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

The Board of the New Era decided to nominate their candidate linguist Ina Druviete for the post of the Special Purpose Minister of Societal Integration Affairs. The New Era wanted to have their candidate in this office because, according to Ina Druviete, “our party [the New Era] has a scientifically based programme in this realm, therefore we can guarantee that we will not go astray and end up at either extreme. ".

The Board of the New Era decided to nominate their candidate linguist Ina Druviete for the post of the Special Purpose Minister of Societal Integration Affairs. The New Era wanted to have their candidate in this office because, according to Ina Druviete, our party [the New Era] has a scientifically based programme in this realm, therefore we can guarantee that we will not go astray and end up at either extreme. ". Diena, BNS

Chas

argues against the arguments provided by Latvian political scientists and experts about the reasons why FHRUL received so many seats in the 8th Saeima. The newspaper states that the victory of FHRUL is not thanks to the support of new citizens, as only 48,000 of Latvian residents acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since 1995 and even if all these people had voted for FHRUL it would give FHRUL 3.5 seats in the Saeima. argues against the arguments provided by Latvian political scientists and experts about the reasons why FHRUL received so many seats in the 8th Saeima. The newspaper states that the victory of FHRUL is not thanks to the support of new citizens, as only 48,000 of Latvian residents acquired Latvian citizenship through naturalisation since 1995 and even if all these people had voted for FHRUL it would give FHRUL 3.5 seats in the Saeima. ChasChas Columnist Leonid Fedoseyev disagrees with the reproaches towards the Russian language press that it perverted people who then voted for FHRUL. He states that the Russian language press is simply telling the truth. Leonid Fedoseyev concludes that not only Russian-speakers, but also many Latvians voted for FHRUL. Columnist Leonid Fedoseyev disagrees with the reproaches towards the Russian language press that it “perverted” people who then voted for FHRUL. He states that the Russian language press is simply telling the truth. Leonid Fedoseyev concludes that not only Russian-speakers, but also many Latvians voted for FHRUL.

Vechernaya Riga

features an article about allegedly unequal possibilities for unemployed Russians. The newspaper reports that the State Employment Service provides professional training and courses and that those unemployed whose native language is Latvian have a better chance of gaining admission to the most popular courses. Most courses are taught only in Latvian and course partcipants with good Latvian language skills are preferred. The administration of the State Employment Service denies that they select people for courses according to their state language skills. However, according to the data of the newspaper, the number of Russians in some popular courses, such as design skills, is very small. features an article about allegedly unequal possibilities for unemployed Russians. The newspaper reports that the State Employment Service provides professional training and courses and that those unemployed whose native language is Latvian have a better chance of gaining admission to the most popular courses. Most courses are taught only in Latvian and course partcipants with good Latvian language skills are preferred. The administration of the State Employment Service denies that they select people for courses according to their state language skills. However, according to the data of the newspaper, the number of Russians in some popular courses, such as design skills, is very small. The Russian language press reports about the regular information days held by the Naturalisation Board. During this day interested people can receive in-depth information about possibilities to obtain Latvian citizenship and take trial naturalisation tests.

The Russian language press reports about the regular information days held by the Naturalisation Board. During this day interested people can receive in-depth information about possibilities to obtain Latvian citizenship and take trial naturalisation tests. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Panorama Latvii

features an article about non-citizens and citizenship issues in Latvia. The newspaper reports that within a year the number of non-citizens decreases in Latvia by about 31,000 people, however, only 9,000 out of these 31,000 become Latvian citizens, while the remainder either emigrate or die.