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 General Prosecutor’s Office has stated that there is no reason to suspend the process of granting Latvian citizenship to persons who have undergone naturalisation tests. Therefore most likely already today about 1800 people will receive Latvian citizenship.

The General Prosecutors Office has stated that there is no reason to suspend the process of granting Latvian citizenship to persons who have undergone naturalisation tests. Therefore most likely already today about 1800 people will receive Latvian citizenship. Diena

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the situation of national minorities in Latvia, in particular, the recently adopted amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language. The situation of national minorities in Latvia remains “a serious obstacle to improving relations between the two countries.”

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the situation of national minorities in Latvia, in particular, the recently adopted amendments to the Constitution aimed at securing the status of the state language. The situation of national minorities in Latvia remains a serious obstacle to improving relations between the two countries. Panorama Latvii, BNS

After the meeting with Latvia’s Way the President’s State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite said that implementation of measures aimed at securing the state language requires half a million lats. The Prime Minister reported that 4 ministries have reviewed their budgets trying to find the necessary funding in existing budgets. Minister of Finance Gundars Berzins agreed that it should be possible to find funding for the President’s State Language Commission without amending the state budget.

After the meeting with Latvias Way the Presidents State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite said that implementation of measures aimed at securing the state language requires half a million lats. The Prime Minister reported that 4 ministries have reviewed their budgets trying to find the necessary funding in existing budgets. Minister of Finance Gundars Berzins agreed that it should be possible to find funding for the Presidents State Language Commission without amending the state budget. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Telegraf

Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that without prior agreement among all governing parties, no party should propose amendments to the state budget till the 8th Saeima elections. If the agreement is violated, the minister heading the ministry receiving additional funding has to resign.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that without prior agreement among all governing parties, no party should propose amendments to the state budget till the 8th Saeima elections. If the agreement is violated, the minister heading the ministry receiving additional funding has to resign. Diena, BNS

Neatkarigas

columnist Voldemars Hermanis writes about the role of Russians in Latvia. He writes that it is very difficult to call Russians a minority in Latvia. He stresses that the Russian community in Latvia is very diverse and has many associations, newspapers and significant influence in the economy and show business. columnist Voldemars Hermanis writes about the role of Russians in Latvia. He writes that it is very difficult to call Russians a minority in Latvia. He stresses that the Russian community in Latvia is very diverse and has many associations, newspapers and significant influence in the economy and show business.

Lauku Avize

publishes an in-depth article about last weeks discussions concerning the election laws and provides statements of several MPs. The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee concluded that the language requirement for election candidates is not proportionate with the goal of securing the state language. Moreover, the requirement is in contradiction with the Constitution as well. Peoples Party deputy Helena Demakova believes that sometimes things that are unpleasant and even painful must be done to get into NATO. She reproaches FF/LNNK for voting against lifting of the language requirements for election candidates. FF/LNNK deputy Dzintars Kudums argues that the goal of FF/LNNK is to join the EU and NATO, therefore reproaches should be addressed to those who have been unable to explain Latvias specific circumstances to the international community. publishes an in-depth article about last week’s discussions concerning the election laws and provides statements of several MPs. The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee concluded that the language requirement for election candidates is not proportionate with the goal of securing the state language. Moreover, the requirement is in contradiction with the Constitution as well. People’s Party deputy Helena Demakova believes that sometimes things that are unpleasant and even painful must be done to get into NATO. She reproaches FF/LNNK for voting against lifting of the language requirements for election candidates. FF/LNNK deputy Dzintars Kudums argues that the goal of FF/LNNK is to join the EU and NATO, therefore reproaches should be addressed to those who have been unable to explain Latvia’s specific circumstances to the international community.

Lauku Avize

interviews Canadian-Latvian political science professor Juris Dreifelds about the latest political developments in Latvia. Dreifelds states that a rather big group of people in Latvia still prefers to live in the Soviet system with only one party and one truth. However, he admits that people are more politically active and realise that they can change something as well. Regarding the language situation in the country Dreifelds says that he does not support the switch of secondary education to Latvian as a language is very often one of the most important factors in peoples lives. He believes that the Latvian language has won and it is not under threat. interviews Canadian-Latvian political science professor Juris Dreifelds about the latest political developments in Latvia. Dreifelds states that a rather big group of people in Latvia still prefers to live in the Soviet system with only one party and one truth. However, he admits that people are more politically active and realise that they can change something as well. Regarding the language situation in the country Dreifelds says that he does not support the switch of secondary education to Latvian as a language is very often one of the most important factors in people’s lives. He believes that “the Latvian language has won and it is not under threat.” FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner writes about double standards of Latvian politicians concerning national minority issues. He points out the attitude of the governing parties to lifting the requirement for election candidates and the President’s statements about education in the Russian language. He notes that the President stated that the Russian language will continue to be used in education, but later in an interview said that studies in Russian most probably would hamper social integration.

FHRUL deputy Yakov Pliner writes about double standards of Latvian politicians concerning national minority issues. He points out the attitude of the governing parties to lifting the requirement for election candidates and the Presidents statements about education in the Russian language. He notes that the President stated that the Russian language will continue to be used in education, but later in an interview said that studies in Russian most probably would hamper social integration. Vesti Segodnja