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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Diena prints a new list of professions in municipal government and the private sector that the State Language Centre proposes should be the subject to Latvian language regulation. Besides municipal executive directors, their deputies, heads of municipal institutions and their deputies, the new list also includes salespeople (at outdoor stands, shops, kiosks and markets), sports coach, judges of sports events, accountants, bartenders, waiter/waitress, hairdressers and cosmetologists. The State Language Centre denies that the proposed amendments to the regulations of the State Language Law were developed because several members of left-wing party FHRUL are in the executive positions at local governments, as was argued by the Russian language press (Chas 11 April). State Language Centre deputy head Agris Timuska said, it is a logic requirement for high level officials of local governments to speak the Latvian language at the highest level. The proposed amendments have been forwarded for review to this weeks meeting of ministerial state secretaries. Diena

Lauku Avize

publishes the letter of American Ambassador Brian Carlson dated 10 April concerning the stance of the USA released on 10 April on the need to lift the language requirement for election candidates. publishes the letter of American Ambassador Brian Carlson dated 10 April concerning the stance of the USA released on 10 April on the need to lift the language requirement for election candidates. Vechernaya RigaVechernaya Riga publishes the comments of some MPs. Latvias Way deputy. Edvins Inkens says the ruling of the ECHR on Podkolzinas case does not say that Latvia has to amend the election laws, therefore, the USA has decided to remind Latvia one more time that the language requirement for election candidates should be lifted. FF/LNNK, which, according to publishes the comments of some MPs. Latvia’s Way deputy. Edvins Inkens says “the ruling of the ECHR on Podkolzina’s case does not say that Latvia has to amend the election laws, therefore, the USA has decided to remind Latvia one more time that the language requirement for election candidates should be lifted”. FF/LNNK, which, according to Vecernaya RigaVecernaya Riga, is the actual addressee of this statement, deputy Dzintars Kudums says that FF/LNNK is not going to change its position regarding this issue. In spite of the American statements, we believe that the language requirements will not harm Latvias NATO inspirations. , is “the actual addressee of this statement,” deputy Dzintars Kudums says that “FF/LNNK is not going to change its position regarding this issue. In spite of the American statements, we believe that the language requirements will not harm Latvia’s NATO inspirations.” Although the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on Podkolzina’s case stated that Latvia does have the rights to set its own criteria for parliament member candidates, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeuss has reiterated his support for changes in Latvia's election laws.

Although the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling on Podkolzinas case stated that Latvia does have the rights to set its own criteria for parliament member candidates, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeuss has reiterated his support for changes in Latvia's election laws. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, BNS

In future Russia will take part in all proceedings at the European Court of Human Rights on cases versus the state of Latvia filed by citizens of Russia residing in Latvia, said Russia's representative at the ECHR Pavel Laptyev. He said Russia's participation in the court proceedings as a third party would mean a new procedural status f the complaints. The Latvian Foreign Ministry points out that the European Convention for Human Rights provides for the possibility of a state participating in legal proceedings involving its nationals versus another state, which is frequently used in the international practice. But involvement of the third party does not mean a principally new status of complaints filed with the Court because the very principles of hearing a case don't change.

In future Russia will take part in all proceedings at the European Court of Human Rights on cases versus the state of Latvia filed by citizens of Russia residing in Latvia, said Russia's representative at the ECHR Pavel Laptyev. He said Russia's participation in the court proceedings as a third party would mean a new procedural status f the complaints. The Latvian Foreign Ministry points out that the European Convention for Human Rights provides for the possibility of a state participating in legal proceedings involving its nationals versus another state, which is frequently used in the international practice. But involvement of the third party does not mean a principally new status of complaints filed with the Court because the very principles of hearing a case don't change. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Lauku Avize

interviews Latvian foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins. The newspaper asks the minister to provide more information about the new strategy of Latvias Way – regarding its proposed expansion of a Latvian environment. The minister assures that the new policy is not aimed against national minorities, but on contrary, will foster integration of other ethnic minorities as the Latvian language will help them to integrate in Latvian society. He also states that more attention should be paid to the implementation of language policy. The minister concludes that there are two information spaces in Latvia. In his opinion, the attitude of the Russian language press towards social integration and Latvian language learning is more negative than that of the Latvian language press. Regarding relations with Russia, Berzins says that Latvias Way is trying to establish co-operation with Yavlinskis party, nevertheless he believes that good relations with Russia are a question of time. Regarding OSCE ODIHR Stoudmanns recent statements in Riga, Berzins believes that thanks to the reaction of Latvias officials a defect was turned into an effect. As a result everyone announced that there is no legal basis to question the status of the Latvian language as the sole state language in Latvia. interviews Latvian foreign affairs minister Indulis Berzins. The newspaper asks the minister to provide more information about the new strategy of Latvia’s Way – regarding its proposed “expansion of a Latvian environment.” The minister assures that the new policy is not aimed against national minorities, but on contrary, will foster integration of other ethnic minorities as the Latvian language will help them to integrate in Latvian society. He also states that more attention should be paid to the implementation of language policy. The minister concludes that there are two information spaces in Latvia. In his opinion, the attitude of the Russian language press towards social integration and Latvian language learning is more negative than that of the Latvian language press. Regarding relations with Russia, Berzins says that Latvia’s Way is trying to establish co-operation with Yavlinskis’ party, nevertheless he believes that good relations with Russia are a question of time. Regarding OSCE ODIHR Stoudmann’s recent statements in Riga, Berzins believes that thanks to the reaction of Latvia’s officials “a defect was turned into an effect. As a result everyone announced that there is no legal basis to question the status of the Latvian language as the sole state language in Latvia.”

Neatkarigas

columnist Viktors Avotins argues that the recently released Latvias Way statement that one of the key areas of its strategy will be expansion of a Latvian environment does not correspond to its previous activities and policy. In his opinion, it will serve as partys pre-election anti-campaign. columnist Viktors Avotins argues that the recently released Latvia’s Way statement that one of the key areas of its strategy will be “expansion of a Latvian environment” does not correspond to its previous activities and policy. In his opinion, it will serve as party’s pre-election anti-campaign.

Chas reports that essay contest on social integration for school children and teachers, organised by the FHRULs education committee, has concluded. Both Latvian and Russian schools took part in the contest. The organisers assess the contest as being successful.

Daugavpils Mayor Eigim’s party Latgales gaisma (Latgales’ Light) could establish a coalition with Latvia’s Democratic Party and Labour Party to run for the 8th Saeima election.

Daugavpils Mayor Eigims party Latgales gaisma (Latgales Light) could establish a coalition with Latvias Democratic Party and Labour Party to run for the 8th Saeima election. Diena

Chas

provides the key statements voiced by Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins on the TV programme From a Position of Power. Endzins is against the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the state language. He believes that they are senseless. The chairperson is convinced that Latvia should ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. provides the key statements voiced by Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins on the TV programme “From a Position of Power.” Endzins is against the amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the state language. He believes that they are senseless. The chairperson is convinced that Latvia should ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities.

Panorama Latvii

publishes an interview with Latvia's Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Alexander. publishes an interview with Latvia's Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Alexander.