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

Diena

publishes a series of articles on pre-school education. One of the articles is devoted to an issue concerning the choice of instruction language at pre-schools. Parents of national minority children can choose the language, however, their children will have two mandatory Latvian classes – two hours when children will be playing in Latvian and will be taught the Latvian language. Among this years registered 452 pre-schools, only 64 are in national minority languages. The position of Latvian language teacher should already exist in national minority pre-schools. However, now its existence is regulated by normative documents and must be observed. publishes a series of articles on pre-school education. One of the articles is devoted to an issue concerning the choice of instruction language at pre-schools. Parents of national minority children can choose the language, however, their children will have two mandatory Latvian “classes” – two hours when children will be playing in Latvian and will be taught the Latvian language. Among this year’s registered 452 pre-schools, only 64 are in national minority languages. The position of Latvian language teacher should already exist in national minority pre-schools. However, now its existence is regulated by normative documents and must be observed. The Security Police refused to initiate a criminal case on the grounds of the claim of two dark skinned musicians against the Freedom Party about fomenting national and ethnic hatred.

The Security Police refused to initiate a criminal case on the grounds of the claim of two dark skinned musicians against the Freedom Party about fomenting national and ethnic hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena

reports that the majority of society in Latvia is concerned about the possible influx of immigrants and refugees, and very often people link immigration with Latvias EU membership. Latvian officials state that there are no grounds to be concerned as immigrants do not find Latvia so attractive because it is not as developed as other west European countries and there are no big ethnic groups which could become a reason for family reunions. reports that the majority of society in Latvia is concerned about the possible influx of immigrants and refugees, and very often people link immigration with Latvia’s EU membership. Latvian officials state that there are no grounds to be concerned as immigrants do not find Latvia so attractive because it is not as developed as other west European countries and there are no big ethnic groups which could become a reason for family reunions.

Neatkariga

writes about the issue as well and quotes the report of the Association Committee of the EU. The newspaper states that Latvia is getting ready for the possible influx of immigrants without informing society about these threats. The Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has launched staff training on issues concerning refugees and asylum seekers. The newspaper also notes that the DCMA in co-operation with the National Border Guard Forces has started to study possibilities and necessary funding to form a refugee centre in Latvias second biggest city Daugavpils. writes about the issue as well and quotes the report of the Association Committee of the EU. The newspaper states that Latvia is getting ready for the possible influx of immigrants without informing society about “these threats.” The Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has launched staff training on issues concerning refugees and asylum seekers. The newspaper also notes that the DCMA in co-operation with the National Border Guard Forces “has started to study possibilities and necessary funding to form a refugee centre in Latvia’s second biggest city Daugavpils.” One of the leaders of the New Era, Grigory Krupnikov, answers eight questions in

One of the leaders of the New Era, Grigory Krupnikov, answers eight questions in Vesti Segodnya. Concerning participation of non-citizens at municipal elections and the switch of minority secondary education to Latvian, Grigory Krupnikov states that if people want to be involved in state affairs they should naturalise. Concerning education in a native tongue, he says that the more languages one knows the better.