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

features an article by columnist Viktors Avotins about Russian parties in Latvia. He states that all other so-called Russian parties did not manage to compete with FHRUL. Also the only centrist party Latvias Way, which managed to attract the electorate of Russian-speakers in the previous elections, did not succeed in these elections. He states that the Russian electorate considers FHRUL as the only more or less reliable party. He suggests three solutions on how Latvian parties could receive the support of Russian-speakers: first, they could ruin FHRUL by fomenting a split; second, Latvian parties could stop playing hypocritical games and admit that there are Latvian and Russian parties and that ethno-political features are important for both and that actually parties need a two-community society; and third, Latvian could learn to build a dialogue instead of dictating their requirements. features an article by columnist Viktors Avotins about “Russian” parties in Latvia. He states that all other so-called Russian parties did not manage to compete with FHRUL. Also the only centrist party “Latvia’s Way,” which managed to attract the electorate of Russian-speakers in the previous elections, did not succeed in these elections. He states that the Russian electorate considers FHRUL as the only “more or less reliable party.” He suggests three solutions on how “Latvian” parties could receive the support of Russian-speakers: first, they could ruin FHRUL by fomenting a split; second, “Latvian” parties could stop playing hypocritical games and admit that there are Latvian and Russian parties and that ethno-political features are important for both and that actually parties need a two-community society; and third, Latvian could learn to build a dialogue instead of dictating their requirements.

Telegraf

interviews deputy mayor of the Riga City Council Sergey Dolgopolov. He stresses that one fourth of Latvian society supports FHRUL, but taking into account that FHRUL is the only party which voices the interests of non-citizens, the number of people who supports FHRUL is even higher and it would be stupid to ignore FHRUL. Regarding the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004, the deputy mayor states that he knows the actual situation at schools and schools are not ready for the switch even technically. interviews deputy mayor of the Riga City Council Sergey Dolgopolov. He stresses that one fourth of Latvian society supports FHRUL, but taking into account that FHRUL is the only party which voices the interests of non-citizens, the number of people who supports FHRUL is even higher and it would be stupid to ignore FHRUL. Regarding the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian in 2004, the deputy mayor states that he knows the actual situation at schools and schools are not ready for the switch even technically. The Russian language press –

The Russian language press – Vechernaya Riga, Chas – reports on the success of the concert of Latvian rock star Ainars Mielavs who this time sang the majority of his songs in Russian. The press notes that the concert was sold out and the attitude of people who came to the concert – mostly Russian-speakers – was very warm.