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.

• USA Department of State has issued the Report on Global Anti-Semitism
• Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete: bilingual education should be implemented in Latvian-language schools as well
• Response of the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete to the claim of the party For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM demands to stop broadcasting of clips of municipal election campaign in the Russian language
• Slivenko family is planning to appeal against the decision of the Administrative District Court
• National Agency for Latvian Language Training plans to print a bilingual newspaper
• Russian-language newspaper Chas blames the Latvian language daily Diena for distorting the images of Russians in Latvia
• Old Believers and Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas

Newspapers report that the USA Department of State has issued the Report on Global Anti-Semitism (1 July 2003 – 31 December 2004). The report evaluates the extension of the anti-Semitism and its forms in the world, including Latvia. Regarding Latvia, the authors of the report state that in Latvia in 2003 there were several incidents of desecration of cemeteries, vandalism and anti-Semitic graffiti. The report compliments the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, state institutions and police for their contribution in fighting with anti-Semitism and promoting tolerance. 

Newspapers report that the USA Department of State has issued the Report on Global Anti-Semitism (1 July 2003 – 31 December 2004). The report evaluates the extension of the anti-Semitism and its forms in the world, including Latvia. Regarding Latvia, the authors of the report state that in Latvia in 2003 there were several incidents of desecration of cemeteries, vandalism and anti-Semitic graffiti. The report compliments the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration, state institutions and police for their contribution in fighting with anti-Semitism and promoting tolerance. Diena, Chas

Yesterday the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete visited two secondary schools in Riga and stated that ‘bilingual education should be implemented also in Latvian-language schools.’ The Minister believes that it would ‘enhance the quality of children’s knowledge and enrich their intellect.’

Yesterday the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete visited two secondary schools in Riga and stated that ‘bilingual education should be implemented also in Latvian-language schools. The Minister believes that it would ‘enhance the quality of childrens knowledge and enrich their intellect. Diena, Rigas Balss

Vesti Segodnya comments on the response of the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete to the claim of the party For Human Rights in the United Latvia. The party asked the Minister whether there are any data on how successful are Russian and Latvian students in the entrance exams of higher academic institutions and whether their levels of academic success differ during studies at these institutions. According to the Minister of Education and Science Ina Druviete, the Ministry does not have such data at its disposal: ‘university applicants have never been asked their ethnicity, because it could be regarded as discrimination [on ethnic grounds]. The Minister adds that unitary final examinations which have to be taken by all secondary school graduates show that there is a tendency that students, who study in minority languages, have better knowledge in mathematics and natural sciences, while students, who study in Latvian, are more successful in humanitarian and social subjects.

The union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has asked the Central Election Commission to stop the broadcast of clips of municipal election campaign in the Russian language. The party believes that broadcast of clips in Russian contradicts the Law on Municipal Elections and the State Language Law. The Chairman of the Election Commission Andris Cimdars has refused to comment the application of the party.

The union For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has asked the Central Election Commission to stop the broadcast of clips of municipal election campaign in the Russian language. The party believes that broadcast of clips in Russian contradicts the Law on Municipal Elections and the State Language Law. The Chairman of the Election Commission Andris Cimdars has refused to comment the application of the party. Chas

The Slivenko family plans to appeal the decision of the Administrative District Court with higher instance court. The family’s lawyer believes that the judgement of the Administrative District Court is ungrounded. As reported, the Administrative District Court ruled that the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office to annul the personal codes of Tatiana and Karina Slivenko, the spouse and the daughter of a former Russian army officer, was illegitimate. At the same time the judge noted that the ruling does not give any new rights to the Slivenkos: they both are Russian citizens and therefore cannot apply for the status of Latvian non-citizens.

The Slivenko family plans to appeal the decision of the Administrative District Court with higher instance court. The familys lawyer believes that the judgement of the Administrative District Court is ungrounded. As reported, the Administrative District Court ruled that the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office to annul the personal codes of Tatiana and Karina Slivenko, the spouse and the daughter of a former Russian army officer, was illegitimate. At the same time the judge noted that the ruling does not give any new rights to the Slivenkos: they both are Russian citizens and therefore cannot apply for the status of Latvian non-citizens. Chas

The National Agency for Latvian Language Training plans to print a bilingual newspaper, which will explain government’s decisions. Project manager Inga Misiņa states that previous studies of the agency show that Russian-speaking residents of Latvia know laws effective in Russia, but have very limited knowledge about Latvian legislation.

The National Agency for Latvian Language Training plans to print a bilingual newspaper, which will explain governments decisions. Project manager Inga Misiņa states that previous studies of the agency show that Russian-speaking residents of Latvia know laws effective in Russia, but have very limited knowledge about Latvian legislation. Telegraf

The Russian-language newspaper

The Russian-language newspaper Chas blames the Latvian language daily Diena for distorting the images of Latvias Russians. On 30 December 2004 Diena published 21 answers to the question: ‘What are you waiting from the next year? According to Chas, only 3 of them were Russians – a homeless person Volodya, driver Michail and a girl, while represented much broader social circle, for instance, ‘defender of the fatherland, employee of an European institution, participant of the Song Festival, etc The member of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakovs Pliners evaluates the sampling of respondents as ‘at least incorrect and argues that the Latvian language press distorts reality and the image of the Russian community in Latvia quite often. Dienas deputy editor in chief of the Mara Mikelsone responds that the sampling of respondents did not have any intentions to present the full spectrum of Latvias society and ‘it was just a coincidence that the only homeless person, interviewed by a journalist, had a Russian name. Chas

Today the Old Believers and Orthodox believers living in Latvia celebrate Christmas.

Today the Old Believers and Orthodox believers living in Latvia celebrate Christmas. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Chas