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

Nils Muiznieks, Director of the Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, comments that the new government declaration does not contain the European Commission recommendations on human rights and minority issues. Mr. Muiznieks notes that there are no proposals on the speeding up of the naturalization process, the granting of citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, and eliminating of the “naturalization window” system. Still, Mr. Muiznieks hopes that the government will be able to bring Latvia nearer to the standards of the European Union not only in the economic sphere, but also in the political.

Nils Muiznieks, Director of the Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center, comments that the new government declaration does not contain the European Commission recommendations on human rights and minority issues. Mr. Muiznieks notes that there are no proposals on the speeding up of the naturalization process, the granting of citizenship to children who were born in Latvia, and eliminating of the naturalization window system. Still, Mr. Muiznieks hopes that the government will be able to bring Latvia nearer to the standards of the European Union not only in the economic sphere, but also in the political. Diena

Head of the Visa Department of the CID Andris Kalnins in an interview for SM SEGODNYA notes that there are problems with the CID staff that more and more resembles a “clan of some particular families”. According to Mr. Kalnins, the CID needs a serious reorganization, including changes in personnel.

Head of the Visa Department of the CID Andris Kalnins in an interview for SM SEGODNYA notes that there are problems with the CID staff that more and more resembles a clan of some particular families. According to Mr. Kalnins, the CID needs a serious reorganization, including changes in personnel. SM

Kristina Malere, Press-Secretary of the National Human Rights Bureau, informs that during the first half of this year the Bureau received some 175 oral and 30 written complaints about the CID.

Kristina Malere, Press-Secretary of the National Human Rights Bureau, informs that during the first half of this year the Bureau received some 175 oral and 30 written complaints about the CID. SM

Vladimir Buzayev, Co-Director of the Latvian Committee on Human Rights, comments on a case of a military pensioner who got an order to leave Latvia, although the 1994 Agreement between Latvia and Russia on the social protection of the military pensioners guaranteed him residence in Latvia. On August 13 the Senate of the Latvian Supreme Court will rule on this case. Mr. Buzayev expresses doubts that it will be solved in favour of the pensioner. Mr. Buzayev also notes that the wife of this military pensioner had met with representatives of the OSCE Mission.

Vladimir Buzayev, Co-Director of the Latvian Committee on Human Rights, comments on a case of a military pensioner who got an order to leave Latvia, although the 1994 Agreement between Latvia and Russia on the social protection of the military pensioners guaranteed him residence in Latvia. On August 13 the Senate of the Latvian Supreme Court will rule on this case. Mr. Buzayev expresses doubts that it will be solved in favour of the pensioner. Mr. Buzayev also notes that the wife of this military pensioner had met with representatives of the OSCE Mission. PL

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts postponed an auction of the “Peter I House” that in 1995 was rented to the Russian Cultural Center. The State Real Estate Agency announced an auction after the Russian Cultural Center had not paid the rent for almost two years. Janis Mote, Director General of the Agency, said that the decision to put the house up for auction was to preserve the property, and it should not be considered to be an action against the Russian Cultural Center.

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts postponed an auction of the Peter I House that in 1995 was rented to the Russian Cultural Center. The State Real Estate Agency announced an auction after the Russian Cultural Center had not paid the rent for almost two years. Janis Mote, Director General of the Agency, said that the decision to put the house up for auction was to preserve the property, and it should not be considered to be an action against the Russian Cultural Center. Diena

Lately some deputies of the Saeima have criticized the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially its policy toward Russia. Edgars Skuja, Director of the Second Political Department of the MFA, indicated that there had been intensive work on various draft agreements between Russia and Latvia on social, cultural, and economic issues. Still, the Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics expressed a wish that there was more co-operation between Russian and Latvian Foreign Ministries. It is planned to have consultations between the ministries this fall.

Lately some deputies of the Saeima have criticized the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, especially its policy toward Russia. Edgars Skuja, Director of the Second Political Department of the MFA, indicated that there had been intensive work on various draft agreements between Russia and Latvia on social, cultural, and economic issues. Still, the Press Secretary of the MFA Andrejs Pildegovics expressed a wish that there was more co-operation between Russian and Latvian Foreign Ministries. It is planned to have consultations between the ministries this fall. Diena