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

Lauku Avize

publishes an article by Juris Cibuls about the interpretation of the term ethnic minority in Latvia. He quotes the explanation of the term from several thesauruses and disagrees that Russians who are the plurality or majority in the 7 biggest cities of Latvia should be called a minority. publishes an article by Juris Cibuls about the interpretation of the term ethnic minority in Latvia. He quotes the explanation of the term from several thesauruses and disagrees that Russians who are the plurality or majority in the 7 biggest cities of Latvia should be called a minority.

Vesti Segodnja

columnist Abik Elkin comments on the recent article by head of BNS George Shabad about Russias policy towards its compatriots residing abroad. Abik Elkin argues that Russia is not calling on its people to return to Russia. The columnist believes that the presence of Russians is advantageous for Latvia in two ways: first, it fosters economic ties with Russia and, second, it fosters human ties between the two countries. columnist Abik Elkin comments on the recent article by head of BNS George Shabad about Russia’s policy towards its “compatriots” residing abroad. Abik Elkin argues that Russia is not calling on its people to return to Russia. The columnist believes that the presence of Russians is advantageous for Latvia in two ways: first, it fosters economic ties with Russia and, second, it fosters human ties between the two countries.

Chas

reports that the first political immigrant in Latvia Haisam Abu Abda is going to become a Latvian citizen. Haisam Abu Abda is the first refugee who received asylum in Latvia. Now he is the head of the Latvian Association of Foreigners and Refugees. Haisam Abu Abda states that, except for when he did not speak Latvian in the beginning, he has not experienced any expressions of xenophobia in Latvia. . Haisam Abu Abda indicates the key problems refugees experience in Latvia: housing, travelling, identification documents. reports that the first “political immigrant” in Latvia Haisam Abu Abda is going to become a Latvian citizen. Haisam Abu Abda is the first refugee who received asylum in Latvia. Now he is the head of the Latvian Association of Foreigners and Refugees. Haisam Abu Abda states that, except for when he did not speak Latvian in the beginning, he has not experienced any expressions of xenophobia in Latvia. . Haisam Abu Abda indicates the key problems refugees experience in Latvia: housing, travelling, identification documents.

Lauku Avize

interviews Daugavpils City Mayor Rihards Eigims. Rihards Eigims agrees that FHRUL and his party Latgales Light have the same electorate. However, the key difference lies in parties language policies. Latgales Light is going to introduce Latvian language classes already in kindergarten to prepare children to study in the Latvian language at school. Rihards Eigims states that Jurkans party has done nothing to help the Russian population to learn Latvian. interviews Daugavpils City Mayor Rihards Eigims. Rihards Eigims agrees that FHRUL and his party “Latgale’s Light” have the same electorate. However, the key difference lies in parties’ language policies. Latgale’s Light is going to introduce Latvian language classes already in kindergarten to prepare children to study in the Latvian language at school. Rihards Eigims states that Jurkans’ party has done nothing to help the Russian population to learn Latvian. FHRUL has not agreed on their candidate for the post of the Prime Minister in the next Saeima. About the recent statement of a member of FHRUL that former leader of the Communist Party Alfreds Rubiks could be FHRUL’s candidate for the post of the Prime Minister, Janis Jurkans says, “I respect him as a professional and responsible man. However, I doubt whether he is ready for this post or whether the statement was made with his agreement.”

FHRUL has not agreed on their candidate for the post of the Prime Minister in the next Saeima. About the recent statement of a member of FHRUL that former leader of the Communist Party Alfreds Rubiks could be FHRULs candidate for the post of the Prime Minister, Janis Jurkans says, I respect him as a professional and responsible man. However, I doubt whether he is ready for this post or whether the statement was made with his agreement. Diena

Newspapers publish the results of an opinion poll conducted by the company “Latvijas Fakti” on the popularity ratings of political parties in July. New Era is still on the top, followed by FHRUL. Although FRHUL remains in second place, its popularity rating has increased by 2.4% in July. No other major changes have occurred in the sequence of parties - third place is taken by Latvia’s Way (slight decline – about 1%), followed by the People’s Party (slight increase - about 1%) and FF/LNNK (slight increase of 1% as well). 10.2% of respondents said that they will not participate at the 8th Saeima elections, while 19% were not sure about their choice yet.

Newspapers publish the results of an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvijas Fakti on the popularity ratings of political parties in July. New Era is still on the top, followed by FHRUL. Although FRHUL remains in second place, its popularity rating has increased by 2.4% in July. No other major changes have occurred in the sequence of parties - third place is taken by Latvias Way (slight decline – about 1%), followed by the Peoples Party (slight increase - about 1%) and FF/LNNK (slight increase of 1% as well). 10.2% of respondents said that they will not participate at the 8th Saeima elections, while 19% were not sure about their choice yet.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is the most popular person in Latvia. Ventspils City Mayor Aivars Lembergs is the second most popular person, followed by Saeima speaker Janis Straume and Latvia’s Way Saeima faction chairperson Kristiana Libane.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is the most popular person in Latvia. Ventspils City Mayor Aivars Lembergs is the second most popular person, followed by Saeima speaker Janis Straume and Latvias Way Saeima faction chairperson Kristiana Libane. Diena, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnja

Telegraf

talks to leader of parliamentary faction of the Latvian Social Democratic Partys Valdis Lauskis about the decline of partys popularity after the municipal elections last year. He believes that one of the major reasons is the negative attitude of the Latvian media and Russian media towards the party. Valdis Lauskis says that they have included a representative of the Roma community in the partys ticket in order to attract the votes of Roma in the 8th Saeima elections. talks to leader of parliamentary faction of the Latvian Social Democratic Party’s Valdis Lauskis about the decline of party’s popularity after the municipal elections last year. He believes that one of the major reasons is the negative attitude of the Latvian media and Russian media towards the party. Valdis Lauskis says that they have included a representative of the Roma community in the party’s ticket in order to attract the votes of Roma in the 8th Saeima elections.

Panorama Latvii

introduces its readers to the activities of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the procedure of submitting complaints to the organisation. introduces its readers to the activities of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the procedure of submitting complaints to the organisation.

Panorama Latvii

talks with honorary consul of Ukraine to Latvia Oleg Gorbenko about the visa procedures for Latvian citizens and non-citizens and possible repatriation from Latvia to Ukraine. talks with honorary consul of Ukraine to Latvia Oleg Gorbenko about the visa procedures for Latvian citizens and non-citizens and possible repatriation from Latvia to Ukraine.

Panorama Latvii

talks to Swiss ambassador Willy Hold. Ambassador Willy Hold shares the Swiss experience regarding the language and citizenship issues in Switzerland. Ambassador Willy Hold talks about his experience in taking the Latvian language test. The ambassador is convinced that everybody who really wants can learn the language. talks to Swiss ambassador Willy Hold. Ambassador Willy Hold shares the Swiss experience regarding the language and citizenship issues in Switzerland. Ambassador Willy Hold talks about his experience in taking the Latvian language test. The ambassador is convinced that everybody who really wants can learn the language.