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

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga took part at the Latvian Intelligentsia Conference on an integrated civil society in Latvia and the European Union. In her speech she stressed that Latvia's foreign policy goals - the European Union and NATO - do not concern only the foreign policy of Latvia, but are its national goals and influence all aspects of people's lives in Latvia. The President stated that all members of society should support the aspirations of non-citizens for integration and they should not be reproached for the lack of Latvian language skills. Non-citizens, in their turn, have to realise that integration is not assimilation and nobody calls on them to forget their roots. Vaira Vike Freiberga said that “the great number of non-citizens is a heritage of the Soviet occupation, however, we are able to deal with this and other heritages of the occupation in an excellent way.”

Yesterday President Vaira Vike-Freiberga took part at the Latvian Intelligentsia Conference on an integrated civil society in Latvia and the European Union. In her speech she stressed that Latvia's foreign policy goals - the European Union and NATO - do not concern only the foreign policy of Latvia, but are its national goals and influence all aspects of people's lives in Latvia. The President stated that all members of society should support the aspirations of non-citizens for integration and they should not be reproached for the lack of Latvian language skills. Non-citizens, in their turn, have to realise that integration is not assimilation and nobody calls on them to forget their roots. Vaira Vike Freiberga said that the great number of non-citizens is a heritage of the Soviet occupation, however, we are able to deal with this and other heritages of the occupation in an excellent way. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, BNS, LETA

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the full speech of the President.

Latvijas Vestnesis publishes the full speech of the President.

Vesti Segodnya

interprets the statements of the President as an effort to turn Russians into Latvians. The newspaper notes that as usual when discussing integration issues, the objects of integration were not present. interprets the statements of the President as an effort to turn Russians into Latvians. The newspaper notes that as usual when discussing integration issues, “the objects of integration” were not present. Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya concludes that Latvian authorities are so far from national minorities that they do not have the slightest idea about their real lives and problems. concludes that Latvian authorities are so far from national minorities that they do not have the slightest idea about their real lives and problems.

Lauku Avize

questions employees of the State Language Centre about their new director Agris Timuska. They claim that he is an internationally well known scientist and therefore he will be a presentable director. Former director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa states that Agris Timuska has his own strong opinion about language policy in Latvia and it could be changed only on the basis of arguments. Agris Timuska says that one of his long-term tasks will be providing information to society about the latest developments in the realm of language and language policy questions employees of the State Language Centre about their new director Agris Timuska. They claim that he is an internationally well known scientist and therefore he will be a presentable director. Former director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa states that Agris Timuska has his own strong opinion about language policy in Latvia and it could be changed only on the basis of arguments. Agris Timuska says that one of his long-term tasks will be providing information to society about the latest developments in the realm of language and language policy. Lauku Avize. Lauku Avize

Telegraf

reports that today the National Television and Radio Council will review the framework development programme of broadcasting organisations in Latvia. The newspaper reports that the NTRC suggests amending the Law on Radio and Television, namely, to abolish the norm which stipulates that only up to 25% of programmes can be aired in a foreign language. Member of the National Television and Radio Council Ilmars Slapins says that radios are specific means of broadcasting… and artificially included programmes in another language do not do any good. He also adds, sooner or later Latvia will have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. reports that today the National Television and Radio Council will review the framework development programme of broadcasting organisations in Latvia. The newspaper reports that the NTRC suggests amending the Law on Radio and Television, namely, to abolish the norm which stipulates that only up to 25% of programmes can be aired in a foreign language. Member of the National Television and Radio Council Ilmars Slapins says that “radios are specific means of broadcasting… and artificially included programmes in another language do not do any good.” He also adds, “sooner or later Latvia will have to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.”

Vechernaya Riga

reports on the current differences in the status of Latvian citizens and non-citizens determined by Riga City Council. Just recently Riga City Council abolished the provision which banned non-citizens from the right to be elected in commissions and working groups formed at Riga City Council. For the time being this provision is effective only in regard to the Audit Commission of Riga City Council. Another still existing restriction at municipal level includes bans non-citizens from the right to privatise rooms which previously were dormitories. reports on the current differences in the status of Latvian citizens and non-citizens determined by Riga City Council. Just recently Riga City Council abolished the provision which banned non-citizens from the right to be elected in commissions and working groups formed at Riga City Council. For the time being this provision is effective only in regard to the Audit Commission of Riga City Council. Another still existing restriction at municipal level includes bans non-citizens from the right to privatise rooms which previously were dormitories.

Vechernaya Riga

describes the role of the Russian language in Latvia in the previous centuries. The newspaper notes that the Russian language was widely used and no restrictions regarding the usage of Russian were introduced. describes the role of the Russian language in Latvia in the previous centuries. The newspaper notes that the Russian language was widely used and no restrictions regarding the usage of Russian were introduced.

Vesti Segodnya

reports that it has the biggest number of subscribers and it is the most printed and sold newspaper among the Russian language newspapers – about 175,000 people read the newspaper every day. reports that it has the biggest number of subscribers and it is the most printed and sold newspaper among the Russian language newspapers – about 175,000 people read the newspaper every day.