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.

• Discussions on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Naturalisation Board estimates that in 2004 there will be more than 20,000 naturalisation applications
• Centre for public policy Providus presents the annual report on education ‘Education Reforms in Latvia: Underpinning Integration and Prosperity
• Saeima Legal Affairs Committee discusses amendments to the Immigration Law
• Russia avoids taking responsibility for crimes committed by Soviet regime says an open letter drafted by a Latvian member of the European Parliament to the leaders of the EU
• Documentaries about minorities in Latvia will be presented to the diplomatic corpus
• Article by the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins

Rigas Balss continues discussions on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, featuring views of the associate professor of the University of Latvia Abrams Kleckins, Head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete and MP Andrejs Klementjevs (Peoples Harmony Party). Abrams Kleckins believes that Latvia should ratify the Framework Convention immediately. That would show that Latvia is a mature democratic state. He believes that ratification of the Convention would give a signal to a broader society to look into minority problems. Ina Druviete states that the Convention could be ratified in a year if compromises regarding education reform and the ‘minority definition are reached in the nearest future. Ina Druviete also states that if the Convention were ratified now it would only bring new tensions in society. While Andrejs Klementjevs believes that ratification would reduce tension and that the refusal to ratify it is a ‘political revenge.

The Deputy Chairman of the Naturalisation Board Janis Kahanovics estimates that in 2004 more than 20,000 naturalisation applications will be submitted and about 15,000 will become Latvian citizens. The chairperson also reported that in 2004 2,000 persons have emigrated, but 344 persons have renounced Latvian citizenship.

The Deputy Chairman of the Naturalisation Board Janis Kahanovics estimates that in 2004 more than 20,000 naturalisation applications will be submitted and about 15,000 will become Latvian citizens. The chairperson also reported that in 2004 2,000 persons have emigrated, but 344 persons have renounced Latvian citizenship. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the centre for public policy Providus presented the annual report on education ‘Education Reforms for the Society Integration and Welfare of Latvia. Report on Education 2003/2004.’

Yesterday the centre for public policy Providus presented the annual report on education ‘Education Reforms for the Society Integration and Welfare of Latvia. Report on Education 2003/2004. The report contains a number of articles analysing topical issues in the field of education, including analyses of dual-stream schools (schools which continue to offer educational programmes in Latvian and Russian). ‘Dual stream schools play an important role in social integration process, because they are a positive example of the implementation of multi-lingual educational model conclude authors of the study. According to one of the authors, researcher of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Evija Klave dual-stream schools promote tolerance towards other cultures and languages, as well as interethnic dialogue between teachers and parents. Besides, being together with Latvian students help to develop a positive attitude towards the education reform. Vesti Segodnya, referring to an anonymous researcher, states that the final goal of the education reform is assimilation of Russians. Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya

Members of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee from Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and New Era did not support amendments to the Immigration Law, proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Proposed amendments stipulated that the Cabinet of Ministers should have the right to determine certain categories of foreigners and stateless persons who would have some easements in Latvian language examinations. According to the effective Immigration Law, a person who applies for a permanent residence permit should speak the state language at a respective level. A member of FF/LNIM considered that it was an attempt to exempt all foreigners from the state language examination. The Cabinet of Ministers explained that these exemptions would apply only to people with hearing and speaking disabilities, as well as persons who have lost ability to speak and write because of brain damages. The newspaper reports that MPs did not believe in the explanation and will develop their own. 

Members of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee from Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and New Era did not support amendments to the Immigration Law, proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Proposed amendments stipulated that the Cabinet of Ministers should have the right to determine certain categories of foreigners and stateless persons who would have some easements in Latvian language examinations. According to the effective Immigration Law, a person who applies for a permanent residence permit should speak the state language at a respective level. A member of FF/LNIM considered that it was an attempt to exempt all foreigners from the state language examination. The Cabinet of Ministers explained that these exemptions would apply only to people with hearing and speaking disabilities, as well as persons who have lost ability to speak and write because of brain damages. The newspaper reports that MPs did not believe in the explanation and will develop their own. Vesti Segodnya

Members of the European Parliament (EP) Aldis Kuskis (New Era) together with his colleagues from the EP Baltic Club have drafted an open letter to the leaders of the EU member states. The main goal of the letter is to draw attention to “the fact that Russia avoids taking responsibility for crimes committed by the Soviet regime.” The letter was drafted in response to the invitation of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to the leaders of the EU member state to celebrate the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow on 9 May 2005. Aldis Kuskis states it will be the celebration of the triumph of the Soviet regime and not the end of WW II. Aldis Kuskis reports that not only MPs from the Baltic States but also from Germany and Nordic countries have expressed their support for the letter. 

Members of the European Parliament (EP) Aldis Kuskis (New Era) together with his colleagues from the EP Baltic Club have drafted an open letter to the leaders of the EU member states. The main goal of the letter is to draw attention to the fact that Russia avoids taking responsibility for crimes committed by the Soviet regime. The letter was drafted in response to the invitation of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to the leaders of the EU member state to celebrate the anniversary of the victory in World War II in Moscow on 9 May 2005. Aldis Kuskis states it will be the celebration of the triumph of the Soviet regime and not the end of WW II. Aldis Kuskis reports that not only MPs from the Baltic States but also from Germany and Nordic countries have expressed their support for the letter. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Tomorrow several documentaries about life of minorities in Latvia will be demonstrated to the diplomatic corpus. The presentation is organised by the Secretariat of Minister of Special Assignments in Society Integration Affairs and the Latvian Institute.

Tomorrow several documentaries about life of minorities in Latvia will be demonstrated to the diplomatic corpus. The presentation is organised by the Secretariat of Minister of Special Assignments in Society Integration Affairs and the Latvian Institute. Rigas Balss, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize prints an article by the Head of Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksandrs Kirsteins. He responds to the article by the MP Boris Tsilevitch about the meeting of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus printed in Telegraf of 14 October. He accuses Boris Tsilevitch for misinterpreting a number of statements, including that the HCNM asked to ratify the Convention without any reservations. Aleksandrs Kirsteins stresses that Rolf Ekeus only expressed his own opinion about possible solutions to this issue, but did not demanded ratification without any reservations.