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

• Visit of OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus
• Meeting of Latvian Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and Russian ambassador Igor Studennikov
• Diena
features an article by former Swedish Prime Minister Karl Bildt
• The Latvian First Party suggests to mark Russian Christmas as an official national celebration day
• Vesti Segodnya
reports about the first congress of Russian citizens residing abroad

Chas

and Vesti Segodnya report about the visit of OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus. Vesti Segodnya provides comments of FHRUL leader Janis Jurkans. Jurkans states that the High Commissioner several times called on Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to Jurkans, requirements of the OSCE usually coincide with requirements of the EU and that means that if Latvia wants to become a member state of the EU, Latvia will have to ratify the Convention.

BNS

and LETA report about the meeting of the High Commissioner and Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis. The Minister stressed that there are no sound arguments to postpone the reform in 2004. He says that the process should be gradual, while the quality of education is ensured. The Minister assured that he will follow and pay attention to each individual problematic case and in a case of necessity individual timeframes for the switch will be set.

Telegraf

reports that during the meeting of Latvian Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and Russian ambassador Igor Studenikov, the Ambassador voiced concern about the education reform in 2004. The Education Minister replied that the ministry will intensify its work with teachers and parents to explain them the meaning of the reform.

Diena

features an article by former Swedish Prime Minister Karl Bildt about Latvias successful way to the EU and NATO. He stresses that Latvia still has many tasks to do and one of it is building a unified society in the country. He believes that appointment of Nils Muiznieks for the post of the Special Task Minister of the Societal Integration is a serious acknowledgement that there still are several issues to be solved in this sphere and that in this respect Latvia could become a true example for other European countries. The Latvian First Party suggests marking Russian Christmas as an official national celebration day. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Saeima will support this idea and it will foster integration.

The Latvian First Party suggests marking Russian Christmas as an official national celebration day. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the Saeima will support this idea and it will foster integration. Chas

Vesti Segodnya

reports about the first congress of Russian citizens residing abroad which took place recently in Kaliningrad. The delegation of 30 people presented Latvia. The newspaper interviews representative from Latvia Boris Katkov who was elected the co-chairperson of the congress. Katkov states that the attitude of the Russian state institutions to Russian citizens residing in the Baltic states is indifferent. One of the ideas discussed at the congress was the formation of the election district which would cover the Baltic States and Kaliningrad. Katkov says that in Latvia Russian citizens are more discriminated than non-citizens. which took place recently in Kaliningrad. The delegation of 30 people presented Latvia. The newspaper interviews representative from Latvia Boris Katkov who was elected the co-chairperson of the congress. Katkov states that the attitude of the Russian state institutions to Russian citizens residing in the Baltic states is indifferent. One of the ideas discussed at the congress was the formation of the election district which would cover the Baltic States and Kaliningrad. Katkov says that in Latvia Russian citizens are more discriminated than non-citizens. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya