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 reports on alleged discrimination of non-citizens in connection with occupations reserved for Latvian citizens. Lauku Avize states that every country has occupations reserved for citizens, including Russia. Russian legislation is characterized as much more discriminatory than Latvian in this connection, reserving a wider range of occupations for Russian citizens, like rescue service employee, guards, customs officer, self-government employee and ship worker.

Lauku Avize reports on alleged discrimination of non-citizens in connection with occupations reserved for Latvian citizens. Lauku Avize states that every country has occupations reserved for citizens, including Russia. Russian legislation is characterized as much more discriminatory than Latvian in this connection, reserving a wider range of occupations for Russian citizens, like rescue service employee, guards, customs officer, self-government employee and ship worker.

According to Poland’s consul in Latvia Martin Knapp, in planning next year’s budget, the Polish government has committed to allocating resources to Polish language schools in Latvia. Polish diplomats are visiting locales in Latvia with Polish language schools to discuss possible co-funding from the municipal governments. Polish schools now operate in Riga, Rezekne, Daugavpils, Kraslava and Jekabpils. In Jekabpils, the school has attracted more students every year and needs larger premises. Neatkariga

According to Polands consul in Latvia Martin Knapp, in planning next years budget, the Polish government has committed to allocating resources to Polish language schools in Latvia. Polish diplomats are visiting locales in Latvia with Polish language schools to discuss possible co-funding from the municipal governments. Polish schools now operate in Riga, Rezekne, Daugavpils, Kraslava and Jekabpils. In Jekabpils, the school has attracted more students every year and needs larger premises. Neatkariga

In his letter to Lauku Avize director of Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks writes about the definition of a national minority, suggesting the following criteria: a numerical minority country-wide, in a non-dominant position, long–standing ties to the State, differ from the majority in terms of language, culture or traditions and exhibit a desire to preserve and develop their identity. Traditionally only citizens were considered as belonging to the minority, but this is changing. In the Latvian context, there are certainly many Russians, Poles, Roma and Jews who fulfill the above criteria, but without further analysis it is not possible to say whether other national minorities exist in significant number.

In his letter to Lauku Avize director of Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks writes about the definition of a national minority, suggesting the following criteria: a numerical minority country-wide, in a non-dominant position, long–standing ties to the State, differ from the majority in terms of language, culture or traditions and exhibit a desire to preserve and develop their identity. Traditionally only citizens were considered as belonging to the minority, but this is changing. In the Latvian context, there are certainly many Russians, Poles, Roma and Jews who fulfill the above criteria, but without further analysis it is not possible to say whether other national minorities exist in significant number.

Panorama Latvii writes on the definition of a minority in Latvia and asks whether Latvian Russians are a minority. On the base of objective criteria – number and length of their connection to Latvia – both citizen and non-citizen Russians belong to a national minority. But the most important criteria is subjective – whether persons want to belong to a national minority.

Panorama Latvii writes on the definition of a minority in Latvia and asks whether Latvian Russians are a minority. On the base of objective criteria – number and length of their connection to Latvia – both citizen and non-citizen Russians belong to a national minority. But the most important criteria is subjective – whether persons want to belong to a national minority.

Panorama Latvii devotes its minority supplement to articles in Ukrainian and Belarussian.

Vesti Segodnja interviews director of the Multinational Culture Centre in Daugavpils Arturs Prieditis, the author of 10 books on problems of Latvian culture. He states that culture is composed of two parts – ethnic culture (traditions, folklore, religion, etc.) and professional culture. Regarding professional culture there are no ethnic borders and no integration is needed. According to Prieditis, Latvia is trying to integrate Russians through ethnic culture, which is not possible. He criticises what he terms a fetish–like attachment to folklore.