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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the amendments to the Law on Local Governments. The amendments stipulate that the Latvian language should be the working language of local governments and their institutions. The Saeima rejected the proposal of FF/LNNK to dismiss a council if it does not observe the provision on the working language of local governments.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the amendments to the Law on Local Governments. The amendments stipulate that the Latvian language should be the working language of local governments and their institutions. The Saeima rejected the proposal of FF/LNNK to dismiss a council if it does not observe the provision on the working language of local governments. Diena, Vechernaya Riga

Yesterday the Saeima rejected the proposal of FHRUL to amend the Rules of Order of the Saeima. FHRUL proposed to lift the norm stipulating that the mandate of an MP should be annuled if his/her state language skills are not sufficient.

Yesterday the Saeima rejected the proposal of FHRUL to amend the Rules of Order of the Saeima. FHRUL proposed to lift the norm stipulating that the mandate of an MP should be annuled if his/her state language skills are not sufficient. Panorama Latvii

Diena

devotes a page to articles about Roma, their rights and situation in the world and Latvia. Head of the Roma Community in Latvia Normunds Rudevics believes that we should not focus only on the negative aspects of the situation of Roma residing in Latvia. When asked about unemployment and education problems in the Roma community, Rudevics did not provide any response as no serious studies about a true picture of Latvian Roma have been conducted. Rudevics reports about several projects developed to foster Roma integration in society. devotes a page to articles about Roma, their rights and situation in the world and Latvia. Head of the Roma Community in Latvia Normunds Rudevics believes that we should not focus only on the negative aspects of the situation of Roma residing in Latvia. When asked about unemployment and education problems in the Roma community, Rudevics did not provide any response as no serious studies about a true picture of Latvian Roma have been conducted. Rudevics reports about several projects developed to foster Roma integration in society.

Dienas

editorial comments on the recently adopted Russian Citizenship Law. The Law comes into effect on July 1 2002. According to the new law a Russian citizenship could not be acquired only on the basis that an applicant was a former USSR citizen. The columnist writes that de facto Russia is a totally new country which very substantially differs from the former USSR and the Russian Empire. editorial comments on the recently adopted Russian Citizenship Law. The Law comes into effect on July 1 2002. According to the new law a Russian citizenship could not be acquired only on the basis that an applicant was a former USSR citizen. The columnist writes that de facto Russia is a totally new country which very substantially differs from the former USSR and the Russian Empire.

Panorama Latvii

writes that the great number of non-citizens is Latvias biggest problem on its way towards the EU and NATO. FHRUL deputy Igor Solovyev states if the EU ignores this problem and accepts Latvia to the EU it will be the open discrimination of the rights of non-citizens. He states that there are two possible solutions: introducing either additional easements in naturalisation process or zero citizenship option. writes that the great number of non-citizens is Latvia’s biggest problem on its way towards the EU and NATO. FHRUL deputy Igor Solovyev states if the EU ignores this problem and accepts Latvia to the EU it will be the open discrimination of the rights of non-citizens. He states that there are two possible solutions: introducing either additional easements in naturalisation process or zero citizenship option. For the first time Russia’s Foundation of Culture will launch the biggest painting exhibition from the Russian Federation in Latvia. The exhibition will be opened as of June 10 in St. Peter’s Church.

For the first time Russias Foundation of Culture will launch the biggest painting exhibition from the Russian Federation in Latvia. The exhibition will be opened as of June 10 in St. Peters Church. Panorama Latvii