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

By comparison with 2001, there are 3,400 fewer Latvians living in Riga.Academician Janis Stradins says development of a “Latvian” capital of Latvia should be considered, because after Latvia’s accession to EU, the populace could become even more multi-ethnic because Bosnians, Turks, Yugoslavs will settle here.

By comparison with 2001, there are 3,400 fewer Latvians living in Riga.Academician Janis Stradins says development of a Latvian capital of Latvia should be considered, because after Latvias accession to EU, the populace could become even more multi-ethnic because Bosnians, Turks, Yugoslavs will settle here.

According to the latest data there are 41.5% Latvians and 43.5% Russians residing in Riga. This year about 150,000 cases of nationality changes have been registered in Riga: Russians, Lithuanians and Belorussians decide to become Latvians, Latvians decide to become Roma, however, the most often is the case when people decide to reregister as Germans and Jews. The change of nationality in most cases is linked to emigration or studies abroad.

According to the latest data there are 41.5% Latvians and 43.5% Russians residing in Riga. This year about 150,000 cases of nationality changes have been registered in Riga: Russians, Lithuanians and Belorussians decide to become Latvians, Latvians decide to become Roma, however, the most often is the case when people decide to reregister as Germans and Jews. The change of nationality in most cases is linked to emigration or studies abroad. Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

According to the opinion poll 68.3% of Latvian residents consider themselves patriots of the country. In 1999 the number of persons who claimed to be patriots of Latvia was higher -- 70.4%. 50.6% of non-Latvians and 42.7% of non-citizens consider themselves patriots of Latvia.

Neatkariga, Chas

Diena

recalls the important decisions Latvia had to make on its way towards NATO. The two most important were amendments to the Election Law and the formation of the Corruption Prevention Bureau. Latvia had to show also its good intentions in fostering naturalisation and providing Latvian language courses for non-Latvians. recalls the important decisions Latvia had to make on its way towards NATO. The two most important were amendments to the Election Law and the formation of the Corruption Prevention Bureau. Latvia had to show also its good intentions in fostering naturalisation and providing Latvian language courses for non-Latvians. Today the European Parliament will take a decision whether a number of countries, including Latvia, should accede to the EU.

Today the European Parliament will take a decision whether a number of countries, including Latvia, should accede to the EU. Chas reminds about the problems the European Parliament noted regarding Latvia in its progress report. The European Parliament is concerned about the language realm, in particular, the switch of secondary minority school to instruction only in Latvian.

FHRUL MP Aleksandr Bartashevich reports from Strasbourg that two MPs who yesterday presented Latvia in the European Parliament did not mention a word about problems of national minorities in their speeches. One of MPs – New Era MP Karins – said that Latvia has to struggle with the consequences of the occupation, that Russian-speakers do not know the state language and the government had to make a lot of effort to integrate them into Latvian society.

FHRUL MP Aleksandr Bartashevich reports from Strasbourg that two MPs who yesterday presented Latvia in the European Parliament did not mention a word about problems of national minorities in their speeches. One of MPs – New Era MP Karins – said that Latvia has to struggle with the consequences of the occupation, that Russian-speakers do not know the state language and the government had to make a lot of effort to integrate them into Latvian society. Vesti Segodnya

Russian journalist Irina Vinnika has produced a TV show in the Russian language where experts, politicians and journalists, such as former foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins, journalists Anna Stroya and Aleksandr Rzhavin, chairperson of FHRUL Janis Jurkans, will discuss issues related to Latvia’s membership to NATO. The show will be aired at 9.15 PM November 21.

Russian journalist Irina Vinnika has produced a TV show in the Russian language where experts, politicians and journalists, such as former foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins, journalists Anna Stroya and Aleksandr Rzhavin, chairperson of FHRUL Janis Jurkans, will discuss issues related to Latvias membership to NATO. The show will be aired at 9.15 PM November 21. Panorama Latvii

Head of the regional Naturalisation Board in Rezekne Rita Zommere talks about the situation concerning naturalisation in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia. Although the number of non-Latvians is high in Latgale, the number of non-citizens is only about 20,000. The official stresses that the activity of non-citizen parents of children who were born after 1991 and who are entitled to receive Latvian citizenship automatically, is very low. Rita Zommere believes that the key reason for the slow rate of naturalisation is the lack of motivation to naturalise.

Head of the regional Naturalisation Board in Rezekne Rita Zommere talks about the situation concerning naturalisation in Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia. Although the number of non-Latvians is high in Latgale, the number of non-citizens is only about 20,000. The official stresses that the activity of non-citizen parents of children who were born after 1991 and who are entitled to receive Latvian citizenship automatically, is very low. Rita Zommere believes that the key reason for the slow rate of naturalisation is the lack of motivation to naturalise.

Panorama Latvii

reports about the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere (the British Embassy provided financial support for the campaign) took part in the event. reports about the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere (the British Embassy provided financial support for the campaign) took part in the event. Ms Aldermane and Ambassador Tesoriere voiced their satisfaction with the results of the campaign. The ambassador promised to provide financial support to integration projects in the future as well. Eizenija Aldermane voiced her opinion about the possible tasks of the new Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. She believes that social integration will be a comparatively small part of minister’s duties and that the new minister will have to take care of different aspects of integration, such as, small minorities residing in Latvia, the Latvian diaspora abroad, etc.

Ms Aldermane and Ambassador Tesoriere voiced their satisfaction with the results of the campaign. The ambassador promised to provide financial support to integration projects in the future as well. Eizenija Aldermane voiced her opinion about the possible tasks of the new Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. She believes that social integration will be a comparatively small part of ministers duties and that the new minister will have to take care of different aspects of integration, such as, small minorities residing in Latvia, the Latvian diaspora abroad, etc.

Panorama Latvii

reports that a song festival of national minorities Golden Ball will take place November 22-24 in Riga. reports that a song festival of national minorities “Golden Ball” will take place November 22-24 in Riga.