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

Director of the Information Centre of the Council of Europe Uldis Krastins writes about the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance report on Latvia. He provides brief information about the ECRI and enumerates the key points and recommendations of the report.

Director of the Information Centre of the Council of Europe Uldis Krastins writes about the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance report on Latvia. He provides brief information about the ECRI and enumerates the key points and recommendations of the report. Diena

Lauku Avize comments on the report as well. The newspaper writes “the public that usually complains about violations of human rights of non-Latvians, should be satisfied” and “the report scolds Latvia for the discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia.”

Lauku Avize comments on the report as well. The newspaper writes the public that usually complains about violations of human rights of non-Latvians, should be satisfied and the report scolds Latvia for the discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia.

Diena

provides the names of FHRULs election candidates for the 8th Saeima elections. Ingrida Podkolzina, who was struck out of the FHRULs ticket in the 7th Saeima elections because of her insufficient state language skills, is one of FHRULs election candidates. provides the names of FHRUL’s election candidates for the 8th Saeima elections. Ingrida Podkolzina, who was struck out of the FHRUL’s ticket in the 7th Saeima elections because of her insufficient state language skills, is one of FHRUL’s election candidates. ChasChas

Lauku Avize

talks with professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Rita Putin-Peter. She says that people in Latvia should make their own mind which rights - human rights or ethnic rights - are a priority. Rita Putin-Peter believes that OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus will work with different methods from those used by the former HCNM Max van der Stoel, who very often criticised Latvia. She states that neither the EU nor the OSCE made Latvia lift language requirement for election candidates. She is convinced that international organisations will not set any more new requirements for Latvia. talks with professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Rita Putin-Peter. She says that people in Latvia should make their own mind which rights - human rights or ethnic rights - are a priority. Rita Putin-Peter believes that OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus will work with different methods from those used by the former HCNM Max van der Stoel, who very often criticised Latvia. She states that neither the EU nor the OSCE made Latvia lift language requirement for election candidates. She is convinced that international organisations will not set any more new requirements for Latvia.

Vechernaya Riga

reports that within the framework of Russias support programme to its compatriots residing abroad, 26 teachers who teach Russian language and literature in Latvia have left for Moscow to take part in training courses. In August, 65 Russian teachers from Latvias primary schools will attend training courses in St.Petersburg. reports that within the framework of Russia’s support programme to its compatriots residing abroad, 26 teachers who teach Russian language and literature in Latvia have left for Moscow to take part in training courses. In August, 65 Russian teachers from Latvia’s primary schools will attend training courses in St.Petersburg. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya

Telegraf

reports on the meeting of journalists with specialists from the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science about the work done in 2001 and 2002 and future prospects. The specialists provide data on schools and their choices of bilingual education models. The representatives of the Ministry of Education stated that draft curricula for teaching a native language and the Russian language, which have been launched by some schools a year ago, have not caused any negative response. reports on the meeting of journalists with specialists from the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science about the work done in 2001 and 2002 and future prospects. The specialists provide data on schools and their choices of bilingual education models. The representatives of the Ministry of Education stated that draft curricula for teaching a native language and the Russian language, which have been launched by some schools a year ago, have not caused any negative response.

Panorama Latvii

interviews heads of two human rights institutions in Latvia – head of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers and head of NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee Genady Kotov. Olafs Bruvers says that complaints regarding discrimination against national minorities are received by his office very seldom or almost never. Genady Kotov states that the majority of people who come to his office are Russians. He says that many of them have trouble with the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs concerning their status in Latvia and that previously these issues could be solved with the help of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. However, after the Mission has been closed, there is a tendency for the number of such complaints to increase. interviews heads of two human rights institutions in Latvia – head of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers and head of NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee Genady Kotov. Olafs Bruvers says that complaints regarding discrimination against national minorities are received by his office very seldom or almost never. Genady Kotov states that the majority of people who come to his office are Russians. He says that many of them have trouble with the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs concerning their status in Latvia and that previously these issues could be solved with the help of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. However, after the Mission has been closed, there is a tendency for the number of such complaints to increase.