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

According to the information provided to

According to the information provided to Diena by the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia would violate a commitment given to the OSCE if it adopts the proposed amendments to the regulations of the State Language Law which stipulate the expansion of the list of professions required to have certain state language proficiency level in the private sphere. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities office has expressed an interest about Latvias intention to expand the list. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is convinced that the amendments would cause a negative international reaction. State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Solvita Harbacevica believes that the amendments concerning the private sphere are not going to be adopted. The President wants to discuss the amendments with Prime Minister Andris Berzins and the Presidents State Language Commission before making a statement concerning the issue. Representative of the National Human Rights Office Liga Biksiniece believes that the State Language Law already requires salespersons and bartenders to know the Latvian language if their work affects legitimate public interests and that employers have the right to set language requirements for their employees. Diena

Yesterday 6 Saeima MPs from the US-Latvian parliamentary cooperation group had a meeting with American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson. The Ambassador stated that Latvia should lift the language requirement for election candidates. For their part, MPs reported on the latest developments regarding the issue.

Yesterday 6 Saeima MPs from the US-Latvian parliamentary cooperation group had a meeting with American Ambassador to Latvia Brian Carlson. The Ambassador stated that Latvia should lift the language requirement for election candidates. For their part, MPs reported on the latest developments regarding the issue. Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that there is no need to conduct a fourth review of the Naturalisation Board concerning the alleged sale of Latvian citizenship.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that there is no need to conduct a fourth review of the Naturalisation Board concerning the alleged sale of Latvian citizenship. Chas.

Panorama Latvii reports that the government has still not resumed the issuance of citizen passports for persons who have successfully passed naturalisation examinations.

Panorama Latvii reports that the government has still not resumed the issuance of citizen passports for persons who have successfully passed naturalisation examinations.

Yesterday Representative of the Latvian Government to international institutions Kristine Malinovska reported to the government on the cases against Latvia filed with the European Court of Human Rights. The Court has accepted 32 complaints from Latvia.

Yesterday Representative of the Latvian Government to international institutions Kristine Malinovska reported to the government on the cases against Latvia filed with the European Court of Human Rights. The Court has accepted 32 complaints from Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnja

interviews Prime Minister Andris Berzins. He states that the Latvian government has to amend the election laws regardless of the ECHRs ruling on Podkolzinas case. However, he stresses that this does not mean that Latvias Way is giving up its language policy. The Prime Minister argues against the statement that all language policy measures are administrative. He names the good works of the Government in this sphere: development of the National Programme for the Integration of Society, creation of the Integration Foundation, and governments funding for the National Programme for Latvian Language Training Programme. interviews Prime Minister Andris Berzins. He states that the Latvian government has to amend the election laws regardless of the ECHR’s ruling on Podkolzina’s case. However, he stresses that this does not mean that Latvia’s Way is giving up its language policy. The Prime Minister argues against the statement that all language policy measures are administrative. He names the good works of the Government in this sphere: development of the National Programme for the Integration of Society, creation of the Integration Foundation, and government’s funding for the National Programme for Latvian Language Training Programme.

Lauku Avize

interviews Peoples Party chairperson Andris Skele. He believes that Latvia needs new European nationalism. If I have to give up my Latvian identity our party is against the EU, says Skele. Regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention Skele is convinced that Latvia should not rush with the ratification and the pressure regarding the Convention has decreased lately. interviews People’s Party chairperson Andris Skele. He believes that Latvia needs new European nationalism. “If I have to give up my Latvian identity our party is against the EU,” says Skele. Regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention Skele is convinced that Latvia should not rush with the ratification and the pressure regarding the Convention has decreased lately.

Chas

talks to FHRUL deputy Janis Urbanovic. FHRUL has launched discussions about nominating its candidates for the 8th Saeima elections. Asked how many persons from FHRULs list will not have a state language proficiency certificate, Urbanovic replies that he does not know the precise number, but that such persons will be on the list. talks to FHRUL deputy Janis Urbanovic. FHRUL has launched discussions about nominating its candidates for the 8th Saeima elections. Asked how many persons from FHRUL’s list will not have a state language proficiency certificate, Urbanovic replies that he does not know the precise number, but that such persons will be on the list. The leading Canadian newspaper

The leading Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail has published a long article about Latvia. Chas introduces its audience to the key (according to Chas) points of the article. Chas quotes More than a decade after Latvia won its independence from the Soviet Union, there is still little love for Russia, and less trust… Anti-Russian sentiment is so strong it could subvert the countrys desire to enter NATO. If there is anything that could keep Latvia from winning membership in NATO, and from its long-term goal of joining the European Union, it might be the Latvian governments overt hostility to just about anything Russian. The Globe and Mail describes language policy as very strict and discriminatory towards Russians.

Chas

interviews the leader of the NGO Russians of the West Dmitry Nikolayev. The newspaper refers to Nikolayevs recent article in interviews the leader of the NGO “Russians of the West” Dmitry Nikolayev. The newspaper refers to Nikolayev’s recent article in DienaDiena where he criticised the Russian language press for fomenting national tension. where he criticised the Russian language press for fomenting national tension. ChasChas concludes that Nikolayev and his organisation are not able to find their place among other Russian organisations and therefore they are realising their idealistic goals with inappropriate methods. concludes that Nikolayev and his organisation are not able to find their place among other Russian organisations and therefore they are realising their idealistic goals with inappropriate methods.

Panorama Latvii

reports that the Union of Russian Federation Citizens in Latvia has signed a co-operation agreement with an organisation of the Russian Federation city Kaluga. The organisation will provide information to Russian Federation citizens who reside in Latvia and want to emigrate to Russia. reports that the Union of Russian Federation Citizens in Latvia has signed a co-operation agreement with an organisation of the Russian Federation city Kaluga. The organisation will provide information to Russian Federation citizens who reside in Latvia and want to emigrate to Russia.