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.

Press Report

Press Report

On Friday at his press-conference Prime Minister Skele told journalists that there was a governmental crisis in Latvia. According to him, it was caused by some ministers’ neglectful attitude toward the Anti-Corruption Law as well as “ultimatum” announcements by some political parties that could be understood as “political blackmail”. He referred to the statements by some Latvijas Cels members. Andrejs Pantelejevs, leader of the LC fraction in Saeima, expressed incomprehension about the Prime Minister’s allegation. This week the Prime Minister will offer the solution to the governmental crisis.

On Friday at his press-conference Prime Minister Skele told journalists that there was a governmental crisis in Latvia. According to him, it was caused by some ministers neglectful attitude toward the Anti-Corruption Law as well as ultimatum announcements by some political parties that could be understood as political blackmail. He referred to the statements by some Latvijas Cels members. Andrejs Pantelejevs, leader of the LC fraction in Saeima, expressed incomprehension about the Prime Ministers allegation. This week the Prime Minister will offer the solution to the governmental crisis. Diena

DIENA

(in Russian) published information about the former USSR internal passports. Mara Zile, the chief specialist at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration of the Interior Ministry, informed that the former USSR internal passports carried by Latvian citizens will not be recognized as valid by Latvian authorities starting November 1. It means that holders of such passports will not be able to carry out any official transactions. Persons who have not completed an exchange of the USSR passports for Latvian passports within 6 to 12 months will be fined. (in Russian) published information about the former USSR internal passports. Mara Zile, the chief specialist at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration of the Interior Ministry, informed that the former USSR internal passports carried by Latvian citizens will not be recognized as valid by Latvian authorities starting November 1. It means that holders of such passports will not be able to carry out any official transactions. Persons who have not completed an exchange of the USSR passports for Latvian passports within 6 to 12 months will be fined. “

PANORAMA LATVII

published an article on the Presidents latest visit to Daugavpils and his meeting with inhabitants. On a request from his audience to speak also in Russian, the President had said that this would be the last time he spoke in Russian, and by his next visit everybody should have learned Latvian. If a pensioner asks a question in Russian, I will answer it - it is more difficult for them to learn [Latvian]. But I will not tolerate it with regard to young people. The author contrasts this announcement by the President with his claim for tolerance at the meeting at the multinational cultural center in Daugavpils. In his interview to the published an article on the President’s latest visit to Daugavpils and his meeting with inhabitants. On a request from his audience to speak also in Russian, the President had said that this would be the last time he spoke in Russian, and by his next visit everybody should have learned Latvian. “If a pensioner asks a question in Russian, I will answer it - it is more difficult for them to learn [Latvian]. But I will not tolerate it with regard to young people.” The author contrasts this announcement by the President with his claim for tolerance at the meeting at the multinational cultural center in Daugavpils. In his interview to the “NEATKARIGA RITA AVIZE”NEATKARIGA RITA AVIZE, the President said that his meetings in Daugavpils had raised some thoughts, first of all on the state of Latvian language proficiency. According to the President, Daugavpils should find the financial means for that purpose. Still, he noted that the acquiring of the state language is up to each persons interest and loyalty to the country in which he or she lives. , the President said that his meetings in Daugavpils had raised some thoughts, first of all on the state of Latvian language proficiency. According to the President, Daugavpils should find the financial means for that purpose. Still, he noted that the acquiring of the state language is up to each person’s interest and loyalty to the country in which he or she lives. Panorama Latvii, NeatkarigaPanorama Latvii, Neatkariga   Boris Cilevic in his article “Once More About Us and Them” for “

Boris Cilevic in his article Once More About Us and Them for SM returns to the discussion about the division of Latvias population into two groups - Latvians and non- Latvians. The author argues that in a modern and democratic society all its members have some common identity based on a common value system. In Latvia, on the contrary, the ethnocultural identity of one group - Latvians- is being presented as a unifying base for all people living here. Thus, those who seek to accept the Latvian identity belong to us, but those who refuse - to them. According to Cilevic, the official ideology denies the need for the formation of a common value system waiting for non-natives to accept the ethno-cultural values of Latvians. The author points out that although the official opinion does not deny the minority rights, in reality the niche for ‘other nations is only on the ‘kitchen level. As an example, he mentions the draft language law in which one of the provisions defines other than state languages as foreign in that way denying the very concept of minority rights. From Latvias political party spectrum Cilevic points out the Party of National Accordance as one representing the forces that do not accept the division between us and them. SM