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

All three main Russian newspapers –

All three main Russian newspapers – Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii - inform that the mandate of the OSCE Mission to Latvia has been prolonged for the next 6 months. Chas reminds the readers that the President and the foreign affair minister of Sweden consider the presence of the OSCE in Latvia unfavourable as it proves that there is something wrong with democracy in the country.

The Committee of MoC has reviewed the proposal regarding the equalisation of the language examination at secondary school with language tests in naturalisation process. According to the amendments entered state language proficiency is confirmed not only by the certificate issued by the state language examination commission, but also by the certificate of secondary education.

The Committee of MoC has reviewed the proposal regarding the equalisation of the language examination at secondary school with language tests in naturalisation process. According to the amendments entered state language proficiency is confirmed not only by the certificate issued by the state language examination commission, but also by the certificate of secondary education. Vesti Segodnja

The case of Soviet partisan Kononov will be the main discussion subject at Advisory Board of NGOs and most likely the joint statement will be drawn and a protest meeting will be planned.

The case of Soviet partisan Kononov will be the main discussion subject at Advisory Board of NGOs and most likely the joint statement will be drawn and a protest meeting will be planned. Chas

All last week People’s Party webpage was devoted to the issues concerning Russia and Russians. Politicians explain this campaign as a try to attract Russian voters.

All last week Peoples Party webpage was devoted to the issues concerning Russia and Russians. Politicians explain this campaign as a try to attract Russian voters. Chas

The Naturalisation Board continues tradition to organise “an open door day” when interested people can find answers to their questions and have a trial naturalisation examinations. This time information day will take place on 17 January, in Jelgava.

The Naturalisation Board continues tradition to organise an open door day when interested people can find answers to their questions and have a trial naturalisation examinations. This time information day will take place on 17 January, in Jelgava. Chas.

Respublika

publishes an article written for Russias newspaper Moskovskije Novosti where the Head of International Human Co-operation and Human Rights Department of Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs J.Ivanov gives reasons why Russia is not satisfied with the State Language Law in Latvia. Among the main points of dissatisfaction requirement to communicate with state institutions only in the state language, restrictions in private business sphere are mentioned. In order to acquire rights to participate at the closed sessions of MoC, where the initial share price of “Latvijas kugnieciba” (Latvian Shipping Agency) will be decided, the independent observers will have to have a permit to access information containing state secrets. This was a trade-off achieved by the organisation for Open Society “Delna”, management of Privatisation Agency and economy minister A.Kalvitis. “Delna” chairman I.Voika considers that most likely corruption can occur at the phase when the initial price of Latvian Shipping Agency share is set. Diena

In order to acquire rights to participate at the closed sessions of MoC, where the initial share price of Latvijas kugnieciba (Latvian Shipping Agency) will be decided, the independent observers will have to have a permit to access information containing state secrets. This was a trade-off achieved by the organisation for Open Society Delna, management of Privatisation Agency and economy minister A.Kalvitis. Delna chairman I.Voika considers that most likely corruption can occur at the phase when the initial price of Latvian Shipping Agency share is set. Diena

Protestant archbishop J.Vanags voices that the New Christian Party should not be viewed as the party of protestant church “Priest Dishler has his citizen rights and the church does not prohibit priests to be active in politics, however, he had to ask the permission of the archbishop first, but he did not do it”.

Protestant archbishop J.Vanags voices that the New Christian Party should not be viewed as the party of protestant church Priest Dishler has his citizen rights and the church does not prohibit priests to be active in politics, however, he had to ask the permission of the archbishop first, but he did not do it. Diena

Some candidates who want to run for municipal elections still have not passed state language examinations and due to reorganisation in state language examination system, it will possible to take the examination only as of 1 February. However, the lists of candidates have to be handed in till the end of January. A special commission could be established with the approval of the Ministry of Justice to certify candidates language skills.

Some candidates who want to run for municipal elections still have not passed state language examinations and due to reorganisation in state language examination system, it will possible to take the examination only as of 1 February. However, the lists of candidates have to be handed in till the end of January. A special commission could be established with the approval of the Ministry of Justice to certify candidates language skills. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti Segodnja, Chas

Diena

gives a reflection of the events 10 years ago when 2 Swedish politicians and 2 businessmen organised campaign of meetings in Sweden in defence and support to the independence of the Baltic States. gives a reflection of the events 10 years ago when 2 Swedish politicians and 2 businessmen organised campaign of meetings in Sweden in defence and support to the independence of the Baltic States. According to social poll data popularity ratings of parties differ in Riga and Latvia’s countryside – in December the most popular party in Latvia’s countryside was Social Democrats leaving quite far behind FF/LNNK (which received the biggest support in Riga) and then Latvia’s Way. In December the most significant increase of people’s support experienced UFHRUL (Union for Human Rights in the United Latvia).

According to social poll data popularity ratings of parties differ in Riga and Latvias countryside – in December the most popular party in Latvias countryside was Social Democrats leaving quite far behind FF/LNNK (which received the biggest support in Riga) and then Latvias Way. In December the most significant increase of peoples support experienced UFHRUL (Union for Human Rights in the United Latvia). Neatkariga

Yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with Russia’s ambassador to Latvia to discuss I.Berzins visit to Moscow.

Yesterday the Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with Russias ambassador to Latvia to discuss I.Berzins visit to Moscow. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

As of 16 January 2001 the Register of Enterprises took over the responsibility to register parties and unions. Up to this moment the Ministry of Justice was in charge of this task.

As of 16 January 2001 the Register of Enterprises took over the responsibility to register parties and unions. Up to this moment the Ministry of Justice was in charge of this task. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis, Panorama Latvii

Six deputies representing all factions of Saeima inform about main plans of their parties for the next parliamentarian session. Social Democrats main goal is to align legislation for the development of state economy, particularly it regards Laws on Taxes and Commercial Law. New Party faction considers development of the Commercial Law their number one priority. Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will place main emphasis on municipal elections; Latvia’s Way will continue its work in the Government and Saeima; People’s Party also states work at Commercial Law as the top priority.

Six deputies representing all factions of Saeima inform about main plans of their parties for the next parliamentarian session. Social Democrats main goal is to align legislation for the development of state economy, particularly it regards Laws on Taxes and Commercial Law. New Party faction considers development of the Commercial Law their number one priority. Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia will place main emphasis on municipal elections; Latvias Way will continue its work in the Government and Saeima; Peoples Party also states work at Commercial Law as the top priority. Jauna

The President V.Vike-Freiberga has a meeting with a professor of Canadian University to discuss the establishment of ombudsman institution in Latvia.

The President V.Vike-Freiberga has a meeting with a professor of Canadian University to discuss the establishment of ombudsman institution in Latvia. Lauku Avize