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

According to the latest statistical data, 50,437 residents of Liepaja are citizens, 42,409 are non-citizens and 400 have citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The city has the lowest naturalization rate in the country. Head of the local Naturalization Board office Juris Abolins believes this to be "psychological heritage of militarism" since Liepaja used to be a major Russian military base. Around thirteen thousand persons left the city with the Russian troops. The Naturalization Board in collaboration with the Center for Ethnic Studies has implemented several programs aimed at informing young non-citizens about the essence of citizenship.

According to the latest statistical data, 50,437 residents of Liepaja are citizens, 42,409 are non-citizens and 400 have citizenship of countries other than Latvia. The city has the lowest naturalization rate in the country. Head of the local Naturalization Board office Juris Abolins believes this to be "psychological heritage of militarism" since Liepaja used to be a major Russian military base. Around thirteen thousand persons left the city with the Russian troops. The Naturalization Board in collaboration with the Center for Ethnic Studies has implemented several programs aimed at informing young non-citizens about the essence of citizenship. Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers decreased the naturalization fee for pensioners, second category invalids and school students to Ls 15. The fee is not to be paid by the politically repressed, by first category invalids, by orphans and by children not supported by their parents. The Head of the Naturalization Board has the right to exempt persons officially recognized to be destitute from the naturalization fee. According to the Naturalization Board, only 4,313 persons have received citizenship through naturalization. Officials working in the area of naturalization believe that naturalization rate would not change even if the fee was decreased to Ls 5.

The Cabinet of Ministers decreased the naturalization fee for pensioners, second category invalids and school students to Ls 15. The fee is not to be paid by the politically repressed, by first category invalids, by orphans and by children not supported by their parents. The Head of the Naturalization Board has the right to exempt persons officially recognized to be destitute from the naturalization fee. According to the Naturalization Board, only 4,313 persons have received citizenship through naturalization. Officials working in the area of naturalization believe that naturalization rate would not change even if the fee was decreased to Ls 5. SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Juridical Committee declined a draft amendment that would allow non-citizens to work as lawyers. The amendment drafted by the Human Rights Committee will be considered at the Saeima plenary session. Member of the Juridical Committee Maris Grinblats ("TB"/LNNK) explained that the amendment would contradict several Latvian laws. B&B, Jauna Avize

Mr. Andrey Vorontsov (Editor of

Mr. Andrey Vorontsov (Editor of "SM SEVODNYA") in an article for "DIENA" welcomes the tendency of recognizing the existence of two communities in Latvia. Mr. Vorontsov does not see any danger in preserving the situation and believes that the two communities can peacefully coexist. He assumes that ethnic relations in the country could be more harmonious if non-Latvians were given political rights in the early nineties. Integration of non-Latvians supported by the Latvian bureaucracy presumes their assimilation. The existing situation leads to negative attitude toward naturalization among the Russian-speaking population. Mr. Vorontsov does not believe naturalization tests to be a real reason for a low naturalization rate. Most of Russian-speakers see Latvia as their native country and are loyal to it. The author warns against trying to oust non-Latvians from the country. Such an attempt may result in an open conflict. He believes that the Russian-speaking community should have its representative institutions that would protect its interests in accordance with the Satversme. Strict Citizenship and Language laws will only press non-Latvians to take Russian citizenship subjecting them to possible political manipulations by Russian radical political forces.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs in a brief interview for

Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs in a brief interview for "SM" stressed that it was only Russian security guarantees that Latvia declined. The Latvian side was ready to consider other Russian initiatives and "to take practical steps" toward the signing of the border agreement. Mr. Birkavs criticized "near-sighted politicians and political adventurers" trying to stir ethnic hatred in the country.