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

Panorama Latvii reports about the seminar organised by the Council of Europe Information Office and the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies. The key subject discussed at the seminar was the compliance of Latvian legislation with the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Latvia signed the Convention 1995, but has not ratified it. Researcher of the University of Latvia Aivars Tabuns believes that the key impediments for ratification is the contradicting perception about the roles of the Russian and Latvian language: Russians believe that the government wants to exclude the usage of Russian from the public sphere, but Latvians are convinced that the lack of the Latvian language skills threatens the future of independent Latvia. Human rights expert of the National Committee of Human Rights Aleksey Dmitrov states that a number of norms in the Education Law, the State Language Law and the Law on Radio and Television are not in compliance with the Convention, in particular, the norms which stipulate restrictions regarding the usage of minority languages in state and municipal institutions, language quota in TV and radio programmes and the switch of minority secondary school to instruction in Latvian. Researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands-Kehre noted that domestic legislation is in contradiction not only with the Convention but also with the freedom of expression. She believes that minority names spelled in accordance with Latvian grammar rules contradicts the Convention and suggests amending the Education Law and the Law on Radio and Television and to consider providing free of charge translators service at municipalities as well.

Diena

reports about the celebration of the Independence Day at schools. The newspaper provides few examples about the celebration of Independence Day at minority schools. One of the key subjects of the curricula implemented by the Riga Polish Primary School is civil education. School principal Inga Gudevica says We talk about the importance of this day in classes of history, literature and language. It is very necessary as many parents of our children were educated in a different way. Principal of the Russian School No 22 states, If a childs family wants to know more about this day, children are more interested as well. But if parents have problems and if these problems are related to language skills, the attitude tends to be negative. reports about the celebration of the Independence Day at schools. The newspaper provides few examples about the celebration of Independence Day at minority schools. One of the key subjects of the curricula implemented by the Riga Polish Primary School is civil education. School principal Inga Gudevica says “We talk about the importance of this day in classes of history, literature and language. It is very necessary as many parents of our children were educated in a different way.” Principal of the Russian School No 22 states, “If a child’s family wants to know more about this day, children are more interested as well. But if parents have problems and if these problems are related to language skills, the attitude tends to be negative.” The Russian language press –

The Russian language press – Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii - reports about the presentation of a book about Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga in the Russian Drama Theatre. The President and Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov took part in the presentation.

Chas

talks to teacher of the Riga Jewish School Elina Falkensteina who is also a project co-ordinator of the Soros programme Open School. Elina Falkensteina is very positive about the programme as it focuses on integration and not on assimilation. She believes that schools, in particular teachers, are not ready for the switch of minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. However, she is an optimist and believes that the new generation will have an easier life as they do not feel offended about the past. talks to teacher of the Riga Jewish School Elina Falkensteina who is also a project co-ordinator of the Soros programme “Open School.” Elina Falkensteina is very positive about the programme as it focuses on integration and not on assimilation. She believes that schools, in particular teachers, are not ready for the switch of minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004. However, she is an optimist and believes that the new generation will have an easier life as they do not feel offended about the past.

Lauku Avizes

columnist asks several Russian-speakers about their feelings towards Independence Day. Many of them knew what is celebrated on 18 November, however, they do not feel this day as their celebration. The columnist stresses that the attitude of Russian-speakers who have acquired Latvian citizenship is different – people have much more information and knowledge about this day. columnist asks several Russian-speakers about their feelings towards Independence Day. Many of them knew what is celebrated on 18 November, however, they do not feel this day as their celebration. The columnist stresses that the attitude of Russian-speakers who have acquired Latvian citizenship is different – people have much more information and knowledge about this day.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that the European Parliament is aware that the ruling coalition of the Latvian Parliament has banned Boris Tsilevich from speaking in the European Parliament. The newspaper writes that this issue will be discussed in the session of one of the most influential political groups. reports that the European Parliament is aware that the ruling coalition of the Latvian Parliament has banned Boris Tsilevich from speaking in the European Parliament. The newspaper writes that this issue will be discussed in the session of one of the most influential political groups.

Vesti Segodnya

features an article about two persons who live in the westernmost and easternmost points of Latvia– Belorussian Dina Gasparenok from Ludza and Latvian Janis Putis from Liepaja. Dina Gasparenok says that she has never experienced any ethnic problems although she does not speak Latvian. She believes that the integration process is successful in Latvia. She notes that her children go to Latvian school. Janis Putis agrees that there are no ethnic problems, however, the government should pay more attention to education and employment issues. Regarding integration he says I dont know whether there is integration, but I have been living with Russians and Poles all my life. features an article about two persons who live in the westernmost and easternmost points of Latvia– Belorussian Dina Gasparenok from Ludza and Latvian Janis Putis from Liepaja. Dina Gasparenok says that she has never experienced any ethnic problems although she does not speak Latvian. She believes that the integration process is successful in Latvia. She notes that her children go to Latvian school. Janis Putis agrees that there are no ethnic problems, however, the government should pay more attention to education and employment issues. Regarding integration he says “I don’t know whether there is integration, but I have been living with Russians and Poles all my life.”