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

The Human Rights Institute of the Latvian University issued a magazine on minority rights in the Latvian and English languages, a director of the Institute Inta Ziemele told journalists on Friday. The magazine contains normative documents concerning minorities rights, court decisions, as well as comments of specialists. It is the first such magazine published in the Baltic states.

The Human Rights Institute of the Latvian University issued a magazine on minority rights in the Latvian and English languages, a director of the Institute Inta Ziemele told journalists on Friday. The magazine contains normative documents concerning minorities rights, court decisions, as well as comments of specialists. It is the first such magazine published in the Baltic states. Diena

On Friday the Russian Duma adopted a Law on State Policy in relation with country men residing abroad. According to this Law, Russia promises to provide all former and present citizens of the Russian Federation and the former USSR with moral, economic and political assistance. Russia also undertakes an obligation to promote preservation of uniqueness of its countrymen on whole territory of post Soviet countries. Besides, the law recommends all ex-republics of the Soviet Union to provide the Russian language with a status of the second state language or a language of inter-ethnic communication. That, according to deputies of the Russian Duma, corresponds with the interests of those countries, and promotes strengthening of a co-operation with the Russian Federation. The law comes into force only after its approval by the Council of Federation and the President.

On Friday the Russian Duma adopted a Law on State Policy in relation with country men residing abroad. According to this Law, Russia promises to provide all former and present citizens of the Russian Federation and the former USSR with moral, economic and political assistance. Russia also undertakes an obligation to promote preservation of uniqueness of its countrymen on whole territory of post Soviet countries. Besides, the law recommends all ex-republics of the Soviet Union to provide the Russian language with a status of the second state language or a language of inter-ethnic communication. That, according to deputies of the Russian Duma, corresponds with the interests of those countries, and promotes strengthening of a co-operation with the Russian Federation. The law comes into force only after its approval by the Council of Federation and the President. B&B

NEATKARIGA publishes a continuation of a story about Irma Tkeshvili born in Georgia, who illegally resides in Latvia and whose 3 year old child is the Latvian citizen. Due to unsettled status of Ms. Tkeshvili, she is unable to receive allowance of child care.

NEATKARIGA publishes a continuation of a story about Irma Tkeshvili born in Georgia, who illegally resides in Latvia and whose 3 year old child is the Latvian citizen. Due to unsettled status of Ms. Tkeshvili, she is unable to receive allowance of child care. Neatkariga

Chair of the Latgale District Court Karlis Valdemiers told

Chair of the Latgale District Court Karlis Valdemiers told Jauna Avize that soon there will be new changes concerning the use of language in courts which will affect many residents of Latgale. Many officials in Latgale region do not have sufficient command of the Latvian language, and any fast improvement of the situation is not predicted. However, the courts have received a letter from the Latvian Supreme Court saying that an appeal will have to be submitted in the state language while those appeals who are in Russian, will have to have a translation into the Latvian language. The same requirement is expected to be enforced in local courts. More strict regulations come into force after 1 March 1999 when all complaints in courts will have to be submitted only in the state language. For Latgale region it might be a problem since until now the majority of complaints has been submitted in Russian. An important regulation will concern minutes (protocols) of court sessions which will have to be done in the Latvian language. According to Mr. Karlis Valdemiers, all these changes can be considered as one more reason for acquiring the Latvian language. Diena

Gennady Evdakimov in an article for the

Gennady Evdakimov in an article for the SM argues that citizens who are non-Latvians and in elections voted for the Peoples Harmony Party have not got any further in having a political influence than non-citizens, since the People s Harmony Party is in a deaf opposition in the parliament. As an example, Mr. Evdakimov mentions the Education Law which was adopted by the previous parliament, and which deputies of the Peoples Harmony Party unsuccessfully tried to return to the Saeima for the second consideration. According to the author of the article, the Latvian democracy is created in such a way that national minorities are not able to influence present life. Furthermore, it would be naive to think that new citizens (persons who according to Amendments to the Citizenship law will obtain citizenship) will change the situation.

Uldis Augstkalns, an associated professor of the Riga Technical University, expresses his opinion concerning the progress report of the European Commission. “This time the Latvian government really tried. It seemed that ministers woke up and went to bed with a thought about the brightness of macroeconomic indexes which were reported to the EU bureaucrats[...]. In the referendum, also, people’s approval of requirements of the Stoel -Yeltsin pact was won, by transferring language from sphere of citizenship to sphere of education without thinking of possible consequences. Now we are recognized.” Still, Europe asked Latvia to wait one more year. Mr. Augstkalns advises the Latvian parliament and government to think about the Latvia’s role in the 21st century Europe and possible EU model in future before talks in the next year.

Uldis Augstkalns, an associated professor of the Riga Technical University, expresses his opinion concerning the progress report of the European Commission. This time the Latvian government really tried. It seemed that ministers woke up and went to bed with a thought about the brightness of macroeconomic indexes which were reported to the EU bureaucrats[...]. In the referendum, also, peoples approval of requirements of the Stoel -Yeltsin pact was won, by transferring language from sphere of citizenship to sphere of education without thinking of possible consequences. Now we are recognized. Still, Europe asked Latvia to wait one more year. Mr. Augstkalns advises the Latvian parliament and government to think about the Latvias role in the 21st century Europe and possible EU model in future before talks in the next year. Diena