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

The New Party has planned in its congress, taking place on Saturday, to overcome the crisis in the organisation and put the main stress on Christian values. It may be also reflected in the name of the party – the New Christian Party. The Chairman of the party A.Slesers told

The New Party has planned in its congress, taking place on Saturday, to overcome the crisis in the organisation and put the main stress on Christian values. It may be also reflected in the name of the party – the New Christian Party. The Chairman of the party A.Slesers told Diena that instead the members who had left the organisation many new people have joined it and many from the Christian Academy, among them also priest G.Dislers. According to unofficial information he could be at the head of the party. Diena

Answering to the People’s Party call to consider competency of the Minister of Environment V.Makarovs and a possibility to remain in his post after his harsh statements about the Minister of Economics G.Berzins, Prime Minister A.Berzins decided to discuss with both Ministers the reasons for this discord and possibilities to overcome it.

Answering to the Peoples Party call to consider competency of the Minister of Environment V.Makarovs and a possibility to remain in his post after his harsh statements about the Minister of Economics G.Berzins, Prime Minister A.Berzins decided to discuss with both Ministers the reasons for this discord and possibilities to overcome it. Diena, Rigas Balss, Respublika

The dispute between both Ministers arose on Tuesday when G.Berzins objected to the amendments to the law on living area rent proposed by V.Makarovs. People’s Party invited V.Makarovs to the faction meeting to give explanations.

The dispute between both Ministers arose on Tuesday when G.Berzins objected to the amendments to the law on living area rent proposed by V.Makarovs. Peoples Party invited V.Makarovs to the faction meeting to give explanations. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss

Neatkariga

states that Peoples Party will request Makarovss resignation. The Minister of Special Portfolio in State Reforms Affairs J.Krumins considers that implementation of regional local government reform should be started in the middle of March after the local government election. The final stage of the regional reform that according to the Minister’s model would be establishing of 5 second level local governments, will be possible only during the next Saeima.

The Minister of Special Portfolio in State Reforms Affairs J.Krumins considers that implementation of regional local government reform should be started in the middle of March after the local government election. The final stage of the regional reform that according to the Ministers model would be establishing of 5 second level local governments, will be possible only during the next Saeima. Diena

The Council of Social Democrats decided on Wednesday to finish the discussion on establishing an institution of a popularly elected president in the middle of February at the Latvian Social Democratic Party Council meeting and then take the final decision. The deputy Chairman of the party E.Baldzens do not support this idea; he thinks that it is necessary to submit to the Saeima amendments to the Satversme aiming to increase president’s authority in foreign affairs thus bringing Latvia closer to EU and NATO.

The Council of Social Democrats decided on Wednesday to finish the discussion on establishing an institution of a popularly elected president in the middle of February at the Latvian Social Democratic Party Council meeting and then take the final decision. The deputy Chairman of the party E.Baldzens do not support this idea; he thinks that it is necessary to submit to the Saeima amendments to the Satversme aiming to increase presidents authority in foreign affairs thus bringing Latvia closer to EU and NATO. Diena

Since the beginning of the naturalisation process in 1995 altogether have naturalised 38 700 residents of Latvia. Only last year – 14 900. During these years Latvian citizenship have received also 5132 underage children. Statistics shows that among them 68.64% are women. Speaking about nationalities – Russians are 65.7%, Byelorussians – 10%, Ukrainians – 7.96%, Estonians – 6.59%.

Since the beginning of the naturalisation process in 1995 altogether have naturalised 38 700 residents of Latvia. Only last year – 14 900. During these years Latvian citizenship have received also 5132 underage children. Statistics shows that among them 68.64% are women. Speaking about nationalities – Russians are 65.7%, Byelorussians – 10%, Ukrainians – 7.96%, Estonians – 6.59%. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii, Lauku Avize

According to the data of the Human Rights Office, the number of written complains in 1999 increased for 30% but oral consultations – for 60%. In 2000 the Office received 837 written complaints and gave 4347 consultations. The most of complaints are about eviction from flats, rights for social welfare and employment.

