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

The Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions supported an urgent ratification of the UN Convention on Refugees by Latvia and the adoption of the Law on Refugees by the

The Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions supported an urgent ratification of the UN Convention on Refugees by Latvia and the adoption of the Law on Refugees by the Saeima. Last Wednesday Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs in his report to the Council named flaws in the Latvian legislation as the main obstacle to introducing a non-visa entry regime with several European countries. Diena

According to

According to "PANORAMA LATVII", Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Byelorussia, Slovakia, USA, Israel, Poland, Norway, Great Britain, Finland, Czech Republic, Italy, South Africa, Switzerland, France, Germany, Turkey, Samoa and the Philippines have recognized the new non-citizens' passport. Estonia and Lithuania do not require entrance visas from holder of the new passports. PL

Council of the Association of Latvian National Cultural Societies Marija Briede believes that one of the important reasons of non-citizens' indifference toward naturalization is the feeling of being cheated by politicians who promised citizenship to everyone during Latvia's struggle for independence. The majority of non-Latvians supported the country's independence during the referendum and many of them defended independent Latvia in 1991. Even the nationalistic Citizens' Congress supported the idea of granting citizenship to all independence supporters. Although the CID was to a great extent formed on the basis of the Congress, its officials often openly humiliated non-citizens while the CID acted as a political organization and not a State institution. Mrs. Briede expects that negative attitude toward naturalization may form among children of mixed marriages where one of the parents is a non-citizen. She believes that the Citizenship Law itself is more "liberal" than technical procedures of its implementation. Therefore, the situation may be improved even without amending the Law just by reviewing separate technical naturalization procedures.

Council of the Association of Latvian National Cultural Societies Marija Briede believes that one of the important reasons of non-citizens' indifference toward naturalization is the feeling of being cheated by politicians who promised citizenship to everyone during Latvia's struggle for independence. The majority of non-Latvians supported the country's independence during the referendum and many of them defended independent Latvia in 1991. Even the nationalistic Citizens' Congress supported the idea of granting citizenship to all independence supporters. Although the CID was to a great extent formed on the basis of the Congress, its officials often openly humiliated non-citizens while the CID acted as a political organization and not a State institution. Mrs. Briede expects that negative attitude toward naturalization may form among children of mixed marriages where one of the parents is a non-citizen. She believes that the Citizenship Law itself is more "liberal" than technical procedures of its implementation. Therefore, the situation may be improved even without amending the Law just by reviewing separate technical naturalization procedures. Diena

Yesterday the Governing Coalition Council considered candidates for Head of the Human Rights Office. Those are E.Vebers (

Yesterday the Governing Coalition Council considered candidates for Head of the Human Rights Office. Those are E.Vebers (LNNK), O.Bruvers ("Saimnieks") and O.Baterevskis (suggested by Prime-Minister Skele). The latter gained no support from the Council members. Mr. Vebers won two votes while O.Bruvers was supported by three members of the Council and the Saeima will choose between the two candidates. SM