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

Vechernaya Riga interviews FHRULs member and Vesti Segodnya journalist Nikolay Kabanov, who is running for 8th Saeima elections. Nikolay Kabanov states that the key problem is that in 1991 Latvias residents were divided into two categories – citizens and non-citizens. According to Kabanov, the language issue is well balanced in practice. However, all problems arise due to politicisation of the issue in Latvia. Nikolay Kabanov believes that the Russian language should be given the status of second state language in municipalities where the number of Russian speakers exceeds 20% of the total number of residents. He states that the year 2004 [the scheduled time for the implementation of the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian] will show whether there is any sense to discuss the future of Russians in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya

asks questions to election candidate from the Green Party Indulis Emsis. In response to a question, Indulis Emsis states that he supports education in a mother tongue. He adds, however, that a person should also speak the language of the country of residence. Regarding the right of non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, Indulis Emsis says that the issue could be discussed. asks questions to election candidate from the Green Party Indulis Emsis. In response to a question, Indulis Emsis states that he supports education in a mother tongue. He adds, however, that a person should also speak the language of the country of residence. Regarding the right of non-citizens to participate in municipal elections, Indulis Emsis says that the issue could be discussed.

Vesti Segodnya

reports on a case of a refugee family from Chechnya that lives in an illegal immigrant camp in Olaine already for a year. The family asked for asylum a year ago, but after 9 months spent in the camp, the Nunayevs received a refusal. The Latvian government stated that the family does not have justified grounds to receive asylum in Latvia. Nunayev announced that as of today he and his wife and three of their children would go on a hunger strike. Ramzan Nunayev states that the living conditions at the camp are very bad: there are so many refugees here, we all are ill, nobody takes care of us. reports on a case of a refugee family from Chechnya that lives in an illegal immigrant camp in Olaine already for a year. The family asked for asylum a year ago, but after 9 months spent in the camp, the Nunayevs received a refusal. The Latvian government stated that the family does not have justified grounds to receive asylum in Latvia. Nunayev announced that as of today he and his wife and three of their children would go on a hunger strike. Ramzan Nunayev states that the living conditions at the camp are very bad: “there are so many refugees here, we all are ill, nobody takes care of us.”

Telegraf

writes that the living conditions at the camp are not so bad – the building and rooms are currently under repair. The administration of the camp has recently been replaced and the new administration has not received any reprimand. writes that the living conditions at the camp are not so bad – the building and rooms are currently under repair. The administration of the camp has recently been replaced and the new administration has not received any reprimand. Elton Gallegly, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Europe is on a three-day visit in Latvia. The USA official held meetings with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice. Elton Gallegly inquired about integration and naturalisation processes in Latvia during his meeting with representatives from the Justice Ministry. Solvita Harbacevica, advisor to the Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka, stated that social integration has been a very difficult but successful process, there are now several institutions that deal with this issue, including non-governmental organisations.

Elton Gallegly, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Europe is on a three-day visit in Latvia. The USA official held meetings with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice. Elton Gallegly inquired about integration and naturalisation processes in Latvia during his meeting with representatives from the Justice Ministry. Solvita Harbacevica, advisor to the Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka, stated that social integration has been a very difficult but successful process, there are now several institutions that deal with this issue, including non-governmental organisations. LETA