According to the data of the Human Rights Office, the number of written complains in 1999 increased for 30% but oral consultations – for 60%. In 2000 the Office received 837 written complaints and gave 4347 consultations. The most of complaints are about eviction from flats, rights for social welfare and employment. Rigas Balss

Since January 1, 1999 the Naturalisation Board has received 266 applications on giving up Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Ministers issued 295 decrees on depriving Latvian citizenship, among them 29 underage persons.

Since January 1, 1999 the Naturalisation Board has received 266 applications on giving up Latvian citizenship. The Cabinet of Ministers issued 295 decrees on depriving Latvian citizenship, among them 29 underage persons. Respublika

Yesterday Estonian social scientists in co-operation with a Scottish scientist proved that only 39% on Russians in Latvia trusted policy of Latvia. And this is the worst figure among the Baltic States. Vesti Segodnya asked N.Muiznieks, Head of the Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre and Latvian several politicians why it was so. N.Muiznieks answered that first of all Russian residents were dissatisfied with t national policy of Latvia, second – general economic situation, third – program of integration, so much advertised but still just on the paper. G.Astahov, leader of Russian community in Latvia said that t government had done everything to lose the trust of this part of population – discriminatory laws on education, language. They had been prohibited to establish a Centre of Russian Culture, and the authorities had been ignoring national minority organisations for years. V.Kalnberzs, leader of the movement “Equality of people of Latvia”, - in Latvia has been created such officials, who have no problem to offend, humiliate visitors. He himself experienced that when applied for Latvian citizenship.

Yesterday Estonian social scientists in co-operation with a Scottish scientist proved that only 39% on Russians in Latvia trusted policy of Latvia. And this is the worst figure among the Baltic States. Vesti Segodnya asked N.Muiznieks, Head of the Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre and Latvian several politicians why it was so. N.Muiznieks answered that first of all Russian residents were dissatisfied with t national policy of Latvia, second – general economic situation, third – program of integration, so much advertised but still just on the paper. G.Astahov, leader of Russian community in Latvia said that t government had done everything to lose the trust of this part of population – discriminatory laws on education, language. They had been prohibited to establish a Centre of Russian Culture, and the authorities had been ignoring national minority organisations for years. V.Kalnberzs, leader of the movement Equality of people of Latvia, - in Latvia has been created such officials, who have no problem to offend, humiliate visitors. He himself experienced that when applied for Latvian citizenship. Vesti Segodnya

The research showed that the closest links with authorities were in Estonia – 62% of Estonian Russians, answering whether they trusted their country, gave a positive answer. In Latvia only 39% of this part of population trust authorities.

The research showed that the closest links with authorities were in Estonia – 62% of Estonian Russians, answering whether they trusted their country, gave a positive answer. In Latvia only 39% of this part of population trust authorities. Chas

G.Pommere in the newspaper

G.Pommere in the newspaper Chas writes about the planned system of financing political parties. Soon this project will be submitted to ministries for consideration, and most likely it will be offered for public discussions. There will be many things to discuss, but the author asks why Latvian non-citizens, who have no right of vote but have to pay taxes, have to finance political parties.

According to Russian citizenship legislation from January 1 all Latvian non-citizens became stateless persons in Russia. Due to this reason entry stamps were replaced by visas for non-citizens. Due to this fact the newspaper Chas inquired about other consequences of this change for Latvian non-citizens in their relations with Russia, especially about possibilities to study in Russian higher education institutions. The answer was that all persons residing on the territories of former USSR participate in enrolment in general competition – i.e. they may candidate for positions financed by the state. What concerns Russian citizenship, that after introducing visa regime with Russia, the number of applicants for Russian citizenship increased radically.

According to Russian citizenship legislation from January 1 all Latvian non-citizens became stateless persons in Russia. Due to this reason entry stamps were replaced by visas for non-citizens. Due to this fact the newspaper Chas inquired about other consequences of this change for Latvian non-citizens in their relations with Russia, especially about possibilities to study in Russian higher education institutions. The answer was that all persons residing on the territories of former USSR participate in enrolment in general competition – i.e. they may candidate for positions financed by the state. What concerns Russian citizenship, that after introducing visa regime with Russia, the number of applicants for Russian citizenship increased radically. Chas

Yesterday the Council of Latvian Way adopted local government election lists for 15 provincial towns.

Chas