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 proposed amendments to language regulations which stipulated the expansion of the list of professions in the private sphere subject to state language requirements have been recalled. Various ministries were not able to reach an agreement about the amendments within the required 6 month period.

The proposed amendments to language regulations which stipulated the expansion of the list of professions in the private sphere subject to state language requirements have been recalled. Various ministries were not able to reach an agreement about the amendments within the required 6 month period. Diena

Lauku Avize

comments on the recent suggestion of the National Radio and TV Council to abolish the norm stipulating that only up to 25% of broadcasting time may be aired in a foreign language. comments on the recent suggestion of the National Radio and TV Council to abolish the norm stipulating that only up to 25% of broadcasting time may be aired in a foreign language. Lauku Avize’sLauku Avizes columnist Egils Licitis calls the possible abolition of the norm russification and wants to know who is responsible for the proposal. columnist Egils Licitis calls the possible abolition of the norm russification and wants to know who is responsible for the proposal.

Lauku Avize

interviews general director of National Television Uldis Grava. When discussing information dissemination problems, Uldis Grava recalls a case when he met with officials of the British Embassy to Moscow who were sent to Latvia to examine the situation regarding Russian-speakers in the country, as they had information that Russians are oppressed in Latvia and that their rights are violated. Uldis Grava states that very often foreign journalists, when producing articles about Latvia, visit the country in a hurry and taxi drivers are their only source of information. interviews general director of National Television Uldis Grava. When discussing information dissemination problems, Uldis Grava recalls a case when he met with officials of the British Embassy to Moscow who were sent to Latvia to examine the situation regarding Russian-speakers in the country, as they had information that Russians are oppressed in Latvia and that their rights are violated. Uldis Grava states that very often foreign journalists, when producing articles about Latvia, visit the country in a hurry and taxi drivers are their only source of information.

Lauku Avize

interviews Swiss ambassador Willy Hold. Regarding social integration, ambassador Hold believes that both involved parties – the state and non-citizens – could be more active. However, he admits that Latvian non-citizens are ensured very good possibilities to naturalise, but if someone does not have this wish, his/her choice should be respected. Ambassador Hold is convinced that the new generations of Russians will identify themselves with Latvia. He adds that more trustful relations should be built between Latvians and non-Latvians and a more positive psychological climate should be fostered in the country. interviews Swiss ambassador Willy Hold. Regarding social integration, ambassador Hold believes that both involved parties – the state and non-citizens – could be more active. However, he admits that Latvian non-citizens are ensured very good possibilities to naturalise, but if someone does not have this wish, his/her choice should be respected. Ambassador Hold is convinced that the new generations of Russians will identify themselves with Latvia. He adds that more trustful relations should be built between Latvians and non-Latvians and a more positive psychological climate should be fostered in the country.

Chas

interviews professor of the Social Science Department of the University of Latvia Yuris Rozenvalds about the political situation in Latvia. According to Yuris Rozenvalds, FHRUL strengthened its position in the 8th Saeima due to the ethnic policy implemented by previous governments – all ruling parties of the previous parliaments have openly declared that they do not care about the problems of Russian-speakers. Regarding the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian, Rozenvalds believes that the switch will not take place in 2004 and draws parallels with amending the Citizenship Law and the Language Law, when Latvian officials first stated that they would never change these laws, but after the pressure of Europe they yielded. About the National Programme for the Integration of Society, he says that it is nicely written, however, it is dogmatically based on the language. interviews professor of the Social Science Department of the University of Latvia Yuris Rozenvalds about the political situation in Latvia. According to Yuris Rozenvalds, FHRUL strengthened its position in the 8th Saeima due to the ethnic policy implemented by previous governments – all ruling parties of the previous parliaments have openly declared that they do not care about the problems of Russian-speakers. Regarding the switch of minority secondary schools to instruction in Latvian, Rozenvalds believes that the switch will not take place in 2004 and draws parallels with amending the Citizenship Law and the Language Law, when Latvian officials first stated that they would never change these laws, but after the pressure of Europe they yielded. About the National Programme for the Integration of Society, he says that it is nicely written, however, it is dogmatically based on the language.

Panorama Latvii

publishes its supplement Our Latvia. One of the articles is devoted to the discussion of the rights of a nation to self-determination. publishes its supplement “Our Latvia.” One of the articles is devoted to the discussion of the rights of a nation to self-determination. Another article reports about a seminar for leaders and activists of national minority NGOs. The seminar was the follow-up of a seminar which was held in the summer and trained minority NGOs in applying for funding with different organisations. As a result of the previous seminar several minority NGOs received grants from the Integration Foundation. This seminar provided information on how to apply for funding from the state budget.

Another article reports about a seminar for leaders and activists of national minority NGOs. The seminar was the follow-up of a seminar which was held in the summer and trained minority NGOs in applying for funding with different organisations. As a result of the previous seminar several minority NGOs received grants from the Integration Foundation. This seminar provided information on how to apply for funding from the state budget.

The New Era, together with its partners from the Latvian First Party, that gained a total of 36 seats in the parliament, could end up in the opposition, if no agreement on the government’s set-up is reached in negotiations with the Union of Greens and Farmers. An alternative (although not considered the best one) is that the New Era could also launch negotiations with the People’s Party. The main problem at this time is the inability of the coalition partners to agree on a proper division of Cabinet posts.

The New Era, together with its partners from the Latvian First Party, that gained a total of 36 seats in the parliament, could end up in the opposition, if no agreement on the governments set-up is reached in negotiations with the Union of Greens and Farmers. An alternative (although not considered the best one) is that the New Era could also launch negotiations with the Peoples Party. The main problem at this time is the inability of the coalition partners to agree on a proper division of Cabinet posts. Diena

Newspapers look into political parties’ ratings after the elections and conclude that there have been minimal changes. Just a few weeks after the Saeima elections, the New Era still has the biggest number of supporters, followed by FHRUL and the People’s Party. Prime Minister Andris Berzins’ (Latvia’s Way) rating has plunged considerably, while the rating of the next candidate for the post – leader of the New Era Einars Repse – has increased.

Newspapers look into political parties ratings after the elections and conclude that there have been minimal changes. Just a few weeks after the Saeima elections, the New Era still has the biggest number of supporters, followed by FHRUL and the Peoples Party. Prime Minister Andris Berzins (Latvias Way) rating has plunged considerably, while the rating of the next candidate for the post – leader of the New Era Einars Repse – has increased. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya