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

Diena publishes an article by associate professor of the Social Work and Social Pedagogy University Attistiba Liesma Ose about the two-community situation in the country. Liesma Ose believes that both Russian and Latvian communities are very closed and not willing to accept the other. Regarding education issues, she states for the time being in the education system in Latvia community values dominate over human and individual values… A person who represents a minority in Latvia, where a major ethnic group is dominant, first of all receives an ethnic label. When describing interaction between ethnic groups she writes that everybody wants to stress his/her affiliation to a particular ethnic group and to preserve its seclusion. The author concludes that a modern multicultural approach can be implemented if people are perceived as individuals and not Latvians, Russians, Poles, etc.

Diena

looks into the language situation in the country and provides the stances of the- most popular parties 7 – FF/LNNK, FHRUL, the Latvian Social Democrats, the New Era, the Peoples Party, Latvias Way and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Party. All parties agree that the Latvian language should be the only state language. FHRUL wants to grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where 20% or more of residents are non-Latvians. Concerning the education reform in 2004, FF/LNNK states that the reform must be implemented on schedule, while FHRUL believes that the reform should be reviewed. The Latvian Social Democrats say that the reform should not be postponed, however, children should not be victims of the reform. The New Era is convinced that the reform should be implemented otherwise it will be perceived as a victory by supporters of the two-community idea. The opinion of the Peoples Party is that the reform should be continued, while providing support to teachers and fostering a dialogue with students and parents. Latvias Way stresses that the state should focus on ensuring Latvian language training for teachers. The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Union states that the reform should be continued and those schools which are ready in 2004 should implement the switch. About the effort and plans of each party regarding promotion of the usage of the Latvian language among adults, FF/LNNK believes that the state should be responsible for creating a positive atmosphere to speak Latvian. The New Era is convinced that learning Latvian is the responsibility of all socio-economically active people. The Peoples Party agree that state support for Latvian language courses should be given to specific adult target groups, while Latvia s Way wants to regulate standards in private language teaching companies and facilitate the usage of the language with the help of promotion campaigns funded from the state budget. looks into the language situation in the country and provides the stances of the- most popular parties 7 – FF/LNNK, FHRUL, the Latvian Social Democrats, the New Era, the People’s Party, Latvia’s Way and the Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Party. All parties agree that the Latvian language should be the only state language. FHRUL wants to grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where 20% or more of residents are non-Latvians. Concerning the education reform in 2004, FF/LNNK states that the reform must be implemented on schedule, while FHRUL believes that the reform should be reviewed. The Latvian Social Democrats say that the reform should not be postponed, however, children should not be victims of the reform. The New Era is convinced that the reform should be implemented otherwise it will be perceived as a victory by supporters of the two-community idea. The opinion of the People’s Party is that the reform should be continued, while providing support to teachers and fostering a dialogue with students and parents. Latvia’s Way stresses that the state should focus on ensuring Latvian language training for teachers. The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Union states that the reform should be continued and those schools which are ready in 2004 should implement the switch. About the effort and plans of each party regarding promotion of the usage of the Latvian language among adults, FF/LNNK believes that the state should be responsible for creating a positive atmosphere to speak Latvian. The New Era is convinced that learning Latvian is the responsibility of all socio-economically active people. The People’s Party agree that state support for Latvian language courses should be given to specific adult target groups, while Latvia’ s Way wants to regulate standards in private language teaching companies and facilitate the usage of the language with the help of promotion campaigns funded from the state budget.

Chas

and and Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii report about launching of the campaign Non-elections in which all people, irrespectively of their citizenship status, can take part and vote for all persons, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in public office according to Latvian legislation. The campaign started on Saturday and will go on for 2 more days. Newspapers report that the interest of people is very high. report about launching of the campaign “Non-elections” in which all people, irrespectively of their citizenship status, can take part and vote for all persons, including those who do not have the right to run for seats in public office according to Latvian legislation. The campaign started on Saturday and will go on for 2 more days. Newspapers report that the interest of people is very high.