Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Boris Tsilevich on resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
• Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee asks the Latvian Socialist Party to delegate another observer to the European Parliament
• Discussion about the participation of NGOs in the EU Phare project tender in the realm of social integration
• Russian language school students from Riga meet Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia
• Interview with Eckart Herold, the Ambassador of Germany
• Conference about the role of minorities in Latvias foreign policy
• An interview with an author of new research about minority children in Latvian schools

According to Boris Tsilevich, a MP from the People’s Harmony Party and a delegate from Latvia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the PACE has adopted a resolution about the renewal of monitoring of minority rights in member states, which have not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Tsilevich foresees the renewal of such monitoring in Latvia, which was discontinued in 2001.

According to Boris Tsilevich, a MP from the Peoples Harmony Party and a delegate from Latvia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the PACE has adopted a resolution about the renewal of monitoring of minority rights in member states, which have not ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Tsilevich foresees the renewal of such monitoring in Latvia, which was discontinued in 2001. Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has asked the Latvian Socialist Party to evaluate the activities of M.Bekasov, an observer at the European Parliament, who has disseminated information about the discrimination of Russian-speakers, and to consider the appointment of another candidate as an observer.

The Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has asked the Latvian Socialist Party to evaluate the activities of M.Bekasov, an observer at the European Parliament, who has disseminated information about the discrimination of Russian-speakers, and to consider the appointment of another candidate as an observer. Diena

Vesti Segodnya reports about the project tender in the framework of the EU Phare programme Promotion of social integration administrated by the Society Integration Foundation and the discussion with representatives of NGOs about the tender. The columnist criticizes the rules of the tender stipulating that an organization can receive Phare funding only if it has, previously, administrated at least half of the requested funding.

Media feature articles about the visit of students of a Russian language school from Riga to Moscow and their meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia.

Media feature articles about the visit of students of a Russian language school from Riga to Moscow and their meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf features an interview with Eckart Herold, the Ambassador of Germany, who considers language as the most important means for social integration.

Vesti Segodnya informs about the conference on the role of national minorities in Latvias foreign policy organised today by the Latvian Transatlantic Organization in collaboration with the World Federation of Free Latvians and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya publishes an interview with one of the authors of a study on minority children in Latvian schools commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Science. The authors lay emphasis on the need to strengthen the ethnic identity of minority students in Latvian schools.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission: Latvia fulfils international minority rights standards
• Latvian officials about the recommendations of the Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of United Nations
• Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council, answers to Latvia`s note to Russia
• The First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia
• FHRUL will ask the governments of the EU member states to support minority rights to receive education in the mother tongue
• Serge Lagauche, Senator from France, is visiting Latvia
• An article about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has sent a response to the letter of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council, where he asked to pay attention to the violation of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, Latvia fulfils the EU political criteria in the area of minority protection and complies with the norms adopted by international human rights organizations and the EU member states.

Gunter Verheugen, the Commissioner for Enlargement of the European Commission, has sent a response to the letter of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council, where he asked to pay attention to the violation of human rights of Russian speaking people in Latvia. According to the Commissioner, Latvia fulfils the EU political criteria in the area of minority protection and complies with the norms adopted by international human rights organizations and the EU member states. Telegraf points to the different opinions of Gunter Verheugen and Walter Schwimmer, the Secretary – General of Council of Europe, about the observation of minority rights in Latvia. Diena, Chas, Telegraf, Lauku Avize

Vesti Segodnya and Lauku Avize feature the opinions of Latvian officials about the recommendations of the Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of United Nations to Latvia. The recommendations included granting of voting rights at municipal elections to non-citizens who are long-term residents of Latvia, postponing the transition to bilingual education, the reduction of the number of professions prohibited for non-citizens, and raising of public awareness in field of racial discrimination. According to the officials, the recommendations of the Committee are not binding for Latvia. Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, stated that prevention of race discrimination should be one of the main issues discussed by an interministerial workgroup to be established next week to evaluate the recommendations of the Committee.

Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council answered to the note submitted by Latvia to Russia about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council. Rogozin believes that his expressions are valid, because it is not possible to speak about democratic parliament if 30% of the residents of Latvia do not have voting rights.

Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council answered to the note submitted by Latvia to Russia about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin and Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the MP of Russia` State Council. Rogozin believes that his expressions are valid, because it is not possible to speak about democratic parliament if 30% of the residents of Latvia do not have voting rights. Vesti Segodnya

Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning a visit to Latvia this week to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia meeting with state officials and representatives of NGOs and visiting Daugavpils.

Alvaro Gil-Robles, the First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe is planning a visit to Latvia this week to evaluate human rights situation in Latvia meeting with state officials and representatives of NGOs and visiting Daugavpils. Lauku Avize

MPs of Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) are planning to send a letter to all the embassies of the EU member states in Latvia inviting their governments to support the stance of the FHRUL on the amendments of the Education Law.

MPs of Saeima faction For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) are planning to send a letter to all the embassies of the EU member states in Latvia inviting their governments to support the stance of the FHRUL on the amendments of the Education Law. Vesti Segodnya

Serge Lagauche, a Senator from France, is visiting Latvia to gather information about the issues of minority rights, education and economic situation.

Serge Lagauche, a Senator from France, is visiting Latvia to gather information about the issues of minority rights, education and economic situation. Lauku Avize

Vechernaya Riga features an article about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommends Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Views of officials from Russia and other states about the Latvian Legion Soldiers WarriorCemetery Ensemble in Lestene
• The visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe
• Students of a Russian language school from Riga are planning a visit to the President of Russia
• Opinions about the causes of the missing of Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the liquidated National Bolshevik organization Victory
• Columnist from Lauku Avize criticizes the appeal of the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools to the Minister of Education and Science

Yesterday the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution recommending the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to the states which have not ratified it so far, including Latvia. The recommendation was adopted after the report presented by Boris Tsilevich, representative from Latvia, about the observation of minority rights in the European countries.

Yesterday the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution recommending the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to the states which have not ratified it so far, including Latvia. The recommendation was adopted after the report presented by Boris Tsilevich, representative from Latvia, about the observation of minority rights in the European countries. Vesti Segodnya

Media reports about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s State Council, about the Latvian Legion Soldier’s Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene, unveiled last Saturday. According to him, Latvia, “thanks to the fascists governing Latvia”, “has become a state ... taking its revenge on our veterans and as well as our children closing Russian language schools.” He also stressed, that in future Russia will make a dialogue with Strasbourg, not with Latvia.

Media reports about the statements of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council, about the Latvian Legion Soldiers Warrior Cemetery Ensemble in Lestene, unveiled last Saturday. According to him, Latvia, thanks to the fascists governing Latvia, has become a state ... taking its revenge on our veterans and as well as our children closing Russian language schools. He also stressed, that in future Russia will make a dialogue with Strasbourg, not with Latvia. Chas also features the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, and the stance of representatives of other states. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe. The newspapers refer to the news agency

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the Council of Europe. The newspapers refer to the news agency ITAR-TASS informing that Peter Schieder, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, supported democratic aspirations of the students and promised to continue the work in the field of minority rights taking into account the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the European Charter for Regional or Minority LanguagesTelegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Russian language press report about a planned visit of 26 students of a Russian language school from Riga to Moscow and their meeting with the Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. According to media, the students are planning to inform Putin about their negative attitude towards education reform in Latvia.

Russian language press report about a planned visit of 26 students of a Russian language school from Riga to Moscow and their meeting with the Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. According to media, the students are planning to inform Putin about their negative attitude towards education reform in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Newspapers feature articles about the missing of Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russia’s National Bolshevik party and the liquidated National Bolshevik organization Victory”. According to other national-bolshevics, Linderman has been arrested by security services of Russia with the purpose to extradite him to Latvia. The Security Police of Latvia states that there is no information about the arrest of Linderman.

