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

The Saeima’s Human Rights Committee discussed a proposal to grant the status of a politically repressed person to non-citizens as well. FF/LNNK did not support the proposal, FHRUL backs the proposal and other political forces do not have a stance regarding the issue. In 1992 the status of a politically repressed person was granted to all politically repressed persons, but since 1995 the status has been granted only to Latvian citizens.

The Saeimas Human Rights Committee discussed a proposal to grant the status of a politically repressed person to non-citizens as well. FF/LNNK did not support the proposal, FHRUL backs the proposal and other political forces do not have a stance regarding the issue. In 1992 the status of a politically repressed person was granted to all politically repressed persons, but since 1995 the status has been granted only to Latvian citizens. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

organised a discussion about the planned switch of secondary education to the Latvian language in 2004. Only 4 directors of Russian schools responded to the call of the newspaper to take part in the discussion. Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns and head of the Integration Unit of the General Education Department at the MoES Evija Papule represented the government. Director of the Russian Secondary School in Cesis Inna Semjonova states that although students and their parents understand that education should be in the state language, they still want to study in their mother tongue. The most usual argument is that teachers are not qualified and trained for teaching their subjects in the Latvian language. The Education Minister believes that all practical issues concerning the reform in 2004 have been solved. Now the work should be done on a political level, that is, teachers and the school administration should build a positive attitude towards the reform. The participants of the discussion agreed that the reform should be implemented although Semjonova believes that schools should be given some flexibility regarding the timeframe. organised a discussion about the planned switch of secondary education to the Latvian language in 2004. Only 4 directors of Russian schools responded to the call of the newspaper to take part in the discussion. Minister of Education and Science Karlis Greiskalns and head of the Integration Unit of the General Education Department at the MoES Evija Papule represented the government. Director of the Russian Secondary School in Cesis Inna Semjonova states that although students and their parents understand that education should be in the state language, they still want to study in their mother tongue. The most usual argument is that teachers are not qualified and trained for teaching their subjects in the Latvian language. The Education Minister believes that all practical issues concerning the reform in 2004 have been solved. Now the work should be done on a political level, that is, teachers and the school administration should build a positive attitude towards the reform. The participants of the discussion agreed that the reform should be implemented although Semjonova believes that schools should be given some flexibility regarding the timeframe. FF/LNNK has asked its coalition partners to enter amendments to the state budget of this year, in particular, to increase funding for securing the status of the state language. FF/LNNK refers to the statement of President’s State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite released last week that “the situation concerning the state language will not improve if concrete and immediate measures are not taken and without adequate financial resources.”

FF/LNNK has asked its coalition partners to enter amendments to the state budget of this year, in particular, to increase funding for securing the status of the state language. FF/LNNK refers to the statement of Presidents State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite released last week that the situation concerning the state language will not improve if concrete and immediate measures are not taken and without adequate financial resources. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Today is the first day of a new project “The Days of Russia’s TV in Latvian TV Channels.” Leading stars of Russian Federation TV channels, such as Vladimir Pozner, Irena Lesnevskaya and others, arrived in Latvia last night.

Today is the first day of a new project The Days of Russias TV in Latvian TV Channels. Leading stars of Russian Federation TV channels, such as Vladimir Pozner, Irena Lesnevskaya and others, arrived in Latvia last night. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Chas

reports on the seminar Transfer to One Education System in Latvia which took place in Liepaja. The majority of participants admitted that the seminar did not provide any new ideas or statements. reports on the seminar “Transfer to One Education System in Latvia” which took place in Liepaja. The majority of participants admitted that the seminar did not provide any new ideas or statements.

Panorama Latvii

gives its interpretation regarding the review of the Naturalisation Board concerning the alleged sale of citizenship by the staff members of the Board. The newspaper states that the government was in a very difficult position - the government could not dismiss Aldermane and stop naturalisation because then there would be a pressure from Russia and the international community, but it had to react in some way to the demands of the nationalists. The newspaper concludes that if all non-citizens were granted the status of a citizen if they had expressed such a wish there would not be such problems at all. gives its interpretation regarding the review of the Naturalisation Board concerning the alleged sale of citizenship by the staff members of the Board. The newspaper states that the government was in a very difficult position - the government could not dismiss Aldermane and stop naturalisation because then there would be a pressure from Russia and the international community, but it had to react in some way to the demands of the nationalists. The newspaper concludes that if all non-citizens were granted the status of a citizen if they had expressed such a wish there would not be such problems at all.

Panorama Latvii

introduces its audience to leader of the Association of Uzbeks Nur Baxriddin Sindrov. He tells about the Association and its future plans. The number one priority is to establish Sunday school for 302 Uzbeks residing in the whole territory of Latvia. introduces its audience to leader of the Association of Uzbeks “Nur” Baxriddin Sindrov. He tells about the Association and its future plans. The number one priority is to establish Sunday school for 302 Uzbeks residing in the whole territory of Latvia. On Saturday night three persons – a Russian citizen and two stateless persons - have run away from the illegal immigrant camp in Olaine.

On Saturday night three persons – a Russian citizen and two stateless persons - have run away from the illegal immigrant camp in Olaine. Neatkariga

Several high ranking foreign officials are on a visit to Latvia. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jan Petersen is paying a visit to Latvia from today through April 24. Minister of Defence of Luxembourg Charles Goerens is on a one-day visit to Latvia. Austrian President Thomas Klestil is on a two-day visit to Riga.

Several high ranking foreign officials are on a visit to Latvia. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Jan Petersen is paying a visit to Latvia from today through April 24. Minister of Defence of Luxembourg Charles Goerens is on a one-day visit to Latvia. Austrian President Thomas Klestil is on a two-day visit to Riga. Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnja