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

Lauku Avize provides its view on the seminar organised by the Council of Europe Information Office and the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies about the Framework Convention for Protection of National Minorities. Newspapers columnist Maris Antonevics states that experts who organised and took part in the seminar are all the time the same persons and they believe that any integration issues could not be discussed without their presence. He writes that the views expressed by researcher of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands-Kehre were very close to the opinion expressed by a representative of the Latvian Committee of Human Rights (according to the newspaper he represented the views of FHRUL on this subject). Ilze Brands-Kehre stated that there will not be any major changes after ratification of the Convention because in practice minorities have more rights than on paper.

Telegraf

adds the opinion of director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks – he believes that the Saeima will ratify the Convention very soon. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane agrees that the Convention should be ratified, however, she thinks that a number of reservations should be made. adds the opinion of director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks – he believes that the Saeima will ratify the Convention very soon. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane agrees that the Convention should be ratified, however, she thinks that a number of reservations should be made.

Chas

publishes a long article about the current situation regarding the vacant post of the societal integration minister. Chas asks opinions of human right experts and minority representatives about their views regarding this post and possible candidacy for it. Head of the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igors Pimenovs stresses that the key issue for his organisation is the attitude of minister towards the switch of minority schools to instruction in Latvian. The attitude of the rejected candidature Aleksandrs Brandavs was not voiced, however, Pimenovs considers that the reasons for Brandavs rejection are not permissible in a democratic country. Chairperson of the Association of Latvian National Culture Organisations Rafi Haradzanjans believes that the ministry is not needed if it is so hard to find an adequate candidacy for the post of the minister. President of the Association of Russian Language and Literature in Latvia Tatyana Liguta says that Latvia needs this ministry and a representative of a national minority would be the most adequate candidacy for the post. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the reasons of Brandavs rejection imply discrimination. He believes that the best candidature will be a person who knows integration issues and is very sensitive towards minority problems. Chairperson of the Russian Association in Latvia Tatyana Fovorskaya says that it seems that the ministry will deal more with the issues of migrants coming from the Third World and not with minorities residing here. publishes a long article about the current situation regarding the vacant post of the societal integration minister. Chas asks opinions of human right experts and minority representatives about their views regarding this post and possible candidacy for it. Head of the Association for Support of Russian Language Schools in Latvia Igors Pimenovs stresses that the key issue for his organisation is the attitude of minister towards the switch of minority schools to instruction in Latvian. The attitude of the rejected candidature Aleksandrs Brandavs was not voiced, however, Pimenovs considers that the reasons for Brandav’s rejection are not permissible in a democratic country. Chairperson of the Association of Latvian National Culture Organisations Rafi Haradzanjans believes that the ministry is not needed if it is so hard to find an adequate candidacy for the post of the minister. President of the Association of Russian Language and Literature in Latvia Tatyana Liguta says that Latvia needs this ministry and a representative of a national minority would be the most adequate candidacy for the post. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks is convinced that the reasons of Brandavs’ rejection imply discrimination. He believes that the best candidature will be a person who knows integration issues and is very sensitive towards minority problems. Chairperson of the Russian Association in Latvia Tatyana Fovorskaya says that it seems that the ministry will deal more with the issues of migrants coming from the Third World and not with minorities residing here.

Panorama Latvii

reports that a group of human right experts (mostly members of the Latvian Committee of Human Rights and Baltic Insight) has developed its own shadow report about compliance of Latvian legislation with the norms of the Framework Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. The experts concluded that Latvia could face many problems after the Convention is ratified. reports that a group of human right experts (mostly members of the Latvian Committee of Human Rights and Baltic Insight) has developed its own shadow report about compliance of Latvian legislation with the norms of the Framework Convention for the Protection of Human Rights. The experts concluded that Latvia could face many problems after the Convention is ratified.

Panorama Latvii

reports about the exhibition of periodicals in the Russian and Ukrainian languages held last week in the Academic Library. reports about the exhibition of periodicals in the Russian and Ukrainian languages held last week in the Academic Library.

Neatkariga

publishes an article by FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics about the attitude of the ruling coalition towards FHRUL. He agrees that by leaving FHRUL in the opposition, it is Latvians and not minorities representatives who create the two-community situation in the country. publishes an article by FHRUL MP Janis Urbanovics about the attitude of the ruling coalition towards FHRUL. He agrees that by leaving FHRUL in the opposition, it is Latvians and not minorities representatives who create the two-community situation in the country.

Vesti Segodnya

reports about the last event in the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere (the British Embassy provided financial support for the campaign) took part in the event. reports about the last event in the campaign of information booths where people could obtain information about naturalisation. Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane and British Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere (the British Embassy provided financial support for the campaign) took part in the event.