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 publishes the answers of election candidate of the Union Centrs Odisejs Kostanda about his partys electoral programme. He states that his party will struggle for building a unified civil society in Latvia. Kostanda is convinced that non-citizens should have the right to participate in municipal elections and that it is currently impossible to implement the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian.

Rigas Balss

interviews political scientist Jen Zvirgzdgrauds about political parties and their prospects in the 8th Saeima. Jen Zvirgzdgrauds says that Russians will vote for both right and left wing parties if only these parties are Russian. According to Zvirgzdgrauds Russians will have 20-30 seats in the 8th Saeima, while Repses party will have about 15. He believes that it will be very difficult to form long term coalitions in the next Saeima. interviews political scientist Jen Zvirgzdgrauds about political parties and their prospects in the 8th Saeima. Jen Zvirgzdgrauds says that Russians will vote for both right and left wing parties if only these parties are Russian. According to Zvirgzdgrauds “Russians” will have 20-30 seats in the 8th Saeima, while Repse’s party will have about 15. He believes that it will be very difficult to form long term coalitions in the next Saeima.

Lauku Avize

asks the opinion of leader of the Peoples Party Andris Skele about the statements of party member Aleksandrs Kirsteins about relations between Latvia and Russia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins recently stated that there is no sense in seeking to improve relations between the countries. Andris Skele disagrees with Kirsteins opinion, but believes that the reaction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards Kirsteins statements was exaggerated. asks the opinion of leader of the People’s Party Andris Skele about the statements of party member Aleksandrs Kirsteins about relations between Latvia and Russia. Aleksandrs Kirsteins recently stated that there is no sense in seeking to improve relations between the countries. Andris Skele disagrees with Kirsteins’ opinion, but believes that the reaction of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards Kirsteins’ statements was exaggerated.

Panorama Latvii

reports that the Russian embassies in the CIS and Baltic countries will launch a new campaign in the fall. The Russian embassies will provide Russian schools with study books and teaching aids in the Russian language. reports that the Russian embassies in the CIS and Baltic countries will launch a new campaign in the fall. The Russian embassies will provide Russian schools with study books and teaching aids in the Russian language.

Panorama Latvii

comments on Voldemars Hermanis article in comments on Voldemars Hermanis’ article in Neatkariga Neatkariga about non-citizens and giving them the right to vote. Panorama Latvii concludes that there is only one party, which fights for anti-discrimination laws, and that is FHRUL. about non-citizens and giving them the right to vote. Panorama Latvii concludes that there is only one party, which fights for anti-discrimination laws, and that is FHRUL.

Chas

reports on the exhibition about the history and current situation of the Roma community in Latvia in the Latvian Academic Library. reports on the exhibition about the history and current situation of the Roma community in Latvia in the Latvian Academic Library.

Rigas Balss

interviews former long-term director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Dzintra Hirsa states that the key problem concerning the language realm is a mess in language legislation. interviews former long-term director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. Dzintra Hirsa states that the key problem concerning the language realm is “a mess in language legislation.” According to

According to Vesti Segodnya the Estonian Parliament has amended the Estonian Language Law. The new amendments stipulate that employees of private companies and non-commercial organisations are no longer required to speak the Estonian language.