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

• Study shows that pace of naturalization differs across the regions
• Russian Foreign Affairs Minister about the amendments to the Education Law
• Newspapers continue discussion about the education reform
• Latvian Ambassador to Russia about amendments to the Education Law
• Rinuzi secondary schools Russian and Latvian students discuss the education reform
• Former Special Task Minister of Social Integration organizes discussion about the education reform at Saeima

Pace of the naturalization process differs across the Latvian regions, being especially low in the areas next to the borders, - say authors of the research study ‘The role of regional aspects in dealing with citizenship issues’, which had been carried out by the Naturalization Board with the financial support of the Embassy of Finland in Latvia and participation of three independent researchers. As a part of the study, almost 7000 respondents from regions with a high number of non-citizens, as well as 204 experts, have been asked to express their opinions about non-citizens’ attitude towards naturalization and related problems. The study shows that two-thirds of non-citizens are willing to naturalize, while the rest of them think that citizenship should be granted automatically, or mention different hindering obstacles, or do not want citizenship at all. Noted negative tendencies are the lack of information about naturalization and various legislative gaps.

Pace of the naturalization process differs across the Latvian regions, being especially low in the areas next to the borders, - say authors of the research study ‘The role of regional aspects in dealing with citizenship issues, which had been carried out by the Naturalization Board with the financial support of the Embassy of Finland in Latvia and participation of three independent researchers. As a part of the study, almost 7000 respondents from regions with a high number of non-citizens, as well as 204 experts, have been asked to express their opinions about non-citizens attitude towards naturalization and related problems. The study shows that two-thirds of non-citizens are willing to naturalize, while the rest of them think that citizenship should be granted automatically, or mention different hindering obstacles, or do not want citizenship at all. Noted negative tendencies are the lack of information about naturalization and various legislative gaps.

Diena and Neatkariga Rita Avize inform that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov sent letter to the foreign ministers of the European Union and human rights organizations in which he criticizes amendments to the Education Law. During the discussion with the Chairman of the OSCE Solomon Passy, Ivanov expressed hope that the OSCE will pay attention to the Russian-minority situation in Latvia. The newspaper Telegraf comments that hopefully statement made by Ivanov will not affect his deputys V. Chizhov plans to visit Riga at the end of February. Latvijas Avize prints the comments of the Russias permanent representative to the OSCE Alexander Alekseyev stating that legislative changes do not encourage interethnic dialogue and restrict ability of Russian-speaking minority to choose the language of instruction. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

The newspapers continue discussions about the education reform.

The newspapers continue discussions about the education reform. Neatkariga Rita Avize prints statements of Dainis Ivans, the chairman of the Latvian Social Democratic Party, who says that the government should take the responsibility for the actual situation, because during the preparation of the reform society was not informed about the methods that could prevent the crisis.

The newspapers report about the statements of the Latvian Ambassador to Russia Norman Penke during the press conference about the amendments of the Education Law. The Ambassador explained the Latvian education system and the meaning of the education reform, stressing that this is a step towards the promotion of the society integration. The Ambassador characterized the economic sanctions towards Latvia as a belated and ineffective method

The newspapers report about the statements of the Latvian Ambassador to Russia Norman Penke during the press conference about the amendments of the Education Law. The Ambassador explained the Latvian education system and the meaning of the education reform, stressing that this is a step towards the promotion of the society integration. The Ambassador characterized the economic sanctions towards Latvia as a belated and ineffective method Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Chas reports that in Rinuzi secondary school the Russian students have invited their Latvian peers to discuss the education reform.

The former Special Task Minister of Social Integration Nils Muiznieks organized the round table discussion about the education reform, which is to take place today at Saeima. The goal of this discussion is to elaborate a long-term action plan in order to control the conflict situation. He stresses that the future Latvian government needs to elaborate serious concept for the regulation of interethnic dialogue.

The former Special Task Minister of Social Integration Nils Muiznieks organized the round table discussion about the education reform, which is to take place today at Saeima. The goal of this discussion is to elaborate a long-term action plan in order to control the conflict situation. He stresses that the future Latvian government needs to elaborate serious concept for the regulation of interethnic dialogue. Chas