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

Within a framework of a new project launched by

Within a framework of a new project launched by Neatkariga Rita Avize and the Integration Foundation, Neatkariga devotes a page to articles about social integration issues in Latvia. As of today the newspaper will publish a monthly supplement discussing issues of social integration in the country.

Neatkariga

talks to talks to ChasChas columnist Aleksandr Shabanov who acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation last year. Shabanov states that the right to participate in elections was one of the key reasons motivating him to naturalise. Shabanov says that he does not identify himself as a Latvian, although he cannot identify himself as a Russian either. columnist Aleksandr Shabanov who acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation last year. Shabanov states that the right to participate in elections was one of the key reasons motivating him to naturalise. Shabanov says that he does not identify himself as a Latvian, although he cannot identify himself as a Russian either. Neatkariga reports on the results of the public awareness and citizenship promotion campaign run by the Naturalisation Board. The campaign was launched in November last year and ended in April this year. Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies researcher Ilze Brands Kehris conducted the evaluation of the results of the campaign. According to Brands Kehris, the campaign, along with other important initiatives (reduction of the state fee for naturalisation and others), increased the number of naturalisation applications by 20-30%. Brands Kehris emphasises that in general the campaign was perceived as an expression of the government’s wish to see non-citizens as a part of Latvian society. The newspaper provides the results of two surveys (one conducted by the Naturalisation Board, another by the company SKDS) about the attitude of respondents to the campaign.

Neatkariga reports on the results of the public awareness and citizenship promotion campaign run by the Naturalisation Board. The campaign was launched in November last year and ended in April this year. Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies researcher Ilze Brands Kehris conducted the evaluation of the results of the campaign. According to Brands Kehris, the campaign, along with other important initiatives (reduction of the state fee for naturalisation and others), increased the number of naturalisation applications by 20-30%. Brands Kehris emphasises that in general the campaign was perceived as an expression of the governments wish to see non-citizens as a part of Latvian society. The newspaper provides the results of two surveys (one conducted by the Naturalisation Board, another by the company SKDS) about the attitude of respondents to the campaign.

Neatkarigas

columnist Voldemars Hermanis quotes articles concerning non-citizen issues in the Russian language press, in particular, articles published in Russian newspapers about the latest report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance on Latvia. He stresses that Russian language journalists paid too much attention to this report. columnist Voldemars Hermanis quotes articles concerning non-citizen issues in the Russian language press, in particular, articles published in Russian newspapers about the latest report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance on Latvia. He stresses that Russian language journalists paid too much attention to this report. The newspaper reports on the situation of Estonians as an ethnic minority in Latvia. Estonians are one of the oldest ethnic minorities in Latvia and they do not have any problems with integration into Latvian society.

The newspaper reports on the situation of Estonians as an ethnic minority in Latvia. Estonians are one of the oldest ethnic minorities in Latvia and they do not have any problems with integration into Latvian society.

Neatkariga

publishes an article about bilingual education in Estonia and its decision to postpone the switch to Estonian language instruction of secondary minority schools. . publishes an article about bilingual education in Estonia and its decision to postpone the switch to Estonian language instruction of secondary minority schools. .

Vesti Segodnya

columnist, election candidate of FHRUL Nikolay Kabanov looks into the lists of parties running for the 8th Saeima elections and counts the number of persons of Russian ethnic background in the lists. The lists of currently governing parties and the most popular party New Era have none or 1-2 election candidates who are Russians. He doubts whether people who are not Russians can represent their interests in the Parliament. columnist, election candidate of FHRUL Nikolay Kabanov looks into the lists of parties running for the 8th Saeima elections and counts the number of persons of Russian ethnic background in the lists. The lists of currently governing parties and the most popular party New Era have none or 1-2 election candidates who are Russians. He doubts whether people who are not Russians can represent their interests in the Parliament.

Vesti Segodnya

asks several questions to election candidate of the Progress Party Eriks Rozencveigs. He believes if a person lives in Latvia and pays taxes, s/he must have the right to participate at the decision taking process in his/her small world. Regarding the choice of an instruction language at schools, Rozencveigs states that this decision should be made by students parents. asks several questions to election candidate of the Progress Party Eriks Rozencveigs. He believes if a person lives in Latvia and pays taxes, s/he must have the right to participate at the decision taking process in “his/her small world.” Regarding the choice of an instruction language at schools, Rozencveigs states that this decision should be made by students’ parents.

Chas

reports that the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS will open its office in Riga. The key task of the agency will be provision of complete and objective information about Latvia and Baltic states to Russia. reports that the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS will open its office in Riga. The key task of the agency will be provision of complete and objective information about Latvia and Baltic states to Russia. Russia has suspended the process of receiving applications for Russian citizenship at Russian embassies abroad. The embassies, including the Russian embassy to Latvia, decided to halt the process until they receive clear regulations on the procedure of awarding Russian citizenship a in accordance with the new Russian Citizenship Law.

Russia has suspended the process of receiving applications for Russian citizenship at Russian embassies abroad. The embassies, including the Russian embassy to Latvia, decided to halt the process until they receive clear regulations on the procedure of awarding Russian citizenship a in accordance with the new Russian Citizenship Law. Diena, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii