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 editorial is about the rights of citizens and non-citizens in Latvia. Columnist Leonid Fedoseyev refers to the statements of the Latvian nationalist extremist Aivars Garda about the deoccupation of Latvia from Russians and notes that the response of the Latvian government to these statements was so vague and weak that it could be concluded that they share one opinion.

Vechernaya Riga

journalist Yelena Slushareva talks to rector of the Academy of Culture Peteris Lakis who was also in the working group which developed the Law on Education several years ago. Peteris Lakis believes that the problem of all Latvian laws lies in their implementation. He doubts whether a sufficient number of qualified teachers will be prepared for the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language in 2004. He agrees with parents of Russian students that at this moment schools are not ready for the switch. He states that the quality of primary and secondary education in Russian and Latvian does not differ. journalist Yelena Slushareva talks to rector of the Academy of Culture Peteris Lakis who was also in the working group which developed the Law on Education several years ago. Peteris Lakis believes that the problem of all Latvian laws lies in their implementation. He doubts whether a sufficient number of qualified teachers will be prepared for the switch of minority schools to the Latvian language in 2004. He agrees with parents of Russian students that at this moment schools are not ready for the switch. He states that the quality of primary and secondary education in Russian and Latvian does not differ.

Chas

talks to chairperson of FHRUL Janis Jurkans. The chairperson ascertains that there is no split within the party and there will be only one list of candidates from FHRUL for the 8th Saeima elections. talks to chairperson of FHRUL Janis Jurkans. The chairperson ascertains that there is no split within the party and there will be only one list of candidates from FHRUL for the 8th Saeima elections.

Neatkariga

introduces its readers to the Tatar Association in Latvia. Tatars have lived in Latvia for a comparatively short period of time of about 100 years and in total there are about 3,000 Tatars in Latvia. This weekend Tatars are organising their national festival Sabuntuj in the Open Air Museum. introduces its readers to the Tatar Association in Latvia. Tatars have lived in Latvia for a comparatively short period of time of about 100 years and in total there are about 3,000 Tatars in Latvia. This weekend Tatars are organising their national festival Sabuntuj in the Open Air Museum.

Vesti Segodnja

and and Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii comment on the Day of the Commemoration of the Victims of the Soviet Regime on June 14. The newspapers stress that not only Latvians but also other nationalities, including Russians, suffered under the Soviet Regime and were sent to Siberia 61 years ago. The newspapers state that this date was used for fomenting national hatred towards other nationalities. comment on the Day of the Commemoration of the Victims of the Soviet Regime on June 14. The newspapers stress that not only Latvians but also other nationalities, including Russians, suffered under the Soviet Regime and were sent to Siberia 61 years ago. The newspapers state that “this date was used for fomenting national hatred towards other nationalities.”