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

• Comments on the suggestion to abolish the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration
• Unknown political party will join the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia

Vesti Segonya presents comments on the suggestion of the Union of Greens and Farmers to abolish the position of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. Aleksandrs Brandavs, the advisor to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, believes that the liquidation of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration will have negative reaction from the EU.

Tatjana Zdanoka, the leader of the political party Solidarity, informed that a political party will join the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia and that the Union will not be liquidated. The name of the party is not announced yet.

Tatjana Zdanoka, the leader of the political party Solidarity, informed that a political party will join the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia and that the Union will not be liquidated. The name of the party is not announced yet. Rigas Balss

 

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

• Russia has not replied to the note submitted by the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Member of the European Parliament from the Greece Communist party visited Latvia
• Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks launched his visit in Russia

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received a response from Russia regarding the note submitted two weeks ago. In the note Latvia was asking Russia to provide information about the unproved statements regarding the education reform announced by a Russian diplomat in the meeting of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Lauku Avize

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received a response from Russia regarding the note submitted two weeks ago. In the note Latvia was asking Russia to provide information about the unproved statements regarding the education reform announced by a Russian diplomat in the meeting of the Council of Europes Committee of Ministers. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize features an article about the visit of Strat Korakass, the Member of European Parliament from the Greece Communist party, to Latvia. Strat Korakass met members of Latvian left wing political parties. He voiced his concern about the high number of non-citizens living in Latvia and the education reform.

Lauku Avize features an article about the visit of Strat Korakass, the Member of European Parliament from the Greece Communist party, to Latvia. Strat Korakass met members of Latvian left wing political parties. He voiced his concern about the high number of non-citizens living in Latvia and the education reform.

Vesti Segodnya reports that Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks started his visit in Russia. He will meet with people living in the Latvian settlement near Omsk in Russia. In Moscow the Minister will have meetings with the representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Parliament.

 

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

• Lauku Avize comments on the naturalisation process
• New protest meeting against the education reform in September
• Russian Radio Riga appealed against the National Radio and Television Council

Lauku Avizes journalist Maris Antonevics criticises the process of naturalisation. He believes that many people who acquire citizenship do not deserve it. The journalist points out that some of the naturalized persons like Vjaceslav Altuhov, the leader of the organisation Russian community in Latvia, and Igor Pimenov, the leader of the Association for the Support for Russians Schools, are not loyal citizens. He believes that more information about persons who acquire citizenship should be available.

The Association for the Support for Russians Schools is planning to organize a protest meeting against the education reform on 4th of September. According to one of the event organizers Genady Kotov, member of the Riga City Council, approximately 3000 people will participate in the meeting. The Riga City Council is evaluating the organization of this meeting.

The Association for the Support for Russians Schools is planning to organize a protest meeting against the education reform on 4th of September. According to one of the event organizers Genady Kotov, member of the Riga City Council, approximately 3000 people will participate in the meeting. The Riga City Council is evaluating the organization of this meeting. Lauku Avize, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Sevodnya

The company Russian Radio Riga (former radio Bizness&Baltija;) filed a court case against the National Radio and Television Council for LVL 256 000 loss compensation, which aroused because of the Council not implementing the court’s decision on radio’s licence renewal.

The company Russian Radio Riga (former radio Bizness&Baltija) filed a court case against the National Radio and Television Council for LVL 256 000 loss compensation, which aroused because of the Council not implementing the courts decision on radios licence renewal. Neatariga Rita Avize, Chas

 

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

• Union for Human Rights in United Latvia is not allowed to continue its activities
• Chas: the next year budget of the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration was reduced
• Teachers of Russian language and literature from Latvia go on a study visit to Russia

Rigas Balss reports that the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia is not allowed to continue its activities because now it consists of only one political party – Solidarity. The newspaper points out that in the case of liquidation of the Union the political party Solidarity will not be able to use the Russian abbreviation of the Unions name which has a very strong political value among Russian-speaking voters. Some sociologists believe that now the strongest among former members of the Union is the Peoples solidarity party led by Janis Jurkans, but the situation could change if one of the political parties will use the former abbreviation of the Union.

Chas reports that the budget of the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration for the next year will be 2,8 million LVL. The budget was reduced for the amount of 35 000 LVL.

Chas provides information about the study visit of the teachers of Russian language and literature from Latvia to Moscow and St.Peterburg. Last year 156 people participated in the same training programme, which is funded by the Russian government.

 

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

• Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration will have to cut its budget
• Party Ratings
• Igor Pimenov will continue to work as a member of the Advisory Council of Integration
• The Association for the Support for Russians Schools is preparing protest activities
• Interview with the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma Normunds Rudevics
• Lauku Avize comments on Boris Tsilevichs statements

Diena reports that according to the decision to reduce the state budget for the next year the budget the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration have to cut its budget by 30,000 LVL. The Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks informed that the amount of expenses to reduce is small, because the total budget of the Secretariat is only 2,9 million LVL. He explained that the budget consists of three categories: Society Integration Foundation, grants for minority organisations and the Secretariat. Nils Muiznieks is not intending to reduce the co-funding part of the EU funding for the Society Integration Foundations projects, because in that case the financial memorandums will have to be changed. The Minister announced that he is not willing to analyse the budgets of other ministries because his main interest is to consolidate the Secretariat.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts the support by voters for the People’s Harmony Party increased from 4% in June to 6% in July, but voters’ support for the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia has decreasing from 10,2% to 8,1%. The popularity of the FF/LNNK decreased from 7% in June to 4,5% in July. First three most popular political parties in July were New Era (19,5%), People’s Party (10,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (8,2%).

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts the support by voters for the Peoples Harmony Party increased from 4% in June to 6% in July, but voters support for the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia has decreasing from 10,2% to 8,1%. The popularity of the FF/LNNK decreased from 7% in June to 4,5% in July. First three most popular political parties in July were New Era (19,5%), Peoples Party (10,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (8,2%). Diena, Telegraf

Lauku Avizes journalist asked the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration whether he will keep Igor Pimenov, the Head of the Association for the Support for Russians Schools, as one of the members the Advisory Council of Integration. The press secretary of the Special Task Minister replied that it is necessary to have people with different opinions represented in the Advisory Council and that Igor Pimenov is also a member of the Minority Education Council organised by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Telegraf reports that the Association for the Support for Russians Schools prepared a questionnaire for parents willing to support the protest activity Empty Schools. The Association explained that information obtained from parents is necessary to report about the results of the protest campaign.

Rigas Balss features an interview with Normunds Rudevics, the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma. He reports about the activities of the Association – cooperation with international organisations, establishment of twelve regional centres, exhibitions and cultural events. Rudevics informs about his plans to organise Roma congress in August. He considers that in Latvian it is necessary to use the term Roma instead of Latvian word Chigans.

Lauku Avize comments that Boris Tsilevichs statements published in Chas amount to asking Russians speakers for revolt.