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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Vandalism act as protest against the 2004 education reform
• European Parliament (EP) Deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schroedter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the EU
• Most common motives for naturalization
• Meeting of Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre with the President of the European Parliament (EP) Pat Cox
• Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis about the possible denying of the rights for non-citizens to be teachers and school directors

The doors of the Ministry of Education and Science were set on fire yesterday early in the morning, allegedly in order to protest against the education reform 2004. The National Bolsheviks have taken responsibility for this vandalism act by sending electronic mail in which they warn about the possibility to continue such protest actions if the education reform will not be abolished. The representatives of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools and the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools have criticized the action of the National Bolsheviks, stating that it discredits the defense of Russian language schools.

The doors of the Ministry of Education and Science were set on fire yesterday early in the morning, allegedly in order to protest against the education reform 2004. The National Bolsheviks have taken responsibility for this vandalism act by sending electronic mail in which they warn about the possibility to continue such protest actions if the education reform will not be abolished. The representatives of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools and the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools have criticized the action of the National Bolsheviks, stating that it discredits the defense of Russian language schools. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize prints a draft report of the European Parliament (EP) Deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schroedter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Elizabeth Schroedter mentions the slow pace of naturalization and calls for the consideration of the linguistic rights of the Russian-speaking minority when implementing the education reform. The EP deputy also calls on the government of Latvia to grant voting rights at municipal elections for non-citizens who are permanent residents of Latvia and to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible.

According to a survey conducted by the Naturalization Board 58% of naturalization applicants have stated that the most important motive for naturalization is a desire to become a full-fledged member of society and a desire to belong to the state. Other important reasons motivating non-citizens to naturalize are job and traveling opportunities, as well as Latvia’s accession to the EU. 40% of applicants have mentioned uncertainty about their competence to pass the naturalization tests as the main impediment to naturalization.

According to a survey conducted by the Naturalization Board 58% of naturalization applicants have stated that the most important motive for naturalization is a desire to become a full-fledged member of society and a desire to belong to the state. Other important reasons motivating non-citizens to naturalize are job and traveling opportunities, as well as Latvias accession to the EU. 40% of applicants have mentioned uncertainty about their competence to pass the naturalization tests as the main impediment to naturalization. Diena, Chas, Vesti segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an article about the meeting of Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre with the President of the European Parliament (EP) Pat Cox. Among other issues the officials discussed the status of Martinjan Bekasov, recently recalled from the status of the EP observer by the Saeima.

Russian-language newspapers report on the statements of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis at the TV discussion “S pozitsii vlasti” (“From the positions of power”) about the education reform and the possible denying of the rights for non-citizens to occupy positions of teachers and school directors. According to the Minister, the school directors should have the status of civil servants. Karlis Sadurskis states that about 20% of school directors are not citizens of Latvia at the moment.

Russian-language newspapers report on the statements of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis at the TV discussion S pozitsii vlasti (From the positions of power) about the education reform and the possible denying of the rights for non-citizens to occupy positions of teachers and school directors. According to the Minister, the school directors should have the status of civil servants. Karlis Sadurskis states that about 20% of school directors are not citizens of Latvia at the moment. Chas, Vesti segodnya