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

Ratification of the Council of Europe convention about protection of ethnic minorities will bring foreign policy benefits to Latvia, said a Latvian human rights expert. Speaking at the debate about problems with the ratification of the convention, Nils Muiznieks, the director of the Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, said that the adoption of the ethnic minorities convention will be important in Latvia's talks about joining the European Union (EU) and NATO. He said the Latvian parliament should ratify the convention that so far had been attributed an exaggerated meaning. The discussion Tuesday proposed several options for defining an ethnic minority but there was no consensus about it. Muiznieks suggested that Latvia also should abstain from any definition of an ethnic minority upon ratification of the convention. Muiznieks' views were opposed by Latvian parliament human rights and public affairs committee chairman, Antons Seiksts, who said that the definition was needed to prevent some people from manipulating with the notion of "Russian-speakers" that cannot be regarded as an ethnic group..

Ratification of the Council of Europe convention about protection of ethnic minorities will bring foreign policy benefits to Latvia, said a Latvian human rights expert. Speaking at the debate about problems with the ratification of the convention, Nils Muiznieks, the director of the Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies, said that the adoption of the ethnic minorities convention will be important in Latvia's talks about joining the European Union (EU) and NATO. He said the Latvian parliament should ratify the convention that so far had been attributed an exaggerated meaning. The discussion Tuesday proposed several options for defining an ethnic minority but there was no consensus about it. Muiznieks suggested that Latvia also should abstain from any definition of an ethnic minority upon ratification of the convention. Muiznieks' views were opposed by Latvian parliament human rights and public affairs committee chairman, Antons Seiksts, who said that the definition was needed to prevent some people from manipulating with the notion of "Russian-speakers" that cannot be regarded as an ethnic group.. BNS, Panorama Latvii

Vesti Segodnya, writing about this debate, states that Latvian authorities long time ago proved that they are unable to take any serious even profitable decisions without a foreign pressure. And Framework Convention is a vivid example of this. The Saeima does not want to ratify it being afraid that it would increase rights of non-Latvians up to introducing the second state language in regions densely populated by some national minority. Union For Freedom and Fatherland thinks that this convention endangers national unity of Latvia and it is not mandatory to ratify it when joining EU. Peoples Party is more tolerant but stands for a cunning pretext – ratification must not change the language status in Latvia. Latvias Way stands for ratification being sure that under this convention by national minorities are understood only citizens of Latvia. And this conference proved that most of Latvian experts held the same opinion.

A new television company, TV5 Riga, about to start broadcasting in the Latvian capital, plans to take the audience of 1.2 million viewers in the initial period of its operations, the company's leaders said at a news conference on Tuesday. The broadcasting company hopes its audience will grow in number after it puts into operation a new transmitter in November.

A new television company, TV5 Riga, about to start broadcasting in the Latvian capital, plans to take the audience of 1.2 million viewers in the initial period of its operations, the company's leaders said at a news conference on Tuesday. The broadcasting company hopes its audience will grow in number after it puts into operation a new transmitter in November. BNS

Vesti Segodnya adds that part of broadcasts will be for the Russian audience.

The presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Poland, who met in Tallinn on Tuesday, issued a joint statement condemning international terrorism and expressing solidarity with Americans whose country was hit by terrorist attacks.

The presidents of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland and Poland, who met in Tallinn on Tuesday, issued a joint statement condemning international terrorism and expressing solidarity with Americans whose country was hit by terrorist attacks. BNS, Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Respublika

On Tuesday the right wing parties that are in opposition in Riga City Council signed a coalition agreement but did not name the possible candidate for Mayor’s post.

On Tuesday the right wing parties that are in opposition in Riga City Council signed a coalition agreement but did not name the possible candidate for Mayors post. Diena, Neatkariga

Dz.Kudums, Head of Saeima National Security Commission, answering to journalists question about the situation with non-citizens in Latvia, said that every person residing in Latvia had a possibility to become a citizen, but there were still people who did not realise what was going on here; they did not accept local laws and steps of Latvian government and want to return to their ethnic fatherland. And for that is necessary money but it is not enough. Funds should be established to support such people. And Russia has to adopt a law on repatriation.

Chas