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

In an editorial in

In an editorial in Chas columnist Leonid Fedoseyev discusses the adequacy of the candidacy of linguist Ina Druviete for the post of Special Task Minister for Society Integration Affairs. Fedoseyev does not doubt her professional skills in the language realm, however, he believes that this post should be held by a person who has earned the trust of society.

When talking to Estonian journalists, political scientist from Russia Sergey Karganov stated that the interest of Russia about the Baltic countries is decreasing due to serious improvements in the areas concerning the rights of Russian-speakers.

When talking to Estonian journalists, political scientist from Russia Sergey Karganov stated that the interest of Russia about the Baltic countries is decreasing due to serious improvements in the areas concerning the rights of Russian-speakers. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The public policy portal www.politika.lv publishes proposals of 12 influential NGOs in Latvia for the national declaration of the new government. The Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies lists tasks which the new government should deal with in the field of social integration. The centre proposes creating Special Task Minister for Society Integration and Ethnic Affairs to serve as director of the Integration Funds Council, oversee the work of the Society Integration Department and new Minority Affairs Department and coordinate integration related activities with other ministries. The centre also proposes, increasing funding for the Integration Foundation, the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and development and for research related to the Latvian language. In addition to forming a department responsible for national minorities at the Ministry of Culture, the new government should activate existing dialogue mechanisms and create new ones. Latvia should also ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, adopt a new modern Law on the Rights of National Minorities and amend the Law on Education which stipulates the switch of secondary minority schools to instruction in Latvian in 2004.

According to the data of the Central Statistic Bureau, since 1989 the number of Latvians has grown by 6.2% (now it is 58.2%), while the number of Russians has dipped by almost 5% (now – 29.2%). Experts state that the number of Russians has decreased due to their repatriation to Russia or emigration to other countries.

Diena, Vechernaya Riga Newspapers report that parties of the new government have come to an agreement on posts in the Cabinet. The situation is now thus: FF/LNNK takes the Transport Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture goes to the Greens and Farmers, while the Economy Ministry will be headed by the New Era, as originally planned. The Latvian First Party will assume responsibility for the Regional Development and Local Government Ministry and will have the post of the Minister of Special Assignments for Societal Integration Affairs. The Party has not yet revealed its candidacy for the post yet.

Newspapers report that parties of the new government have come to an agreement on posts in the Cabinet. The situation is now thus: FF/LNNK takes the Transport Ministry, the Ministry of Agriculture goes to the Greens and Farmers, while the Economy Ministry will be headed by the New Era, as originally planned. The Latvian First Party will assume responsibility for the Regional Development and Local Government Ministry and will have the post of the Minister of Special Assignments for Societal Integration Affairs. The Party has not yet revealed its candidacy for the post yet. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Chas