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

While on a two-day visit in Riga, businessman and philanthropist George Soros stated that bilingual education should be promoted in Latvia, because Latvians no longer have any reason for concern about the viability of the Latvian language, and the future of the country is secured. George Soros suggested that if Latvia ignores the interests of national minorities in the realm of education, international pressure can be exerted on the country. In regard to granting the status of the state language to Russian, George Soros noted that there are different areas of language usage which should be distinct – the language spoken in Parliament and the possibility to write an application to the authorities in one’s mother tongue. He concluded that it is up to Latvia itself to take decisions in these matters.

While on a two-day visit in Riga, businessman and philanthropist George Soros stated that bilingual education should be promoted in Latvia, because Latvians no longer have any reason for concern about the viability of the Latvian language, and the future of the country is secured. George Soros suggested that if Latvia ignores the interests of national minorities in the realm of education, international pressure can be exerted on the country. In regard to granting the status of the state language to Russian, George Soros noted that there are different areas of language usage which should be distinct – the language spoken in Parliament and the possibility to write an application to the authorities in ones mother tongue. He concluded that it is up to Latvia itself to take decisions in these matters. Diena

The Russian language press and BNS report that George Soros has said that Latvian society should be a two-language society and that Latvians should stop humiliating Russians.

The Russian language press and BNS report that George Soros has said that Latvian society should be a two-language society and that Latvians should stop humiliating Russians. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii, BNS

Neatkariga

publishes its monthly supplement Integration. The newspaper features an article about Hermanis Chernovs whose ethnic background is Russian. Hermanis Chernovs is in a leading position in the Latvian National Armed Forces. He states that he is Russian and will not give up his identity, however, he states that he has pledged loyalty to Latvia. He believes that society in Latvia is split we are too impatient. We want Russians to immediately start speaking Latvian and Latvians to understand Russians. In life it does not happen so quickly. On the whole, Hermanis Chernovs is an optimist regarding integration – when Latvia is in the EU, the ethnic roots will remain, but other differences between nationalities will disappear. publishes its monthly supplement “Integration.” The newspaper features an article about Hermanis Chernovs whose ethnic background is Russian. Hermanis Chernovs is in a leading position in the Latvian National Armed Forces. He states that he is Russian and will not give up his identity, however, he states that he has pledged loyalty to Latvia. He believes that society in Latvia is split “we are too impatient. We want Russians to immediately start speaking Latvian and Latvians to understand Russians. In life it does not happen so quickly.” On the whole, Hermanis Chernovs is an optimist regarding integration – when Latvia is in the EU, the ethnic roots will remain, but other differences between nationalities will disappear.

Neatkariga

features an article about Poles, their culture and life style in Latvia. According to the latest census, 2.5% of Latvian residents are Poles. features an article about Poles, their culture and life style in Latvia. According to the latest census, 2.5% of Latvian residents are Poles.

Neatkariga

interviews advisor to the President on national minority issues Olgerts Tipans. Olgerts Tipans partly agrees that funding allotted for the promotion of the cultures of national minorities was not sufficient due to a shortage of funds in the state budget. Olgerts Tipans states that Latvian authorities are not very successful in building an effective dialogue with national minorities. Regarding the education reform in 2004, Tipans states that a relatively small portion of people is concerned about this issue. He says that with the change of generations more and more people study and know Latvian. Olgerts Tipans believes that Latvias membership to the EU and NATO will put an end to the last doubts about Latvias future. interviews advisor to the President on national minority issues Olgerts Tipans. Olgerts Tipans partly agrees that funding allotted for the promotion of the cultures of national minorities was not sufficient due to a shortage of funds in the state budget. Olgerts Tipans states that Latvian authorities are not very successful in building an effective dialogue with national minorities. Regarding the education reform in 2004, Tipans states that a relatively small portion of people is concerned about this issue. He says that with the change of generations more and more people study and know Latvian. Olgerts Tipans believes that Latvia’s membership to the EU and NATO will put an end to the last doubts about Latvia’s future. According to the data presented by political scientist Artis Pabriks, the Prison Administration is the only state institution where the number of national minorities working is much higher than the number of Latvians. Head of the foundation SORECS (support foundation for former inmates) Davids Klavins comments that the majority of inmates are non-Latvians therefore Russian is actually most commonly used language in prisons. Former inmate Ainars Meness states that actually not only inmates speak Russian among themselves, but also staff talks to inmates in Russian

According to the data presented by political scientist Artis Pabriks, the Prison Administration is the only state institution where the number of national minorities working is much higher than the number of Latvians. Head of the foundation SORECS (support foundation for former inmates) Davids Klavins comments that the majority of inmates are non-Latvians therefore Russian is actually most commonly used language in prisons. Former inmate Ainars Meness states that actually not only inmates speak Russian among themselves, but also staff talks to inmates in Russian. Neatkariga

Chas

comments on the candidacy of the New Era politician Ina Druviete to the post of the Integration Minister. The newspaper notes that up till now no further information about the authority, tasks and responsibilities of the proposed Ministry has been provided. comments on the candidacy of the New Era politician Ina Druviete to the post of the Integration Minister. The newspaper notes that up till now no further information about the authority, tasks and responsibilities of the proposed Ministry has been provided. Chas’Chas columnist Leonid Fedoseyev assumes that the key responsibility of this Minister will be societal integration and in this case the candidacy of Ina Druviete is the most inappropriate. The columnist stresses that whenever Ina Druviete talks about integration issues she supports forcible methods towards non-Latvians and that if Ina Druviete is approved for this post it should be called the Minister of Latvianisation. columnist Leonid Fedoseyev assumes that the key responsibility of this Minister will be societal integration and in this case the candidacy of Ina Druviete is the most inappropriate. The columnist stresses that whenever Ina Druviete talks about integration issues “she supports forcible methods towards non-Latvians” and that if Ina Druviete is approved for this post it should be called the Minister of Latvianisation. Chas Chas publishes the summary of statements of Ina Druviete concerning integration issues. publishes the summary of statements of Ina Druviete concerning integration issues.

