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

• Interview with Arturs Prieditis – author of a book about integration in Latvia
• Parties ratings in November
• Book about bilingual education by Colin Baker was presented to Latvian schools by the Soros Foundation
• Exhibition of artists representing 10 nationalities residing in Latvia is opened in the Riga Jewish Culture Centre

Vesti Segodnya

interviews Arturs Prieditis who recently wrote a book about flaws in integration. The book will be published in the nearest future. Arturs Prieditis states that Latvian liberal parties, such as Latvias Way, were too scared of nationalistic forces, such as FF/LNNK, to implement liberal ethnic policy in Latvia. He compares situations regarding national minorities in Estonia and Latvia and concludes that representatives of national minorities have never been allowed to participate in integration processes in Latvia. Prieditis believes that current Minister of Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks was in a very difficult position when he was offered the post of the minister after Prime Minister Einars Repse rejected the candidacy of Aleksandrs Brandavs because of Brandavs ethnic origin. Prieditis believes that no co-operation is possible with such a Prime Minister. Arturs Prieditis is convinced that no special integration programmes are necessary, but first, all residents should have equal rights and, second, Latvians should have a much higher tolerance level. He states that the attitude of Latvians and Russians towards NATO will be the biggest discourse subject in the nearest future and he does not see any positive consequences of NATO membership for Latvia.

The new Saeima and government begin work with positive ratings. The ratings of New Era and its leader Einars Repse have grown in November – support among citizens has increased by 25.6 points and support among all residents has increased by 18.8 points. The popularity of the New Era has grown as well (now 27.3% of Latvian citizens support the party), followed by FHRUL (12.9%), the Peoples Party (11.4%), the Union of the Greens and Farmers (7.3%), the Latvian First Party (6.4%) and FF/LNNK (6%). The Social Democrats and Latvias Way have 3% and 2%, respectively. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf

Panorama Latvii

reports that recently a book about bilingual education by Colin Baker was presented to Latvian schools by the Soros Foundation. The translation was done by linguist and New Era MP Ina Druviete. The newspaper concludes that it follows from this book that the bilingual models and the integration programme offered by the Latvian government are efforts of assimilation of foreigners into Latvian society.

Neatkariga

reports that an exhibition of artists representing 10 different nationalities residing in Latvia is opened in the Riga Jewish Culture Centre. Chas