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.

Press Review

Press Review

Amendments to the Citizenship Law which abolished naturalisation window system, came into force on 3 November. Next day the Naturalisation Board received 125 applications for naturalisation. Some 211 persons signed up in a waiting list for a certain date when they will submit their applications. In comparison, in August the Naturalisation Board received 298 applications, in September 232, and in October - 408. Persons who submitted their applications in the first day after the Law came into force, belong to age categories which, according to the “window” system, were not eligible for naturalization now.

Amendments to the Citizenship Law which abolished naturalisation window system, came into force on 3 November. Next day the Naturalisation Board received 125 applications for naturalisation. Some 211 persons signed up in a waiting list for a certain date when they will submit their applications. In comparison, in August the Naturalisation Board received 298 applications, in September 232, and in October - 408. Persons who submitted their applications in the first day after the Law came into force, belong to age categories which, according to the window system, were not eligible for naturalization now. Diena

Yesterday talks between the candidate for the post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and representatives of the

Yesterday talks between the candidate for the post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans and representatives of the Peoples Party brought no results in coalition forming process. Vilis Kristopans offered the Peoples Party delegate its candidates for some ministerial offices without signing a coalition agreement. Secretary General of the Peoples Party Gundars Berzins told journalists that the Poeples Party would not accept such an offer. Vilis Kristopans still hopes that he will be able to form a majority government. Diena

The

Latvian WayLatvian Way, , For Fatherland and FreedomFor Fatherland and Freedom, , the New Partythe New Party, and the , and the People’s PartyPeoples Party reached an agreement concerning candidates for a post of chairman in 9 out of 16 Commissions of the Saeima. It was greed that Mr. Dzintars Abikis ( reached an agreement concerning candidates for a post of chairman in 9 out of 16 Commissions of the Saeima. It was greed that Mr. Dzintars Abikis (People’s PartyPeoples Party) would be a chair of the Commission on Education, Science and Culture, Mr. Antons Seiksts () would be a chair of the Commission on Education, Science and Culture, Mr. Antons Seiksts (Latvian WayLatvian Way) - Commission on Human Rights and Public Affairs, Mr. Janis Legzdins () - Commission on Human Rights and Public Affairs, Mr. Janis Legzdins (People’s PartyPeoples Party ) Commission on Implementation of the Citizenship Law. ) Commission on Implementation of the Citizenship Law. Jauna AvizeJauna Avize According to a survey done by the Baltic Data House, 73% of residents whose native language is not Latvian, watch TV programs in the Latvian language. Majority watch the news in Latvian. Some 41% of people of other nationalities read Latvian newspapers, and approximately 39% listen to the Latvian radio.

According to a survey done by the Baltic Data House, 73% of residents whose native language is not Latvian, watch TV programs in the Latvian language. Majority watch the news in Latvian. Some 41% of people of other nationalities read Latvian newspapers, and approximately 39% listen to the Latvian radio. Diena

Recently members of the Association of Support for Schools with Education in the Russian language met with pedagogues and parents of Russian schools in Daugavpils.

Recently members of the Association of Support for Schools with Education in the Russian language met with pedagogues and parents of Russian schools in Daugavpils. Dienapublishes opinions of some participants of the meeting - the Chair of the Association Igor Pimenov, a member of the Russian Cultural Society Tatjana Arshavskaya, and a history teacher Elena Matjakubova. According to Mr. Pimenov, the main problem is a program of transition to education in the Latvian language prepared by the Ministry of Education and Science which relates normalisation of ethno-demographic situation in Latvia with increase of number of non-Latvians who would identify themselves with Latvians. The Association asks guarantees for education in the Russian language. It also asks that in the Ministry of Education there would be a department on linguistic minorities and its director would have direct influence on formation of the state policy in education. Ms. Tatjana Arshavskaya states that a bilingual system of education when a native language would be used during a half of a lesson and the state language during other half of a lesson, will reduce amount of knowledge obtained during the class hours. Thus, graduates of these programs will have less knowledge and will be competitive in the labour market. Besides, in Latvia there are not enough specialists who would be able to implement programs of bilingual education. A history teacher Elena Matjakubova argues that children will not be able understand material presented in a non-native language. That, in turn, will make them learn subjects by heart. They will not learn to think, and as a result they will be inferior personalities. Diena