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

Vechernaya Riga

interviews head of the Education, Youth and Sport Department of the Riga City Council Elmars Vebers about the upcoming school year. Elmars Vebers is also well known researcher of integration issues in Latvia. He states that his co-operation with the Integration Foundation and other institutions dealing with integration issues will continue, but will not have any impact on his new duties in the Council. Elmars Vebers reports that the Riga City Council is planning to form a Public Council dealing with integration issues as well. The newspaper writes that Vebers did not want to disclose the plans of the department regarding Russian problems, however, it is obvious that there will be changes in this field. interviews head of the Education, Youth and Sport Department of the Riga City Council Elmars Vebers about the upcoming school year. Elmars Vebers is also well known researcher of integration issues in Latvia. He states that his co-operation with the Integration Foundation and other institutions dealing with integration issues will continue, but will not have any impact on his new duties in the Council. Elmars Vebers reports that the Riga City Council is planning to form a Public Council dealing with integration issues as well. The newspaper writes that “Vebers did not want to disclose the plans of the department regarding “Russian problems”, however, it is obvious that there will be changes in this field.”

Chas

discusses the application and selection procedure of a candidate for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. discusses the application and selection procedure of a candidate for the post of the director of the State Language Centre. Chas Chas reports that today the name of the new director should be announced, however, not all the names of the 6 applicants have been disclosed yet. reports that today the name of the new director should be announced, however, not all the names of the 6 applicants have been disclosed yet.

Chas

reports that within a week FHRUL will re-launch its website. This time the most attention will be drawn to spelling of foreign first and last names according to the rules of Latvian grammar. FHRUL hopes that this information will help people to fight the Latvian bureaucracy and even to file a claim with the European Court of Human Rights. reports that within a week FHRUL will re-launch its website. This time the most attention will be drawn to spelling of foreign first and last names according to the rules of Latvian grammar. FHRUL hopes that this information will help people to fight the Latvian bureaucracy and even to file a claim with the European Court of Human Rights.

Vesti Segodnya

talks to leader of the First Party Ainars Slesars about the pre-election programme of his party. When asked about possible solutions to non-citizens issues, Ainars Slesars states that we want people to live and work together irrespective of their ethnic background. In regard to the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004 – it is impossible even technically. talks to leader of the First Party Ainars Slesars about the pre-election programme of his party. When asked about possible solutions to non-citizens issues, Ainars Slesars states that “we want people to live and work together irrespective of their ethnic background. In regard to the switch of minority secondary schools to Latvian in 2004 – it is impossible even technically.”

Telegraf

talks to FF/LNNK MP Juris Vidins. He is convinced that his party would have succeeded with decolonisation of Latvia, but then it would have caused many problems in the international arena. He admits that FF/LNNK is not representing the majority of Latvians. Vidins denies any co-operation possibility with national extremist Aivars Garda and believes that actually Garda works for FHRUL and Moscow. talks to FF/LNNK MP Juris Vidins. He is convinced that his party would have succeeded with decolonisation of Latvia, but then it would have caused many problems in the international arena. He admits that FF/LNNK is not representing the majority of Latvians. Vidins denies any co-operation possibility with national extremist Aivars Garda and believes that actually Garda works for FHRUL and Moscow.

Vesti Segodnya

continues to report about the activities of extremist Aivars Garda. continues to report about the activities of extremist Aivars Garda. Yesterday the government of Moscow adopted a support programme to Russians residing abroad for the years 2003-2005. Moscow set the following priority areas: provision of medical and legal aid to Russians residing abroad; development of education in the Russian language, improvement of business relations with Russia.

Yesterday the government of Moscow adopted a support programme to Russians residing abroad for the years 2003-2005. Moscow set the following priority areas: provision of medical and legal aid to Russians residing abroad; development of education in the Russian language, improvement of business relations with Russia. Panorama Latvii