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

Prime Minister A.Berzins and Defense Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis reflected Latvia's progress towards NATO membership on Monday at a North-Atlantic council in Brussels and answered to questions posed by NATO ambassadors. 12 NATO ambassadors were assessed the indicators of Latvia's defense and macroeconomic development as impressive. Before presenting their report the Latvian officials met with NATO Secretary General George Robertson The main topics upon which lay most of the questions coming from the ambassadors were relations with Russia, public

Prime Minister A.Berzins and Defense Minister Girts Valdis Kristovskis reflected Latvia's progress towards NATO membership on Monday at a North-Atlantic council in Brussels and answered to questions posed by NATO ambassadors. 12 NATO ambassadors were assessed the indicators of Latvia's defense and macroeconomic development as impressive. Before presenting their report the Latvian officials met with NATO Secretary General George Robertson The main topics upon which lay most of the questions coming from the ambassadors were relations with Russia, public

integration and naturalisation, as well as privatisation. The German NATO ambassador emphasised Latvia's great progress, and the need to continue strengthening relations with Russia.

integration and naturalisation, as well as privatisation. The German NATO ambassador emphasised Latvia's great progress, and the need to continue strengthening relations with Russia. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Lauku Avize , Chas

Some 80 essays have been submitted to the youth essay contest, announced by Vieda publishing house, that was sharply criticised by Russian Foreign Ministry and described also in Latvia as being on the edge of inciting to national hatred.

Some 80 essays have been submitted to the youth essay contest, announced by Vieda publishing house, that was sharply criticised by Russian Foreign Ministry and described also in Latvia as being on the edge of inciting to national hatred.

Vieda Director Aivars Garda told that the best essays which "are even unexpectedly good and indicate that there still is hope for the Latvian nation" will be published in a book in a month's time. The winners of the 100 lats (USD 160) have not been picked yet.

Vieda Director Aivars Garda told that the best essays which "are even unexpectedly good and indicate that there still is hope for the Latvian nation" will be published in a book in a month's time. The winners of the 100 lats (USD 160) have not been picked yet. Panorama Latvii, Respublika

The President V.Vike-Freiberga had an unscheduled meeting with the US President G. Bush, who suddenly joined to Latvian President’s meeting with vice-president R.Cheney, on the first day of her visit to the States. Among different discussion subjects the presidents talked about society integration issues and president G.Bush expressed his full support to society integration policy realised by the Latvian state.

The President V.Vike-Freiberga had an unscheduled meeting with the US President G. Bush, who suddenly joined to Latvian Presidents meeting with vice-president R.Cheney, on the first day of her visit to the States. Among different discussion subjects the presidents talked about society integration issues and president G.Bush expressed his full support to society integration policy realised by the Latvian state. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga

Yesterday the Saeima launched its spring session. Among the most important tasks for the deputies is the review of the Law on Society Integration Fund and National Programme on Society Integration. FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans says that the fact that this problem is left unsolved shows indifference of ruling parties’ deputies towards the problem that Latvia becomes a two-community country.

Yesterday the Saeima launched its spring session. Among the most important tasks for the deputies is the review of the Law on Society Integration Fund and National Programme on Society Integration. FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans says that the fact that this problem is left unsolved shows indifference of ruling parties deputies towards the problem that Latvia becomes a two-community country. Jauna, Vesti Segodnja

Rigas Balss

and and Lauku AvizeLauku Avize provide some numbers from the study Towards Civic Society. 45% of non-citizens consider their status as humiliating, for 64% non-citizens their status mean insecurity and 63% non-citizens think that they are discriminated in a labour market. provide some numbers from the study “Towards Civic Society”. 45% of non-citizens consider their status as humiliating, for 64% non-citizens their status mean insecurity and 63% non-citizens think that they are discriminated in a labour market.

