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

reports on the possible electoral choices of recently naturalised citizens in Rezekne. The new citizens surveyed stated that their choice would be made not on the basis of party programmes, but on the actions and reputation of members of these parties. Among 20 new citizens surveyed, FHRUL was the most commonly mentioned choice. reports on the possible electoral choices of recently naturalised citizens in Rezekne. The new citizens surveyed stated that their choice would be made not on the basis of party programmes, but on the actions and reputation of members of these parties. Among 20 new citizens surveyed, FHRUL was the most commonly mentioned choice. According to a opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS in July, the union of the Greens and the Farmers Party has overcome the 5% election barrier (7.1%), while only 4,9% of Latvian citizens support FF/LNNK. The New Era remains in the leading position (21%), followed by FHRUL (12.3%), Latvia’s Way (10.3%), and the People’s Party (10.2%).

According to a opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS in July, the union of the Greens and the Farmers Party has overcome the 5% election barrier (7.1%), while only 4,9% of Latvian citizens support FF/LNNK. The New Era remains in the leading position (21%), followed by FHRUL (12.3%), Latvias Way (10.3%), and the Peoples Party (10.2%). Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize

reports that non-citizens are provoking the Central Electoral Commission. A small NGO called the Foundation for the Protection of the Repressed Persons headed by Vladimir Bogdanov will try to prove that elections are not legitimate in Latvia. Non-citizens are going to submit requests to the CEC asking it to confirm that they were included in voters lists till 1991. According to Bogdanov, If the CEC confirms this information, it would allegedly mean that half of the countrys residents have been unlawfully excluded from the list of voters. reports that “non-citizens are provoking the Central Electoral Commission.” A small NGO called the Foundation for the Protection of the Repressed Persons headed by Vladimir Bogdanov will try to prove that elections are not legitimate in Latvia. Non-citizens are going to submit requests to the CEC asking it to confirm that they were included in voters’ lists till 1991. According to Bogdanov, If the CEC confirms this information, it would allegedly mean that half of the country’s residents have been unlawfully excluded from the list of voters.

Panorama Latvii

launches a campaign of alternative elections and calls on NGOs dealing with human rights issues to support the campaign. In these elections all residents of Latvia – citizens and non-citizens – can vote for any candidate, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in the Saeima. launches a campaign of “alternative elections” and calls on NGOs dealing with human rights issues to support the campaign. In these “elections” all residents of Latvia – citizens and non-citizens – can vote for any candidate, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in the Saeima. The Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia will hold the third conference of parents of Russian students on September 14. The key goal of the conference is to determine which political parties support Russian as an instruction language at schools and provide this information to public.

The Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia will hold the third conference of parents of Russian students on September 14. The key goal of the conference is to determine which political parties support Russian as an instruction language at schools and provide this information to public. Lauku Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Telegraf publishes a full text of the open letter of the ASRLS.

Telegraf publishes a full text of the open letter of the ASRLS.

Lauku Avize

interviews one of leaders of Latvias Way Ivars Godmanis about the 8th Saeima elections and the partys pre-election programme. Godmanis says that Latvias Way does not think the switch of secondary minority schools to Latvian scheduled for 2004 should be postponed. interviews one of leaders of Latvia’s Way Ivars Godmanis about the 8th Saeima elections and the party’s pre-election programme. Godmanis says that Latvia’s Way does not think the switch of secondary minority schools to Latvian scheduled for 2004 should be postponed. Deputy Chairperson of the Latvian Democratic Party and the union “Centrs” Juris Celmins answers questions about his party’s election programme. Concerning the possibility for national minorities to study in their native languages, Celmins says that his party does not demand the implementation of the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian. Regarding the right of non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, he states that EU legislation stipulates that non-citizens have the right to participate in local government elections.

Deputy Chairperson of the Latvian Democratic Party and the union Centrs Juris Celmins answers questions about his partys election programme. Concerning the possibility for national minorities to study in their native languages, Celmins says that his party does not demand the implementation of the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian. Regarding the right of non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, he states that EU legislation stipulates that non-citizens have the right to participate in local government elections. Vesti Segodnya

The Roma People’s Congress in Jelgava adopted an open letter to protest against the appointment of Edgars Palacs as the head of the Jelgava Roma Community. Edgars Palacs was assigned to this post by head of the Roma National Cultural Association Normunds Rudevics.

The Roma Peoples Congress in Jelgava adopted an open letter to protest against the appointment of Edgars Palacs as the head of the Jelgava Roma Community. Edgars Palacs was assigned to this post by head of the Roma National Cultural Association Normunds Rudevics. Lauku Avize

Chas

reports on the response of people towards the news that Russia will halt broadcasting of its public TV channel PTP in Latvia and replace it with its export alternative PTP-Planeta. People are not satisfied and some of them state that Russia has betrayed them. reports on the response of people towards the news that Russia will halt broadcasting of its public TV channel PTP in Latvia and replace it with “its export alternative” PTP-Planeta. People are not satisfied and some of them state that Russia has betrayed them.