Newspapers feature articles about the missing of Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russias National Bolshevik party and the liquidated National Bolshevik organization Victory. According to other national-bolshevics, Linderman has been arrested by security services of Russia with the purpose to extradite him to Latvia. The Security Police of Latvia states that there is no information about the arrest of Linderman. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas

Maris Caklais, columnist from

Maris Caklais, columnist from Lauku Avize, criticizes the appeal of the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools to Karlis Sadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science, to delegate the right to choose the language of instruction to Russian language schools. The columnist refers to Sadurskis pointing out the considerable funding provided by the state and foreign donors for support of minority education system.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Russian language newspapers about the protest campaign against education reform
• Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russias National Bolshevik party and the liquidated National Bolshevik extremist organization Victory has been missing
• Mashida Fatio, the official representative of the Bahai International Community in the United Nations points to the necessity to include subjects on human unity in education programs in Latvia

Russian language newspapers publish articles about the protest campaign against education reform in Latvia, including the visit of Russian language school students to the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament.

Russian language newspapers publish articles about the protest campaign against education reform in Latvia, including the visit of Russian language school students to the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Russian language newspapers report about the missing of Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russia’s National Bolshevik party and the liquidated National Bolshevik extremist organization “Victory” in Latvia, since September 24th. 

Russian language newspapers report about the missing of Vladimir Linderman, the leader of the Russias National Bolshevik party and the liquidated National Bolshevik extremist organization Victory in Latvia, since September 24th. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Mashida Fatio, the official representative of the Bahai International Community in the United Nations, believes that subjects on human unity should be included in education programs in Latvia thus promoting better mutual understanding between the two communities.

Mashida Fatio, the official representative of the Bahai International Community in the United Nations, believes that subjects on human unity should be included in education programs in Latvia thus promoting better mutual understanding between the two communities. Neatkariga Rita Avize

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council: Russia maintains on the monitoring observation of minority rights in Latvia
• Media on the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the institutions of the European Parliament
• Maris Antonevics, columnist of Lauku Avize, commentsthe expressions of Eleonora Mitrophanova, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia and other Russian officials
• Leonid Fedoseyev, Chas columnist, criticizes the proposal of the Minister of Education and Science about organizing a referendum on education reform
• Draft law on education reform in Estonia

Chas reports aboutthe expressions of Dmitry Rogozin, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russias State Council about intent of the Russian delegation at Parliamentarian Assembly of European Parliament to achieve the resumption of monitoring observation of minority rights in Latvia. Newspapers feature articles about the visit of Russian school students from Latvia to the institutions of the European Parliament. Students and their companions from the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools visited the European Parliament and the European Court of Human Rights and met the Peter Sheder, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament, and the diplomats from Russia, Switzerland and Denmark. Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Maris Antonevics, the columnist of

Maris Antonevics, the columnist of Lauku Avize comments the expressions of Eleonora Mitrophanova, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Russia about the status of the Russian language in post-soviet states and also the recent statements of other officials from Russia. The columnist believes that Russia attempts to maintain its influence in this area and considers appealing to international institution as the most effective means to achieve this.

Leonid Fedoseyev, the columnist of

Leonid Fedoseyev, the columnist of Chas criticizes the proposal of Karlis Shadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science, to organize referendum on the issue of education reform. According to the columnist, it would be a needless spending money and would cause ethnic tensions. Chas

The Fatherland’s Union Party, the opposition party in Estonia has submitted to the Estonian Parliament a draft law stipulating that 60% of education programmes in minority secondary schools should be taught in Estonian starting from 2007. The party believes that it is important to adopt the law to ensure the transition of the secondary education in Estonian since the previous ruling coalition delegated the issues related to the language of instruction to schools and municipalities.

The Fatherlands Union Party, the opposition party in Estonia has submitted to the Estonian Parliament a draft law stipulating that 60% of education programmes in minority secondary schools should be taught in Estonian starting from 2007. The party believes that it is important to adopt the law to ensure the transition of the secondary education in Estonian since the previous ruling coalition delegated the issues related to the language of instruction to schools and municipalities. Lauku Avize