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

• Ratings of political parties
• Upcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus
• Proposed amendments on demonstrations to the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child
• Anniversary meeting of the Minority Education Advisory Council of the Ministry of Science and Education
• Exhibition about almost 20 minorities living in Latvia
• Estabalishment of an Uzbek Sunday school
• Roma congress held in Talsi
• Article about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Article by the President of the Baltic Forum Janis Urbanovics about the education reform
• Dr Leo Dribins about need for compromise on integration issues

The crisis of the government has not influenced the ratings of the political parties. According to the latest Latvijas Fakti opinion poll, more than one fourth of voters support the New Era (28,7%). Other most popular political parties in the first half of February were the People’s Party (8%), People’s Harmony Party (7,9%). The Union of Greens and Farmer (4, 2%) and Latvia’s First Party (4%) rate below the 5% necessary to gain seats in the Saeima.

The crisis of the government has not influenced the ratings of the political parties. According to the latest Latvijas Fakti opinion poll, more than one fourth of voters support the New Era (28,7%). Other most popular political parties in the first half of February were the Peoples Party (8%), Peoples Harmony Party (7,9%). The Union of Greens and Farmer (4, 2%) and Latvias First Party (4%) rate below the 5% necessary to gain seats in the Saeima. Diena

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus will arrive tomorrow for a two-day visit in Riga. He will meet with the President of Latvia, the Minister of Science and Education and several Saeima commissions. The main discussion subjects will be  naturalization, the Framework Convention for the Protection of the National Minorities, as well as the education reform and its impact on the minority policy.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus will arrive tomorrow for a two-day visit in Riga. He will meet with the President of Latvia, the Minister of Science and Education and several Saeima commissions. The main discussion subjects will be naturalization, the Framework Convention for the Protection of the National Minorities, as well as the education reform and its impact on the minority policy. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Four right-wing parties have proposed amendments to the Law on Protection of the Rights of the Child stating that if children are to participate in public meetings, demonstrations or pickets these events should be coordinated with the police. Other amendments concerning demonstration and pickets will be discussed in Saeima’s Legal Commission on Tuesday, anticipating to amend the procedure of the public MP meetings with voters, which hitherto can be done without coordination with the police.

Four right-wing parties have proposed amendments to the Law on Protection of the Rights of the Child stating that if children are to participate in public meetings, demonstrations or pickets these events should be coordinated with the police. Other amendments concerning demonstration and pickets will be discussed in Saeimas Legal Commission on Tuesday, anticipating to amend the procedure of the public MP meetings with voters, which hitherto can be done without coordination with the police. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize reports about the third year anniversary meeting of the Minority Education Advisory Council of the Ministry of Science and Education. The Council is composed of 22 members - school directors, representatives of nongovernmental organisations, state officials and experts. Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peteris Elferts stressed how important are the visit of European Commission representatives to the Ukrainian, Polish and other schools, where they are able to see that the state is providing funding and support for minority schools.

An exhibition about almost 20 minorities living in Latvia is organised in the museum of the Jewish community. The exhibits include minority art objects, stitchcraft, photos, books and traditional costumes.

An exhibition about almost 20 minorities living in Latvia is organised in the museum of the Jewish community. The exhibits include minority art objects, stitchcraft, photos, books and traditional costumes. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

An Uzbek Sunday school has been established in Riga. The initiator of this idea is the President of the Uzbek cultural society Alim Abdusaidov. The main objective of this school is to teach about the history of the Uzbekistan, culture, traditions, festivities and traditional cooking. There are more than 300 Uzbeks in Latvia, 200 of whom live in Riga. 29 young people between the age of 8 to 27 have applied to the school.

An Uzbek Sunday school has been established in Riga. The initiator of this idea is the President of the Uzbek cultural society Alim Abdusaidov. The main objective of this school is to teach about the history of the Uzbekistan, culture, traditions, festivities and traditional cooking. There are more than 300 Uzbeks in Latvia, 200 of whom live in Riga. 29 young people between the age of 8 to 27 have applied to the school. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize informs about the Roma congress in Talsi, which was organised by the Talsu 1st Primary School on Saturday 21st of February. The aim of the conference was to promote the integration of the local Romani community (there around 300 Roma in Talsi). Around 50 Romani people attended the conference and discussed their problems of social integration and discrimination in the labour market.

Latvijas Avize publishes an article about the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), describing the history, signatures and ratifications of the FCNM, the definition of minority and the specific approach of France to the FCNM as well as stance on minority issues in general.

Chas publishes an article by the President of the Baltic Forum, Janis Urbanovics, about the education reform. The Baltic Forum plans to organize a discussion about the education reform among representatives of intelligentsia and experts of the education reform on March 5, one day before the announced congress of the defenders of the Russian-language schools.

Vesti Segodnya publishes the statements of the Dr Leo Dribins, historian and expert on integration issues, about the possible creation of an inclusive nation state in Latvia. Dr Dribins believes that such a development is possible if the government will offer compromise solutions.