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

Yesterday the Saeima turned down a proposal by the FHRUL to amend the Education Law, namely to abolish the norm stipulating the switch of a language of instruction of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004.

Yesterday the Saeima turned down a proposal by the FHRUL to amend the Education Law, namely to abolish the norm stipulating the switch of a language of instruction of minority secondary school to Latvian in 2004.

More than 1,000 people applied for the Latvian language courses organised free of charge by the anti-NATO NGO “Prata Speks”. The NGO “Prata Speks” did not foresee that the number of interested people would be so high, and therefore the organisation calls on Latvian language teachers to volunteer to teach Latvian.

More than 1,000 people applied for the Latvian language courses organised free of charge by the anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks. The NGO Prata Speks did not foresee that the number of interested people would be so high, and therefore the organisation calls on Latvian language teachers to volunteer to teach Latvian. Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf

publishes several opinions of Russian students about the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004. The majority of students acknowledge the necessity and importance of Latvian language skills, however, they want to study in their native language. publishes several opinions of Russian students about the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004. The majority of students acknowledge the necessity and importance of Latvian language skills, however, they want to study in their native language.

Vechernaya Riga

writes about the reality show Fabrica aired by TV 5. The newspaper stresses that none of the participants of the show is Russian, because according to the Law on Radio and Television all programmes in Russian should have sub-titles in the state language. The show is aired live, and therefore it is impossible to ensure the caption. The administration of TV 5 believes that the Law on Radio and Television fosters disintegration of society. writes about the reality show “Fabrica” aired by TV 5. The newspaper stresses that none of the participants of the show is Russian, because according to the Law on Radio and Television all programmes in Russian should have sub-titles in the state language. The show is aired live, and therefore it is impossible to ensure the caption. The administration of TV 5 believes that the Law on Radio and Television fosters disintegration of society.

Lauku Avize

features an article about activities of parties in the field of social integration. Columnist of features an article about activities of parties in the field of social integration. Columnist of Lauku AvizeLauku Avize Maris Antonevics states that parties devote very little or even no attention to national minority and integration issues in their pre-election programmes, but they are, however, asked to state their stances towards various minority and integration issues in a number of TV shows, such as The Russian Issue, Struggle of Giants and a discussion organised by the NGO The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens and Civil Initiative XXI. Maris Antonevics summarises the key statements of the discussions. He stresses that representatives of left-wing parties as usual demanded amendments to the Citizenship Law, abolition of the education reform, etc, while representatives of Latvian parties, such as, Eizenija Aldermane, Elmars Vebers and Anita Rugate focused on their personal positive investment in the field of integration. Maris Antonevics states that parties devote very little or even no attention to national minority and integration issues in their pre-election programmes, but they are, however, asked to state their stances towards various minority and integration issues in a number of TV shows, such as “The Russian Issue,” “Struggle of Giants” and a discussion organised by the NGO “The Union of Citizens and Non-citizens” and “Civil Initiative XXI.” Maris Antonevics summarises the key statements of the discussions. He stresses that representatives of left-wing parties as usual demanded amendments to the Citizenship Law, abolition of the education reform, etc, while representatives of “Latvian” parties, such as, Eizenija Aldermane, Elmars Vebers and Anita Rugate focused on their personal positive investment in the field of integration.

Lauku Avize

interviews Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Regarding citizenship and naturalisation Andris Berzins says that Russia does not foster and support acquisition of Latvian citizenship by Russians residing in Latvia. Andris Berzins notes that travel to Russia for Latvian non-citizens is easier than for Russian citizens. He believes that naturalisation is a persons free choice and nobody is being or will be forced to naturalise. interviews Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Regarding citizenship and naturalisation Andris Berzins says that Russia does not foster and support acquisition of Latvian citizenship by Russians residing in Latvia. Andris Berzins notes that travel to Russia for Latvian non-citizens is easier than for Russian citizens. He believes that naturalisation is a person’s free choice and nobody is being or will be forced to naturalise.

Vesti Segodnya

provides excerpts from an article by Henry R. Nau in the British weekly The Observer about the role of NATO in the world, in particular, what consequences the membership of the Baltic States in NATO will have. Henry R.Nau writes, …the threat to these states [Baltic States] is not a direct Russian invasion. The threat is potential Moscow support for disgruntled Russian minorities in Estonia or Latvia, covert aid to destabilise these countries, and subtle commercial pressure to weaken their ties with the West. Moscow might disclaim direct responsibility for all of these activities and argue that it was only defending itself against instabilities on its borders that might spill over into the Russian Federation - much as it does today in the case of Chechnya. The newspaper adds …and the West will keep silent, as Russia participated in anti-terrorism operations in Asia. provides excerpts from an article by Henry R. Nau in the British weekly “The Observer” about the role of NATO in the world, in particular, what consequences the membership of the Baltic States in NATO will have. Henry R.Nau writes, “…the threat to these states [Baltic States] is not a direct Russian invasion. The threat is potential Moscow support for disgruntled Russian minorities in Estonia or Latvia, covert aid to destabilise these countries, and subtle commercial pressure to weaken their ties with the West. Moscow might disclaim direct responsibility for all of these activities and argue that it was only defending itself against instabilities on its borders that might spill over into the Russian Federation - much as it does today in the case of Chechnya.” The newspaper adds “…and the West will keep silent, as Russia participated in anti-terrorism operations in Asia.”

Vesti Segodnya

comments on the visit of journalists from Russia who came to Rezekne, the town in the eastern part of Latvia, to study integration issues there. The newspaper states that Latvian officials deny the Russian language press in Latvia the possibility to contact journalists from Russia. comments on the visit of journalists from Russia who came to Rezekne, the town in the eastern part of Latvia, to study integration issues there. The newspaper states that Latvian officials deny the Russian language press in Latvia the possibility to contact journalists from Russia.