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.

• A deputy of the EPwill gather information for the EPs Monitoring Report on Latvia
• Society Integration Foundation allocates around 2 millions euro to the EU Phare projects
• The Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat prepares a draft report on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• A protest meeting of a Russian language schools students against education reform
• Eizenija Aldermane about the increasing number of naturalization applications
• Publishing house Vieda led by Aivars Garda announces new essay contests
• About the proposals of the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK to the draft law on the EPs elections
• Discussion on nationalism in Latvia
• www.policy.lv interviews Boris Tsilevitch

On 1-2 December, a deputy from the group of the Greens/European Free Alliance of the European Parliament (EP) Elisabeth Schroedter will visit Latvia in order to gather information for the EP’s Monitoring Report on Latvia. The deputy will gather information on minority integration, judicial reform, anti-corruption measures and other issues. According to Elisabeth Schroedter, Latvia’s initiatives to promote integration of minorities are insufficient. The deputy also believes that the Saeima’s decision to recall Marjan Bekasov from the status of an observer to the EP is anti-democratic.

On 1-2 December, a deputy from the group of the Greens/European Free Alliance of the European Parliament (EP) Elisabeth Schroedter will visit Latvia in order to gather information for the EPs Monitoring Report on Latvia. The deputy will gather information on minority integration, judicial reform, anti-corruption measures and other issues. According to Elisabeth Schroedter, Latvias initiatives to promote integration of minorities are insufficient. The deputy also believes that the Saeimas decision to recall Marjan Bekasov from the status of an observer to the EP is anti-democratic. Diena

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has allocated around 2 millions euro to the 2004 EU Phare projects. The SIF has allocated 1,28 millions euro to 31 projects in the area of ethnic integration and 790,000 euro to 18 projects for the development of civic society. In the area of ethnic integration, there are projects aimed to promote participation of non-Latvians in political life and naturalization, support of minority cultures and intercultural dialog, implementation of education reform, participation of socially excluded minority representatives. There are also other projects’ themes.

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has allocated around 2 millions euro to the 2004 EU Phare projects. The SIF has allocated 1,28 millions euro to 31 projects in the area of ethnic integration and 790,000 euro to 18 projects for the development of civic society. In the area of ethnic integration, there are projects aimed to promote participation of non-Latvians in political life and naturalization, support of minority cultures and intercultural dialog, implementation of education reform, participation of socially excluded minority representatives. There are also other projects themes. Diena

The Special Task Minister’s for Societal Integration Secretariat has prepared a draft report on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Saeima could examine this document in December-January. The report contains four possible alternatives to ratify the Convention. The Minister Nils Muiznieks believes that only one reservation on minority language use in topographical information should be made.

The Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat has prepared a draft report on the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The Saeima could examine this document in December-January. The report contains four possible alternatives to ratify the Convention. The Minister Nils Muiznieks believes that only one reservation on minority language use in topographical information should be made. Telegraf

Yesterday around 400 students of a Riga Russian language school have organized a protest meeting against education reform. The meeting has taken place near the school’s building during a break, without participation of teachers and school’s administration.

Yesterday around 400 students of a Riga Russian language school have organized a protest meeting against education reform. The meeting has taken place near the schools building during a break, without participation of teachers and schools administration. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

The Naturalization Board is conducting a survey among naturalization applicants about the reasons why they have not applied for Latvian citizenship before. According to the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, there are three main reasons of the increasing number of naturalization applications: the positive result of the referendum on Latvia’s accession to the EU, Latvian language courses free of charge, and the reduction of the naturalization fee. Eizenija Aldermane has also concluded, that the state identity of naturalization applicants has increased, especially among middle-aged persons.

The Naturalization Board is conducting a survey among naturalization applicants about the reasons why they have not applied for Latvian citizenship before. According to the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, there are three main reasons of the increasing number of naturalization applications: the positive result of the referendum on Latvias accession to the EU, Latvian language courses free of charge, and the reduction of the naturalization fee. Eizenija Aldermane has also concluded, that the state identity of naturalization applicants has increased, especially among middle-aged persons. Jauna Avize

The extreme nationalistic publishing house “Vieda” led by Aivars Garda has announced three new essay contests. The theme of the first essay contest for children is: “Don’t you think that Latvian state robs your grandmother, grandfather and yourself when paying pensions to occupants?” Another essay contest is for pensioners: “Don’t you think that the Latvian state robs a happy old age taking away a piece of bread from Latvian pensioners when paying pensions to occupants?” The theme of the third essay contest is for children and students of Latvia and Russia: “Let’s help to the President Putin to return Russians from the former USSR’s republics to Russia!”

The extreme nationalistic publishing house Vieda led by Aivars Garda has announced three new essay contests. The theme of the first essay contest for children is: Dont you think that Latvian state robs your grandmother, grandfather and yourself when paying pensions to occupants? Another essay contest is for pensioners: Dont you think that the Latvian state robs a happy old age taking away a piece of bread from Latvian pensioners when paying pensions to occupants? The theme of the third essay contest is for children and students of Latvia and Russia: Lets help to the President Putin to return Russians from the former USSRs republics to Russia! Chas, Telegraf,

Vesti Segodnya interviews the chairperson of the Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Inese Vaidere (for Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK). The MP comments the proposals of the party to the draft law on the EPs elections. According to the draft proposal, former agents and members of the National Security Committee should not have the right to candidate for the elections to the EP. Inese Vaidere believes that deputies of the EP should be loyal to Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Rigas Balss features a discussion on the issue of nationalism and the prospects of its development in Latvia. The newspaper has interviewed the former secretary general of the group For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Aigars Kimenis, a representative of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools Juriy Petropavlovsky, the head of the organization All for Latvia Raivis Dzintars and the LU associated professor Juris Rozenvalds.

The English version of the public policy portal

The English version of the public policy portal www.policy.lv publishes an interview with Boris Tsilevitch, a member of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and a MP (Peoples Harmony Party). Boris Tsilevitch discusses various minority issues in Latvia (See the interview at http://www.policy.lv/index.php?id="102786&lang=en).