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 Review

Press Review

The social democrats submitted to the Saeima a draft law on the dismissal of the director of the National Human Rights Olafs Bruvers.

The social democrats submitted to the Saeima a draft law on the dismissal of the director of the National Human Rights Olafs Bruvers. Jauna Avize

Yesterday at the conference organised by the Soros Fund-Latvia the language experts discussed the State Integration Program’s Chapter on Language. Regarding the language issues, the framework document was severely criticised. Many presenters noted that for strengthening of the Latvian language position, there should be the strict language law, since the economic factors and the language environment in Latvia do not encourage non-Latvians voluntarily master the Latvian language. It was also noted that the Latvians should free themselves from the linguistic minority syndrome and regain the self-esteem.

Yesterday at the conference organised by the Soros Fund-Latvia the language experts discussed the State Integration Programs Chapter on Language. Regarding the language issues, the framework document was severely criticised. Many presenters noted that for strengthening of the Latvian language position, there should be the strict language law, since the economic factors and the language environment in Latvia do not encourage non-Latvians voluntarily master the Latvian language. It was also noted that the Latvians should free themselves from the linguistic minority syndrome and regain the self-esteem. Jauna Avize refers the MP Dzintars Abikis stating that the education system is the most effective tool for the realisation of the state language training program within the framework of the social integration process whileChas claims Mr. Abikis saying that since Russian teachers are never going to master the Latvian language to the perfection of the style, they will need to be replaced with the Latvian teachers.

According to

According to Diena, it is expected that this week the OSCE will give its assessment of the draft language law adopted in the second reading. On Wednesday the governmental coalition plans to discuss the assessment of the draft language law provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On Monday the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans told journalists that the law should be strict, but at the same time it should correspond with the international standards, and all coalition parties should agree on this sensitive issue. He refrained from commenting the assessment of the Foreign Affairs Ministry before the coalition council has discussed it. Diena, Chas

Dienain Russian informs about another conference that took place yesterday in which representatives of 16 organisations, including the Russian Society in Latvia, Russian Community in Latvia, Latvian Committee on Human Rights, criticised the draft document on the social integration. According to Chairman of the Latvian Committee of Human Rights Gennady Kotov the basis of the draft document on the social integration is the values of the nationalistic part of the Latvian society. A working group consisting of representatives of all national minorities should be formed, since without it no integration is possible.

Yesterday at the interview for the Latvian Radio the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that at the moment the Latvian-Russian relations are in neutral position, but in the second half of the year there might be some improvements.

Yesterday at the interview for the Latvian Radio the State President Guntis Ulmanis said that at the moment the Latvian-Russian relations are in neutral position, but in the second half of the year there might be some improvements. Diena

Panorama Latvii interviews Chair of the Russian Society in Latvia V. Altuhov who recently passed the exams for the naturalisation. According to Mr. Altuhov, any literate person can pass the examinations. For him, the Latvian citizenship is necessary to fight with the existing discrimination which is incompatible with the real democracy.

MP Janis Urbanovich (For Human Rights) who recently visited Moscow to meet with the representatives of the Russian Duma and the MFA believe that such visits change Russia’s attitude towards Latvia as unified nationalistic environment. Russian politicians learn that among Latvians there are people who understand the necessity to have normal, non-discriminating relations with all nationalities residing in Latvia.

MP Janis Urbanovich (For Human Rights) who recently visited Moscow to meet with the representatives of the Russian Duma and the MFA believe that such visits change Russias attitude towards Latvia as unified nationalistic environment. Russian politicians learn that among Latvians there are people who understand the necessity to have normal, non-discriminating relations with all nationalities residing in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

In the interview for

In the interview for Lauku Avize, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs states that despite the significant steps that Latvia makes in the legislative alignment stage - the referendum, the Language un Education laws, doors to Russia remain closed. Moreover, Russia continues to impose economic sanctions against Latvia. According to Mr. Birkavs there are people do not like the outcome of the referendum and who are dissatisfied with the naturalisation program and the integration strategy. Nevertheless, Latvia has the best language training program in the Eastern Europe. Mr. Birkavs compares the social integration program with the draft of the Rambouillet peace treaty on which both parties have to agree. Mr. Birkavs is not satisfied with the pace of the public discussion of the social integration program. According to him, people are not informed about the program and therefore they cannot express their opinion.