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.

• Prime Minister Indulis Emsis on future steps of the government regarding ECHR judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Judges Egils Levits and Giovanni Bonello about ECHR decision in the case of Tatjana Zdanoka
• Naturalisation Boards head Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation process in Latvia
• Ethnologist Leo Dribins and MP Boris Tsilevitch about ethnic aspects which could have influenced results of the European Parliaments election
• Secretariat of the Special Tasks Ministers for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora

Decision of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia must be carefully evaluated before deciding on any further steps, says the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. According to the prime minister’s advisor on public relations issues Ilona Lice, the state would only appeal the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) decision if there are real chances to win. Necessary amendments to laws in line with the ECHR judgement should also be evaluated.

Decision of the European Court of Human Rights in favour of the leader of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia must be carefully evaluated before deciding on any further steps, says the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. According to the prime ministers advisor on public relations issues Ilona Lice, the state would only appeal the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) decision if there are real chances to win. Necessary amendments to laws in line with the ECHR judgement should also be evaluated. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize continues discussion on the ECHR judgement in favour of Tatjana Zdanoka, featuring the different opinions of two judges – Egils Levits (Latvia) and Giovanni Bonello (Malta). Judge Bonello points to the fact that Tatjana Zdanoka had been fighting against democracy in Latvia, and has not expressed any regret about it until now. Judge Egils Levits believes that Latvian society and the state should themselves be able to find the right way to deal with the totalitarian regimes consequences. According to him, the old traditional democracies cannot really assist in this process, because of the lack of own experience in this particular field. Therefore, says Levits, their given advice is too superficial, and the new democratic states should look for solutions themselves.

Chas prints an interview with the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation process in Latvia. According to the chairperson, it is impossible to grant citizenship to all the children born after the 1991 automatically, because of the necessity to open the Citizenship Law for this purpose. The governing coalitions agreement foresees that this law can be opened only with the consent of all coalition members. Eizenija Aldermane also mentioned that the Board in cooperation with the Ministry of Health is preparing a draft decision of the Cabinet of Ministers on simplification of the naturalisation procedure for disabled persons and pensioners.

Vesti Segodnya features opinions of ethnologist Leo Dribins and MP Boris Tsilevitch about ethnic aspects, which have possibly influenced results of the European Parliaments election. Leo Dribins regards the sceptical attitude of the minorities representatives towards Latvias EU accession, as well as the split inside the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL), as the main causes of low minorities participation in the elections. Boris Tsilevitch thinks that the slogan Russians are coming, used by the FHRUL, frightened and mobilised Latvians, at the same time failing to convince Russians. The MP points to the necessity for Peoples Harmony Party and FHRUL to sit down at the negotiating table in order to regain confidence of the electorate.

Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009, which must be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers until the 1 August 2004.

Secretariat of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration has prepared a draft Programme for Supporting the Latvian Diaspora 2004 – 2009, which must be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers until the 1 August 2004. Latvijas Avize