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

Professor Leo Dribins devotes an article in Diena to the question of non-Russian minorities in Latvia, noting that the use of other minority languages than Russian as native languages has substantially declined from 1989 to 2000, while the use among minorities of both Latvian and Russian at home has increased. Nevertheless, knowledge of the ethnic origin language is retained, albeit to a lesser extent. He also stresses that there is no basis for the concern that these minorities may fuse into a general Russophone group, if only basic minority rights remain respected. Diena

Professor Leo Dribins devotes an article in Diena to the question of non-Russian minorities in Latvia, noting that the use of other minority languages than Russian as native languages has substantially declined from 1989 to 2000, while the use among minorities of both Latvian and Russian at home has increased. Nevertheless, knowledge of the ethnic origin language is retained, albeit to a lesser extent. He also stresses that there is no basis for the concern that these minorities may fuse into a general Russophone group, if only basic minority rights remain respected. Diena

A Holocaust Memorial in a Jewish cemetery in Jelgava has been vandalized. Neatkariga Rita Avize, BNS

A Holocaust Memorial in a Jewish cemetery in Jelgava has been vandalized. Neatkariga Rita Avize, BNS

Chas reports that the party coalition Centre’s program includes a suggestion to postpone the transition of Russian language secondary schools to instruction in Latvian from 2004 to 2007, while demanding from graduates the highest level of Latvian language skills. Chas

Chas reports that the party coalition Centres program includes a suggestion to postpone the transition of Russian language secondary schools to instruction in Latvian from 2004 to 2007, while demanding from graduates the highest level of Latvian language skills. Chas.

Valts Erenstreits, who received his Masters degree in Tartu University on Liv language themes, discusses his Liv identity and the problem of being one out of only 30 persons who speak the Liv language fluently and his struggle to keep the language and identity from dying out. He regrets that it is not possible to receive this specialization in higher education in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Valts Erenstreits, who received his Masters degree in Tartu University on Liv language themes, discusses his Liv identity and the problem of being one out of only 30 persons who speak the Liv language fluently and his struggle to keep the language and identity from dying out. He regrets that it is not possible to receive this specialization in higher education in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

The official gazette includes an article on Roma, discussing materials from the Misina library on Roma history in Latvia. The article notes that Roma are successfully integrated in society, with an overwhelming percentage of this minority holding the Latvian citizenship and knowing the Latvian language, but with serious socioeceonomic problems. Latvijas vestnesis

The official gazette includes an article on Roma, discussing materials from the Misina library on Roma history in Latvia. The article notes that Roma are successfully integrated in society, with an overwhelming percentage of this minority holding the Latvian citizenship and knowing the Latvian language, but with serious socioeceonomic problems. Latvijas vestnesis

Radio Free Europe President Tom Dine in an interview stresses the important role of mass media in social integration and notes several restrictions on minority languages in radio and television in Latvia. Telegraf

Radio Free Europe President Tom Dine in an interview stresses the important role of mass media in social integration and notes several restrictions on minority languages in radio and television in Latvia. Telegraf

Panorama Latvii elaborates information regarding the Tatyana Slivenko case to the European Court of Justice and her attorney’s allegations of incorrectly translated documents. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii elaborates information regarding the Tatyana Slivenko case to the European Court of Justice and her attorneys allegations of incorrectly translated documents. Panorama Latvii