Lauku Avize

also provides the comments of OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby on the process of naturalisation in Latvia. In his opinion it is rather dangerous that people who do not want to be naturalised somehow stay outside the society. They and also the country should be interested in the development of Latvia. Therefore, the state has act in such a way that people acquire citizenship and become a legitimate part of the society. Mr.Semneby understands that a part of them will remain non-citizens for a while, however, it is very important for the country to involve them, particularly young people, in state affairs. However, one of the paradoxes of Latvia is that the differences between citizens and non-citizens have been eliminated too successfully – people are rather happy with non-citizen passports. We could say – that proves how unfounded are the statements about non-citizens discrimination. OSCE Mission to Latvia Head indicated that it is possible to notice that there are two groups of people residing in Latvia, however, Russians who live here differ from Russians of Russia. In his opinion, it is an indication that social integration has taken place. At the same time it is true, that more should be done to develop the contacts between the two communities and that Russians should start using the Latvian language more. also provides the comments of OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby on the process of naturalisation in Latvia. “In his opinion it is rather dangerous that people who do not want to be naturalised somehow stay outside the society. They and also the country should be interested in the development of Latvia. Therefore, the state has act in such a way that people acquire citizenship and become a legitimate part of the society. Mr.Semneby understands that a part of them will remain non-citizens for a while, however, it is very important for the country to involve them, particularly young people, in state affairs. However, one of the paradoxes of Latvia is that the differences between citizens and non-citizens have been eliminated too successfully – people are rather happy with non-citizen passports. We could say – that proves how unfounded are the statements about non-citizens’ discrimination. OSCE Mission to Latvia Head indicated that it is possible to notice that there are two groups of people residing in Latvia, however, Russians who live here differ from Russians of Russia. In his opinion, it is an indication that social integration has taken place. At the same time it is true, that more should be done to develop the contacts between the two communities and that Russians should start using the Latvian language more”.

Chas

journalist views this study more in regard to the issue concerning relations between citizens and non-citizens – how possible are mixed marriages, tolerance toward other nationalities and languages spoken in communication between two nationalities. journalist views this study more in regard to the issue concerning relations between citizens and non-citizens – how possible are mixed marriages, tolerance toward other nationalities and languages spoken in communication between two nationalities.

Vesti Segodnja

considers strange that the number of citizens who think that the Latvian language is in danger has increased for 4% and the number of citizens who would agree to give the state language status to Russian has dropped for 3%. The conclusion of the newspaper is that the only mean, which could harmonise and integrate Latvian society is the time machine. considers strange that the number of citizens who think that the Latvian language is in danger has increased for 4% and the number of citizens who would agree to give the state language status to Russian has dropped for 3%. The conclusion of the newspaper is that the only mean, which could harmonise and integrate Latvian society is the time machine.

Panorama Latvii

writes that the only thing that is common for both citizens and non-citizens is the lack of trust in Latvian politicians. writes that the only thing that is common for both citizens and non-citizens is the lack of trust in Latvian politicians.

Lauku Avize

informs that just before Presidents visit to Washington DC when Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov presented Putins letter to Latvian President coincidentally informs that just before President’s visit to Washington DC when Russian ambassador to Latvia I.Studennikov presented Putin’s letter to Latvian President “coincidentally” Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja political columnist A.Elkin was around. And V.Vike-Freiberga voiced that I have discussed with the Prime Minister and foreign affair minister two specific steps in regard to naturalisation. The first one is to reduce the amount of the state fee. The second step is also related to that – I asked the Ministry of Education to create such conditions that a centralised examination for 9 graders of national minority schools would be considered equal to naturalisation examination. political columnist A.Elkin was around. And V.Vike-Freiberga voiced that “I have discussed with the Prime Minister and foreign affair minister two specific steps in regard to naturalisation. The first one is to reduce the amount of the state fee. The second step is also related to that – I asked the Ministry of Education to create such conditions that a centralised examination for 9 graders of national minority schools would be considered equal to naturalisation examination”. Some left-wing Saeima deputies comment the statement of the President. FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans says that he is satisfied with the President, however, he does not believe that she will manage to reach these goals. Other deputies were of the same opinion, too – in general they were satisfied with the opinion expressed by the President, however, they did not believe that the ruling parties will listen to her.

