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

Diena

reports that a number of Latvians voiced their concern that during the international sand sculpture festival, which took place last Saturday in the beach resort of Jurmala, the working language of the festival was Russian. The organiser of the festival - the publishing house Petit - states that interpretation in the state language would have been ensured if anybody had requested it. According to the law, interpretation in the state language at public events must be ensured if an organiser is a state or municipal institution. The opinion of senior inspector of the State Language Centre Andris Capins is that the lack of interpretation is a violation of the State Language Law as it concerns legitimate public interests. However, deputy director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska says, it was not right [not provide interpretation], unfortunately, the law allows this. reports that a number of Latvians voiced their concern that during the international sand sculpture festival, which took place last Saturday in the beach resort of Jurmala, the working language of the festival was Russian. The organiser of the festival - the publishing house “Petit” - states that interpretation in the state language would have been ensured if anybody had requested it. According to the law, interpretation in the state language at public events must be ensured if an organiser is a state or municipal institution. The opinion of senior inspector of the State Language Centre Andris Capins is that the lack of interpretation is a violation of the State Language Law as it concerns legitimate public interests. However, deputy director of the State Language Centre Agris Timuska says, “it was not right [not provide interpretation], unfortunately, the law allows this.”

Chas

columnist Leonid Fedoseyev argues against the statement that the Russian language press should be blamed for fomenting national hatred and preventing integration. The columnist states that none of the ruling parties in Latvia represents the interests of citizens who are not Latvians or all citizens in general. He writes that the Russian language press is in a very unclear position – from the one side the Latvian authorities show no interest in the Russian language press, from the other side, Russia is constantly offering the Russian language press to become a mediator between Russia and Russians residing in Latvia. columnist Leonid Fedoseyev argues against the statement that the Russian language press should be blamed for fomenting national hatred and preventing integration. The columnist states that none of the ruling parties in Latvia represents the interests of citizens who are not Latvians or all citizens in general. He writes that the Russian language press is in a very unclear position – “from the one side the Latvian authorities show no interest in the Russian language press, from the other side, Russia is constantly offering the Russian language press to become a mediator between Russia and Russians residing in Latvia.”

Vesti Segodnja

publishes a statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the recent report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance on Latvia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs voices its concern about the situation of Russians in Latvia and calls on the Latvian government to ratify the European Convention on the Rights of National Minorities and align Latvian legislation according to international standards. publishes a statement of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the recent report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance on Latvia. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs voices its concern about the situation of Russians in Latvia and calls on the Latvian government to ratify the European Convention on the Rights of National Minorities and align Latvian legislation according to international standards.

Vesti Segodnya

comments on the competition for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. Abik Elkin praises the new appointment procedure, that is, a director is not assigned by a party, but sought through a competition. Columnist Abik Elkin believes that Agris Timuska, the only applicant who was rejected, would follow and implement the same rules and policy as former director of the Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Abik Elkin believes that new candidates will not follow the language policy supported by FF/LNNK. comments on the competition for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. Abik Elkin praises the new appointment procedure, that is, a director is not assigned by a party, but sought through a competition. Columnist Abik Elkin believes that Agris Timuska, the only applicant who was rejected, would follow and implement the same rules and policy as former director of the Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Abik Elkin believes that new candidates will not follow the language policy supported by FF/LNNK.

Telegraf

interviews Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freibergas Russian language teacher Galina Vesele. She talks about the positive attitude of the President towards learning the Russian language and Russians. interviews Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga’s Russian language teacher Galina Vesele. She talks about the positive attitude of the President towards learning the Russian language and Russians. Yesterday Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins held an unofficial meeting with Russian Vice Prime Minister Valentina Matveyenko. The key discussion subjects were possible ratification of not-yet-ratified bilateral agreements. Right now Russian Prime Minister Valentina Matveyenko is on vacation in Jurmala.

Yesterday Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins held an unofficial meeting with Russian Vice Prime Minister Valentina Matveyenko. The key discussion subjects were possible ratification of not-yet-ratified bilateral agreements. Right now Russian Prime Minister Valentina Matveyenko is on vacation in Jurmala. Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii