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 Report

Press Report

Yesterday was the last day for handing in the lists of candidates for municipal election. As it was foreseen the big cities were the most popular ones – 17 lists of candidates are presented in Riga (it makes 15 candidates for 1 seat), 16 in Jurmala and Jelgava, 8 in Liepaja, Daugavpils, Rezekne, 4 in Ventspils. During the next week the electorates will check if the persons on the lists are entitled to be candidates. One of FHRUL deputy candidates has been already excluded from the list, as he presented a false state language proficiency certificate.

Yesterday was the last day for handing in the lists of candidates for municipal election. As it was foreseen the big cities were the most popular ones – 17 lists of candidates are presented in Riga (it makes 15 candidates for 1 seat), 16 in Jurmala and Jelgava, 8 in Liepaja, Daugavpils, Rezekne, 4 in Ventspils. During the next week the electorates will check if the persons on the lists are entitled to be candidates. One of FHRUL deputy candidates has been already excluded from the list, as he presented a false state language proficiency certificate. Diena, Jauna, Chas, Respublika

For Human Rights in the United Latvia block at Riga City Council is the only one that expressed support to the proposal of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens to establish Non-citizen Consultative Council at the City Council. If the field of issues the Council would deal with is clear, than the source of funding for this institution is not established. The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens chairman V.Sokolovs considers that it should be funded from municipal budget.

For Human Rights in the United Latvia block at Riga City Council is the only one that expressed support to the proposal of the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens to establish Non-citizen Consultative Council at the City Council. If the field of issues the Council would deal with is clear, than the source of funding for this institution is not established. The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens chairman V.Sokolovs considers that it should be funded from municipal budget. Jauna, Panorama Latvii, Chas.

Vesti Segodnja asks few deputies to express their opinion on the subject. FF/LNNK faction chairperson says that there is no such necessity to establish the institution. FHRUL deputy S.Dolgopolov is convinced that the Council is needed and it could be established even before municipal election. Farmers Union faction chairperson and Latvia’s Way deputy J.Visockis expressed their personal approval to the idea.

Vesti Segodnja asks few deputies to express their opinion on the subject. FF/LNNK faction chairperson says that there is no such necessity to establish the institution. FHRUL deputy S.Dolgopolov is convinced that the Council is needed and it could be established even before municipal election. Farmers Union faction chairperson and Latvias Way deputy J.Visockis expressed their personal approval to the idea.

Panorama Latvii

keeps informing about what difficult situations non-Latvians have to experience because of the State Language Law. This time it is in regard to labels and instructions for medicine – according to the law they have to be only in Latvian and thus people who do not speak Latvian are exposed to serious danger of misusing medicine. keeps informing about what difficult situations non-Latvians have to experience because of the State Language Law. This time it is in regard to labels and instructions for medicine – according to the law they have to be only in Latvian and thus people who do not speak Latvian are exposed to serious danger of misusing medicine.

Chas

gives information about the European Union and what could be the losses and gains for Latvia after the accession. The rights of all residents – both citizens and non-citizens – to vote and run for municipal elections are mentioned as the most positive factor. As the most negative aspect is mentioned that Latvia is too small to have any influence on the processes. gives information about the European Union and what could be the losses and gains for Latvia after the accession. The rights of all residents – both citizens and non-citizens – to vote and run for municipal elections are mentioned as the most positive factor. As the most negative aspect is mentioned that Latvia is too small to have any influence on the processes.

Vesti Segodnja

tries to find out all reasons why Latvian authorities do not like the Convention on National Minority Rights. The emphasis is placed that after adoption national minorities are entitled to use and receive information in their own languages. tries to find out all reasons “why Latvian authorities do not like the Convention on National Minority Rights”. The emphasis is placed that after adoption national minorities are entitled to use and receive information in their own languages. According to Residents’ Register 23 654 persons have not exchanged their former USSR citizen passports for the passports of non-citizens of Latvia. The rough estimation is that 7000 non-citizens have already left Latvia, it leaves 16 645 people who do not have valid documents. These persons can be imposed the fine in the amount of LVL 25 for having non-valid documents.

According to Residents Register 23 654 persons have not exchanged their former USSR citizen passports for the passports of non-citizens of Latvia. The rough estimation is that 7000 non-citizens have already left Latvia, it leaves 16 645 people who do not have valid documents. These persons can be imposed the fine in the amount of LVL 25 for having non-valid documents. Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

As demographic situation in Latvia is getting worse it is planned to close some schools because of insufficient number of students.

As demographic situation in Latvia is getting worse it is planned to close some schools because of insufficient number of students. Vesti Segodnja views this problem in regard to Russian schools.

Respublika

interviews the representative of Latvia at PACE, FHRUL deputy B.Cilevics. He is asked questions about interruption of PACE monitoring in Latvia and adoption of the Convention on National Minorities. interviews the representative of Latvia at PACE, FHRUL deputy B.Cilevics. He is asked questions about interruption of PACE monitoring in Latvia and adoption of the Convention on National Minorities.