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

Dr.iur. Ineta Ziemele features an article about the 8th Saeima elections. She states that TV discussions about ethno-political issues among representatives of parties were particularly interesting. Ineta Ziemele notes that when talking about the importance of ensuring Latvian language training for non-citizens none of the discussion participants mentioned specific proposals, such as how to expand the circle of persons involved in the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and what amount of funding from the state budget should be allotted to expand this circle. Ineta Ziemele expresses a pleasant surprise regarding discussions about the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. She stresses that parties have finally realised that it is possible to introduce reservations to the Convention and then ratify it, but notes that none of the parties were specific. Ineta Ziemele concludes that Latvia’s membership to the EU will change the legal and political context in the country, including ethnic relations and that the dominant tendency of today – “we (the majority) and they (the minority)” – has never been profitable for Latvia and will be less so in a situation of increasing competition.

Dr.iur. Ineta Ziemele features an article about the 8th Saeima elections. She states that TV discussions about ethno-political issues among representatives of parties were particularly interesting. Ineta Ziemele notes that when talking about the importance of ensuring Latvian language training for non-citizens none of the discussion participants mentioned specific proposals, such as how to expand the circle of persons involved in the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and what amount of funding from the state budget should be allotted to expand this circle. Ineta Ziemele expresses a pleasant surprise regarding discussions about the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. She stresses that parties have finally realised that it is possible to introduce reservations to the Convention and then ratify it, but notes that none of the parties were specific. Ineta Ziemele concludes that Latvias membership to the EU will change the legal and political context in the country, including ethnic relations and that the dominant tendency of today – we (the majority) and they (the minority) – has never been profitable for Latvia and will be less so in a situation of increasing competition. Diena

FF/LNNK agreed to form a coalition with the New Era, the First Party and the Union of Greens and Farmers as the New Era agreed to two principal issues essential for FF/LNNK – the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian must be implemented in 2004 and non-citizens should not be given the right to participate in municipal elections.

FF/LNNK agreed to form a coalition with the New Era, the First Party and the Union of Greens and Farmers as the New Era agreed to two principal issues essential for FF/LNNK – the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian must be implemented in 2004 and non-citizens should not be given the right to participate in municipal elections. Diena, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

does not agree with the opinion that only Russian nationalists voted for FHRUL in the 8th Saeima elections. The newspaper states that in Vidzeme, Kurzeme and Zemgale - regions of Latvia which are considered Latvian - the number of FHRULs supporters increased to 27,000 in comparison to the 7th Saeima elections and these people are not only new citizens but ethnic Latvians as well. does not agree with the opinion that only Russian nationalists voted for FHRUL in the 8th Saeima elections. The newspaper states that in Vidzeme, Kurzeme and Zemgale - regions of Latvia which are considered Latvian - the number of FHRUL’s supporters increased to 27,000 in comparison to the 7th Saeima elections and these people are not only new citizens but ethnic Latvians as well.

Vesti Segodnya

looks into the report of the OSCE/ODIHR delegation of election observers. The newspaper points out two suggestions made by the delegation, first, Latvia should abolish the restriction to run for public office for former KGB officers and supporters of communism after January 13, 1991, and second, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. In conclusion looks into the report of the OSCE/ODIHR delegation of election observers. The newspaper points out two suggestions made by the delegation, first, Latvia should abolish the restriction to run for public office for former KGB officers and supporters of communism after January 13, 1991, and second, Latvia should grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. In conclusion Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya provides the comments of the delegation regarding the role of the mass media in pre-election time that the restricted possibilities for the mass media to broadcast in minority languages could be an obstacle for one fourth of Latvian citizens to receive information about the elections and follow campaigns. provides the comments of the delegation regarding the role of the mass media in pre-election time that “the restricted possibilities for the mass media to broadcast in minority languages could be an obstacle for one fourth of Latvian citizens to receive information about the elections and follow campaigns.” Latvia is among the ten countries that the European Commission has officially recommended for inclusion in the European Union in 2004 in its annual progress report on EU candidate countries. The report notes that improvements in state administration, court reform and integration remain key priorities for Latvia.

Latvia is among the ten countries that the European Commission has officially recommended for inclusion in the European Union in 2004 in its annual progress report on EU candidate countries. The report notes that improvements in state administration, court reform and integration remain key priorities for Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf

reports that yesterday German Ambassador Eckart Herold and Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov as well as a number of political scientists from Latvia and Russia took part in a Latvian Russian conference which discussed the development of civil societies in both countries. The conference was funded by the German Parliament, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Embassy of Norway, the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and the Academy of Culture reports that yesterday German Ambassador Eckart Herold and Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov as well as a number of political scientists from Latvia and Russia took part in a Latvian Russian conference which discussed the development of civil societies in both countries. The conference was funded by the German Parliament, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, the Embassy of Norway, the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and the Academy of Culture

Telegraf

features an article about two schools – Latvian and Russian – which are situated in one building. The director of the Russian school believes that it is better if a school is mono-ethnic. According to the director, the only positive aspect in this situation is that Russian students can communicate with their Latvian peers in Latvian during sport competitions. features an article about two schools – Latvian and Russian – which are situated in one building. The director of the Russian school believes that it is better if a school is mono-ethnic. According to the director, the only positive aspect in this situation is that Russian students can communicate with their Latvian peers in Latvian during sport competitions.

Vesti Segodnya

talks to creative director of the Centre of Russian Culture in Daugavpils Yuriy Yermakov. He states that Russians should be proud of their culture and language and should not feel ashamed to speak Russian. He agrees that interest of Russians about their history and folk traditions grows in Latvia. talks to creative director of the Centre of Russian Culture in Daugavpils Yuriy Yermakov. He states that Russians should be proud of their culture and language and should not feel ashamed to speak Russian. He agrees that interest of Russians about their history and folk traditions grows in Latvia.

Telegraf

talks to famous Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs who will release his album in the Russian language this week. talks to famous Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs who will release his album in the Russian language this week.