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

Today experts from the EU, the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE will hold a conference on national minority issues in a town on the border of Denmark and Germany. The conference will discuss the situation of national minorities in Latvia as well. Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers and FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics will represent Latvia in the conference.

Today experts from the EU, the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE will hold a conference on national minority issues in a town on the border of Denmark and Germany. The conference will discuss the situation of national minorities in Latvia as well. Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers and FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics will represent Latvia in the conference. Vesti Segodnya

Vechernaya Riga

and and Chas Chas continue to call on parents of Russian students to support education in minority languages. continue to call on parents of Russian students to support education in minority languages.

Vesti Segodnya

provides more in-depth information about the political show The Russian Issue, which discussed relations between Latvia and Russia. Leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans reproached the Latvian government for leaving on their own all non-Latvians 10 years ago. The newspaper states that none of the representatives of the ruling parties could provide specific possible solutions for improving relations between Russia and Latvia. provides more in-depth information about the political show “The Russian Issue,” which discussed relations between Latvia and Russia. Leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans reproached the Latvian government for “leaving on their own” all non-Latvians 10 years ago. The newspaper states that none of the representatives of the ruling parties could provide specific possible solutions for improving relations between Russia and Latvia. According to the results of the opinion poll conducted by the company “SKDS,” the rating of Latvia’s Way has decreased dramatically -- in August only 5.2% of Latvian citizens would vote for the party. The New Era party still remains the most popular party in August, followed by the People’s Party (third in July), FHRUL (second in July), FF/LNNK and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Party. The Latvian Social Democrats did not overcome the 5% barrier in August. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is the most popular person in Latvia, followed by Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, People’s Party member Raimonds Pauls and leader of the New Era Einars Repse.

According to the results of the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS, the rating of Latvias Way has decreased dramatically -- in August only 5.2% of Latvian citizens would vote for the party. The New Era party still remains the most popular party in August, followed by the Peoples Party (third in July), FHRUL (second in July), FF/LNNK and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Party. The Latvian Social Democrats did not overcome the 5% barrier in August. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is the most popular person in Latvia, followed by Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs, Peoples Party member Raimonds Pauls and leader of the New Era Einars Repse. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

In late 2001, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga proposed the creation of a new body to promote the Latvian language – an Official Language Commission under the auspices of the president. The initiative came at the height of the controversy over abolishing the language requirement for public office. Many analysts interpreted the presidents move as an attempt to provide political cover for the parliament when making the unpopular amendments. For a summary of the work done by the Official Language Commission, read at the article by Dace Lukumiete at www.policy.lv/monitor/ in Specials