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

Head of the Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Dmitry Rogozin has submitted a proposal to resume human rights monitoring of Latvia which was halted in 2001. The proposal will be reviewed on September 10 when Latvia will present 2 reports on the current situation: one by MP Juris Dobelis and another by FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that demands and reproaches of Russia are unjustified.

Head of the Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Dmitry Rogozin has submitted a proposal to resume human rights monitoring of Latvia which was halted in 2001. The proposal will be reviewed on September 10 when Latvia will present 2 reports on the current situation: one by MP Juris Dobelis and another by FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that demands and reproaches of Russia are unjustified. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

interviews former Russian ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Udaltsov, who now is the director of the Second Political Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that there have been no improvements in Latvian Russian relations since the meeting of the presidents of both countries. He states that during this meeting Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga voiced understanding about the necessity to improve the situation of Russian speakers in the humanitarian sphere, however, Latvia has not made any further steps afterwards. He is convinced that the closure of the OSCE Mission was a premature decision and says that human rights monitoring should be resumed in Latvia. interviews former Russian ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Udaltsov, who now is the director of the Second Political Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that there have been no improvements in Latvian Russian relations since the meeting of the presidents of both countries. He states that during this meeting Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga voiced understanding about the necessity to improve the situation of Russian speakers in the humanitarian sphere, however, Latvia has not made any further steps afterwards. He is convinced that the closure of the OSCE Mission was a premature decision and says that human rights monitoring should be resumed in Latvia.

Chas

publishes an article about the resent presentation of publishes an article about the resent presentation of the semi-annual report on human rightsthe semi-annual report on human rights developed by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and a study developed by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and a study “Occupational Representation and Ethnic Discrimination in Latvia.” Occupational Representation and Ethnic Discrimination in Latvia. The newspaper talks to the author of the study Artis Pabriks. He states that there is disproportion but not discrimination in the job market in Latvia. The newspaper interviews director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks. He says that 6 months are not enough to make serious judgements about positive or negative tendencies in the sphere of human rights. When talking about violation of human rights of Russian-speakers, Nils Muiznieks mentions the attempts of the State Language Centre to extend its authority. The newspaper talks to the author of the study Artis Pabriks. He states that there is disproportion but not discrimination in the job market in Latvia. The newspaper interviews director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks. He says that 6 months are not enough to make serious judgements about positive or negative tendencies in the sphere of human rights. When talking about violation of human rights of Russian-speakers, Nils Muiznieks mentions the attempts of the State Language Centre to extend its authority.

Telegraf

publishes an in-depth article about the study conducted by political scientist Artis Pabriks. publishes an in-depth article about the study conducted by political scientist Artis Pabriks.

Chas

writes about young Roma man Kaspars Arhipovs who is studying pedagogy at a university. He is the only Roma who graduated a high school in his native town where the population of Roma is quite big. Kaspars Arhipovs talks about the unique culture of Roma and his strivings to acquire a good education. writes about young Roma man Kaspars Arhipovs who is studying pedagogy at a university. He is the only Roma who graduated a high school in his native town where the population of Roma is quite big. Kaspars Arhipovs talks about the unique culture of Roma and his strivings to acquire a good education. Latvian ambassador to Finland Valdis Krastins published a response to criticism about Latvia’s attitude to its non-citizens in the newspaper International Herald Tribune. The ambassador states that the current situation is created by historical circumstances and stresses that citizenship means not only privileges but also obligations.

Latvian ambassador to Finland Valdis Krastins published a response to criticism about Latvias attitude to its non-citizens in the newspaper International Herald Tribune. The ambassador states that the current situation is created by historical circumstances and stresses that citizenship means not only privileges but also obligations. Diena

Chas, Telegraf

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya report on a reception held by the Russian ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The Russian ambassador invited to the embassy Russian language teachers who attended summer courses in the Russian Federation. During the meeting ambassador Igor Studennikov stressed that preservation of education in the Russian language in Latvia is a top priority issue in relations between Latvia and Russia. report on a reception held by the Russian ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov. The Russian ambassador invited to the embassy Russian language teachers who attended summer courses in the Russian Federation. During the meeting ambassador Igor Studennikov stressed that preservation of education in the Russian language in Latvia is a top priority issue in relations between Latvia and Russia.

Chas

continues to publish articles supporting the halting of education reform in 2004. FHRUL MP Yakovs Pliners provides the key points of the FHRUL pre-election programme concerning education. continues to publish articles supporting the halting of education reform in 2004. FHRUL MP Yakovs Pliners provides the key points of the FHRUL pre-election programme concerning education.

Chas

analyses changes in popularity ratings of parties, in particular the Latvian Social Democrats. The newspaper writes that according to many policy analysts in the Latvian language press the Latvian Social Democrats have lost an important share of its supporters because of being in coalition with FHRUL in the Riga City Council and paying attention to Russian-speakers residing in Riga. analyses changes in popularity ratings of parties, in particular the Latvian Social Democrats. The newspaper writes that according to many policy analysts in the Latvian language press the Latvian Social Democrats have lost an important share of its supporters because of being in coalition with FHRUL in the Riga City Council and paying attention to Russian-speakers residing in Riga.