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.

• Number of naturalisation applications increases
• Peoples Party doubts a need in the Law on Minority Schools
• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has intended to allocate additional funding to schools implementing bilingual education
• Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks concerned about attempts of the Congress of Russian Community to divide society in Latvia
• Approximately 100 persons participated in the protest picket in the support for the Headquarters activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs
• Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about Latvian language proficiency of minority teachers
• Party ‘Cita Politika will be established
• Reval Hotel Latvia refuses to rent out its premises to organisers of the Congress of the Russian Community

The number of naturalisation applications has increased significantly this year. According to the information provided by the Naturalisation Board, in August 1,749 persons applied for naturalisation. In total till August this year the Naturalisation Board has already received 12,677 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship, while last year 10,049 non-citizens were naturalised. The Naturalisation Board believes that the key contributors to the increase of applications are Latvia’s accession in the EU as well as a possibility to learn Latvian language free of charge for naturalisation applicants.

The number of naturalisation applications has increased significantly this year. According to the information provided by the Naturalisation Board, in August 1,749 persons applied for naturalisation. In total till August this year the Naturalisation Board has already received 12,677 applications from people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship, while last year 10,049 non-citizens were naturalised. The Naturalisation Board believes that the key contributors to the increase of applications are Latvias accession in the EU as well as a possibility to learn Latvian language free of charge for naturalisation applicants. Diena, Latvijas Avize

The People’s Party doubts that there is a need in the Law on Minority Schools. According to the Party the adoption of the Law is a short-sighted political activity and would only increase tension and bring new protests in society. Hence the People’s Party will not support the law.

The Peoples Party doubts that there is a need in the Law on Minority Schools. According to the Party the adoption of the Law is a short-sighted political activity and would only increase tension and bring new protests in society. Hence the Peoples Party will not support the law. Diena

The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis plans to allocate an additional funding for those schools in Daugavpils, Rezekne, Liepaja and Jelgava, which implement bilingual education. The money should be spent for the purchase of textbooks. The amount which will be allotted to schools is not clear yet. The money will be allocated from the emergency funds of the Privatisation Foundation.

The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis plans to allocate an additional funding for those schools in Daugavpils, Rezekne, Liepaja and Jelgava, which implement bilingual education. The money should be spent for the purchase of textbooks. The amount which will be allotted to schools is not clear yet.The money will be allocated from the emergency funds of the Privatisation Foundation. Latvijas Avize

The Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has issued a statement, where he expresses his concerns about attempts of the Congress of Russian Community to ‘split Latvia’s society accordingly to ethno-linguistic lines.’ The Minister stresses that there are more than 40 Russian NGOs in Latvia and that Russians of Latvia are very different therefore the Congress cannot claim the right to speak on the behalf of all Russians in Latvia. Nils Muiznieks is also convinced  that the requirements of the Congress to introduce the ‘zero’ citizenship and two state languages foster disagreements in society.

The Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks has issued a statement, where he expresses his concerns about attempts of the Congress of Russian Community to ‘split Latvias society accordingly to ethno-linguistic lines. The Minister stresses that there are more than 40 Russian NGOs in Latvia and that Russians of Latvia are very different therefore the Congress cannot claim the right to speak on the behalf of all Russians in Latvia. Nils Muiznieks is also convinced that the requirements of the Congress to introduce the ‘zero citizenship and two state languages foster disagreements in society. Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

Yesterday approximately 100 persons including schoolchildren participated in the protest picket in the support for the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-language Schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs, who was recently expelled from Latvia because he ‘presents threats to state’s security.’ The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) has asked the Minister of Interior to explain what threats to state’s security Kazakovs presents and why he did not have a possibility to leave the state voluntarily within seven days. The FHRUL plans to demand the resignation of the Minister of Interior after the Minister gives its answer.

Yesterday approximately 100 persons including schoolchildren participated in the protest picket in the support for the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools activist Aleksandrs Kazakovs, who was recently expelled from Latvia because he ‘presents threats to states security. The union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) has asked the Minister of Interior to explain what threats to states security Kazakovs presents and why he did not have a possibility to leave the state voluntarily within seven days. The FHRUL plans to demand the resignation of the Minister of Interior after the Minister gives its answer. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize writes about Latvian language proficiency of minority teachers. The Head of FHRUL parliamentary group Yakov Pliner doubted the information provided by the Ministry of Science and Education that only 11 teachers are not able to teach their subjects in Latvian. The newspaper refers to the data provided by a director of a minority school who did not want to reveal her name and school. The director stated that only one out of schools 24 teachers, who have to teach students in Latvian, is able to do it perfectly. The newspaper also reports that at least 70% (approximately LVL 86,000) of funding allocated this yearfore the implementation ofLatvian language courses from the state budged are allotted for Latvian language course for teachers.

The NGO ‘Cita Politika’ plans to transform the NGO into the party under the same name next week. 

The NGO ‘Cita Politika plans to transform the NGO into the party under the same name next week. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

The Reval Hotel Latvia refused to rent out its premises to organisers of the Congress of the Russian Community to hold its meeting.  Representatives of the hotel explain that the hotel’s premises have been booked for an international NATO conference for the same date, therefore these two meetings should not take place at the same place.

The Reval Hotel Latvia refused to rent out its premises to organisers of the Congress of the Russian Community to hold its meeting. Representatives of the hotel explain that the hotels premises have been booked for an international NATO conference for the same date, therefore these two meetings should not take place at the same place. Vesti Segodnya