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

The EU Praises Latvia’s Achievements in Society Integration. In the response to the report of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby on the situation concerning human rights in Latvia, the EU issued the statement where it congratulates Latvia with the achieved results in the field of integration and indicates the tasks still to be fulfilled. However, in the statement it is emphasised that the decision about the closing of the Mission, which could take place at the end of the year, should be based only and exclusively on the fulfilment of the OSCE guidelines. The EU totally agrees with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia that the establishment of Society Integration Fund cannot be postponed anymore. The EU finds the work invested in the creation of ombudsman institution important, as well as “congratulates the report on the activities that should be performed to strengthen National Human Rights Office, including proposals on how to improve the procedure on the appointment of a new director of NHRO”. The EU provides a positive assessment to the decisions of the Government to foster naturalisation – to recognise validity of school graduation exams for naturalisation purposes, reduce state fee for naturalisation and expand the number of categories which have to pay reduced state fee. Positive evaluation was also given to the amendments to the Administrative Violations Code, where many of the suggestions of the OSCE High Commissioner were taken into consideration.”

The EU Praises Latvias Achievements in Society Integration. In the response to the report of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby on the situation concerning human rights in Latvia, the EU issued the statement where it congratulates Latvia with the achieved results in the field of integration and indicates the tasks still to be fulfilled. However, in the statement it is emphasised that the decision about the closing of the Mission, which could take place at the end of the year, should be based only and exclusively on the fulfilment of the OSCE guidelines. The EU totally agrees with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia that the establishment of Society Integration Fund cannot be postponed anymore. The EU finds the work invested in the creation of ombudsman institution important, as well as congratulates the report on the activities that should be performed to strengthen National Human Rights Office, including proposals on how to improve the procedure on the appointment of a new director of NHRO. The EU provides a positive assessment to the decisions of the Government to foster naturalisation – to recognise validity of school graduation exams for naturalisation purposes, reduce state fee for naturalisation and expand the number of categories which have to pay reduced state fee. Positive evaluation was also given to the amendments to the Administrative Violations Code, where many of the suggestions of the OSCE High Commissioner were taken into consideration. Diena

Although at the Riga City Council Social Democrats are in the coalition with FF/LNNK they also rather openly consider the second biggest political power FHRUL. FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats says that Social Democrats play dual politic games and that in the future it could cause problems. It is known that both vice mayors – I.Vaidere FF/LNNK and S. Dolgopolovs FHRUL – want to apply for two posts - the Head of Monument Council and Executive Director of Privatisation Fund.

Although at the Riga City Council Social Democrats are in the coalition with FF/LNNK they also rather openly consider the second biggest political power FHRUL. FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats says that Social Democrats play dual politic games and that in the future it could cause problems. It is known that both vice mayors – I.Vaidere FF/LNNK and S. Dolgopolovs FHRUL – want to apply for two posts - the Head of Monument Council and Executive Director of Privatisation Fund. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima passed the amendments to the Administrative Violation Code. The amendments stipulates the fines for not using state language in the written communication at public or governmental establishments or for hiring employees with insufficient knowledge of the Latvian language. Amendments to the law foresee that the management of mainly public organisations and governmental establishments can be fined for between 50 and 100 lats (USD 78 - 156) for not ensuring the use of Latvian in written communication and documentation. If the violation occurs within a year's time again, a fine of 100 - 150 lats may be applied. Employees will be penalised between 50 and 250 lats for employing people without abilities or certification of state language ability sufficient for the profession he is employed for. The legislative amendments also foresee fines of 100 - 200 lats for those responsible in broadcasting radio or television shows without translations in the state language or for the public demonstration of films without translation in Latvian. The officials will not be penalised for accepting complaints or applications not in the state language from the residents. “In practice it will depend on the good will of each individual official”, said FHRUL deputy Mitrafanov.

Yesterday the Saeima passed the amendments to the Administrative Violation Code. The amendments stipulates the fines for not using state language in the written communication at public or governmental establishments or for hiring employees with insufficient knowledge of the Latvian language. Amendments to the law foresee that the management of mainly public organisations and governmental establishments can be fined for between 50 and 100 lats (USD 78 - 156) for not ensuring the use of Latvian in written communication and documentation. If the violation occurs within a year's time again, a fine of 100 - 150 lats may be applied. Employees will be penalised between 50 and 250 lats for employing people without abilities or certification of state language ability sufficient for the profession he is employed for. The legislative amendments also foresee fines of 100 - 200 lats for those responsible in broadcasting radio or television shows without translations in the state language or for the public demonstration of films without translation in Latvian. The officials will not be penalised for accepting complaints or applications not in the state language from the residents. In practice it will depend on the good will of each individual official, said FHRUL deputy Mitrafanov. Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

The compromise was reached in the case of Jelgava school No 1 which was planned to undergo re-organisation in accordance with school optimisation plan. The students of Russian school will stay at their building, however, some classes of Latvian students will be located at the building.

The compromise was reached in the case of Jelgava school No 1 which was planned to undergo re-organisation in accordance with school optimisation plan. The students of Russian school will stay at their building, however, some classes of Latvian students will be located at the building. Chas, Vesti Segodnja.

Yesterday the meeting took place at the building of Russian embassy. 14 people came to the embassy to commemorate the deportations of Stalin’s regime in 14 June, 1941.

Yesterday the meeting took place at the building of Russian embassy. 14 people came to the embassy to commemorate the deportations of Stalins regime in 14 June, 1941. Respublika

Yesterday the State Language Centre sent a letter to Riga City Council with the request to review the ability of I.Grigule to hold the post of the director of Hansa Day Office as the staff of Hansa Days Office did not prevent the established Language Law violations.

Yesterday the State Language Centre sent a letter to Riga City Council with the request to review the ability of I.Grigule to hold the post of the director of Hansa Day Office as the staff of Hansa Days Office did not prevent the established Language Law violations. Respublika

Respublika

interviews Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins about the relations of Russia and Latvia in regard to the expansion of NATO – the relations are constructive, but not active, because of Latvias plans to join NATO after all. When asked about the situation regarding national minorities in Latvia I.Berzins stresses again that our language and citizenship legislation meets the EU and OSCE standards. interviews Latvian foreign affairs minister I.Berzins about the relations of Russia and Latvia in regard to the expansion of NATO – “the relations are constructive, but not active, because of Latvia’s plans to join NATO after all”. When asked about the situation regarding national minorities in Latvia I.Berzins stresses again that “our language and citizenship legislation meets the EU and OSCE standards”. The State Language Centre has sent the second letter to 6 Riga City Council FHRUL deputies with the repeated request to set the time for language examination.

The State Language Centre has sent the second letter to 6 Riga City Council FHRUL deputies with the repeated request to set the time for language examination. Respublika

Today the President V.Vike-Freiberga left for Lithuania for one-day visit. On Monday the President is scheduled to go to Austria.

Today the President V.Vike-Freiberga left for Lithuania for one-day visit. On Monday the President is scheduled to go to Austria. Respublika