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

Andrejs Pantelejevs, leader of

Andrejs Pantelejevs, leader of Latvijas Cels, thinks that the disagreements between the government forming fractions concerning the recommendations of the European institutions to the draft Language law and the Citizenship might lead to the governmental crisis. The proposals for amendments of the Citizenship Law will be discussed tomorrow at the meeting of the co-ordination council of the government forming fractions. Representatives of the fractions hope that it will be possible to reach a compromise. Maris Grinblats, leader of the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK, thinks that the instability of the government might be created by the attempts of "Latvia's economic groups to influence the partners of the governmental coalition. Prime Minister refers from commenting the statements of some politicians about the possible governmental crisis. Diena, Rita Zinas

Dzintars Abikis, Chair of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, considers some of the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel being incompatible with the Latvia’s situation. According to Mr. Abikis, experts of the European Union do not take into consideration the fact that Latvia was occupied for 50 years, and therefore, the norms which are applicable to other countries, cannot be 100% applicable to Latvia. Besides, Mr. Abikis referred to the Oslo recommendations concerning the language legislation which provide for the state regulation of the language use in private business sphere, if it is in the interests of consumers. According to Abikis, the OSCE experts contradict their own recommendations.

Dzintars Abikis, Chair of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, considers some of the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel being incompatible with the Latvias situation. According to Mr. Abikis, experts of the European Union do not take into consideration the fact that Latvia was occupied for 50 years, and therefore, the norms which are applicable to other countries, cannot be 100% applicable to Latvia. Besides, Mr. Abikis referred to the Oslo recommendations concerning the language legislation which provide for the state regulation of the language use in private business sphere, if it is in the interests of consumers. According to Abikis, the OSCE experts contradict their own recommendations. Rita Zinas, Jauna Avize

SM asks its readers to send letters to the State President, Prime Minister, Speaker of the Saeima and deputies with the request to initiate the amendments of the Citizenship Law, to eliminate the discrepancy between rights of citizens and non-citizens, and to start a dialogue in the society about the future relations with Russia.

SM continues publishing answers by the Alexander Rylov, Head of the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Latvia, to the readers' questions. Today's theme is the Russian citizenship.

Administrative action is brought against participants of the 3rd and 17th March demonstrations who used the placards with the Soviet symbols

Administrative action is brought against participants of the 3rd and 17th March demonstrations who used the placards with the Soviet symbols. Chas

PL publishes an open letter of a permanent resident of Latvia to the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel in which he asks the High Commissioner to have more than just a formal approach to the issues about the violation of human rights and rights of national minorities in Latvia, since it touches the lives of hundreds of thousands people. Panorama Latvii

SM publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Richard Samuel about the 3rd March events at the Riga City Council.

SM publishes an interview with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Richard Samuel about the 3rd March events at the Riga City Council. SM

According to the information provided by the State Language Center, approximately 1000 language proficiency certificates per year are being falsified. In a "language market" a falsified certificate costs from 20 to 70 Lats depending on the quality of the certificate.

According to the information provided by the State Language Center, approximately 1000 language proficiency certificates per year are being falsified. In a "language market" a falsified certificate costs from 20 to 70 Lats depending on the quality of the certificate. Neatkariga