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

Yesterday the Naturalisation Board gave a press conference about the results of the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. According to head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane within 5 months the number of applications for naturalisation has increased by 915 applications. Head of the UNDP Jan Sand Sorensen believes that the number will continue to grow as the campaign “has inspired” about 8% or 40,000 non-citizens.

Yesterday the Naturalisation Board gave a press conference about the results of the Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. According to head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane within 5 months the number of applications for naturalisation has increased by 915 applications. Head of the UNDP Jan Sand Sorensen believes that the number will continue to grow as the campaign has inspired about 8% or 40,000 non-citizens. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Telegraf comments on the attitude of the mass media to the campaign.

Telegraf comments on the attitude of the mass media to the campaign. Lauku Avize and Vesti Segodnja were the greatest critics of the campaign. The biggest daily Diena took a neutral stance while articles in Telegraf and Chas reflected the campaign in a positive light.

Diena

writes that Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign has increased the number of applications for naturalisation by 20-30%. In some places, such as Centre district of Riga, Rezekne and Ventspils the campaign was not effective. The greatest success is that for the first time the state addressed its non-citizens and provided information on issues concerning naturalisation. writes that Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign has increased the number of applications for naturalisation by 20-30%. In some places, such as Centre district of Riga, Rezekne and Ventspils the campaign was not effective. The greatest success is that for the first time the state addressed its non-citizens and provided information on issues concerning naturalisation.

Lauku Avize

publishes opinions of Latvian politicians about the recent statement of the Russian State Duma regarding Discriminatory Policy of the Latvian Authorities towards Russians in Latvia. The politicians agree that the statement is proof that Russia continues to use the old methods. They believe that such statements will only benefit Latvias integration into NATO and the EU. publishes opinions of Latvian politicians about the recent statement of the Russian State Duma regarding “Discriminatory Policy of the Latvian Authorities towards Russians in Latvia.” The politicians agree that the statement is proof that Russia continues to use “the old methods.” They believe that such statements will only benefit Latvia’s integration into NATO and the EU. According to new regulations as of this year graduates of secondary minority schools who have passed a centralised examination in the Latvian language do not need to re-take Latvian language test for naturalisation purposes.

According to new regulations as of this year graduates of secondary minority schools who have passed a centralised examination in the Latvian language do not need to re-take Latvian language test for naturalisation purposes. Vechernaya Riga journalist Jelena Slusareva participated in Latvian language examinations at one of the Russian schools as an observer. She writes that the school exam is definitely more difficult than the Latvian language test for naturalisation purposes. However, students were confident about their language skills.

The Latvian Social Democrat Party has asked for the resignation of Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Social democrats believe that the Prime Minister has lost control over some issues. The Coalition Council did not discuss the call of Social Democrats.

The Latvian Social Democrat Party has asked for the resignation of Prime Minister Andris Berzins. Social democrats believe that the Prime Minister has lost control over some issues. The Coalition Council did not discuss the call of Social Democrats. Chas

In Daugavpils the Latvian Association of the Support for Russian Students has collected 3,500 signatures in support for the Russian language as the language of instruction at minority secondary schools after 2004 as well.

In Daugavpils the Latvian Association of the Support for Russian Students has collected 3,500 signatures in support for the Russian language as the language of instruction at minority secondary schools after 2004 as well. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

publishes comments of chairperson of the Latvian Association of the Support for Russian Students Igor Pimenov on the interview of Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga published in publishes comments of chairperson of the Latvian Association of the Support for Russian Students Igor Pimenov on the interview of Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga published in TelegrafTelegraf. In that interview the President mainly discussed education issues and the planned switch of secondary minority education to the Latvian language in 2004. Igor Pimenov stresses that according to the governing parties and the President integration in Latvia is only a one-way process – integration of non-Latvians into a Latvian community. Igor Pimenov believes that mandatory studies in Latvian is not the only possibility to learn the Latvian language. He suggests that first, the quality of Latvian classes at minority schools should be very high, and second, students and pupils should communicate with their Latvian peers on a regular basis, and that could be ensured by having Latvian and Russian schools in one building. Pimenov concludes that LASRS stands for the expansion of choices in education. . In that interview the President mainly discussed education issues and the planned switch of secondary minority education to the Latvian language in 2004. Igor Pimenov stresses that according to the governing parties and the President integration in Latvia is only a one-way process – integration of non-Latvians into a Latvian community. Igor Pimenov believes that mandatory studies in Latvian is not the only possibility to learn the Latvian language. He suggests that first, the quality of Latvian classes at minority schools should be very high, and second, students and pupils should communicate with their Latvian peers on a regular basis, and that could be ensured by having Latvian and Russian schools in one building. Pimenov concludes that LASRS stands for the expansion of choices in education. Russian minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov is planning to have a thorough discussion regarding the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia with HCNM on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus when the High Commissioner visits Moscow on 17-18 June.

Russian minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov is planning to have a thorough discussion regarding the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia with HCNM on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus when the High Commissioner visits Moscow on 17-18 June. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

publishes its supplement Our Latvia devoted to ethnic minorities residing in Latvia. The supplement publishes articles in the Ukrainian language and about Ukraine. publishes its supplement “Our Latvia” devoted to ethnic minorities residing in Latvia. The supplement publishes articles in the Ukrainian language and about Ukraine.

Panorama Latvii

discusses what the term Russian-speakers means in Latvia and why Latvian politicians do not like this term. The newspaper concludes that it is in the interests of Latvian politicians to focus on ethnic and not on language groups because then the results of Latvianisation or so-called integration are not so obvious. discusses what the term “Russian-speakers” means in Latvia and why Latvian politicians do not like this term. The newspaper concludes that it is in the interests of Latvian politicians to focus on ethnic and not on language groups because then the results of “Latvianisation” or so-called integration are not so obvious.