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

looks into developments during the 7th Saeimas term of office and what the 7th Saeima has managed to do between 1998 and 2002. Dienas journalist Dita Araja concludes that the most important decisions regarding societal integration were taken particularly by the 7th Saeima. The adoption of the State Language Law and abolition of language requirements for persons running for public office were the most controversial issues for the 7th Saeima. Another important decision regarding this sphere was the adoption of the National Programme for the Integration of Society. looks into developments during the 7th Saeima’s term of office and what the 7th Saeima has managed to do between 1998 and 2002. Diena’s journalist Dita Araja concludes that the most important decisions regarding societal integration were taken particularly by the 7th Saeima. The adoption of the State Language Law and abolition of language requirements for persons running for public office were the most controversial issues for the 7th Saeima. Another important decision regarding this sphere was the adoption of the National Programme for the Integration of Society.

Chas

asked political parties running for the 8th Saeima to provide answers to 5 Russian questions asked political parties running for the 8th Saeima to provide answers to 5 “Russian” questions
1. Do you believe that naturalisation should remain the only possibility for non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship?1. Do you believe that naturalisation should remain the only possibility for non-citizens to acquire Latvian citizenship?
2. What status should the Russian language have in Latvia?2. What status should the Russian language have in Latvia?
3. Do you believe that the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004 is necessary? 3. Do you believe that the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004 is necessary?
4. Are you for or against the EU and NATO?4. Are you for or against the EU and NATO?
5. What should be relations between Latvia and Russia in the future? 5. What should be relations between Latvia and Russia in the future?
13 out of 20 parties provided their responses. Here you can find the summary of answers of most popular parties. 13 out of 20 parties provided their responses. Here you can find the summary of answers of most popular parties. The New Era: 1) naturalisation is an individual process; 2) the Latvian language is the sole state language and the NE does not support the idea to grant Russian the status of the official language at some municipalities; 3) the reform is very necessary, but more active preparation measures should be taken; 4) supports Latvia’s membership to the EU and NATO; 5) Latvia is interested in independent and democratic Russia.

The New Era: 1) naturalisation is an individual process; 2) the Latvian language is the sole state language and the NE does not support the idea to grant Russian the status of the official language at some municipalities; 3) the reform is very necessary, but more active preparation measures should be taken; 4) supports Latvias membership to the EU and NATO; 5) Latvia is interested in independent and democratic Russia.

FHRUL: 1) citizenship should be granted to all persons who were born in Latvia or who are family members of a citizen; 2) grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where the number of non-Latvians exceeds 20%; 3) the reform must be postponed; 4) supports the EU, no clear answer about NATO; 5) relations should be friendly.

FHRUL: 1) citizenship should be granted to all persons who were born in Latvia or who are family members of a citizen; 2) grant Russian the status of the official language in municipalities where the number of non-Latvians exceeds 20%; 3) the reform must be postponed; 4) supports the EU, no clear answer about NATO; 5) relations should be friendly.

Latvia’s Way: 1) according to legislation in force, everybody has the right to naturalise, the Prime Minister calls on everybody who feels connected to the country to naturalise; 2) the Russian language will play its role in such spheres as culture, communication and literature; 3) the party believes that all secondary school graduates should speak fluent Latvian and Russian and English as well; 4) supports Latvia’s membership to the EU and NATO; 5) good relations with Russia – one of the top priorities of foreign policy.

Latvias Way: 1) according to legislation in force, everybody has the right to naturalise, the Prime Minister calls on everybody who feels connected to the country to naturalise; 2) the Russian language will play its role in such spheres as culture, communication and literature; 3) the party believes that all secondary school graduates should speak fluent Latvian and Russian and English as well; 4) supports Latvias membership to the EU and NATO; 5) good relations with Russia – one of the top priorities of foreign policy.

The First Party: 1) the naturalisation procedure should guarantee that a new citizen knows the state language and history; 2) Latvian is the state language, other languages are granted the status of minority languages; 3) the readiness of schools for the reform should be reviewed and then the reform should be continued; 4) the EU and NATO are priorities but not ends in themselves; 5) relations with Russia - as with any other country.

The First Party: 1) the naturalisation procedure should guarantee that a new citizen knows the state language and history; 2) Latvian is the state language, other languages are granted the status of minority languages; 3) the readiness of schools for the reform should be reviewed and then the reform should be continued; 4) the EU and NATO are priorities but not ends in themselves; 5) relations with Russia - as with any other country.

FF/LNNK: 1) yes; 2) Russian – one of several minority languages; 3) yes; 4) supports Latvia’s membership to the EU and NATO; 5) a treaty on the state border should be signed; mutually beneficial relations.

FF/LNNK: 1) yes; 2) Russian – one of several minority languages; 3) yes; 4) supports Latvias membership to the EU and NATO; 5) a treaty on the state border should be signed; mutually beneficial relations.

The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers’ Union: 1) Latvian legislation provides all possibilities to naturalise; 2) Russian has the status of a language of one of the ethnic groups residing in Latvia; 3) the reform is necessary for the integration of society, additional funding should be allotted; 4) should become a full-fledged EU member and receive 100% subsidies for agriculture; 5) a constructive dialogue.

The Union of the Green Party and the Farmers Union: 1) Latvian legislation provides all possibilities to naturalise; 2) Russian has the status of a language of one of the ethnic groups residing in Latvia; 3) the reform is necessary for the integration of society, additional funding should be allotted; 4) should become a full-fledged EU member and receive 100% subsidies for agriculture; 5) a constructive dialogue.

The People’s Party: 1) yes, the education system should motivate non-citizens to learn the Latvian language and culture; 2) the status of a language of a national minority residing in Latvia; 3) definitely yes; 4) Latvia’s membership to the EU and NATO – the only long-term guarantee of Latvia’s independence; 5) the first step should be made by Russia.

The Peoples Party: 1) yes, the education system should motivate non-citizens to learn the Latvian language and culture; 2) the status of a language of a national minority residing in Latvia; 3) definitely yes; 4) Latvias membership to the EU and NATO – the only long-term guarantee of Latvias independence; 5) the first step should be made by Russia.

Chas

reports the OSCE/ODIHR delegation of election observers does not provide any information about its current activities and observations, but promised to share their conclusions after the elections. reports the OSCE/ODIHR delegation of election observers does not provide any information about its current activities and observations, but promised to share their conclusions after the elections. Two orthodox Jewish religious organisations in Russia have issued a protest about holding the Latvian parliamentary elections on a Saturday, which deprives many Jews of the right to vote. Asked to comment the protest of his Russian colleagues, Habad Lubavicher Rabbi Mordechai Glazman noted that he himself was a non-citizen and far from politics. While it is impossible to do anything regarding these elections, he expressed the hope that provision would be made for Orthodox voters in the next elections. Until 1997 elections were held over a two-day Saturday-Sunday period, but since then they take place only on the first Saturday of October.

Two orthodox Jewish religious organisations in Russia have issued a protest about holding the Latvian parliamentary elections on a Saturday, which deprives many Jews of the right to vote. Asked to comment the protest of his Russian colleagues, Habad Lubavicher Rabbi Mordechai Glazman noted that he himself was a non-citizen and far from politics. While it is impossible to do anything regarding these elections, he expressed the hope that provision would be made for Orthodox voters in the next elections. Until 1997 elections were held over a two-day Saturday-Sunday period, but since then they take place only on the first Saturday of October. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii