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

• Open Society Institute presents its report on the National Programme for Social Integration in Latvia

• Lauku Avize
comments on the achievements of the Presidents Official Language Commission
• FHRUL MP expresses his support to the teacher dismissed because of insufficient state language skills

  Lauku Avize

  reports about a seminar devoted to discussions about the report on the National Programme for Social Integration developed in the framework of the Monitoring the EU Accession Process by the Open Society Institution. Special Task Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks took part at the conference and said that Cabinets sittings are a performance and only the Prime Minister and some ministers know the script. Nils Muiznieks stated that he is ready to wait a little, while the budget situation gets better, however, if money for the basic needs of his Secretariat is not allotted, I am out of this game. Muiznieks restated that he will try to promote parliamentary ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and gave his positive assessment to the claim of FHRUL to abolish the norm in the Law on Radio and TV, which restricts the usage of foreign languages to 25% of broadcasting time.

  Chas

  features a discussion on the seminar. Vesti Segodnya reports that the conclusion of the report on Latvia is that the National Programme for Social Integration is not aimed at the protection of national minorities. Panorama Latvii

  Lauku Avizes

  columnist Maris Caklais looks into activities of the Presidents Official Language Commission. It has been a year since the commission was formed. Although the Commission has implemented a number of activities, in comparison to Lithuania, Latvia provides 6 times less funding aimed at the development of language issues than Lithuania.

  FHRUL MP Yakov Pliner met with a teacher of biology who was dismissed because of her insufficient state language skills. Yakov Pliner said that now state language inspectors are entitled to examine only the state language proficiency certificate and not the actual knowledge. He promised to provide support if the teacher experiences any further problems at school. Vesti Segodnya