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.

• Head of the Saeima Social Integration Subcommittee Andris Berzins talks about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of the Board of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry issues a statement about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia
• Russian language newspapers continue discussions on a possibility to ask Russia to compensate damages brought by the soviet regime in Latvia
• Central Statistical Bureau information about ethnic proportions in Latvia in 2003

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of Saeima Social Integration Subcommittee Andris Berzins about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The MP does not want to forecast a possible date of ratification and stresses that there is a necessity to achieve a consensus among all society members regarding the need to ratify the document. According to Andris Berzins, one part of society regards the Convention as an instrument, which would be used for oppression of a titular nation, while others believe that it would provide additional rights and obligations.

Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of the Board of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL). The Board issued a statement addressing the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga. The statement criticises suspension of the work on the Law on Minority Schools. The authors of the statement believe that the current situation shows that ‘all statements about the law as a compromise, possible solution to the conflict and beginning of the dialogue [with ethnic minorities] are lies, attempting to  diminish protest waves against the education reform on 1 September.’  The representatives of the OKROL have asked officials to start immediately a dialogue with organisations and parties, which are true representatives of the interests of the Russian community. Newspapers also report that three regional organisations of the OKROL have been formed in Liepaja, Jelgava and Rezekne last month.  

Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of the Board of the NGO United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL). The Board issued a statement addressing the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis and President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga. The statement criticises suspension of the work on the Law on Minority Schools. The authors of the statement believe that the current situation shows that ‘all statements about the law as a compromise, possible solution to the conflict and beginning of the dialogue [with ethnic minorities] are lies, attempting to diminish protest waves against the education reform on 1 September. The representatives of the OKROL have asked officials to start immediately a dialogue with organisations and parties, which are true representatives of the interests of the Russian community. Newspapers also report that three regional organisations of the OKROL have been formed in Liepaja, Jelgava and Rezekne last month. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Referring to the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement, repeatedly calling representatives of international organisations to get involved in building dialogue between Latvian authorities and the Russian community.

Referring to the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement, repeatedly calling representatives of international organisations to get involved in building dialogue between Latvian authorities and the Russian community. Latvijas Avize

Russian language newspapers continue discussions on possibility to ask Russia to compensate detriments caused by the Soviet regime in Latvia. Last week the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga called lawyers and historians to collect information on the damages brought by the Soviet regime during Latvia’s occupation so Latvia could apply with court and ask Russia for compensation. Newspapers feature opinions of Russian state officials and Russian and Latvian experts in international affairs. The Latvian political analyst Mihails Rodins believes that the recent statements of state officials are their public relation campaign and their goal is to unite a Latvian part of society. The Director of the Russia Institute for Strategic Studies Sergey Oznobishev states that if Russia takes decision to pay compensations to all  victims of the Stalin’s regime repressions, then, first of all, the decision would apply to Russian citizens. The Expert of International Affairs Martins Mits states that it is not possible to submit a collective claim to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and hence all persons, who have suffered from repressions, have to apply with the Court on individual basis. Martins Mits also points to the case of the Slivenko family, when the ECHR diplomatically avoided discussions on Latvia’s occupation.

Russian language newspapers continue discussions on possibility to ask Russia to compensate detriments caused by the Soviet regime in Latvia. Last week the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga called lawyers and historians to collect information on the damages brought by the Soviet regime during Latvias occupation so Latvia could apply with court and ask Russia for compensation. Newspapers feature opinions of Russian state officials and Russian and Latvian experts in international affairs. The Latvian political analyst Mihails Rodins believes that the recent statements of state officials are their public relation campaign and their goal is to unite a Latvian part of society. The Director of the Russia Institute for Strategic Studies Sergey Oznobishev states that if Russia takes decision to pay compensations to all victims of the Stalins regime repressions, then, first of all, the decision would apply to Russian citizens. The Expert of International Affairs Martins Mits states that it is not possible to submit a collective claim to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and hence all persons, who have suffered from repressions, have to apply with the Court on individual basis. Martins Mits also points to the case of the Slivenko family, when the ECHR diplomatically avoided discussions on Latvias occupation. Telegraf features an interview with the Head of the Russian State Councils International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosatchev about the issue. Vesti Segodnya

According to the information of the Central Statistical Bureau, in 2003 58,6% of approximately 2,319,000 residents of Latvia were Latvians, while Russians constituted 28,8% of the population. Other largest ethnic minorities of Latvia were Belorussians – 4%, Ukrainians and Poles (each approximately 2,5%). There are also approximately 32,000 Lithuanians, 9,930 Jews, 3,704 Germans, 2,554 Estonians and more that 27,000 representatives of other ethnic minorities living in Latvia. 14% of all marriages, registered last year, were between Latvians and Russians.

According to the information of the Central Statistical Bureau, in 2003 58,6% of approximately 2,319,000 residents of Latvia were Latvians, while Russians constituted 28,8% of the population. Other largest ethnic minorities of Latvia were Belorussians – 4%, Ukrainians and Poles (each approximately 2,5%). There are also approximately 32,000 Lithuanians, 9,930 Jews, 3,704 Germans, 2,554 Estonians and more that 27,000 representatives of other ethnic minorities living in Latvia. 14% of all marriages, registered last year, were between Latvians and Russians. Vesti Segodnya, Chas