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

About 250 mostly elderly people gathered today on the Esplanade in central Riga to for a meeting with "For Human Rights In A United Latvia" (PCTVL) Saeima deputies, marking the 10th anniversary of the Latvian Supreme Council's adopted law on renewal of Latvian citizenship and basic procedures for naturalisation. Upon arrival, meeting participants were handed out identical banners that stated that October 15, 1991 divided Latvia into citizens and non-citizens. The banners urged everyone to support the idea of a united Latvia. Saeima deputies have released a statement demanding the Latvian government clearly set its social integration priorities that show specific measures for facilitating unity among the people. PCTVL also demands a halt to discriminatory policies in the education sector, the right to vote for non-citizens in local elections, ratification of the European regional or minority language charter and ratification of the General Convention on Protection of National Minorities.

About 250 mostly elderly people gathered today on the Esplanade in central Riga to for a meeting with "For Human Rights In A United Latvia" (PCTVL) Saeima deputies, marking the 10th anniversary of the Latvian Supreme Council's adopted law on renewal of Latvian citizenship and basic procedures for naturalisation. Upon arrival, meeting participants were handed out identical banners that stated that October 15, 1991 divided Latvia into citizens and non-citizens. The banners urged everyone to support the idea of a united Latvia. Saeima deputies have released a statement demanding the Latvian government clearly set its social integration priorities that show specific measures for facilitating unity among the people. PCTVL also demands a halt to discriminatory policies in the education sector, the right to vote for non-citizens in local elections, ratification of the European regional or minority language charter and ratification of the General Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Latvian State Language Centre (SLC) inspectors are set to attend the open meetings of the Riga city council to check on state language proficiency of the city council members, the centre reported. The inspectors decided to exert to such method after Riga city council members whose state language proficiency is under doubts failed to prove to the centre their language proficiency. Although the inspectors will not be able to draw administrative protocols, their presence in the city council meetings may push the issue ahead. A fruitless correspondence between the Centre and Riga City Council members from the leftist block For Human Rights in United Latvia has been under way for several months whereby the Centre is seeking an opportunity to meet the city council members to check out their state language proficiency while the deputies are making excuses with the state language proficiency certificates saying they don't have to prove their language proficiency repeatedly. Initially Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars pledged to promote arrival of the city council members to the Centre for tests but later he sent a letter to the Centre saying he can not influence meeting of the deputies with inspectors. But Russian speaking city council deputies have been avoiding meeting the state language Centre inspectors citing documents they are holding which affirm their state language proficiency at the top level. The only Riga city council member who met with inspectors and proved his state language proficiency meets the top level requirements was Sergejs Zaletajevs from Human Rights faction while the other still continue avoiding the inspectors.

Latvian State Language Centre (SLC) inspectors are set to attend the open meetings of the Riga city council to check on state language proficiency of the city council members, the centre reported. The inspectors decided to exert to such method after Riga city council members whose state language proficiency is under doubts failed to prove to the centre their language proficiency. Although the inspectors will not be able to draw administrative protocols, their presence in the city council meetings may push the issue ahead. A fruitless correspondence between the Centre and Riga City Council members from the leftist block For Human Rights in United Latvia has been under way for several months whereby the Centre is seeking an opportunity to meet the city council members to check out their state language proficiency while the deputies are making excuses with the state language proficiency certificates saying they don't have to prove their language proficiency repeatedly. Initially Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars pledged to promote arrival of the city council members to the Centre for tests but later he sent a letter to the Centre saying he can not influence meeting of the deputies with inspectors. But Russian speaking city council deputies have been avoiding meeting the state language Centre inspectors citing documents they are holding which affirm their state language proficiency at the top level. The only Riga city council member who met with inspectors and proved his state language proficiency meets the top level requirements was Sergejs Zaletajevs from Human Rights faction while the other still continue avoiding the inspectors. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

On Sunday the new party – Latvian United Republican Party – was established by not very public and popular people in Latvian community, although one of the three co-chairmen posts is “reserved” for a popular person claimed the founders and they cannot disclose his name as he is still a member of another party. The party is funded from its members and sponsors in Latvia and the USA. The party is for the popularly elected president, majority election system, as well as offer to liberalise naturalisation requirements and provide an opportunity for people who have resided in Latvia for at least 3 years to take part at municipal election.

On Sunday the new party – Latvian United Republican Party – was established by not very public and popular people in Latvian community, although one of the three co-chairmen posts is reserved for a popular person claimed the founders and they cannot disclose his name as he is still a member of another party. The party is funded from its members and sponsors in Latvia and the USA. The party is for the popularly elected president, majority election system, as well as offer to liberalise naturalisation requirements and provide an opportunity for people who have resided in Latvia for at least 3 years to take part at municipal election. Diena, Neatkariga

The Latvian Government has established the working group, which will examine the UN Human Rights Committee ruling in the case of A.Ignatane and will come up with the proposals for its implementation.

The Latvian Government has established the working group, which will examine the UN Human Rights Committee ruling in the case of A.Ignatane and will come up with the proposals for its implementation. Diena

Today is the last day to apply to the vacant posts of the Board of Society Integration Foundation.

Today is the last day to apply to the vacant posts of the Board of Society Integration Foundation. Chas

Chas

interviews the founder of the new centric party E.Repse. He says that his party is oriented to all residents of Latvia, as its main goal is not a political but rather of economic nature - to establish order in the country. E.Repse voices that people can communicate with his party in any language, however, he also states that the language is one of the key factors proving ones loyalty towards the state. Also he gives his vision in regard to solution of many social and economical problems in Latvia. interviews the founder of the new centric party E.Repse. He says that his party is oriented to all residents of Latvia, as its main goal is not a political but rather of economic nature - to establish order in the country. E.Repse voices that people can communicate with his party in any language, however, he also states that the language is one of the key factors proving one’s loyalty towards the state. Also he gives his vision in regard to solution of many social and economical problems in Latvia.

Vesti Segodnja

asks the opinion of some Russian politicians about the Compatriot Congress. Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov and T.Zdanok is satisfied with the statements of V.Putin which clearly showed that Russia does not take its compatriots as a burden, but will provide a real assistance to these people. asks the opinion of some Russian politicians about the Compatriot Congress. Russian Ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov and T.Zdanok is satisfied with the statements of V.Putin which clearly showed that Russia does not take its compatriots as “a burden”, but will provide a real assistance to these people.