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

Lauku Avize reveals the reasons why Prime Minister Einars Repse rejected the candidacy of Aleksandrs Brandavs for the post of the Societal Integration Minister. According to the Latvian First Partys MP Arnolds Laksa, Repse rejected Brandavs because, first, Brandavs himself is a representative of a national minority, second, he belongs to the Orthodox church, third, the chairperson of the Association of Latvian National Culture Organisations Rafi Haradzanjans sent a protest letter against assigning Brandavs for this post. Einars Repse decided to assign one of the leaders of the First Party Ainars Slesers to this post until a suitable candidacy is found. LETA reports that Special Task Minister for Children and Family Matters Ainars Baštiks will carry out responsibilities of the Integration Minister until a suitable candidacy is found.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that socio-linguist, New Era MP Ina Druviete was nominated for the post of the chairperson of the Saeima Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs. reports that socio-linguist, New Era MP Ina Druviete was nominated for the post of the chairperson of the Saeima Committee on Human Rights and Public Affairs. The British government allots 35,000 pounds for running the Latvian language courses for applicants for naturalisation. About 700 people will participate in the special programme courtesy of Great Britain. The unemployed, people with low income and pensioners can attend courses free of charge, others are entitled to a 50% discount.

The British government allots 35,000 pounds for running the Latvian language courses for applicants for naturalisation. About 700 people will participate in the special programme courtesy of Great Britain. The unemployed, people with low income and pensioners can attend courses free of charge, others are entitled to a 50% discount. Telegraf points out that it appears that the British government is contributing much more to speeding up the tempo of the naturalisation process than the Latvian government. Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf

FHRUL’s MP Boris Tsilevich in his interview for the newspaper

FHRULs MP Boris Tsilevich in his interview for the newspaper Nezavisimiya Gazeta printed in Russia draws parallels between the situation of non-citizens in Latvia and the decision of Albanians in Macedonia to fight for their rights. Tsilevich believes that the Russian electorate will be repeatedly disappointed in their hopes that favourable changes will be implemented in a democratic way as FHRUL is ignored in the 8th Saeima. The consequences could be a slower speed of naturalisation, growing number of extremists and radical organisations. Tsilevich claims that both the OSCE and the Council of Europe have lost their interest in the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. Regarding Russia, Tsilevich says that sometimes its support for Russian-speakers does not do any good but even makes the situation worse. According to Tsilevich, Russians in Latvia are very different from Russians in Russia and Russia exaggerates their warm feelings towards Russia. Diena, Chas, Telegraf

Diena

reports that an increasing number of the residents of Rezekne (a town in the eastern part of Latvia) want to take the state language exam in order to receive the state language proficiency certificate. Officials of Rezekne believe that people are so interested in taking the exam because of two reasons: first, the unemployed have a possibility to attend Latvian language courses free of charge, second, the State Language Inspection discovered that a number of employees at Rezeknes hospital did not have the language certificates of the required level. reports that an increasing number of the residents of Rezekne (a town in the eastern part of Latvia) want to take the state language exam in order to receive the state language proficiency certificate. Officials of Rezekne believe that people are so interested in taking the exam because of two reasons: first, the unemployed have a possibility to attend Latvian language courses free of charge, second, the State Language Inspection discovered that a number of employees at Rezekne’s hospital did not have the language certificates of the required level.

Chas

interviews former Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Regarding the loss of Latvias Way in the 8th Saeima elections, Berzins says that Latvias Way lost a part of support of the Russian electorate due to inconsistency of policy implemented by Latvias Way we are a liberal party, but consciously or not we turned into national conservative party and that should be changed.interviews former Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Regarding the loss of Latvia’s Way in the 8th Saeima elections, Berzins says that Latvia’s Way lost a part of support of the Russian electorate due to inconsistency of policy implemented by Latvia’s Way “we are a liberal party, but consciously or not we turned into national conservative party and that should be changed”.