Some left-wing Saeima deputies comment the statement of the President. FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans says that he is satisfied with the President, however, he does not believe that she will manage to reach these goals. Other deputies were of the same opinion, too – in general they were satisfied with the opinion expressed by the President, however, they did not believe that the ruling parties will listen to her.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has accepted for consideration a claim by a Russian family against Latvian authorities whose actions forced the family to leave Latvia, Russia's authorized representative at the court said Monday.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has accepted for consideration a claim by a Russian family against Latvian authorities whose actions forced the family to leave Latvia, Russia's authorized representative at the court said Monday.

Pavel Laptev said the case of Shlivenko family reveals a "whole bunch of European [human rights] convention violations". Tatyana Shlivenko told ORT television earlier that after retirement of her husband from the service the Latvian authorities took away their documents, searched their apartment and then ordered to leave Latvia. Shlivenko family were forced to leave for Kursk and today they can not even arrive in Riga for a while to visit their parents.

Pavel Laptev said the case of Shlivenko family reveals a "whole bunch of European [human rights] convention violations". Tatyana Shlivenko told ORT television earlier that after retirement of her husband from the service the Latvian authorities took away their documents, searched their apartment and then ordered to leave Latvia. Shlivenko family were forced to leave for Kursk and today they can not even arrive in Riga for a while to visit their parents. Vesti Segodnja

Five months have passed since the Conference for Russian Students’ Parents took place. Latvian Support Association to Schools with Russian as a Tuition Language (LSASRTL) chairman I.Pimenov talks about the work done during these months. As one of the achievements is the establishment of Consultative Council at the Ministry of Education where two members of LSASRTL are presented. Their future objectives are to enter the changes in bilingual education – abolish the transfer of secondary school to education in the state language in 2004, review the requirement which determines the minimum number of students to open a class at national minority schools. This year LSASRTL is planning to organise two more parents’ conferences.

Five months have passed since the Conference for Russian Students Parents took place. Latvian Support Association to Schools with Russian as a Tuition Language (LSASRTL) chairman I.Pimenov talks about the work done during these months. As one of the achievements is the establishment of Consultative Council at the Ministry of Education where two members of LSASRTL are presented. Their future objectives are to enter the changes in bilingual education – abolish the transfer of secondary school to education in the state language in 2004, review the requirement which determines the minimum number of students to open a class at national minority schools. This year LSASRTL is planning to organise two more parents conferences. Vesti Segodnja

Panorama Latvii

writes that the line where the nationality of cards holder should be indicated will be included in the new ID cards. Latvias Way deputy V.Birkavs says that such line should not be in the new ID cards; social democrat I.Burvis considers that it should be up to cards holder to fill in the line or leave it empty and FF/LNNK deputy P.Tabuns voices that it is an absolute requirement to have this line in the new cards. writes that the line where the nationality of card’s holder should be indicated will be included in the new ID cards. Latvia’s Way deputy V.Birkavs says that such line should not be in the new ID cards; social democrat I.Burvis considers that it should be up to card’s holder to fill in the line or leave it empty and FF/LNNK deputy P.Tabuns voices that it is an absolute requirement to have this line in the new cards...

It is planned to submit to the Saeima a new draft law on NGOs in the fall this year. In the new law the division of NGO into individual profit and public profit organisations will be introduced. The procedure of providing donations to NGO are to be simplified.

It is planned to submit to the Saeima a new draft law on NGOs in the fall this year. In the new law the division of NGO into individual profit and public profit organisations will be introduced. The procedure of providing donations to NGO are to be simplified. Diena

As a reaction to the essay contest organised by the publishing house Vieda

As a reaction to the essay contest organised by the publishing house Vieda Chas announced its own contest for students on the subject Why do I love Latvia and Consider it My Motherland.

Vesti Segodnja

will publish advertisements free of charge for the companies, which sign boards are written in both languages – Latvian and Russian. will publish advertisements free of charge for the companies, which sign boards are written in both languages – Latvian and Russian.