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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Russian diplomat announced that the education reform could cause civil rebellion
• Neatkariga: it is not necessary to know the opinion of non-citizens about the EU
• Comments on the Romano Prodis announcement regarding non-visa regime with Russia
• Survey data shows that Orthodox is the biggest confession in Latvia
• Article by Yakov Briskin about the definition of national minorities

Diena reports that during the meeting of the Council of Europes Committee of Ministers a Russian diplomat announced that the situation in Latvia concerning the education reform is very critical and there is a possibility that it could cause civil rebellion. In reply to this announcement the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit a note to the Russian Embassy in Latvia. Neatkariga, Telegraf, Vesti Sevodnya, Chas

Neatkarigas columnist Viktors Avotins presents critical comments on the research prepared by Baltic Institute of Social Sciences about the opinion of inhabitants regarding the Latvias EU membership. He considers that it was not necessary to integrate the opinion of non-citizens in the research, because they will not be able to participate in the referendum.

Telegraf reports that the President of European Commission Romano Prodi announced that the visa regime between the EU and Russia could be removed within five-year period. The Press secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that before the removal of visa regime Russia have to adjust immigration policy and sign several treaties with neighbouring countries including Latvia. The head of the Saeimas Foreign Affairs committee Inese Vaidere believes that it will take more than five years to introduce non-visa regime with Russia.

Vesti Sevodnya comments that according to the survey developed by the company SKDS Orthodox is the biggest confession in Latvia (25,1%). The newspaper concludes that it is inadmissible that Orthodox Christmas and Easter are not national holidays in Latvia.

Vesti Sevodnya features an article by Yakov Briskin about the definition of national minorities. According to the journalist the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks stated that Russian speakers are not to be considered a national minority, therefore journalist believes that the ratification of Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will not improve the situation of Russian speakers.