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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Interview with the Member of the European Parliament about the rights of minorities
• Protest activities against the education reform will continue
• Interview with the director general of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party Janis Dinevics
• Article by Valery Ageshin about the status of non-citizens in the EU
• Opinions of the Saeimas political parties about the ratification of the FCNM

Vesti Sevodnya features an interview with Io Lainen, the Member of the European Parliament from German Social Democratic party. He explained that the European Union will help to protect the rights of national minorities living in Latvia.

The Association for the Support for Russians Schools in Latvia is planning to continue the protest activities in September. The Association will criticise the adopted language proportion 60:40 of the education in minority language. Chas

The Association for the Support for Russians Schools in Latvia is planning to continue the protest activities in September. The Association will criticise the adopted language proportion 60:40 of the education in minority language. Chas

Chas features an interview with the director general of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party Janis Dinevics. He discusses the possible union with the Peoples Harmony Party and the Latvian Democratic Party.

Chas prints an article by Valery Ageshin about the status of the non-citizens when Latvia will join the EU. He explains that non-citizens will not acquire the status of the EU citizens. Ageshin believes that it is necessary to give the non-citizens the right to participate in the referendum and the municipal elections.

Lauku Avize prints the opinions of the Saeimas political parties about the ratification of the Framework Convention for the protection of National Minorities. Ina Druviete, the Head of the Saeimas Human Rights Committee believes that the ratification of the Convention is possible only after the preparation of the necessary reservations. Oskars Kastens, MP of the Latvian First Party informed that the coalition is not discussing the ratification of the Convention. He considers that it is necessary to elaborate the reservation regarding the names of streets. Maris Grinblats, MP of the FF/LNNK believes that the minority rights are respected in Latvia and the ratification of the Convention is no necessary. Augusts Brigmanis, MP of the Union of Greens and Farmers, considers that the coalition will discus the ratification of the Convention. Aigars Kalvitis, MP of the Peoples Party, informed that discussions about the ratification of the Convention have to start only after Latvia will join the EU and NATO. Andrejs Klementjevs, MP of the Peoples Harmony Party considers that the ratification of the Convention will improve Latvias relations with Russia and solve the problems regarding the education reform, because the Convention requires to continue the state funding for the minority schools.