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

Although usually the number of people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship grows in the first months of autumn, the naturalisation rate in this September has not increased. The Naturalisation Board explains that with the 8th Saeima elections and that a number of non-citizens hoped that forces which support zero option citizenship would win in the elections. The Naturalisation Board forecasts that the number of persons who will acquire Latvian citizenship this year will be the same as last year.

Although usually the number of people who want to acquire Latvian citizenship grows in the first months of autumn, the naturalisation rate in this September has not increased. The Naturalisation Board explains that with the 8th Saeima elections and that a number of non-citizens hoped that forces which support zero option citizenship would win in the elections. The Naturalisation Board forecasts that the number of persons who will acquire Latvian citizenship this year will be the same as last year. Diena

The government-to-be is nominating its minister candidacies. The New Era has nominated linguist Ina Druviete for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration. In the brief interview for

The government-to-be is nominating its minister candidacies. The New Era has nominated linguist Ina Druviete for the post of the Minister of Societal Integration. In the brief interview for Vesti Segodnya she states that the New Era will support the development of minority cultures and is going to develop the programme for Latvian language training. She states that the main task will be the consolidation of a single community and one of the key consolidation elements is the state language. However, FHRUL MP Boriss Tsilevich doubts the adequacy of her candidacy for the post, as she has been famous for her strict stance regarding the state language. The Latvian First Party states that this post is important for their party as well, but that before nominating its candidacy, the party wants to know the tasks and authorities of this institution. Chas

Chas comments on the statement of the outgoing Netherlands government that Latvia is not ready to be accepted in the EU. According to unofficial information, the Netherlands believes that Latvia is not ready for the membership in the EU because of widespread corruption in the country, weak state administration and unwillingness of the Latvian majority to deal with ethnic minority problems.

Chas comments on the statement of the outgoing Netherlands government that Latvia is not ready to be accepted in the EU. According to unofficial information, the Netherlands believes that Latvia is not ready for the membership in the EU because of widespread corruption in the country, weak state administration and unwillingness of the Latvian majority to deal with ethnic minority problems.

Neatkariga

looks into the activities of Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky in Latvia. The International Foundation for Civil Liberties, headed by Mr. Berezovsky, has funded a number of projects aimed at integration and promotion of Russian culture in Latvia. looks into the activities of Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky in Latvia. The International Foundation for Civil Liberties, headed by Mr. Berezovsky, has funded a number of projects aimed at integration and promotion of Russian culture in Latvia. Neatkariga’s Neatkarigas columnist Dainis Lemesonoks warns that his influence will increase and that Berezovsky is trying to involve Latvia in his fight against the Kremlin behind the cover of democracy, human rights and pluralism. columnist Dainis Lemesonoks warns that his influence will increase and that Berezovsky is trying to involve Latvia in his fight against the Kremlin behind the cover of democracy, human rights and pluralism.