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

FF/LNNK will make use of its Constitutional rights and will either announce a referendum on amendments to the Election Law or turn to the Constitutional Court, Saeima Legal Commission Chairman Dzintars Rasnacs from FF/LNNK said yesterday in a political discussion on "Radio Briva Eiropa". Rasnacs stressed that "no uncles or other (com)missioners can tell a state official what to do," commenting on the question how his party would react if Minister of Defence Girts Valdis Kristovskis faced an option - whether to lift language norms for deputies or risk remaining outside NATO. Rasnacs pledged that TB/LNNK would call on Latvian citizens to decide on the amendments to the Election Law by a general vote. TB/LNNK Saeima faction deputy, TB/LNNK board member Juris Dobelis confirmed to LETA that the possibility of announcing of the referendum was considered within the party and admitted that the referendum should be carried out along with Saeima elections. Whereas TB/LNNK faction head, Vents Balodis, stressed that deputies have not yet officially discussed the possibility of a referendum. During the 5th congress of TB/LNNK, a statement was passed saying that the existing limitations are substantiated. The referendum could be backed also by Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP), as the faction head, Egils Baldzens told LETA that Social Democrats would support the proposal for a referendum if TB/LNNK officially comes out with a proposal. As reported, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga recently suggested amending the Election Law in order to lift the requirement set for deputy nominees that they must have Latvian language knowledge at the highest level. This provided that the use of the state language is guaranteed by other laws. Atis Lejins, the director of the Latvian Foreign Policy Institute, admitted that it would be better for the language norms in the Election Law to be amended in a "more peaceful atmosphere" - after next year's 8th Saeima elections, when Latvia is a European Union (EU) and NATO member state and would feel safer.

FF/LNNK will make use of its Constitutional rights and will either announce a referendum on amendments to the Election Law or turn to the Constitutional Court, Saeima Legal Commission Chairman Dzintars Rasnacs from FF/LNNK said yesterday in a political discussion on "Radio Briva Eiropa". Rasnacs stressed that "no uncles or other (com)missioners can tell a state official what to do," commenting on the question how his party would react if Minister of Defence Girts Valdis Kristovskis faced an option - whether to lift language norms for deputies or risk remaining outside NATO. Rasnacs pledged that TB/LNNK would call on Latvian citizens to decide on the amendments to the Election Law by a general vote. TB/LNNK Saeima faction deputy, TB/LNNK board member Juris Dobelis confirmed to LETA that the possibility of announcing of the referendum was considered within the party and admitted that the referendum should be carried out along with Saeima elections. Whereas TB/LNNK faction head, Vents Balodis, stressed that deputies have not yet officially discussed the possibility of a referendum. During the 5th congress of TB/LNNK, a statement was passed saying that the existing limitations are substantiated. The referendum could be backed also by Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP), as the faction head, Egils Baldzens told LETA that Social Democrats would support the proposal for a referendum if TB/LNNK officially comes out with a proposal. As reported, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga recently suggested amending the Election Law in order to lift the requirement set for deputy nominees that they must have Latvian language knowledge at the highest level. This provided that the use of the state language is guaranteed by other laws. Atis Lejins, the director of the Latvian Foreign Policy Institute, admitted that it would be better for the language norms in the Election Law to be amended in a "more peaceful atmosphere" - after next year's 8th Saeima elections, when Latvia is a European Union (EU) and NATO member state and would feel safer. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Jauna

gives its interpretation about the situation around language requirements to election candidates. In its view, Europe and the OSCE ask to remove language requirements due to pragmatic considerations: it would not be profitable for the EU to have one more working official language when Latvia becomes the member of the EU. gives its interpretation about the situation around language requirements to election candidates. In its view, Europe and the OSCE ask to remove language requirements due to pragmatic considerations: it would not be profitable for the EU to have one more working official language when Latvia becomes the member of the EU.

Rîgas Balss

editorial is about the closure of the Mission editorial is about the closure of the Mission. Rigas Balss. Rigas Balss editor-in-chief Anita Daukste thinks that commitment to remove language requirement for election candidates is too high price for the closure of the Mission and hopes that Europe will be able to see the real picture of human rights issues in Latvia. editor-in-chief Anita Daukste thinks that commitment to remove language requirement for election candidates is too high price for the closure of the Mission and hopes that Europe will be able to see the real picture of human rights issues in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

informs that yesterday at Russian Embassy Russian diplomats met with Latvian journalists. informs that yesterday at Russian Embassy Russian diplomats met with Latvian journalists.

Chas

editorial is about recent trends in language policy. L.Fedoseyev refers to Article 18 of Saeima Rules of Order which provides for that MP can be excluded from the Parliament if it is established that s/he lacks language skills on the required level. The author concludes that the Article should be removed. editorial is about recent trends in language policy. L.Fedoseyev refers to Article 18 of Saeima Rules of Order which provides for that MP can be excluded from the Parliament if it is established that s/he lacks language skills on the required level. The author concludes that the Article should be removed.

Latvijas Vestnesis

publishes the printed version of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins interview for the National Television channel. When asked about the OSCE, he says, language requirement and the OSCE are not interlinked issues. The OSCE Mission is out of Latvia and that is a good sign. If we talk about the language, of course, it should be protected through legislation. But if you have objections towards a person, then do not vote for him/her. publishes the printed version of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins’ interview for the National Television channel. When asked about the OSCE, he says, “language requirement and the OSCE are not interlinked issues. The OSCE Mission is out of Latvia and that is a good sign. If we talk about the language, of course, it should be protected through legislation. But if you have objections towards a person, then do not vote for him/her”.