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

Yesterday the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia gave a press conference about the results of preparatory works for the Conference of Russian Students’ Parents, which will be held this weekend. The ASRLSL had asked all political parties to voice their opinion about the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004. Only three parties – FHRUL, the Russian Party and the Welfare Party – are categorically against the switch. Three parties – Latvia’s Way, FF/LNNK and the People’s Party – have not provided any response. The political Union “Centrs” suggests postponing the implementation of the switch to 2007, while the New Era proposes implementing the reform gradually.

Yesterday the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia gave a press conference about the results of preparatory works for the Conference of Russian Students Parents, which will be held this weekend. The ASRLSL had asked all political parties to voice their opinion about the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004. Only three parties – FHRUL, the Russian Party and the Welfare Party – are categorically against the switch. Three parties – Latvias Way, FF/LNNK and the Peoples Party – have not provided any response. The political Union Centrs suggests postponing the implementation of the switch to 2007, while the New Era proposes implementing the reform gradually. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Vechernaya Riga

comments on the political show Fight of Giants where representatives of most popular political parties discussed minority issues in Latvia. The newspaper writes that representative of the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Party Ruta Bendere was the only one who did not include Russians in her definition of a national minority in Latvia. Leader of FF/LNNK Maris Grinblats was the only one who opposed categorically ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. All parties, except for the Latvian Social Democrats and FHRUL, agreed that non-citizens should not be given the right to participate in municipal elections. comments on the political show “Fight of Giants” where representatives of most popular political parties discussed minority issues in Latvia. The newspaper writes that representative of the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Party Ruta Bendere was the only one who did not include Russians in her definition of a national minority in Latvia. Leader of FF/LNNK Maris Grinblats was the only one who opposed categorically ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. All parties, except for the Latvian Social Democrats and FHRUL, agreed that non-citizens should not be given the right to participate in municipal elections. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama LatviiVesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Diena

writes that voters ethnic backgroundwill determine political choices in the Saeima elections. Head of the research company SKDS Arnis Kaktins says that ethnicity is the only factor which could explain great fluctuations of partys popularity ratings in different regions of Latvia. Latvias Way and Latgales Light have strong positions in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia, while the Peoples Party is the most popular in Vidzeme. However, Kaktins suggests not relying on the data of opinion polls, as a half of all people surveyed said that they had not made a decision yet or that they could change their minds. writes that voters’ ethnic backgroundwill determine political choices in the Saeima elections. Head of the research company SKDS Arnis Kaktins says that ethnicity is the only factor which could explain great fluctuations of party’s popularity ratings in different regions of Latvia. Latvia’s Way and Latgale’s Light have strong positions in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia, while the People’s Party is the most popular in Vidzeme. However, Kaktins suggests not relying on the data of opinion polls, as a half of all people surveyed said that they had not made a decision yet or that they could change their minds. Yesterday the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee decided that it is not necessary to vote on the resolution submitted by Russia about resuming human rights monitoring in Latvia. All three representatives of Latvia voted against resuming monitoring. Committee chairwoman Josette Durier will visit Latvia at the end of October after the 8th Saeima elections.

Yesterday the Council of Europes Parliamentary Assembly Monitoring Committee decided that it is not necessary to vote on the resolution submitted by Russia about resuming human rights monitoring in Latvia. All three representatives of Latvia voted against resuming monitoring. Committee chairwoman Josette Durier will visit Latvia at the end of October after the 8th Saeima elections. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

This year’s reports of the European Commission on the progress of candidate states will most probably conclude that 10 candidate countries have met all accession criteria and are ready to become full-fledged member states of the EU. However, Vice-secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Kesteris admitted that a number of issues included in this year’s progress report should be taken into account by the Latvian Government. According to this year’s progress report of the EU on Latvia, the Latvian Government should continue to focus on promoting naturalisation. The tempo of naturalisation after last year’s citizenship promotion campaign increased during the first 6 months of this year, but started to decrease in July. The report of the European Commission discusses the education system in Latvia as well, however, it does not suggest reviewing the planned switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004

This years reports of the European Commission on the progress of candidate states will most probably conclude that 10 candidate countries have met all accession criteria and are ready to become full-fledged member states of the EU. However, Vice-secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andris Kesteris admitted that a number of issues included in this years progress report should be taken into account by the Latvian Government. According to this years progress report of the EU on Latvia, the Latvian Government should continue to focus on promoting naturalisation. The tempo of naturalisation after last years citizenship promotion campaign increased during the first 6 months of this year, but started to decrease in July. The report of the European Commission discusses the education system in Latvia as well, however, it does not suggest reviewing the planned switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004. Diena

Telegraf publishes a long article by FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics about myth and realities regarding the rights of national minorities in Latvia and in the world. Boriss Cilevics writes about the key international human rights instruments and organisations, such as the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU, and their influence and activities in Latvia in the sphere of national minority rights.

Telegraf publishes a long article by FHRUL MP Boriss Cilevics about myth and realities regarding the rights of national minorities in Latvia and in the world. Boriss Cilevics writes about the key international human rights instruments and organisations, such as the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU, and their influence and activities in Latvia in the sphere of national minority rights.