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

The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs objects the idea of the Latvian Institute to express the opinion about the draft state language law which might differ from the official stand taken by the Saeima. Some weeks ago the Director of the Latvian Institute V. Vike-Freiberga informed the Saeima Standing Committee on European Affairs about the Institute’s intention to publish the expert opinions about the draft language law which might not coincide with the official opinion of Latvia.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs objects the idea of the Latvian Institute to express the opinion about the draft state language law which might differ from the official stand taken by the Saeima. Some weeks ago the Director of the Latvian Institute V. Vike-Freiberga informed the Saeima Standing Committee on European Affairs about the Institutes intention to publish the expert opinions about the draft language law which might not coincide with the official opinion of Latvia. Neatkariga

The Union of the Social Democrats sent a letter to the Prime Minster and three government forming fractions calling them to make a new coalition agreement or to conclude bilateral agreements with social democrats. The coalition plans to discuss this proposal on Wednesday. According to the information provided by

The Union of the Social Democrats sent a letter to the Prime Minster and three government forming fractions calling them to make a new coalition agreement or to conclude bilateral agreements with social democrats. The coalition plans to discuss this proposal on Wednesday. According to the information provided by Diena, the Latvian Way supports this idea, while the Fatherland and Freedom express the negative opinion.

The Cabinet of Ministers decided to announce the competition for production of new passports corresponding with the European standards. According to the Minister of the Interior R. Jurdzs, this project will cost 10 millions Lats.

The Cabinet of Ministers decided to announce the competition for production of new passports corresponding with the European standards. According to the Minister of the Interior R. Jurdzs, this project will cost 10 millions Lats. Diena, Jauna Avize

The Saeima Standing Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law has formed the working group which will draft the amendments to the Law on the Status of the Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, providing the procedure for the loss and the renewal of the status of non-citizen. It is planned to draft these amendments till St. John’s Day (24 June).

The Saeima Standing Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law has formed the working group which will draft the amendments to the Law on the Status of the Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, providing the procedure for the loss and the renewal of the status of non-citizen. It is planned to draft these amendments till St. Johns Day (24 June). Diena

Interpreting the Russia’s silence after the naming of the Baltic States among the candidates to the NATO, the Latvia politicians interviewed by 

Interpreting the Russias silence after the naming of the Baltic States among the candidates to the NATO, the Latvia politicians interviewed byDiena indicate different reasons - the Russian pragmatism, its internal problems, the engagement in the Kosovo crisis, and others. According to unofficial information at the disposal of Diena, it is more likely that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will object the joining of the NATO by former USSR republics.

According to the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane, the public activity concerning the discussion of the concept document on the Social Integration has been surprisingly big. Since 10 March when the document was presented for the public discussion, there have been 64 events during which the population has expressed the opinion about the conception. The most discussed issues are related with the education and the role of the language in the integration process. The people of other nationalities mostly protest against the Chapter on Education providing the transition to the bilingual education system. Leaders of 12 ethnic non-governmental organisations have signed the joint statement “For real integration, against the assimilation” protesting against the planned assimilation of minorities. Commenting this statement, Ms. Aldermane said that the famous people should not usurp the right to express such a strict opinion in the name of whole organisation. “Every resident of Latvia has the right to express his/her opinion, and it is possible that not all of the members of these organisations share the opinion expressed by their leaders.” Ms. Aldermane rejected the critics expressed by some mass media, that the text of the concept document is not available widely. She also acknowledged that the people’s activity in regions is bigger than in Riga.

According to the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane, the public activity concerning the discussion of the concept document on the Social Integration has been surprisingly big. Since 10 March when the document was presented for the public discussion, there have been 64 events during which the population has expressed the opinion about the conception. The most discussed issues are related with the education and the role of the language in the integration process. The people of other nationalities mostly protest against the Chapter on Education providing the transition to the bilingual education system. Leaders of 12 ethnic non-governmental organisations have signed the joint statement For real integration, against the assimilation protesting against the planned assimilation of minorities. Commenting this statement, Ms. Aldermane said that the famous people should not usurp the right to express such a strict opinion in the name of whole organisation. Every resident of Latvia has the right to express his/her opinion, and it is possible that not all of the members of these organisations share the opinion expressed by their leaders. Ms. Aldermane rejected the critics expressed by some mass media, that the text of the concept document is not available widely. She also acknowledged that the peoples activity in regions is bigger than in Riga. Diena

Dienainforms about the letter of OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel sent to the Estonian Foreign Affairs Minster in which he point out that the requirement of the command of the Estonian language for the deputies, as well as for the persons providing the goods and services, are against the European norms and practice. Diena

The official representative of the Russian State President in the State Duma A. Kotenko told

The official representative of the Russian State President in the State Duma A. Kotenko told SM that the draft law on the economic sanctions against Latvia and the protection of the Russian countrymen in abroad has been drafted unprofessionally and the President would not sign such a law.

(SM, 28 April)

(SM, 28 April)

According to MP B. Tsylevich (For Human Rights) the Latvian politicians are openly distorting the information about the results of the visits of the international experts. When talking with the experts, the politicians thank them for the remarks and promise to consider them. Later, when interviewed by the mass media, they state that the experts have no objections whatsoever. Mr. Tsylevich argues that if the Latvian legislation had been such flawless as the Latvian authorities claim, Latvia would not have been afraid to ratify the European Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities.

According to MP B. Tsylevich (For Human Rights) the Latvian politicians are openly distorting the information about the results of the visits of the international experts. When talking with the experts, the politicians thank them for the remarks and promise to consider them. Later, when interviewed by the mass media, they state that the experts have no objections whatsoever. Mr. Tsylevich argues that if the Latvian legislation had been such flawless as the Latvian authorities claim, Latvia would not have been afraid to ratify the European Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. Panorama Latvii

Dienain Russian publishes the article by the chair of the Russian Society Duma T. Favorskaya about the national Russian school in Latvia. She disagrees with the model presented in the Chapter on Education of the concept document of the State Integration Program. The Russian Society suggests to establish the national Russian school of Latvia on the basis of some schools with Russia as the language of instruction. According to her, the national Russian school should constitute the system of general education providing the education on the international level, the formation and preservation of the national consciousness of the young generation. The national Russian school should be based on three fundamental elements -acquiring of the Russian, Latvian and European culture, the mastering of Russian, Latvian and a foreign language, learning of disciplines related with the Latvian culture and history in the Latvian language. Other subjects should be taught in the Russian language. Furthermore, these schools should be financed from the state budget. An important aspect in the formation of the national Russian school, is the close co-operation between the school and the family. Ms. Favorskaya suggests to establish the association of the national schools of Latvia, including the representatives of the national cultural societies, national schools, and educators from the schools with Russian as the language of instruction who support the idea of the national Russian school. Ms. Favorskaya invites persons interested in these matters to visit the methodological library of the Russian Society. Diena

Dienaof 27 April published an article about the discussion of the concept document of the State Integration Program organised by the Centre of Non-governmental organisations and the Soros Fund Latvia in Cesis. At the conference participated the authors of the concept document, the representatives of the Vidzeme municipalities, schools, and public organisations. According to one of the co-authors of the document E. Vebers, in such a Latvian environment as Vidzeme region the discussion revealed stereotypes from the Soviet times. He concluded that the vision that only Latvians reside in Latvia, is very viable, but not realistic. The participants of the discussion in Cesis agreed that the State Integration Program is necessary. The discussions organised by the Soros Fund -Latvia (SFL) will continue till 7 May. The SFL reminds that people can express their opinion not only at the conferences but also via Internet. Diena