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

The Advisory Council in National Minority Education Issues and the Co-ordination Council of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training accepted a procedure of the implementation of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training in 2003-2004. The procedure foresees focusing on providing information about bilingual education to parents and attracting secondary school teachers to distance learning courses. Head of the Association for the Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov took part in the session. He stressed that there was successful co-operation between his organisation and the Ministry of Education.

The Advisory Council in National Minority Education Issues and the Co-ordination Council of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training accepted a procedure of the implementation of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training in 2003-2004. The procedure foresees focusing on providing information about bilingual education to parents and attracting secondary school teachers to distance learning courses. Head of the Association for the Support of the Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov took part in the session. He stressed that there was successful co-operation between his organisation and the Ministry of Education. BNS

The Saeima did not support the proposal of FHRUL to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. 14 MPs supported the ratification, 27 were against and 33 abstained.

The Saeima did not support the proposal of FHRUL to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. 14 MPs supported the ratification, 27 were against and 33 abstained. BNS

The new law on firemen service stipulates that non-citizens may not work as firemen any more, as the new law stipulates that firemen are civil servants. FHRUL proposed to abolish this norm from the law.

The new law on firemen service stipulates that non-citizens may not work as firemen any more, as the new law stipulates that firemen are civil servants. FHRUL proposed to abolish this norm from the law. Chas

The Central Electorate Commission rejected the proposal of FHRUL to print informative materials for elections in the Russian language as well. However, FHRUL printed an election manual in the party’s pre-election newspaper and will distribute it to readers of the Russian language press.

The Central Electorate Commission rejected the proposal of FHRUL to print informative materials for elections in the Russian language as well. However, FHRUL printed an election manual in the partys pre-election newspaper and will distribute it to readers of the Russian language press. Chas

Chas

sent 20 political parties a letter with 5 questions essential for its readers. The questions are the following: sent 20 political parties a letter with 5 questions essential for its readers. The questions are the following:
1. Do you believe that naturalisation should remain the only possibility for non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship? 1. Do you believe that naturalisation should remain the only possibility for non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship?
2. What status should the Russian language have in Latvia? 2. What status should the Russian language have in Latvia?
3. Do you believe that the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004 is necessary? 3. Do you believe that the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004 is necessary?
4. Are you for or against the EU and NATO? 4. Are you for or against the EU and NATO?
5. What should be relations between Latvia and Russia in the future? 5. What should be relations between Latvia and Russia in the future?
The newspaper will publish the answers of politicians just before the elections. The newspaper will publish the answers of politicians just before the elections.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that only three Russian language newspapers – reports that only three Russian language newspapers – Vesti Segodnya, Chas Vesti Segodnya, Chas andand Telegraf Telegraf – responded to the call of the public policy portal politika.lv and the news agency BNS to discuss the reflection of the pre-election period in the Russian language press. The newspaper quotes one of the speakers, dean of the Communication Department at the University of Latvia Sergey Kruk. He said that, contrary to the Latvian language press, the Russian language press does not place the key emphasis on the state, but reflects the concerns and achievements of individuals. – responded to the call of the public policy portal politika.lv and the news agency BNS to discuss the reflection of the pre-election period in the Russian language press. The newspaper quotes one of the speakers, dean of the Communication Department at the University of Latvia Sergey Kruk. He said that, contrary to the Latvian language press, the Russian language press does not place the key emphasis on the state, but reflects the concerns and achievements of individuals.

Panorama Latvii

publishes the results of the campaign Non-elections, where all residents of Latvia could vote for any candidate. All together 8,369 people took part in the campaign, 76% of participants were non-citizens. 90% of voters supported FHRUL. publishes the results of the campaign “Non-elections,” where all residents of Latvia could vote for any candidate. All together 8,369 people took part in the campaign, 76% of participants were non-citizens. 90% of voters supported FHRUL. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya