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

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee voted against submitting the draft of the Second Part of the Satversme ("On Human Rights") to the Saeima. A "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK" representative voted against the consideration of the draft by the Saeima while another "TB"/LNNK representative and a "The Farmers' Union"/"The Union of Christian Democrats" member abstained. The Committee consists of six members. The "TB"/LNNK faction decided not to support the draft claiming the Constitutional Law on Human Rights to be a sufficient guarantee of observance of human rights. The faction suggests to discuss the draft at a meeting of the Coalition Faction Council. Diena

Aigars Jirgens (

Aigars Jirgens ("TB"/LNNK) in his article for "JAUNA AVIZE" stresses that the EU should take into consideration Latvia's peculiar demographic situation that resulted from the decades of occupation. Mr. Jirgens quoted Russian politicians who had openly suggested to press on Latvia through European organizations to change its policy toward non-citizens. He believes that "subjective" statements made by OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel and CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen cause skepticism toward the EU among Latvian citizens. Such statements also allow non-citizens to hope for easier naturalization tests and to demand giving Russian the status of the second state language. Jauna Avize

In his interviews for Spanish press Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts said that most Russia-speakers did not have Latvian citizenship because they still considered Latvia to be part of Russia. "They are under the influence of Russian mass-media and are still waiting for changes in Latvia's status," said the Prime-Minister in an interview for

In his interviews for Spanish press Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts said that most Russia-speakers did not have Latvian citizenship because they still considered Latvia to be part of Russia. "They are under the influence of Russian mass-media and are still waiting for changes in Latvia's status," said the Prime-Minister in an interview for "El Mondo". SM

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with Chairman of the

Yesterday President Ulmanis had a meeting with Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis. They agreed that Latvia needed a new Education Law. Mr. Ulmanis believes that the Law should create a situation when "the knowledge of Latvian was required in all places of residence and during all personal contacts". Still, the President thinks that private enterprises should be allowed to choose a language of communication in special cases. He suggested to achieve a balance between objectives and means of reaching those. Such an approach would exclude any interference of the State into private life, said Mr. Ulmanis.SM

The Council of the Russian Cultural Autonomy addressed the

The Council of the Russian Cultural Autonomy addressed the Saeima with an open letter pointing to contradictions between the draft Language Law and the documents of the OSCE Conference on Human Dimension. The Russian community in Latvia understands the current concern about the development of the Latvian language. Still, the adoption of the new Language Law would lead to a forceful assimilation of a large group of Latvia's inhabitants. SM