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

According to the data collected at the last people counting the number of Latvia's residents has decreased for 10,9% (291 thousand). At the moment of the counting March this year the total number of Latvia's residents was 2 375 000. The proportion of Latvians has increased up to 57,6%, the proportion of Polish people and Lithuanians has increased, too. The proportion of Russians has decreased from 34% in 1989 to 29,6% in 2000.

According to the data collected at the last people counting the number of Latvia's residents has decreased for 10,9% (291 thousand). At the moment of the counting March this year the total number of Latvia's residents was 2 375 000. The proportion of Latvians has increased up to 57,6%, the proportion of Polish people and Lithuanians has increased, too. The proportion of Russians has decreased from 34% in 1989 to 29,6% in 2000.

62% of all residents said that their native tongue is Latvian and 36,1% said that their native tongue is Russian; 21% of residents – over the age of 60. The cities having the biggest Russians proportion are Daugavpils (55,2%), Rezekne (50,7%) and Riga (43,8%).

62% of all residents said that their native tongue is Latvian and 36,1% said that their native tongue is Russian; 21% of residents – over the age of 60. The cities having the biggest Russians proportion are Daugavpils (55,2%), Rezekne (50,7%) and Riga (43,8%). Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika, Latvijas Vestnesis

Week state administration capacity, slow progress in improving judicial system, corruption, delayed privatisation of big companies are some of the spheres for which Latvia will receive critical comments from the EC in the new progress report on Wednesday, confirms competent sources of the EU. However, Latvia has made a good progress on the whole and could be one of the countries, which has chances to finish accessions talks during the year 2002. In the section of political criteria the EC will require to foster society integration, by expanding possibilities to learn Latvian, and promote naturalisation of non-citizens. It also will be mentioned that Latvia has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of Minorities. The Naturalisation Board considers that no serious reproaches should be devoted to naturalisation, as the number of naturalised persons has increased for 28% this year. The advise regarding the language was also taken into account: 870 applicants to citizenship participated in language learning courses free of charge and it is planned with the support of the UNDP and the OSCE to give such possibility to 2000 non-citizens next year.

Week state administration capacity, slow progress in improving judicial system, corruption, delayed privatisation of big companies are some of the spheres for which Latvia will receive critical comments from the EC in the new progress report on Wednesday, confirms competent sources of the EU. However, Latvia has made a good progress on the whole and could be one of the countries, which has chances to finish accessions talks during the year 2002. In the section of political criteria the EC will require to foster society integration, by expanding possibilities to learn Latvian, and promote naturalisation of non-citizens. It also will be mentioned that Latvia has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of Minorities. The Naturalisation Board considers that no serious reproaches should be devoted to naturalisation, as the number of naturalised persons has increased for 28% this year. The advise regarding the language was also taken into account: 870 applicants to citizenship participated in language learning courses free of charge and it is planned with the support of the UNDP and the OSCE to give such possibility to 2000 non-citizens next year. Diena, Neatkariga

Yesterday people (about 100) who celebrated the anniversary of the Socialistic Revolution gathered at the Victory Monument and in front of the Government building where in former times the monument to Lenin was situated. Police will call the organisers to account for these meetings, as they were not organised with the permission of the City Council.

Yesterday people (about 100) who celebrated the anniversary of the Socialistic Revolution gathered at the Victory Monument and in front of the Government building where in former times the monument to Lenin was situated. Police will call the organisers to account for these meetings, as they were not organised with the permission of the City Council. Diena, Jauna, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja

British Minister for European Affairs Keith Vaz is visiting Latvia. The Minister will have meetings with officials, business people and representatives of NGO’s and will take part in the opening of the British embassy website.

British Minister for European Affairs Keith Vaz is visiting Latvia. The Minister will have meetings with officials, business people and representatives of NGOs and will take part in the opening of the British embassy website. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Yesterday the President of Latvia V.Vike-Freiberga went to two rural districts of Latvia where she had meetings with the head of municipalities, entrepreneurs and interested people

Yesterday the President of Latvia V.Vike-Freiberga went to two rural districts of Latvia where she had meetings with the head of municipalities, entrepreneurs and interested people. Jauna, Vesti Segodnja

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted the draft of Society Integration Fund. To create the fund LVL 25000 is necessary to be invested in fund’s equity, as well as funding for salaries, social taxes, which all together comes to LVL 94980.

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted the draft of Society Integration Fund. To create the fund LVL 25000 is necessary to be invested in funds equity, as well as funding for salaries, social taxes, which all together comes to LVL 94980. Diena

On Tuesday the Nordic State Council decided not to launch talks on the accession of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to the Nordic State Council.

On Tuesday the Nordic State Council decided not to launch talks on the accession of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to the Nordic State Council. Neatkariga

Almost half of the residents of Latvia (58,1%) has experienced bureaucracy at state institutions, however, only 13% of them have made complaints about that. People are not satisfied also with the way and amount of provided information, the work and attitude of civil officers.

Almost half of the residents of Latvia (58,1%) has experienced bureaucracy at state institutions, however, only 13% of them have made complaints about that. People are not satisfied also with the way and amount of provided information, the work and attitude of civil officers. Jauna

Vesti Segodnja

gives their comments on Presidents interview on the BBC in the article Inexperienced Shame of Latvias Policy. The article characterises the behaviour and responses of the President during the interview as very unsure and unconvincing. The newspaper comes to conclusion that Latvias policy is for inner use only and it could not be explained to any civilised country. gives their comments on President’s interview on the BBC in the article “Inexperienced Shame of Latvia’s Policy”. The article characterises the behaviour and responses of the President during the interview as very unsure and unconvincing. The newspaper comes to conclusion that “Latvia’s policy is for “inner use only” and it could not be explained to any civilised country”.