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

Chas

reports about the meeting of members of the European Parliament, leaders of national parliaments of EU candidate countries and Latvian MPs. When social democrat Risards Labanovskis raised the question about Europes unwillingness to recognise Latvias occupation and russification, President of the European Parliament Pat Cox noted that Latvia should focus on its achievements in the sphere of social integration and pointed out the recent victory of Latvian representative Maria Naumova whose ethnic background is Russian at the Eurovision song festival. Cox stressed that not only the economy but also the stability of the country will be considered when a decision about a countrys EU membership is taken. reports about the meeting of members of the European Parliament, leaders of national parliaments of EU candidate countries and Latvian MPs. When social democrat Risards Labanovskis raised the question about Europe’s unwillingness to recognise Latvia’s occupation and russification, President of the European Parliament Pat Cox noted that Latvia should focus on its achievements in the sphere of social integration and pointed out the recent victory of Latvian representative Maria Naumova whose ethnic background is Russian at the Eurovision song festival. Cox stressed that not only the economy but also the stability of the country will be considered when a decision about a country’s EU membership is taken. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama LatviiVesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Telegrafs

editorial comments on the victory of Maria Naumova in the Eurovision song festival. The newspaper says that the victory provides the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs a chance to boast about integration in Latvia and the promotion of other cultures. editorial comments on the victory of Maria Naumova in the Eurovision song festival. The newspaper says that the victory provides the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs a chance to boast about integration in Latvia and the promotion of other cultures.

Vecehernaya Riga

writes about one of the aspects of bilingual education, in particular, should Russian children attend Latvian kindergartens and pre-schools. Journalist Yelena Slusareva provides information on several cases when attendance at Latvian pre-schools had a negative impact on a minority childs further development. writes about one of the aspects of bilingual education, in particular, should Russian children attend Latvian kindergartens and pre-schools. Journalist Yelena Slusareva provides information on several cases when attendance at Latvian pre-schools had a negative impact on a minority child’s further development.

Telegraf

inquires students and their parents of Jelgava Secondary School No 5 who study according to the second model of bilingual education. The majority of students and their parents are satisfied with the quality of education. inquires students and their parents of Jelgava Secondary School No 5 who study according to the second model of bilingual education. The majority of students and their parents are satisfied with the quality of education.

Chas

writes that after several month of suspension the speed of naturalisation is increasing. During three weeks since naturalisation was resumed 2304 persons have been granted the status of Latvian citizen. writes that after several month of suspension the speed of naturalisation is increasing. During three weeks since naturalisation was resumed 2304 persons have been granted the status of Latvian citizen.

Telegraf

writes about the official ceremony of granting Latvian citizenship in Daugavpils. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims will attend the ceremony. writes about the official ceremony of granting Latvian citizenship in Daugavpils. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims will attend the ceremony. According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the company “Latvijas fakti” the New Era party is still the most popular party in Latvia, although its rating has slightly decreased. FHRUL is the second most popular political force, followed by Latvia’s Way, the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the People’s Party and FF/LNNK. The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Saeima Speaker Janis Straume and the New Era leader Einars Repse are the most popular figures among Latvian residents.

According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the company Latvijas fakti the New Era party is still the most popular party in Latvia, although its rating has slightly decreased. FHRUL is the second most popular political force, followed by Latvias Way, the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party, the Peoples Party and FF/LNNK. The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Saeima Speaker Janis Straume and the New Era leader Einars Repse are the most popular figures among Latvian residents. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Telegraf

publishes a discussion with leader of the party New Era Einars Repse. When asked if he is interested in the Russian electorate, Repse says that his party definitely needs support of progressively thinking Russians. publishes a discussion with leader of the party New Era Einars Repse. When asked if he is interested in the Russian electorate, Repse says that his party definitely needs support of “progressively thinking Russians.” FHRUL deputy Boriss Tsilevich publishes his thoughts about the possible situation after the 8th Saeima elections. He states that the situation after the elections will change drastically. Tsilevich believes that Einars Repse’s New Era Party could be the leader in the next Saeima. Regarding FF/LNNK, Tsilevitch is convinced that the party is losing its electorate and will not be a major player in the next Saeima. According to the MP, FHRUL has a good chance to be the second biggest political force in the 8th Saeima and to participate in forming the government. Tsilevich offers two future alternatives: first, a nominated candidate to the post of the Prime Minister ratifies the Framework Convention, provides the residents of Latvia the rights to communicate with local governments in Russian, abolishes language restrictions in the Law on Radio and TV and cancels the planned switch of secondary education. Second alternative would be if the future Prime Minister states that “we should not listen to any European commissioners” and sets more strict language requirements. According to Tsilevich both alternatives are possible and it will depend on the number of seats FHRUL will receive in the 8th Saeima.

FHRUL deputy Boriss Tsilevich publishes his thoughts about the possible situation after the 8th Saeima elections. He states that the situation after the elections will change drastically. Tsilevich believes that Einars Repses New Era Party could be the leader in the next Saeima. Regarding FF/LNNK, Tsilevitch is convinced that the party is losing its electorate and will not be a major player in the next Saeima. According to the MP, FHRUL has a good chance to be the second biggest political force in the 8th Saeima and to participate in forming the government. Tsilevich offers two future alternatives: first, a nominated candidate to the post of the Prime Minister ratifies the Framework Convention, provides the residents of Latvia the rights to communicate with local governments in Russian, abolishes language restrictions in the Law on Radio and TV and cancels the planned switch of secondary education. Second alternative would be if the future Prime Minister states that we should not listen to any European commissioners and sets more strict language requirements. According to Tsilevich both alternatives are possible and it will depend on the number of seats FHRUL will receive in the 8th Saeima. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

investigates whether the calls of several Latvian nationalistic organisations – Visu Latvijai! (Everything for Latvia!) and the webpage latvians.lv - investigates whether the calls of several Latvian nationalistic organisations – “Visu Latvijai!” (“Everything for Latvia!”) and the webpage latvians.lv - to collect money for implementing their projects are legal. The Security Police did not see any violations of Latvian legislation in their activities.

to collect money for implementing their projects are legal. The Security Police did not see any violations of Latvian legislation in their activities.

Two nationalistic organisations - Russian National Unity in Latvia and the Latvian National Democratic Party - merged. From now on Yevgeny Osipov, the former leader of Russian National Unity, will be the leader of Latvian National Democratic Party. The party will not change its regulations and programme, but plans to run for seats in the 8th Saeima.

Two nationalistic organisations - Russian National Unity in Latvia and the Latvian National Democratic Party - merged. From now on Yevgeny Osipov, the former leader of Russian National Unity, will be the leader of Latvian National Democratic Party. The party will not change its regulations and programme, but plans to run for seats in the 8th Saeima. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Telegraf

reports that the Centre of Moscow Culture and Business will open in Riga. Now the Centre is reviewing reconstruction bids for the building, which will house the Centre in Riga. reports that the Centre of Moscow Culture and Business will open in Riga. Now the Centre is reviewing reconstruction bids for the building, which will house the Centre in Riga.