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

Diena publishes OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semnebys article Language, Democracy and Western Values.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins has come out with a proposal on holding the referendum on Latvia's accession to the EU on August 23 of 2003, besides the government head believes that such a public vote is to be held in the three Baltic countries simultaneously.

Prime Minister Andris Berzins has come out with a proposal on holding the referendum on Latvia's accession to the EU on August 23 of 2003, besides the government head believes that such a public vote is to be held in the three Baltic countries simultaneously. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Diena

informs about the opening of one-day information booth for people interested in the issues concerning the acquisition of citizenship in one of the suburbs of Riga. The information booth is a part of Public Awareness Campaign.

Lauku Avize

publishes its former editor-in-chief V.Krustins article where he refers to current political situation, in particular politicians stance towards non-citizens and their interests. He writes that … the representative of the OSCE Mr.P.Semneby also does not like that election candidates have to know the Latvian language according to the Latvian legislation… But we cannot agree with that, although we have to admit that Mr.Semneby is not alone in his opinion, he is supported by publishes its former editor-in-chief V.Krustins’ article where he refers to current political situation, in particular politicians stance towards non-citizens and their interests. He writes that “… the representative of the OSCE Mr.P.Semneby also does not like that election candidates have to know the Latvian language according to the Latvian legislation… But we cannot agree with that, although we have to admit that Mr.Semneby is not alone in his opinion, he is supported by Diena, Panorama Latvii and ChasDiena, Panorama Latvii and Chas. ”. Yesterday the content of Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign was on Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commission’s agenda. Naturalisation Board Head E.Aldermane presented the materials (videoclips) of the campaign. After the presentation the MPs concluded that this campaign will make non-citizens naturalise only because of practical advantages of being a Latvian citizen and not because they would feel linked to this country. People’s Party member J.Lagzdins concluded that the overall goal of the campaign is bad.

Yesterday the content of Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign was on Saeima Citizenship Law Implementation Commissions agenda. Naturalisation Board Head E.Aldermane presented the materials (videoclips) of the campaign. After the presentation the MPs concluded that this campaign will make non-citizens naturalise only because of practical advantages of being a Latvian citizen and not because they would feel linked to this country. Peoples Party member J.Lagzdins concluded that the overall goal of the campaign is bad. Lauku Avize

Panorama Latvii

devotes the whole page to inform about the mass media seminar The Mass Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided? devotes the whole page to inform about the mass media seminar “The Mass Media in Latvia – Integrated or Divided?” During the meetings of Rumanian President with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins and Saeima Vice Speaker J.Straume one of the discussion subjects was the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia by the end of the year. The Rumanian President expressed his support to Latvia’s wish to close the Mission at the end of the year.

During the meetings of Rumanian President with Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins and Saeima Vice Speaker J.Straume one of the discussion subjects was the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia by the end of the year. The Rumanian President expressed his support to Latvias wish to close the Mission at the end of the year. Panorama Latvii, Latvijas Vestnesis

Vesti Segodnja

informs that Saeima Legal Committee has received a letter from OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby, where … he clearly states that it will be very difficult for Latvia to hope to be understood by Europe and the world, if it does not abolish language requirements in the Election Laws. The newspaper provides the main points of ambassadors letter. informs that Saeima Legal Committee has received a letter from OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby, where “… he clearly states that it will be very difficult for Latvia to hope to be understood by Europe and the world, if it does not abolish language requirements in the Election Laws”. The newspaper provides the main points of ambassador’s letter.

Telegrafs

editorial is about the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The contributor concludes that our politicians want to close the Mission to be able to take decision without witnesses. editorial is about the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia. The contributor concludes that our politicians want to close the Mission to be able to take decision “without witnesses”. FHRUL member J.Urbanovics writes that the ruling coalition parties have started to organise their pre-election campaigns using funds from the state budget.

FHRUL member J.Urbanovics writes that the ruling coalition parties have started to organise their pre-election campaigns using funds from the state budget. Telegraf

Latvijas Vçstnesis

interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins. To journalists question You are going to Bucharest at the end of the week to take part at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the OSCE states. What issues are on the agenda? Will you discuss the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia? the Foreign Affairs Minister replies Yes, Latvias stance is very clear. We have fulfilled the guidelines provided already by Austrian Presidency, we have done what we promised to do and therefore the Mission is to be closed. It does not mean that Latvia is perfect, it does not mean that we do not have any space for improvement. I think that there is no such country in the world, including Latvia, which should not improve anything in the field of human rights. But what regards the Mission, then we, of course, will have to close it. That is not directly linked to this meeting, although I assume that there will be discussions about that in both political corridors and, quite possible, some countries will mention the missions in Latvia and Estonia. In principle, the issue will be solved, I think in a positive way for Latvia, on 20 December in Vienna, when Missions representative to Latvia will report on the situation in Latvia. interviews Latvian Foreign Affairs Minister I.Berzins. To journalist’s question “You are going to Bucharest at the end of the week to take part at the meeting of the foreign ministers of the OSCE states. What issues are on the agenda? Will you discuss the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia?” the Foreign Affairs Minister replies “Yes, Latvia’s stance is very clear. We have fulfilled the guidelines provided already by Austrian Presidency, we have done what we promised to do and therefore the Mission is to be closed. It does not mean that Latvia is perfect, it does not mean that we do not have any space for improvement. I think that there is no such country in the world, including Latvia, which should not improve anything in the field of human rights. But what regards the Mission, then we, of course, will have to close it. That is not directly linked to this meeting, although I assume that there will be discussions about that in both political corridors and, quite possible, some countries will mention the missions in Latvia and Estonia. In principle, the issue will be solved, I think in a positive way for Latvia, on 20 December in Vienna, when Mission’s representative to Latvia will report on the situation in Latvia”. Social Democrats Party Board has also turned down the proposal of FHRUL to sign an agreement on co-operation in the Saeima between the parties. Social Democrats secretary general J.Dinçvičs says that “the signing of the agreement before the 8the Saeima election would be premature and useless”.

Social Democrats Party Board has also turned down the proposal of FHRUL to sign an agreement on co-operation in the Saeima between the parties. Social Democrats secretary general J.Dinçvičs says that the signing of the agreement before the 8the Saeima election would be premature and useless. Diena