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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

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

Vesti Segodnja

provides several statements of the speakers from the conference Latvia on the Way to 2002. Integration, Alternatives organised by Russian NGOs on 24 May in Riga. Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa believes that discrimination of national minorities does not really exist and is only propagated by the means of mass media printed in the Russian language. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane voiced her incomprehension about the ongoing investigation of the Naturalisation Board. Researcher Aivars Tabuns believes that Latvia meets all the requirements to build a unified society in Latvia. He also stressed that the Russian community in Latvia is very diverse. provides several statements of the speakers from the conference “Latvia on the Way to 2002. Integration, Alternatives” organised by Russian NGOs on 24 May in Riga. Director of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences Brigita Zepa believes that discrimination of national minorities does not really exist and is only propagated by the means of mass media printed in the Russian language. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane voiced her incomprehension about the ongoing investigation of the Naturalisation Board. Researcher Aivars Tabuns believes that Latvia meets all the requirements to build a unified society in Latvia. He also stressed that the Russian community in Latvia is very diverse. On 24 May journalists of

On 24 May journalists of Telegraf and the radio programme Dom Square held a meeting with teachers from Latgale, the eastern part of Latvia, to discuss the difficulties Russian schools face when implementing bilingual education. Minister of Education Karlis Greiskalns and Daugavpils City Mayor Rihards Eigims were also among the participants of the discussion. The next issues of Telegraf will publish more in-depth information about the discussion.

Member of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Leonid Raihman writes about discriminatory norms included in the Latvian Law on Radio and TV which stipulate that only up to 25% of the total broadcast time can be in foreign languages and that programmes should be produced only in one language. Raihman believes that the international community has not sufficiently criticised the law. He believes that MPs of the 8th Saeima will have to tackle many issues and one of them will be lifting of the discriminatory norms from the Law on Radio and TV.

Member of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Leonid Raihman writes about discriminatory norms included in the Latvian Law on Radio and TV which stipulate that only up to 25% of the total broadcast time can be in foreign languages and that programmes should be produced only in one language. Raihman believes that the international community has not sufficiently criticised the law. He believes that MPs of the 8th Saeima will have to tackle many issues and one of them will be lifting of the discriminatory norms from the Law on Radio and TV. Panorama Latvii

Chas

reports on an official ceremony of granting citizenship to naturalised persons in Liepaja. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane visited the city to take part in the ceremony. reports on an official ceremony of granting citizenship to naturalised persons in Liepaja. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane visited the city to take part in the ceremony.

Vesti Segodnja

provides information about the Days of Slavic Culture in Daugavpils. provides information about the Days of Slavic Culture in Daugavpils.

Chas

provides more in-depth information about the agenda and participants of the Baltic Forum. Russias MP Irina Hakamada and ex-minister Anatolij Kulikov will represent Russias politicians, while Dmitry Simes, president of the Nixon Foundation and Arnold Gorelick, chair of the Russian- American Dialogue group will represent the USA. provides more in-depth information about the agenda and participants of the Baltic Forum. Russia’s MP Irina Hakamada and ex-minister Anatolij Kulikov will represent Russia’s politicians, while Dmitry Simes, president of the Nixon Foundation and Arnold Gorelick, chair of the Russian- American Dialogue group will represent the USA. Saturday two new parties were formed – the Party of Freedom, whose most well known member is former politician Ziedonis Cevers and the First Party of Latvia headed by priest Eriks Jekabsons.

Saturday two new parties were formed – the Party of Freedom, whose most well known member is former politician Ziedonis Cevers and the First Party of Latvia headed by priest Eriks Jekabsons. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Telegraf