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

The Open Society Institute publishes its report on the EU accession monitoring program
Foreign Affairs Minister about ratification of the Framework Convention
NGO provides Latvian language courses free of charge
Lauku Avizes comments on the conference Electronic mass media and societal integration
Muslims in Latvia
Activities of the Association of Ukrainians in Latvia

The Open Society Institute criticises the Latvian government for providing insufficient support for national minorities. The Open Society Institute in Budapest within the framework of its EU accession monitoring program of candidate countries regarding the protection of national minorities states that although there is a number of institutions in Latvia which were formed to deal with societal integration issues, the government provides insufficient support for the protection and promotion of the rights of national minorities. Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks believes that “the times when somebody from outside influenced the minority policy in Latvia are over” and that the report is important from the domestic perspective. The report about Latvia is written by researcher Svetlana Djackova. She notes that the implementation of the Integration Programme has been non-systematic and involvement of national minorities in political processes limited. The OSI stresses that one of the biggest problems for Latvia in the sphere of national minorities is the education reform in 2004, because a number of schools are not ready for the switch to instruction in Latvian and many parents are concerned about the quality of education and ethnic identity of students. Researcher Ilze Brands-Kehre says that social integration should not be assessed only in a negative light, however, she believes that the formation of the new ministry is an important step of the government “in the right direction.”

The Open Society Institute criticises the Latvian government for providing insufficient support for national minorities. The Open Society Institute in Budapest within the framework of its EU accession monitoring program of candidate countries regarding the protection of national minorities states that although there is a number of institutions in Latvia which were formed to deal with societal integration issues, the government provides insufficient support for the protection and promotion of the rights of national minorities. Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks believes that the times when somebody from outside influenced the minority policy in Latvia are over and that the report is important from the domestic perspective. The report about Latvia is written by researcher Svetlana Djackova. She notes that the implementation of the Integration Programme has been non-systematic and involvement of national minorities in political processes limited. The OSI stresses that one of the biggest problems for Latvia in the sphere of national minorities is the education reform in 2004, because a number of schools are not ready for the switch to instruction in Latvian and many parents are concerned about the quality of education and ethnic identity of students. Researcher Ilze Brands-Kehre says that social integration should not be assessed only in a negative light, however, she believes that the formation of the new ministry is an important step of the government in the right direction. Diena

Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete does not consider ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities necessary. According to Sandra Kalniete, the rights of minorities are already secured in the existing Latvian legislation, such as the Law on Education and the Law on Ethnic and National Groups. She states that she has been an ambassador to France for several years and nobody says that France is a non-democratic country, although it has not ratified the Convention.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sandra Kalniete does not consider ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities necessary. According to Sandra Kalniete, the rights of minorities are already secured in the existing Latvian legislation, such as the Law on Education and the Law on Ethnic and National Groups. She states that she has been an ambassador to France for several years and nobody says that France is a non-democratic country, although it has not ratified the Convention. Diena, Chas Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Vestnesis

Vesti Segodnya provides the opinion of Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks regarding the Convention. He believes that the Convention should be ratified and as soon as possible.

Vesti Segodnya provides the opinion of Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks regarding the Convention. He believes that the Convention should be ratified and as soon as possible.

Telegraf

reports about Latvian language courses provided by the anti-NATO NGO Prata Speks free of charge. About 50 people attend the courses and about 750 are waiting for their turn. About 50 people attend the courses and about 750 are waiting for their turn. TelegrafTelegraf provides an insight into one of the lessons. provides an insight into one of the lessons.

Lauku Avize

publishes its comments on the conference Electronic Mass Media and Social Integration. Lauku Avizes columnist Maris Antonevics believes that actually restrictions regarding the usage of languages in TV and radio programmes provided for by the Law on Radio and Television have nothing to do with a language, but it is the attitude of Russian-speakers towards this country. He concludes that if the Law is incorrect the National Radio and TV Council should either amend the Law or strictly follow the implementation of the Law. Lauku Avize’s columnist Maris Antonevics believes that actually restrictions regarding the usage of languages in TV and radio programmes provided for by the Law on Radio and Television have nothing to do with a language, but it is the attitude of Russian-speakers towards this country. He concludes that if the Law is incorrect the National Radio and TV Council should either amend the Law or strictly follow the implementation of the Law.

Telegraf

features a short article about Muslims in Latvia and their traditions. There are about 8 thousand Muslims in Latvia. One of the key problems of Muslims residing in Latvia is inability to reach an agreement among several Muslim organisations about building a mosque. . There are about 8 thousand Muslims in Latvia. One of the key problems of Muslims residing in Latvia is inability to reach an agreement among several Muslim organisations about building a mosque.

Panorama Latvii

reports about the plans of the new administration of the Ukrainian Association in Latvia. The new administration has decided to work with the Latvian government in a more effective and deeper way in the sphere of minority rights. The Association is planning to study the situation of Ukrainians in Latvia and co-ordinate and deepen their activities with other minorities in Latvia. The Association states that they put their hopes on newly elected Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. The new administration has decided to work with the Latvian government in a more effective and deeper way in the sphere of minority rights. The Association is planning to study the situation of Ukrainians in Latvia and co-ordinate and deepen their activities with other minorities in Latvia. The Association states that they put their hopes on newly elected Societal Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks.