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 Review

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Alfreds Cepanis said at a press-conference that Latvia saw NATO membership as the only way of maintaining it security. While touching upon the issue of Russian-speakers, Cepanis stressed that the Russian side was often using outdated information on the issue. The majority of the Russian-speaking population is not "rushing to obtain citizenship", noted Cepanis. He believes that the problem of ethnic Russians in Latvia "should not be brought to an international scene."

Head of the Latvian Delegation to Moscow Alfreds Cepanis said at a press-conference that Latvia saw NATO membership as the only way of maintaining it security. While touching upon the issue of Russian-speakers, Cepanis stressed that the Russian side was often using outdated information on the issue. The majority of the Russian-speaking population is not "rushing to obtain citizenship", noted Cepanis. He believes that the problem of ethnic Russians in Latvia "should not be brought to an international scene." B&B

Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that Russia was criticizing Latvia for slow naturalization of non-citizens without valid argumentation. Yesterday Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane reported to the Committee on the latest developments in naturalization. According to the Naturalization Board, 33 thousand non-citizens could apply for naturalization in 1996 while only 550 applications were received. Last week Mrs. Aldermane told "DIENA" that 2,664 non-citizens applied for naturalization in 1995 and 1996 while 54,970 had the right to obtain citizenship. 33,327 young people between 16 and 20 years of age could apply for naturalization last year and only 560 used the right. Diena

According to the Naturalization Board, the total number of Latvian residents having received citizenship through naturalization is 5,701, including those having already passed the tests and waiting for decrees by Cabinet of Ministers confirming their naturalization. Initially, the total number was 9,000. Around 4,000 of these are ethnic Latvians and Livs who received citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after corresponding amendments had been introduced into the Citizenship Law. Deputy-Head of the Board Kahanovics says that the number of applicants has reduced lately. 28 persons were granted citizenship for their extraordinary services to Latvia. Currently, the

According to the Naturalization Board, the total number of Latvian residents having received citizenship through naturalization is 5,701, including those having already passed the tests and waiting for decrees by Cabinet of Ministers confirming their naturalization. Initially, the total number was 9,000. Around 4,000 of these are ethnic Latvians and Livs who received citizenship through extraordinary naturalization after corresponding amendments had been introduced into the Citizenship Law. Deputy-Head of the Board Kahanovics says that the number of applicants has reduced lately. 28 persons were granted citizenship for their extraordinary services to Latvia. Currently, the Saeima is reviewing nine candidates who may be granted citizenship for extraordinary services. Technically, the Naturalization Board is able to review 10,000 applications per year. Still, the average of slightly more than two thousand applications are received annually. Latvian residents between 20 and 25 years of age (appr. 31,000) can apply for citizenship this year. This age group shows a slightly higher activity than the youngest group (16 to 20 years of age) with already 55 applicants in the first two months of 1996. The Naturalization Board gives the following data on the current naturalization situation:

- The number of non-citizens: around 680,000.

- The number of non-citizens: around 680,000.

- The number of non-citizens having the right to apply for naturalization: around 55,000.

- The number of non-citizens having the right to apply for naturalization: around 55,000.

- The number of non-citizens having applied for naturalization or having already obtained citizenship through naturalization: 5,701.

- The number of non-citizens having applied for naturalization or having already obtained citizenship through naturalization: 5,701.

These are:

These are:
Lithuanians and Estonians - 28.5%;
Russians - 46.5%;
Byelorussians - 8.3%;
Poles - 7.9%;
Ukrainians - 4.2%;
Others - 3.1%. Neatkariga