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

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus on visit to Riga
• FF/LNNK MP, Minister of Transport Roberts Zile about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law meets with head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane
• New programmes in Russian on National TV
• Funding for the Societal Integration Ministry
• Articles in Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya and Telegraf about the education reform in 2004

When

When on his visit to Latvia, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus welcomed the initiative of the Latvian government to form the Ministry of the Societal Integration and promises to provide judicial support for the Ministry. This time the High Commissioner was more interested in familiarizing himself with the minority policy of the new government rather than providing recommendations or objections to Latvias policies. The High Commissioner held meetings with Prime Minister Einars Repse, Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre and other high officials. Diena, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize comments on the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner and concludes that hopefully the views of the High Commissioner are not influenced by pro-minority MPs and the attitude of the High Commissioner towards Latvia will not change.

Lauku Avize comments on the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner and concludes that hopefully the views of the High Commissioner are not influenced by pro-minority MPs and the attitude of the High Commissioner towards Latvia will not change.

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. Reagarding her meeting with OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus, she reports that they discussed ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and that the High Commissioner understood why Latvia cannot ratify the Convention now. Prime Minister Einars Repse when discussing ratification of the Convention said that it could be ratified during the 8th Saeima, however, Latvia would adopt a number of reservations. Repse also promised to do everything to ensure a successful and qualitative switch of minority secondary education to instruction in Latvian. Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks is convinced that this Saeima could ratify the Convention. interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete. Reagarding her meeting with OSCE HCNM Rolf Ekeus, she reports that they discussed ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and that the High Commissioner understood why Latvia cannot ratify the Convention now. Prime Minister Einars Repse when discussing ratification of the Convention said that it could be ratified during the 8th Saeima, however, Latvia would adopt a number of reservations. Repse also promised to do everything to ensure a successful and qualitative switch of minority secondary education to instruction in Latvian. Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks is convinced that this Saeima could ratify the Convention.

Lauku Avize

interviews one of leaders of FF/LNNK, Minister of Transport interviews one of leaders of FF/LNNK, Minister of Transport Roberts Zile. Regarding ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National MinoritiesRoberts Zile. Regarding ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Zile stresses that many European countries have not ratified the Convention and if Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that Latvia has to ratify the Convention, he must provide sound arguments for doing that. , Zile stresses that many European countries have not ratified the Convention and if Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that Latvia has to ratify the Convention, he must provide sound arguments for doing that.

Lauku Avize

reports that yesterday reports that yesterday the Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law had invited for its session head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane.the Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law had invited for its session head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The newspaper notes that the members of the Committee of the 7th Saeima were rather harsh towards Aldermane, however, members of the Committee of this Saeima discussed tasks of the Naturalisation Board in a rather favourable manner. Aldermane reported about the current situation in the field of naturalisation. She stressed that non-citizen parents of children who were born in Latvia after 1991 and are entitled to receive Latvian citizenship through registration are rather inactive. The NB has received applications of only 995 out of 16,600 eligible candidates requesting to grant Latvian citizenship to their children. Aldermane also stated that the level of Latvian language proficiency is decreasing and very often people are taking the Latvian language exam for naturalisation 2 or 3 times before passing. The NB is planning to start a new project, with the financial support from the Finnish embassy, to clarify the reasons why Latvian non-citizens lack motivation to naturalise. She reproached FHRUL MP Vladimir Buzayev and his party for giving people a hope that the Citizenship Law will be amended and the zero citizenship option will be adopted. The newspaper notes that the members of the Committee of the 7th Saeima were rather harsh towards Aldermane, however, members of the Committee of this Saeima discussed tasks of the Naturalisation Board in a rather favourable manner. Aldermane reported about the current situation in the field of naturalisation. She stressed that non-citizen parents of children who were born in Latvia after 1991 and are entitled to receive Latvian citizenship through registration are rather inactive. The NB has received applications of only 995 out of 16,600 eligible candidates requesting to grant Latvian citizenship to their children. Aldermane also stated that the level of Latvian language proficiency is decreasing and very often people are taking the Latvian language exam for naturalisation 2 or 3 times before passing. The NB is planning to start a new project, with the financial support from the Finnish embassy, to clarify the reasons why Latvian non-citizens lack motivation to naturalise. She reproached FHRUL MP Vladimir Buzayev and his party for giving people a hope that the Citizenship Law will be amended and the zero citizenship option will be adopted. The National TV announced changes in its programmes and channels. The conception of TV 2 (which till now aired cultural, children’s, sport and minority programmes) has been changed and now it will be called TV 7. TV 7 will broadcast entertainment, sport and minority programmes. The Latvian National TV promised to pay a serious attention to the reflection of social integration issues in its programmes. As of January there will be several new programmes in the Russian language – a discussion show on topical issues and programmes about life of national minorities in Latvia.

