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

Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for

Unlike the majority of Latvian politicians, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Udaltsov believes that any security guarantee is a contribution to any security system. In his interview for "NEATKARIGA" he said that Russia would reject the idea of establishing a system of bilateral or multilateral security guarantees for the Baltic states. The Ambassador singled out the three main components of relations between Russia and Latvia, namely, economics, security and humanitarian issues. Mr. Udaltsov pointed to the lack of positive changes in non-citizens' situation adding that his opinion was shared by OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel. The Russian Ambassador stressed that Russia was not putting an ultimatum but was only insisting on fulfillment of international recommendations by Latvia. The Ambassador said that he had an impression that Latvia was not ready to resolve the problem of Russian-speakers. He stressed that the issue would remain the main stumbling block for developing relations between the two countries. Neatkariga

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having

The Latvian Government is planning to consider the possibility of issuing non-citizens' passports to persons currently not having any legal status in Latvia. According to Minister of the Interior Ziedonis Cevers, the Council on Co-operation between the Governing Factions has already received draft amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens. The amendments provide for issuing non-citizens' passports to individuals not having "propiska" in their former USSR passports. Another group of Latvia's inhabitants does not have any identification documents. These are persons who have renounced citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The Government has not decided whether such persons can receive non-citizens' passports or should special identification documents be introduced for them. Currently, 6,000 inhabitants of Latvia do not have any official status. B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee suggested to amend several acts restricting the rights of non-citizens for employment. The Saeima supported two of the amendments allowing non-citizens to run pharmaceutical businesses and to work as lawyers. The draft amendments are to be reviewed by the Saeima Committee. Still, the Saeima voted against the amendment allowing non-citizens to work as private detectives. SM