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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

Five deputies from the Saeima faction FHRUL have repeatedly handed in the amendments to the Saeima Election Law proposing to lift requirements for the state language fluency set for election candidates. The amendments to the law include specifying the procedure of elections to exclude possible errors in counting votes and the organization of election procedure. On March 14, Saeima will decide on turning over the amendments to the Saeima Election Law to commissions.

Five deputies from the Saeima faction FHRUL have repeatedly handed in the amendments to the Saeima Election Law proposing to lift requirements for the state language fluency set for election candidates. The amendments to the law include specifying the procedure of elections to exclude possible errors in counting votes and the organization of election procedure. On March 14, Saeima will decide on turning over the amendments to the Saeima Election Law to commissions. Diena, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii

State Language Commission chairperson Mara Zalite believes that FHRUL leader Jurkans open letter to her was an attempt to discriminate the State Language Commission. Mara Zalite said that she will not reply to the letter which contains false statements as there is no ground for calling her national radical.

Diena

Lauku Avize

features an article on state language inspector Velta Miskes who is responsible for Daugavpils and Kraslava districts. In the predominantly Russian and Latgalian language speaking region, Miske says that she is considered "persona non grata", and she has received both direct and veiled threats. However, she says her approach is to find the reasons for violating language regulations and only then if necessary impose penalty. features an article on state language inspector Velta Miske’s who is responsible for Daugavpils and Kraslava districts. In the predominantly Russian and Latgalian language speaking region, Miske says that she is considered "persona non grata", and she has received both direct and veiled threats. However, she says her approach is to find the reasons for violating language regulations and only then if necessary impose penalty.

Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii

publish the resolution of NGO the Russian Community in Latvia adopted at its 6th conference. The resolution says Latvian Governments policy [concerning national minorities in Latvia] has not changed: forcible assimilation, therefore the organization keeps the goals set at the foundation of the organization: publish the resolution of NGO the Russian Community in Latvia adopted at its 6th conference. The resolution says “Latvian Government’s policy [concerning national minorities in Latvia] has not changed: forcible assimilation”, therefore the organization “keeps the goals set at the foundation of the organization: 1) citizenship to everyone who was a Latvian resident in 19911; 2) Russian is the second state language; 3) state education in a native tongue”. The newspaper also interviews Russian Community Vice-chairperson Eduard Goncarov. Goncarov informs that “some serious sponsors want to invest money in conducting serious scientific study about saboteurs who hinder the development of Latvia and they also offered a theme for public discussions “Who are the natives in Latvia and possible solutions to the problems caused by those who are unworthy to live in this country”. Goncarov has forwarded this letter to General Prosecutor Office to check whether the proposals are in compliance with Latvian legislation. He explains that the letter is a response to contests organized by notorious publishing house Vieda director A.Garda.

1) citizenship to everyone who was a Latvian resident in 19911; 2) Russian is the second state language; 3) state education in a native tongue. The newspaper also interviews Russian Community Vice-chairperson Eduard Goncarov. Goncarov informs that some serious sponsors want to invest money in conducting serious scientific study about saboteurs who hinder the development of Latvia and they also offered a theme for public discussions Who are the natives in Latvia and possible solutions to the problems caused by those who are unworthy to live in this country. Goncarov has forwarded this letter to General Prosecutor Office to check whether the proposals are in compliance with Latvian legislation. He explains that the letter is a response to contests organized by notorious publishing house Vieda director A.Garda.

Chas

publishes FHRUL member Yakov Pliners arguments against transfer of Russian secondary schools to the studies in Latvian as a sole instruction language in 2004. publishes FHRUL member Yakov Pliner’s arguments against transfer of Russian secondary schools to the studies in Latvian as a sole instruction language in 2004.

Chas

looks into the activities of Russian NGOs in Latvia. The attempt to consolidate all Russian NGOs under the Russian Community in Latvia has failed and for the time being there is no one organized Russian movement as there is no common platform, common electorate and common goal and idea, writes the newspaper. The journalist also admits that protection, associations are very good terms to speculate with. Behind this cover it is possible to claim to be representing the interests of all Russians. looks into the activities of Russian NGOs in Latvia. The attempt to consolidate all Russian NGOs under the Russian Community in Latvia has failed and for the time being “there is no one organized Russian movement as there is no common platform, common electorate and common goal and idea”, writes the newspaper. The journalist also admits that “”protection”, “associations” are very good terms to speculate with. Behind this cover it is possible to claim to be representing the interests of all Russians”.