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.

Press Report

Press Report

Neatkariga

gives comments on Russian politician S.Shahraj article Relations between Russia and Latvia – Bermuda triangle. S.Shahraj sees Baltic countries serving as a bridge between Russia and Western countries in the field of economic relations and therefore Russia should invest more of the state funds in the Baltic States. In regard to political issues from the point of view of Russian politician the only solution in problems concerning citizenship is that Russians residing in Latvia have achieve the status of a national minority in the country. gives comments on Russian politician S.Shahraj article “Relations between Russia and Latvia – Bermuda triangle”. S.Shahraj sees Baltic countries serving as a bridge between Russia and Western countries in the field of economic relations and therefore Russia should invest more of the state funds in the Baltic States. In regard to political issues from the point of view of Russian politician the only solution in problems concerning citizenship is that Russians residing in Latvia have achieve the status of a national minority in the country.

Neatkariga

gives its thoughts about the choice of people who recently have acquired citizenship in municipal elections. Since the last Saeima elections 24 000 people have been naturalised – it is not a very big number to bring in any important changes in political power dislocation, however, quite big to see the situation in a domestic policy and integration. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that there is no party for one unified society in Latvia. gives its thoughts about the choice of people who recently have acquired citizenship in municipal elections. Since the last Saeima elections 24 000 people have been naturalised – it is not a very big number to bring in any important changes in political power dislocation, however, quite big to see the situation in a domestic policy and integration. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that there is no party for one unified society in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

draws attention of the readers to the fact that the State Language Law has been effective for almost half a year and although it does not prohibit the usage of other languages on the sign boards it is almost impossible to find any in other languages but Latvian. Latvian Human Rights Committee chairman L. Raihman says that when they informed entrepreneurs that it is allowed to write on the sign boards also in other language not only Latvian, the response of the business people were that there are no laws for language inspectors. draws attention of the readers to the fact that the State Language Law has been effective for almost half a year and although it does not prohibit the usage of other languages on the sign boards it is almost impossible to find any in other languages but Latvian. Latvian Human Rights Committee chairman L. Raihman says that when they informed entrepreneurs that it is allowed to write on the sign boards also in other language not only Latvian, the response of the business people were that “there are no laws for language inspectors”. In January people who want to take state language proficiency examination are denied this possibility because the previous procedure of the examination has been changed. Up to the year of 2001, examination committees established at municipalities were eligible to carry out examination of applicants language proficiency. The new procedure says that instead of municipal committees the examination has to be carried out by state committees. However, the new committees are not established yet.

In January people who want to take state language proficiency examination are denied this possibility because the previous procedure of the examination has been changed. Up to the year of 2001, examination committees established at municipalities were eligible to carry out examination of applicants language proficiency. The new procedure says that instead of municipal committees the examination has to be carried out by state committees. However, the new committees are not established yet. Panorama Latvii

The head of Consular Department of Russia’s Embassy in Latvia demands

The head of Consular Department of Russias Embassy in Latvia demands Panorama Latvii to recall the whole publication about firing some employees of this Department. The article was about 4 employees of Consular Department of Russias Embassy – 3 citizens of Russia and 1 non-citizen – who were fired not accordingly with the Labour Law of Latvia. The newspaper turned for an advice to the lawyer and according to his opinion the newspaper has not broken any regulations or norms. Panorama Latvii.