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 continues to feature articles about education and the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper quotes the data of an opinion poll: 42% of teachers support the switch. However, the newspaper states that in reality almost all Russian language teachers inquired by the newspaper are against the switch, but are afraid to say it openly. The newspaper calls on teachers to state their true views.

Vechernaya Riga continues to feature articles about education and the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper quotes the data of an opinion poll: 42% of teachers support the switch. However, the newspaper states that in reality almost all Russian language teachers inquired by the newspaper are against the switch, but are afraid to say it openly. The newspaper calls on teachers to state their true views.

Representatives from Russia’s mass media will visit Rezekne, a town in the eastern part of Latvia to get familiar with minority integration issues there.

Representatives from Russias mass media will visit Rezekne, a town in the eastern part of Latvia to get familiar with minority integration issues there. BNS

Programme Director of TV5 Gunta Lidaka submitted a letter to the Saeima Standing Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs asking it to reduce limiting language quotas for commercial TV channels. According to the Law on Radio and Television only 25% of programmes aired by commercial TV channels can be in a foreign language. In the interview to

Programme Director of TV5 Gunta Lidaka submitted a letter to the Saeima Standing Committee on Human Rights and Social Affairs asking it to reduce limiting language quotas for commercial TV channels. According to the Law on Radio and Television only 25% of programmes aired by commercial TV channels can be in a foreign language. In the interview to Chas Gunta Lidaka states that language quotas, first, limit her business interests and, second, they discriminate the rights of Russian-speakers to receive information in their native language.

Chas

held an on-line forum with Latvias Way MP Kristiana Libane and the newspaper provides excerpts of key statements Latvias Way will not postpone the implementation of the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004 and the Latvian language must be the sole state language in Latvia and all names of streets must be only in Latvian. held an on-line forum with Latvia’s Way MP Kristiana Libane and the newspaper provides excerpts of key statements Latvia’s Way will not postpone the implementation of the switch of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004 and the Latvian language must be the sole state language in Latvia and all names of streets must be only in Latvian. Russian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Yevgeny Gusarov stated that appearance of new tendencies in relations between Latvia and Russia mostly depends on the stance of Latvia towards Russia’s serious and long-term concern about its compatriots residing in Latvia. Yevgeny Gusarov expressed a hope that the new Saeima will have a more constructive approach to these issues, which hamper signing of bilateral agreements.

Russian Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Yevgeny Gusarov stated that appearance of new tendencies in relations between Latvia and Russia mostly depends on the stance of Latvia towards Russias serious and long-term concern about its compatriots residing in Latvia. Yevgeny Gusarov expressed a hope that the new Saeima will have a more constructive approach to these issues, which hamper signing of bilateral agreements. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Telegraf

interviews FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics. He states that in comparison to Estonia and Nordic countries Latvia has a huge advantage - a big number of Russians. However, Latvia does not use this advantage to ensure very good relations with Moscow. Janis Urbanovics is convinced that FHRUL will be the ruling party. interviews FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics. He states that in comparison to Estonia and Nordic countries Latvia has a huge advantage - a big number of Russians. However, Latvia does not use this advantage to ensure very good relations with Moscow. Janis Urbanovics is convinced that FHRUL will be the ruling party.

Panorama Latvii

reports that election observers from the OSCE have shown interest in a campaign Non-elections and that the campaign now is held outside Riga. reports that election observers from the OSCE have shown interest in a campaign “Non-elections” and that the campaign now is held outside Riga.