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

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski during his visit to Riga on Tuesday met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and invited him to visit Poland.

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski during his visit to Riga on Tuesday met with Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins and invited him to visit Poland. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Vestnesis, Jauna Avize, Respublika, Chas

The top three of most popular Latvian politicians remained unchanged in May with president of the state Vaira Vike-Freiberga heading the list, the latest opinion poll showed. Vike-Freiberga was followed by Bank of Latvia President Einars Repse and parliament speaker Janis Straume, according to the public opinion poll conducted in May by the SKDS sociological research company. Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars likewise maintained the fourth place he took in April, and his father, Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars was in the fifth place. BNS

The top three of most popular Latvian politicians remained unchanged in May with president of the state Vaira Vike-Freiberga heading the list, the latest opinion poll showed. Vike-Freiberga was followed by Bank of Latvia President Einars Repse and parliament speaker Janis Straume, according to the public opinion poll conducted in May by the SKDS sociological research company. Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars likewise maintained the fourth place he took in April, and his father, Social Democrat leader Juris Bojars was in the fifth place. BNS

The opposition party of Social Democrats remained the most popular political party in Latvia in May, although its rating keeps falling, according to the latest opinion poll conducted by SKDS sociological research company. The People's Party from the ruling coalition was able to maintain the second place, and Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, also from the ruling coalition, was the third most popular political party in Latvia in May. Contrary to Social Democrats, both the People's Party and FF/LNNK have been able to improve their ratings in the outgoing month.

The opposition party of Social Democrats remained the most popular political party in Latvia in May, although its rating keeps falling, according to the latest opinion poll conducted by SKDS sociological research company. The People's Party from the ruling coalition was able to maintain the second place, and Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, also from the ruling coalition, was the third most popular political party in Latvia in May. Contrary to Social Democrats, both the People's Party and FF/LNNK have been able to improve their ratings in the outgoing month. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga,

 

Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre director Nils Muiznieks believes that ethnic discrimination in Latvia has transformed into social discrimination as the Latvian language had been used to oust part of population from labour market and social life. In the interview to the Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya published Wednesday the human rights advocate said: "In last five years integration has been accompanied by disintegration. With the help of the Latvian language a whole group of Latvia's residents have been altogether displaced from the labour market and social life." "A group of people 'pushed overboard' is forming in Latvia recently. Mostly these are representatives of ethnic minorities left without any niche for existence whatsoever," said Muiznieks. As an example to describe this situation he referred to results of public opinion polls showing that one-third of Latvia's non-citizens will not be able to take jobs requiring Latvian language proficiency. Muiznieks said that it dramatically limited professional opportunities of these people, rendering them unable to compete. "They will be the first to lose job, the first to get evicted over failure to pay rent and the first to find themselves on the outskirts of the society," he said.

Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre director Nils Muiznieks believes that ethnic discrimination in Latvia has transformed into social discrimination as the Latvian language had been used to oust part of population from labour market and social life. In the interview to the Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya published Wednesday the human rights advocate said: "In last five years integration has been accompanied by disintegration. With the help of the Latvian language a whole group of Latvia's residents have been altogether displaced from the labour market and social life." "A group of people 'pushed overboard' is forming in Latvia recently. Mostly these are representatives of ethnic minorities left without any niche for existence whatsoever," said Muiznieks. As an example to describe this situation he referred to results of public opinion polls showing that one-third of Latvia's non-citizens will not be able to take jobs requiring Latvian language proficiency. Muiznieks said that it dramatically limited professional opportunities of these people, rendering them unable to compete. "They will be the first to lose job, the first to get evicted over failure to pay rent and the first to find themselves on the outskirts of the society," he said. Vesti Segodnya, BNS

 

After one month all Latvian residents will be able to address the Constitutional Court with their complain in cases if the state has violated any of their rights stipulated by the Satversme. But, as pointed out the Chairman of this court A.Endzins, CC would not be the fourth level court that would review decisions of lower level courts.

After one month all Latvian residents will be able to address the Constitutional Court with their complain in cases if the state has violated any of their rights stipulated by the Satversme. But, as pointed out the Chairman of this court A.Endzins, CC would not be the fourth level court that would review decisions of lower level courts. Diena

Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov went on an introduction visit to Liepaja. In his statement he was positive about the expansion of economic co-operation between both countries. Both for Russia and Latvia good neighbourly relations are important and the Ambassador pointed out that he had only positive impressions during his two months staying in Latvia. In the nearest future I.Studennikov plans to visit some other Latvian cities.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov went on an introduction visit to Liepaja. In his statement he was positive about the expansion of economic co-operation between both countries. Both for Russia and Latvia good neighbourly relations are important and the Ambassador pointed out that he had only positive impressions during his two months staying in Latvia. In the nearest future I.Studennikov plans to visit some other Latvian cities. Neatkariga

The newspaper

The newspaper Rigas Balss, analysing the data of the New citizens opinion poll, writes that these people name the fact that they live in Latvia and wish to remain here as the main reason for receiving Latvian citizenship (96%). 90% say that they want to be related to this state and 89% assure that the status of a citizen let them feel as full-fledged Latvian citizens. 82% stated that they wanted to participate in the Saeima elections.

Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins on Tuesday met with United States NATO committee president Bruce Jackson, currently on visit to Latvia, and presented to him Latvia's progress on its way to NATO, the ministry's press service reported. Riekstins and Jackson discussed steps to be taken to strengthen support by the US and other NATO members to enlargement of the alliance.

Latvian Foreign Ministry state secretary Maris Riekstins on Tuesday met with United States NATO committee president Bruce Jackson, currently on visit to Latvia, and presented to him Latvia's progress on its way to NATO, the ministry's press service reported. Riekstins and Jackson discussed steps to be taken to strengthen support by the US and other NATO members to enlargement of the alliance. BNS

Starting with the next school year there will be no first classes in 4 Riga schools. One of the reasons is the poor economical situation in Latvia, another – more and more Russian speaking parents decide to send their descendants to Latvian speaking schools. Such is the situation in Russian speaking schools No 42 and 57 and Brekshi Elementary School.

Starting with the next school year there will be no first classes in 4 Riga schools. One of the reasons is the poor economical situation in Latvia, another – more and more Russian speaking parents decide to send their descendants to Latvian speaking schools. Such is the situation in Russian speaking schools No 42 and 57 and Brekshi Elementary School. Vesti Segodnya

The second year is coming to an end after the new law on education was adopted. According to Article 43 schools with the Russian language of tuition have to receive a license on their national minority education program of change to tuition in the state language. But in reality there is nothing to license. In many schools there are no education programs – they are not able to develop them themselves. And the state does not provide sufficient financing and methodological aid; there are only bilingual models available. Therefore the Public Council on Education, Science and Culture of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia together with the newspaper Chas announces an action “State support to national minority education programs”. The letter with demands is addressed to the Minister of Education and Science K.Greiskalns.

The second year is coming to an end after the new law on education was adopted. According to Article 43 schools with the Russian language of tuition have to receive a license on their national minority education program of change to tuition in the state language. But in reality there is nothing to license. In many schools there are no education programs – they are not able to develop them themselves. And the state does not provide sufficient financing and methodological aid; there are only bilingual models available. Therefore the Public Council on Education, Science and Culture of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia together with the newspaper Chas announces an action State support to national minority education programs. The letter with demands is addressed to the Minister of Education and Science K.Greiskalns. Chas