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

Neatkariga publishes its monthly supplement devoted to social integration issues in Latvia.

One of the articles features the situation of “club culture” in Latvia. Latvian youth inquired by

One of the articles features the situation of club culture in Latvia. Latvian youth inquired by Neatkariga state that Latvians and Russians usually go to different clubs. In contrast, Russians state that they attend all clubs and do not think that there are Latvian and Russian clubs. Neatkariga questioned owners of clubs as well. Latvian club owners believe that very few Russians come to their clubs, while owners of so-called Russian clubs note that all nationalities come to their places. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks is convinced that no special social cohesion policy for club culture should be developed, but believes that a study about access to and usage of culture by different ethnic groups in Latvia would be necessary. A study conducted several years ago shows that representatives of national minorities go to theatres, museums, etc. less frequently than Latvians. Nils Muiznieks is concerned that cultural goods are not available to some groups of people.

Neatkarigas

columnist Voldemars Hermanis summarises articles published in the Russian-language press about the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. columnist Voldemars Hermanis summarises articles published in the Russian-language press about the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. According to the opinion poll conducted by the company “SKDS” with financial support of the UNDP in late 2001 and early 2002, almost 74% of Latvian residents believe that Latvian society is not unified and integrated. One fourth of the respondents were non-citizens. 30.1% of respondents believe that higher welfare level and better living conditions would foster social integration.

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS with financial support of the UNDP in late 2001 and early 2002, almost 74% of Latvian residents believe that Latvian society is not unified and integrated. One fourth of the respondents were non-citizens. 30.1% of respondents believe that higher welfare level and better living conditions would foster social integration.

Neatkariga

reports on the continuation of two campaigns aimed at fostering of social integration – a toll-free phone line where people can receive information about naturalisation (the campaign is funded by Unites States embassy) and information booths, which provide interested people with information about naturalisation as well (the campaign is funded by Great Britains embassy). reports on the continuation of two campaigns aimed at fostering of social integration – a toll-free phone line where people can receive information about naturalisation (the campaign is funded by Unites States’ embassy) and information booths, which provide interested people with information about naturalisation as well (the campaign is funded by Great Britain’s embassy).

Neatkariga

features an article about Lithuanians in Latvia. Director of Lithuanian school in Latvia Aldona Treija says that Lithuanians are satisfied with life in Latvia and she has not met any Lithuanian who feel any hostility towards Latvia. features an article about Lithuanians in Latvia. Director of Lithuanian school in Latvia Aldona Treija says that Lithuanians are satisfied with life in Latvia and she has not met any Lithuanian who feel any hostility towards Latvia.

Vechernaya Riga

writes about the situation concerning the street name signs. The newspaper states that according to Riga City regulations on street signs and plates, street names and any other information on them should be in the state language, but the regulations do not ban the spelling of street names in additional languages. Chief Designer of Riga Atis Lusis states that plates and signs in more than one language would spoil the appearance of Riga – they are too motley. writes about the situation concerning the street name signs. The newspaper states that according to Riga City regulations on street signs and plates, street names and any other information on them should be in the state language, but the regulations do not ban the spelling of street names in additional languages. Chief Designer of Riga Atis Lusis states that plates and signs in more than one language would spoil the appearance of Riga – they are too motley.

Chas

comments on the Saeimas Rules of Procedure amended yesterday. One of the articles provides that the Parliament may annul a mandate of an MP if s/he does not speak the state language on a level necessary to perform his/her professional duties. The newspaper states that the norm actually replaces the abolished election law language requirements for persons running for public office. comments on the Saeima’s Rules of Procedure amended yesterday. One of the articles provides that the Parliament may annul a mandate of an MP if “s/he does not speak the state language on a level necessary to perform his/her professional duties.” The newspaper states that the norm actually replaces the abolished election law language requirements for persons running for public office.

Vesti Segodnya

re-publishes excerpts from an article published in re-publishes excerpts from an article published in Le MondeLe Monde by Aivars Stranga about the situation in Latvia. The author states that Latvia has achieved great progress and that relations between Latvians and Russians are strikingly non-dramatic. Aivars Stranga also refers to Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks who said that Latvian and Russian communities have lived together for decades and they both have suffered under the Soviet regime. by Aivars Stranga about the situation in Latvia. The author states that Latvia has achieved great progress and that relations between Latvians and Russians are “strikingly non-dramatic.” Aivars Stranga also refers to Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks who said that “Latvian and Russian communities have lived together for decades and they both have suffered under the Soviet regime.”