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

 

Lauku Avize writes about the language situation in Latvias supermarkets. Norwegian supermarket chain Rimi shares its experience with observing Latvian language laws and regulations. Executive director of Rimi Uldis Lebedevs says that at the very beginning Rimi experienced some difficulties in ensuring that all salespersons could speak Latvian, as very often the true state language proficiency of people did not correspond to the proficiency level noted in his/her state language certificate. Though 35-40% of staff are Russians, Lebedevs stresses that now, all salespersons speak Latvian and names ‘Rimi director general Knut Kvisvik as a very positive example for the whole staff. Lebedevs agrees that there are quite many shops where salespersons speak very bad Latvian or do not speak the language at all. Chairperson of the Latvian Association of Merchandisers Henriks Danusevichs believes that salespersons should be included in the list of professions who have to know the Latvian language.

Chas

talks to minister of Regional and Environment Protection Vladimirs Makarovs. He says that he does not feel inner discomfort being Russian while being the member of nationalistic party FF/LNNK. Makarovs states that he has not lost his Russian identity. In his opinion the residents of Latvia are more concerned about their economic situation and not about national issues. talks to minister of Regional and Environment Protection Vladimirs Makarovs. He says that he does not feel inner discomfort being Russian while being the member of nationalistic party FF/LNNK. Makarovs states that he has not lost his Russian identity. In his opinion the residents of Latvia are more concerned about their economic situation and not about national issues.

Chas

reports on the integration conference organised by the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens. The newspaper writes that the participants and issues discussed at the conference did not differ from participants and discussions of similar events. reports on the integration conference organised by the Union of Citizens and Non-citizens. The newspaper writes that the participants and issues discussed at the conference did not differ from participants and discussions of similar events. ChasChas quotes director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks people who have talked about integration already 5 times should not be allowed to touch the subject any more. The participants of the Union voiced their support for head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. quotes director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks “people who have talked about integration already 5 times should not be allowed to touch the subject any more.” The participants of the Union voiced their support for head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane.

Vesti Segodnja

writes that the Committee of the European Parliament in charge of monitoring Latvia's candidacy for the EU continues to criticise the situation of national minorities in Latvia. The final version of the Committees report will be presented in the beginning of June. The report notes that the speed of naturalisation should be increased and the government should apply proportionate measures of implementing language policy. writes that the Committee of the European Parliament in charge of monitoring Latvia's candidacy for the EU continues to criticise the situation of national minorities in Latvia. The final version of the Committee’s report will be presented in the beginning of June. The report notes that the speed of naturalisation should be increased and the government should apply proportionate measures of implementing language policy.

Vesti Segodnja

provides a brief summary of a report by Boris Katkov, chairperson of the Association of Russian Latvian Co-operation and the co-chairperson of the Union of Russias Citizens in the Baltic States, to the State Duma of the Russian Federation about the situation of Russians in Latvia. provides a brief summary of a report by Boris Katkov, chairperson of the Association of Russian Latvian Co-operation and the co-chairperson of the Union of Russia’s Citizens in the Baltic States, to the State Duma of the Russian Federation about the situation of Russians in Latvia.