Integration monitor
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.
Sept. 8, 2003
Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies
- Non-citizens dissatisfied with Latvian courses
Non-citizens are dissatisfied with the teaching of Latvian courses offered by the Naturalisation Board. While non-citizens complain about the complexity of courses and the lack of teaching methodology, officials of Naturalisation Boards explain that those who participate in these courses need to have previous basic knowledge of Latvian, since otherwise there is no possibility to master a language in 2,5 months. Neatkariga Rita Avize
Russian-language media continues discussion about the education reform, reporting about the rock concert against the reform and actions by the Headquarters for the defence of Russian schools. Chas also publishes an articleby sociolinguist Gatis Dilans presenting the concept of linguistic nationalism. Chas, Vesti Segodnya
Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Bill Miller, Labourite MP of Great Britain, who insists that the EU will help to guarantee the rights of minorities in Latvia, and therefore minority voters should vote for accession to the EU. He observes that the fact that the non-citizens -- one third of the inhabitants of Latvia -- do not have the right to participate in deciding such a vital issue is not defensible.
Telegraf
prints an interview with Janis Jurkans, the leader of Peoples Solidarity party. Jurkans states that all inhabitants of Latvia should accept that Latvian is the state language, while the state, considering language an important aspect of integration, should provide the possibility to all to acquire it at a high level. He also contends that the departure of Jakov Pliner from the Peoples Solidarity party and the establishment of the new party BITE is related to the desire of Parekss Banka to have more left-wing organisations friendly to the bank participating in the municipal elections.