Chas

talks to Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash and Ambassador of Denmark Ole Lisborg about problems Latvia experiences in the field of national minorities and what consequences they could have on Latvias EU accession bid. The newspapers states that on several issues the stances of two ambassadors were quite contradictory. Regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, ambassador Lisborg states that Latvia should ratify the Convention before Latvia actually accedes to the EU, but ambassador Rasbash states that ratification is not a mandatory requirement for EU membership. Both ambassadors agree that Latvia will not be forced to amend its Citizenship Law to foster the speed of naturalisation. Andrew Rasbash believes that the status of non-citizens is not Latvias problem, but the problem of these people, as they will not have a number of rights which EU citizens have. Regarding the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian ambassadors state that the European Commission expects some flexibility from Latvian authorities towards the issue and that the law is adopted, but the government could come back to the discussion of some details as to what, when and where. talks to Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Commission to Latvia Andrew Rasbash and Ambassador of Denmark Ole Lisborg about problems Latvia experiences in the field of national minorities and what consequences they could have on Latvia’s EU accession bid. The newspapers states that on several issues the stances of two ambassadors were quite contradictory. Regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, ambassador Lisborg states that Latvia should ratify the Convention before Latvia actually accedes to the EU, but ambassador Rasbash states that ratification is not a mandatory requirement for EU membership. Both ambassadors agree that Latvia will not be forced to amend its Citizenship Law to foster the speed of naturalisation. Andrew Rasbash believes that the status of non-citizens is not Latvia’s problem, but the problem of these people, as they will not have a number of rights which EU citizens have. Regarding the switch of national minority schools to instruction in Latvian ambassadors state that the European Commission expects some flexibility from Latvian authorities towards the issue and that the law is adopted, but the government could come back to the discussion of some details as to “what, when and where.”

Chas

reports about the information day held by the Naturalisation Board yesterday. A journalist of the newspaper as well as another 40 interested people took part in the event. Almost all people who took a trial naturalisation test successfully passed it. reports about the information day held by the Naturalisation Board yesterday. A journalist of the newspaper as well as another 40 interested people took part in the event. Almost all people who took a trial naturalisation test successfully passed it.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that in 2007 Latvian non-citizens will not have any problems with travelling in Europe without visas, as border guard forces will gradually stop controlling the borders after the expansion of the EU. reports that in 2007 Latvian non-citizens will not have any problems with travelling in Europe without visas, as border guard forces will gradually stop controlling the borders after the expansion of the EU.

Panorama Latvii

reports on a case of a woman who recently acquired Latvian citizenship. Due to flaws in Latvian legislation her child is not entitled to receive Latvian citizenship – at the moment of birth the mother was a non-citizen and thus, so was her daughter. Now when the mother is a citizen, the daughter loses her right to receive Latvian citizenship as a child of a Latvian non-citizen. However, when the child was born the mother was not a Latvian citizen yet. The officials say that the only way the child can receive Latvian citizenship is through naturalisation. reports on a case of a woman who recently acquired Latvian citizenship. Due to flaws in Latvian legislation her child is not entitled to receive Latvian citizenship – at the moment of birth the mother was a non-citizen and thus, so was her daughter. Now when the mother is a citizen, the daughter loses her right to receive Latvian citizenship as a child of a Latvian non-citizen. However, when the child was born the mother was not a Latvian citizen yet. The officials say that the only way the child can receive Latvian citizenship is through naturalisation.

Vesti Segodnya

reports about a visit of Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov to Jelgava. Ambassador Studennikov visited a bilingual school and a Latvian school. After the visit he expressed deep satisfaction with the way bilingual education is implemented and the quality of classes of Russian for Latvians. reports about a visit of Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov to Jelgava. Ambassador Studennikov visited a bilingual school and a Latvian school. After the visit he expressed deep satisfaction with the way bilingual education is implemented and the quality of classes of Russian for Latvians. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya

introduces its readers with the new programme of the NGO Russian Community of Latvia. The recently elected head of the RSL Vladimir Ribakov states that the key goal of the Society should be aimed at increasing the socio-economic welfare of Russians residing in Latvia. Support for FHRUL and co-operation with other organisations of national minorities, Vladimir Ribakov named as the next priorities of the RSL. introduces its readers with the new programme of the NGO Russian Community of Latvia. The recently elected head of the RSL Vladimir Ribakov states that the key goal of the Society should be aimed at increasing the socio-economic welfare of Russians residing in Latvia. Support for FHRUL and co-operation with other organisations of national minorities, Vladimir Ribakov named as the next priorities of the RSL.

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about Russians in the parliaments of interwar Latvia. features an article about Russians in the parliaments of interwar Latvia.