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 was the last day for parties to submit their lists to the Central Electoral Commission. 1,024 candidates will run for the 8th Saeima on 21 lists, which is the same number of lists as in the 7th Saeima elections.

Yesterday was the last day for parties to submit their lists to the Central Electoral Commission. 1,024 candidates will run for the 8th Saeima on 21 lists, which is the same number of lists as in the 7th Saeima elections. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Chas

and the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia have launched a new campaign Study in the Mother Tongue against the switch of secondary minority schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper calls on its readers and members of political parties to voice their views on this issue. and the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia have launched a new campaign “Study in the Mother Tongue” against the switch of secondary minority schools to Latvian in 2004. The newspaper calls on its readers and members of political parties to voice their views on this issue. New UN Resident Coordinator Gabriele Koehler will continue the implementation of tasks launched by her predecessors, and names social integration as one of the key areas of her work. Gabriele Koehler believes that social integration is one of the areas in which Latvia has succeeded and after becoming an UN donor state could share its experience with other countries.

New UN Resident Coordinator Gabriele Koehler will continue the implementation of tasks launched by her predecessors, and names social integration as one of the key areas of her work. Gabriele Koehler believes that social integration is one of the areas in which Latvia has succeeded and after becoming an UN donor state could share its experience with other countries. BNS

Vesti Segodnya

interviews leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans about the future tasks of the union in the 8th Saeima. Janis Jurkans believes that the next step will be provision of the right to non-citizens to participate in local government elections. He states that after Latvia is invited to NATO the pressure to amend the Citizenship Law will increase. He says, maybe it will not be a zero option, but it will concern all people who were born here. He states that the key task of the President of Latvia is to foster social integration in the country and believes that Vaira Vike-Freiberga has not done her job. interviews leader of FHRUL Janis Jurkans about the future tasks of the union in the 8th Saeima. Janis Jurkans believes that the next step will be provision of the right to non-citizens to participate in local government elections. He states that after Latvia is invited to NATO the pressure to amend the Citizenship Law will increase. He says, “maybe it will not be a “zero option,” but it will concern all people who were born here.” He states that the key task of the President of Latvia is to foster social integration in the country and believes that Vaira Vike-Freiberga has not done her job.

Chas

conducted a survey of 60 people who, according to the opinion of the newspapers readers, should be presented in the 8th Saeima. The survey concerned the key issues that should be addressed and solved by the 8th Saeima. After finalising the answers, the newspaper indicates 8 key problems, including non-citizens, education in minority languages and relations with Russia. conducted a survey of 60 people who, according to the opinion of the newspaper’s readers, should be presented in the 8th Saeima. The survey concerned the key issues that should be addressed and solved by the 8th Saeima. After finalising the answers, the newspaper indicates 8 key problems, including non-citizens, education in minority languages and relations with Russia.

Vesti Segodnya

publishes answers of deputy chairperson of the Union of Social Democrats Peteris Salkazanovs. On the question about the participation of non-citizens in municipal elections and possibilities for national minorities to study in a mother tongue, he replies that when Latvia becomes an EU member state it will have to align its legislation with the EU norms which stipulate that permanent residents have the right to participate in elections of the local level. Regarding the education reform in 2004, Peteris Salkazanovs says The position of our party is the following -- the Law is adopted and sooner or later the reform should be implemented. publishes answers of deputy chairperson of the Union of Social Democrats Peteris Salkazanovs. On the question about the participation of non-citizens in municipal elections and possibilities for national minorities to study in a mother tongue, he replies that when Latvia becomes an EU member state it will have to align its legislation with the EU norms which stipulate that permanent residents have the right to participate in elections of the local level. Regarding the education reform in 2004, Peteris Salkazanovs says “The position of our party is the following -- the Law is adopted and sooner or later the reform should be implemented.”

Vesti Segodnya

reports about the decision of the administration of commercial TV channel TV 3 to stop broadcasting news in Russian. Broadcasting of news in the Latvian language was halted already a month ago. A spokesperson of TV 3 stated that the main purpose of TV 3 is entertaining people – hence, the decision suspend news broadcasts. reports about the decision of the administration of commercial TV channel TV 3 to stop broadcasting news in Russian. Broadcasting of news in the Latvian language was halted already a month ago. A spokesperson of TV 3 stated that the main purpose of TV 3 is entertaining people – hence, the decision suspend news broadcasts.

Telegraf

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya criticise the call of criticise the call of Diena’sDienas columnist Askolds Rodins to deny a Latvian visa to Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzkov (the mayors visit is scheduled for the fall next year) and call the statement a provocation. columnist Askolds Rodins to deny a Latvian visa to Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzkov (the mayor’s visit is scheduled for the fall next year) and call the statement a provocation.

Vesti Segodnya

comments on yesterdays article by Peoples Party MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins about relations between Russia and Latvia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised Russia for continuing the implementation of its old geo-strategic policy. comments on yesterday’s article by People’s Party MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins about relations between Russia and Latvia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins criticised Russia for continuing the implementation of its old geo-strategic policy. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya comments that if such politicians as Kirsteins are in the 8th Saeima as well, relations with Russia will never improve. comments that if such politicians as Kirsteins are in the 8th Saeima as well, relations with Russia will never improve.