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

• Article about Russian identity in Latvia
• Attitude of Latvians and non-Latvians towards Latvias accession to the EU
• MP signs the statement of the National Front
• Integration and Education Ministers see threats in the statements released by the Headquarter of opponents against the education reform
• Lauku Avize
reproaches Integration Minister for not responding to non-democratic articles in the Russian language press
• Interview with integration expert Aleksandr Brandavs

Diena

features an article Problems with Russian Identity in Latvia by Aldis Rozentals whose ethnic background is Russian, however, he identifies himself with Latvians. He describes four types of identities and believes that bi-ethnic identity when an individual has high level of identification with both his/her ethnic group and another group is the best in Latvias situation. He believes that opponents of the education reform will reach only deeper alienation and run the risk of becoming unwanted people in Latvia. Aldis Rozentals concludes that protest activities against the education reform should make the state review the situation in the field of education and start take actions.

Dienas

supplement Sestdiena features an article about residents of a multi-storey building in one of suburbs of Riga and their attitude towards the EU. About a half of the residents surveyed are non-Latvians and the majority of them are non-citizens. Some Latvians state that they will vote against the EU because they believe that prices will grow but their income will remain the same and that Latvia is not ready for the EU. One of inquired Latvians works for the Secretariat of Social Integration. He is a Euro-optimist and believes that in the end Latvian politicians will realise that non-citizens should be given the right to participate in municipal elections. Opinions of Russians and non-citizens surveyed differ as well. Some of them believe that Latvias accession to the EU will bring more positive changes in the field of minority rights. The author of the article concludes that although the referendum is close, many people do not have a very clear picture of the EU. According to the poll conducted by the Latvijas fakti 61.1 Latvians and 56.6 citizens would vote for the EU in April.

The MP of the Union of the Greens and Farmers Ulme has signed a statement of the National Front led by Aivars Garda. The statement calls on foreign countries to immediately start de-occupation of Latvia - civilised repatriation of occupants to their ethnic motherland. Ulme denies that he wants to repatriate occupants, however, he has signed the statement which demands recognition of the occupation of Latvia. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Education and Integration Ministers treat the warning of opponents of the education reform as threats. The opponents of the reform stated that they hope that Latvia will not go through the tragic experience of Macedonia, Olster and Kosovo in the field of education. The Head of the Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov agrees that such statements hamper the dialogue between the government and the Headquarter. The Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis evaluates the statement as extreme irresponsibility, a hidden call to violence and one more testimony that the dialogue is not built on a professional but on a political level. MPs of the New Era and the Peoples Party Krisjanis Karins and Dzintars Abikis do not see threats in the statement. Diena, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

reproaches the Special Task Minister for Social Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks for not responding to publications in the press which in the view of Lauku Avize kindles national hatred and voices non-democratic ideas.

Chas

interviews the Advisor of the Integration Minister Aleksandr Brandavs. He stresses that now the government pays more attention to the issues concerning consolidation of society and the formation of the Secretariat for Integration Affairs was the first step. Brandavs reaffirms that there will be no zero citizenship and that non-citizens should naturalise to become full-fledged residents of the country. In the closest future the Secretariat is planning to form the Riga multicultural centre.