The National TV announced changes in its programmes and channels. The conception of TV 2 (which till now aired cultural, childrens, sport and minority programmes) has been changed and now it will be called TV 7. TV 7 will broadcast entertainment, sport and minority programmes. The Latvian National TV promised to pay a serious attention to the reflection of social integration issues in its programmes. As of January there will be several new programmes in the Russian language – a discussion show on topical issues and programmes about life of national minorities in Latvia. Diena, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya,Ttelegraf

Funding for the Societal Integration Ministry

Funding for the Societal Integration Ministry Vesti Segodnya provides comments of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks about discussions in the government to leave him with very limited funding. Muiznieks says that he will fight for funding. However, if it is not allocated, I would leave. I agree to be the Minister to solve certain issues, but without people and resources it is impossible.

Rigas Balss

reports about reports about the education reform in 2004 and views of education officials and principles about the reformthe education reform in 2004 and views of education officials and principles about the reform. Education expert at the Riga City Council Elmars Vebers states that there are many unclear and controversial issues and the coming changes have caused negative emotions and misunderstandings among teachers and parents. Education expert at the Ministry of Education Evija Papule notes that teachers had a possibility to study the Latvian language free of charge already from 2000, therefore the switch should not bring any problems and difficulties. The newspaper provides as an example the minority school in Sampeteri, Riga, where students study in the Latvian language already from the 1st grade and are very satisfied with their Latvian language skills. . Education expert at the Riga City Council Elmars Vebers states that there are many unclear and controversial issues and the coming changes have caused negative emotions and misunderstandings among teachers and parents. Education expert at the Ministry of Education Evija Papule notes that teachers had a possibility to study the Latvian language free of charge already from 2000, therefore the switch should not bring any problems and difficulties. The newspaper provides as an example the minority school in Sampeteri, Riga, where students study in the Latvian language already from the 1st grade and are very satisfied with their Latvian language skills.

Vesti Segodnya

publishes an article about the education reform in 2004 by FHRUL MP Yakov Pliner. He provides experiences of several European countries regarding bilingual education and concludes that students and their parents should have the right to choose a language of instruction at school. by FHRUL MP Yakov Pliner. He provides experiences of several European countries regarding bilingual education and concludes that students and their parents should have the right to choose a language of instruction at school.

Telegraf

discusses the education reform in 2004 as well. The newspaper states that unwillingness and inability of Einars Repse to make compromises could become one of the stumbling blocks when the education reform is implemented. as well. The newspaper states that unwillingness and inability of Einars Repse to make compromises could become one of the stumbling blocks when the education reform is implemented. TelegrafTelegraf notes that the interpretation of the reform provided by current Minister of Education Karlis Sadurskis, that 60 % of classes in secondary school are held in the state language and 40% in a minority language reassures primarily only those parents who want their children to attend Latvian schools but previously did not dare to so. However, there are parents who want that their children study in a native language, implying that at least 70% of classes are in a respective minority language. The newspaper concludes that the education reform could become a reason for crisis in the Government and cause instability in society. notes that the interpretation of the reform provided by current Minister of Education Karlis Sadurskis, that 60 % of classes in secondary school are held in the state language and 40% in a minority language reassures primarily only those parents who want their children to attend Latvian schools but previously did not dare to so. However, there are parents who want that their children study in a native language, implying that at least 70% of classes are in a respective minority language. The newspaper concludes that the education reform could become a reason for crisis in the Government and cause instability in society.