that NATO will increase the security of Russians and it is hoped that Russians will realise that. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii

Chas

writes about the Russian factor in the New Eras party program on language and ethnic policy. The newspaper recalls that Einars Repse was one of the founders of FF/LNNK and notes that language professor Ina Druviete is the responsible expert for developing the partys language policy. writes about the Russian factor in the New Era’s party program on language and ethnic policy. The newspaper recalls that Einars Repse was one of the founders of FF/LNNK and notes that language professor Ina Druviete is the responsible expert for developing the party’s language policy. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii Language issues are also prominent in another form of print media – special newspapers issued by political parties in this pre-election season. For example, the May issue of the FF/LNNK newspaper

Language issues are also prominent in another form of print media – special newspapers issued by political parties in this pre-election season. For example, the May issue of the FF/LNNK newspaper Tevzemes avize contains three articles on language issues: the need to create a new state language agency, disagreements within the Riga City Council on language-related issues and the recent Constitutional amendments. The paper also contains an article by Riga City Council deputy Vilnis Zarins on The Role of the Russian Press in the Process of Social Integration.

Neatkariga

(on 22.05.02) writes about the book published by the Cultural Association of Russians in Latvia. The book reflects the opinions of Russian intellectuals and culture figures residing in Latvia. In the presentation of the book the members of the Association stressed that the Association was formed to support Latvians. (on 22.05.02) writes about the book published by the Cultural Association of Russians in Latvia. The book reflects the opinions of Russian intellectuals and culture figures residing in Latvia. In the presentation of the book the members of the Association stressed that the Association was formed to support Latvians.