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

Vesti Segodnya

asks several questions of one of the leaders of the Union of the Green Party and the Farmer Party Ingrida Udre. Regarding giving the rights to non-citizens to participate at municipal elections, Udre says, One of the EU requirements is to provide the right to non-citizens to participate at municipal elections and we will have to do it… On the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian, she states that the issue should be reviewed as the state cannot guarantee the qualitative switch – teachers are not trained and no funds from the budget are allotted for this purpose. asks several questions of one of the leaders of the Union of the Green Party and the Farmer Party Ingrida Udre. Regarding giving the rights to non-citizens to participate at municipal elections, Udre says, “One of the EU requirements is to provide the right to non-citizens to participate at municipal elections and we will have to do it…” On the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian, she states that the issue should be reviewed as the state cannot guarantee the qualitative switch – teachers are not trained and no funds from the budget are allotted for this purpose.”

Chas

reports on the on-line discussion with director of the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov. The key discussion subject was the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004. The interest of Chas readers was very high and the discussion went on for several hours. Igor Pimenov states that the education reform will take place if taxpayers continue to keep silent. He states that halting of the reform should not be considered as a victory or loss by any of the involved and interested parties. He concludes that for the time being only FHRUL fully supports incentives of the ASRLSL in the field of education. reports on the on-line discussion with director of the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov. The key discussion subject was the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004. The interest of “Chas” readers was very high and the discussion went on for several hours. Igor Pimenov states that the education reform will take place if taxpayers continue to keep silent. He states that halting of the reform should not be considered as a victory or loss by any of the involved and interested parties. He concludes that for the time being only FHRUL fully supports incentives of the ASRLSL in the field of education. On Tuesday

On Tuesday Telegraf organised a phone discussion with its readers about the education reform in 2004. Today the newspaper publishes several opinions about the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004.

Panorama Latvii

publishes a questionnaire developed by the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia regarding the education reform in 2004 and calls on its readers to fill in the form and deliver it to the newspaper or the ASRLSL. publishes a questionnaire developed by the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia regarding the education reform in 2004 and calls on its readers to fill in the form and deliver it to the newspaper or the ASRLSL.

Lauku Avize

interviews correspondent of Russias Independent TV channel in the Baltic countries Vladislavs Andrejevs. He states that his channel is one of the Russian TV channels, which provides true and objective information about the Baltic countries to the Russian audience. Vladislavs Andrejevs is a Russian, who was born in Latvia and acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Regarding the upcoming elections Vladislavs Andrejevs says that he will take part in the elections, but is not sure which party he will vote for. When asked if FHRUL protects the interests of Russians in Latvia, he says that FHRUL is a party for old people who live in the past. About the Russian language press in Latvia, Andrejevs says that he is ashamed about their efforts to impose only their view on readers and that the only newspaper, which he reads in Russian, is interviews correspondent of Russia’s Independent TV channel in the Baltic countries Vladislavs Andrejevs. He states that his channel is one of the Russian TV channels, which provides true and objective information about the Baltic countries to the Russian audience. Vladislavs Andrejevs is a Russian, who was born in Latvia and acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation. Regarding the upcoming elections Vladislavs Andrejevs says that he will take part in the elections, but is not sure which party he will vote for. When asked if FHRUL protects the interests of Russians in Latvia, he says that FHRUL is a party for old people who live in the past. About the Russian language press in Latvia, Andrejevs says that he is ashamed about their efforts to impose only their view on readers and that the only newspaper, which he reads in Russian, is TelegrafTelegraf. . Commercial TV channel TV5 will produce a new show “Russian Issue” which will discuss the pre-election programmes of parties. Politicians from the ruling parties and parties running for the 8th Saeima will be invited to take part in the show. The new programme will exclusively discuss those points in parties’ programmes, which relate to Russian interests.

Commercial TV channel TV5 will produce a new show Russian Issue which will discuss the pre-election programmes of parties. Politicians from the ruling parties and parties running for the 8th Saeima will be invited to take part in the show. The new programme will exclusively discuss those points in parties programmes, which relate to Russian interests. Tele Programme

Telegraf

reports on the results of the study visit of Russian teachers from Latvia to Russia, which was a part of the support programme of Russia to its compatriots. During 2 weeks 65 teachers have acquired new knowledge, skills and ideas. reports on the results of the study visit of Russian teachers from Latvia to Russia, which was a part of the support programme of Russia to its compatriots. During 2 weeks 65 teachers have acquired new knowledge, skills and ideas. The Government and Presidium of the International Roma Union will hold its session in Riga this week.

The Government and Presidium of the International Roma Union will hold its session in Riga this week. Vesti Segodnya

Two dark-skinned musicians who were filmed in the clip of the Freedom Party have filed a second claim with the General Prosecutor’s Office against the Freedom Party. The musicians accuse the Freedom Party in kindling national hatred.

Two dark-skinned musicians who were filmed in the clip of the Freedom Party have filed a second claim with the General Prosecutors Office against the Freedom Party. The musicians accuse the Freedom Party in kindling national hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya publish an open letter of national bolsheviks to Raimonds Pauls, famous composer who recently became a member of the Peoples Party. National bolsheviks blame the Peoples Party for taking anti-Russian positions on all issues, therefore Raimonds Pauls cannot claim himself to be a friend of Russians. publish an open letter of national bolsheviks to Raimonds Pauls, famous composer who recently became a member of the People’s Party. National bolsheviks blame the People’s Party for taking anti-Russian positions on all issues, therefore Raimonds Pauls cannot claim himself to be a friend of Russians.