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

• Politicianson the draft report about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga on proposal to allow only citizens of Latvia to be school directors
• Protest against new education law amendments
• Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss about the participation of non-citizens at the municipal elections
• Establishment of a Russian language examination centre

Politicians comment on the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement) in an article published by

Politicians comment on the draft report of the European Parliament deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schrodter about the preparedness of Latvia to join the European Union. Head of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (For Fatherland and Freedom/Latvian National Independence Movement) in an article published by Latvijas Avize, regards this report as imprecise and tendentious, and reproaches Elisabeth Schrodter for not differentiating between the ethnic minorities and for placing Russians in a favourable position. Inese Vaidere also believes that the granting of voting rights for non-citizens at the municipal elections would not promote social integration but deform it. Chas features a full text of the draft report of Elisabeth Schrodter and statements of various MPs. Latvijas Avize, Chas

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga judges positively the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to reserve the right to occupy the position of school director exclusively for citizens and to grant them civil servants’ status. According to the President, education is important enough at the national level to justify such restrictions.

President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga judges positively the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Science to reserve the right to occupy the position of school director exclusively for citizens and to grant them civil servants status. According to the President, education is important enough at the national level to justify such restrictions. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Riga City Council has received an application from the deputy of the Riga City Council Genadij Kotov (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) asking for a permit to organize a picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. On this day, Saeima will examine amendments to the Law on Education, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity. According to Mr Kotov, the proposed amendments are an attempt to abolish the progress achieved in the area of minority education policy.

Riga City Council has received an application from the deputy of the Riga City Council Genadij Kotov (For Human Rights in the United Latvia) asking for a permit to organize a picket against the education reform near the Saeima building on January 22, 2004. On this day, Saeima will examine amendments to the Law on Education, stipulating that all instruction in minority secondary schools from grade 10 must be in the Latvian language, with the exception of minority languages as subjects in themselves and those subjects which relate to the maintenance of minority identity. According to Mr Kotov, the proposed amendments are an attempt to abolish the progress achieved in the area of minority education policy. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss believes that the elections of  the municipal councils in 2005 will be the last municipal elections without the participation of non-citizens. According to the Vice-mayor, after accession to the European Union Latvia could not escape from adopting European standards in this field.

Vice-mayor of Riga City Council Aivars Kreituss believes that the elections of the municipal councils in 2005 will be the last municipal elections without the participation of non-citizens. According to the Vice-mayor, after accession to the European Union Latvia could not escape from adopting European standards in this field. Chas

A Russian language examination centre is established at the University of Latvia, offering the opportunity to pass the Russian language exam and to get a certificate, acknowledging Russian language skills.

A Russian language examination centre is established at the University of Latvia, offering the opportunity to pass the Russian language exam and to get a certificate, acknowledging Russian language skills. Latvijas Avize, Chas