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

• Parents will continue to chose nationality for their children
• Interview with Director of Minority Department Irina Vinnika
• Rally against occupation and colonisation of Latvia
• III Roma congress will be hold on Saturday in Riga
• Newspapers comment on the results of opinion poll about two-community society in Latvia
• Russian newspapers continue discussions about the education reform
• Russias official criticises the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia and Estonia

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the issue concerning the choice of nationality for a new-born child. The effective procedure stipulates that parents of a new-born child when providing data to the Resident Register are demanded to state nationality of a child. Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks believes that the state should not impose the choice of childs nationality on parents. However, all other members of the Cabinet supported the effective procedure. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

interviews recently appointed the director of the Minority Department at the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Irina Vinnika. Her key tasks will be: 1) co-ordination of state support for minority organisations; 2) follow that this support works for development of these organisations; 3) preserve identity of national minorities. Additional task for the whole Secretariat is elimination of racial discrimination. Regarding ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Irina Vinnika says that the Convention should be ratified, but after the referendum on Latvias accession to the EU and with several reservations. She believes that the education reform should be implemented, however, a dialogue with all parties should be ensured.

Yesterday the nationalistic NGO Latvian National Front held a rally at the Freedom Monument in Riga. About 100 people demanded that Russia acknowledges Latvias occupation by the USSR, as well as the Saeima and the Government should free Latvia from civil occupants. Chas, Lauku Avize

The Roma NGO Gloss will hold the III Roma Congress on 21 June in Riga. The key discussion subjects will be the attitude of Roma towards Latvias accession to the EU, economic programme, issues concerning education and culture, fight with corruption. Vechernaya Riga

Lauku Avize

comments on the results of the opinion poll which stated that almost a half of Latvian residents believe that the two-community society will continue its existence in Latvia in the future as well. The columnist of Lauku Avize states that the company SKDS which conducted the survey should have find out the arguments which made people think this way, otherwise the results of the opinion poll work in favour for forces which want to see two community society in Latvia. In its turn Chas comments that the opinion poll shows the evaluation of state integration policy by Latvian society.

Vechernaya Riga

and Chas continue discussion about the implementation of the education reform with parents of Russian students and teachers. People are determined to continue protest activities.

Yesterday in St.Peterburg Deputy of Russian Foreign Affairs Minister stated that the Council of Europe should pay more attention to issues of Russian-speakers in the Baltic countries. Chas

Chas

features an article about the problems Latvia faces in the field of integration and states that the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga did not work very effectively with these issue in her 4 presidency years. The newspaper concludes that the President will have to solve these issues if she is re-elected.