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

• Status of Latvian non-citizens after Latvias accession to the EU
• Protest meeting against the education reform to hold tomorrow
• Riga City Council meets with principles of Russian schools
• Student exchange project between a Russian and a Latvian school
• Essay contest The Borders of My Language are the Borders of My World announced

According to the EU directive, after Latvia’s accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens could have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, their status will be the same as of EU permanent residents. The Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks reported about the EU directive to Latvian MPs in the sitting of the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Committee. The directive foresees that permanent residents of the EU will have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, there will be some restrictions for them, for instance, permanent residents will not have the right to stay in another country as long as EU citizens. It is possible that Latvian non-citizens will have to re-acquire the status of permanent residents, as according to the EU directive permanent resident status is awarded to a person who has lived in a country for 5 years and has a legal income, which is not social security allowance. People’s Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich is concerned that it could lead to a situation when there will be 2 types of non-citizens in Latvia. The government is concerned that non-citizens could have broader rights than citizens do, for instance, regarding free labour movement. To the question of the opposition parties whether naturalisation process will be eased after Latvia’s accession to the EU, the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks said that non-citizens should not hope for that as they should have motivation to naturalise.

According to the EU directive, after Latvias accession to the EU Latvian non-citizens could have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, their status will be the same as of EU permanent residents. The Minister of Justice Aivars Aksenoks and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks reported about the EU directive to Latvian MPs in the sitting of the Saeima Citizenship Implementation Committee. The directive foresees that permanent residents of the EU will have almost the same rights as EU citizens do, however, there will be some restrictions for them, for instance, permanent residents will not have the right to stay in another country as long as EU citizens. It is possible that Latvian non-citizens will have to re-acquire the status of permanent residents, as according to the EU directive permanent resident status is awarded to a person who has lived in a country for 5 years and has a legal income, which is not social security allowance. Peoples Harmony Party MP Boris Tsilevich is concerned that it could lead to a situation when there will be 2 types of non-citizens in Latvia. The government is concerned that non-citizens could have broader rights than citizens do, for instance, regarding free labour movement. To the question of the opposition parties whether naturalisation process will be eased after Latvias accession to the EU, the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks said that non-citizens should not hope for that as they should have motivation to naturalise. BNS, Lauku Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Diena

reports about the upcoming protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform. After an inquiry, it can be concluded that both schools the ones which are ready as well as the ones which are not will take part in the meeting. FHRUL and Peoples Harmony Party in Liepaja and Daugavpils will provide buses for people who want to come to Riga and take part in the meeting. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia is responsible for security at the meeting. reports about the upcoming protest meeting against the implementation of the education reform. After an inquiry, it can be concluded that both schools the ones which are ready as well as the ones which are not will take part in the meeting. FHRUL and People’s Harmony Party in Liepaja and Daugavpils will provide buses for people who want to come to Riga and take part in the meeting. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia is responsible for security at the meeting. Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, TelegrafVechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Riga City Council held a meeting with 8 principles of Russian schools in Riga to discuss readiness of their schools for the reform. A principle of one school admitted that the key problem is the lack of clear policy from the Education Ministry. The newspaper states that officials of the Council did not have complete information about the reform either.

Yesterday the Riga City Council held a meeting with 8 principles of Russian schools in Riga to discuss readiness of their schools for the reform. A principle of one school admitted that the key problem is the lack of clear policy from the Education Ministry. The newspaper states that officials of the Council did not have complete information about the reform either. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Diena

reports about the student exchange project between a Russian school in Daugavpils and a Latvian School in Sabile. Last year students from Daugavpils visited Sabile and lived with Latvian families for a week. This week the delegation from Sabile came to Daugavpils. Students are satisfied with the opportunity to live in Latvian environment and acquire Latvian. reports about the student exchange project between a Russian school in Daugavpils and a Latvian School in Sabile. Last year students from Daugavpils visited Sabile and lived with Latvian families for a week. This week the delegation from Sabile came to Daugavpils. Students are satisfied with the opportunity to live in Latvian environment and acquire Latvian.

Diena

features an article by journalist Aleksandr Shabanov Why I do not take part in the protest meeting. His key argument is that the protest activities and meeting are a provocation, which aims to bring Latvia closer to Russia. features an article by journalist Aleksandr Shabanov “Why I do not take part in the protest meeting.” His key argument is that the protest activities and meeting are a provocation, which aims to bring Latvia closer to Russia. The public policy portal

The public policy portal www.politika.lv announced the essay contest The Borders of My Language are the Borders of My World with the aim to have diverse opinions about bilingual education, the role of native language and foreign languages. Students irrespective of their nationality, native language and area of study, are invited to take part in the contest. The public policy centre Providus, the Norwegian Embassy and the Education Ministry support the project.