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

Press Review

Latvian writer Viktors Avotins considers that the government has done almost nothing to ensure and motivate the use of the state language and to create a base for its teaching. Non-Latvians consider the Latvian language as an obstacle on their way to receive Latvian citizenship. Of course, there are some activities such as the language training programs on TV, certification in some institutions (e.g. police) but in general the whole process is based more on enthusiasm or profit. Mr. Avotins analyses the data of the Naturalisation Board showing that the number of people naturalised grow, it means that the level of the Latvian language knowledge should also grow, but when a Latvian speaker addresses a policemen or railroad official in the Latvian language, he risks to have no conversation at all.

Latvian writer Viktors Avotins considers that the government has done almost nothing to ensure and motivate the use of the state language and to create a base for its teaching. Non-Latvians consider the Latvian language as an obstacle on their way to receive Latvian citizenship. Of course, there are some activities such as the language training programs on TV, certification in some institutions (e.g. police) but in general the whole process is based more on enthusiasm or profit. Mr. Avotins analyses the data of the Naturalisation Board showing that the number of people naturalised grow, it means that the level of the Latvian language knowledge should also grow, but when a Latvian speaker addresses a policemen or railroad official in the Latvian language, he risks to have no conversation at all. Neatkariga

Russian State Council has adopted an announcement to the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia where it expresses satisfaction with amending the Law on Citizenship according to the OSCE and CE recommendations. The majority of deputies voted for this document.

Russian State Council has adopted an announcement to the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia where it expresses satisfaction with amending the Law on Citizenship according to the OSCE and CE recommendations. The majority of deputies voted for this document. Neatkariga

Latvijas Cels

organised a draw to establish the procedure how ministers, organised a draw to establish the procedure how ministers, LCLC members would terminate their mandates. After the draw it was clear that instead of present members would terminate their mandates. After the draw it was clear that instead of present LC LC members holding minister posts the substitute deputies would be N.Rudevics, T.Ketler, I.Birzniece, P.Apinis, R.Repsa, J.Bakmanis and M.Zile. members holding minister posts the substitute deputies would be N.Rudevics, T.Ketler, I.Birzniece, P.Apinis, R.Repsa, J.Bakmanis and M.Zile. NeatkarigaNeatkariga The Cabinet of Ministers confirmed yesterday a simplified border crossing procedure on Latvian -Estonian border for local residents. Now they will be allowed to stay on the territory of the other country with no visa for 180 days instead of former 90.

The Cabinet of Ministers confirmed yesterday a simplified border crossing procedure on Latvian -Estonian border for local residents. Now they will be allowed to stay on the territory of the other country with no visa for 180 days instead of former 90. Neatkariga, Diena

Latvia is satisfied to state that the proposals elaborated by the ministers of foreign affairs of EU member states allow EU Council in Vienna to express strong support to EC conclusions on readiness of Latvia to start negotiation about joining EU. Although EU foreign ministers rejected any possibility for any of the second group candidate states to start immediate discussion, they were positive about the progress made by Latvia, acknowledging that, if reforms proceeded, the discussion could start in 1999.

Latvia is satisfied to state that the proposals elaborated by the ministers of foreign affairs of EU member states allow EU Council in Vienna to express strong support to EC conclusions on readiness of Latvia to start negotiation about joining EU. Although EU foreign ministers rejected any possibility for any of the second group candidate states to start immediate discussion, they were positive about the progress made by Latvia, acknowledging that, if reforms proceeded, the discussion could start in 1999. Neatkariga, Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers accepted yesterday the Latvian - German draft agreement on readmitting illegal immigrants. It is anticipated the agreement will be signed by the Minister of the Interior on December 16. Signing of this agreement could remove one of the last obstacles for introducing no visa regime between those two countries.

The Cabinet of Ministers accepted yesterday the Latvian - German draft agreement on readmitting illegal immigrants. It is anticipated the agreement will be signed by the Minister of the Interior on December 16. Signing of this agreement could remove one of the last obstacles for introducing no visa regime between those two countries. Neatkariga

Estonian Parliament adopted in the final reading the amendments to the Law on Citizenship that would ease the procedure of receiving citizenship for children of non-citizens born in Estonia. The law will take effect from July 12, 1999.

Estonian Parliament adopted in the final reading the amendments to the Law on Citizenship that would ease the procedure of receiving citizenship for children of non-citizens born in Estonia. The law will take effect from July 12, 1999. Diena, Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

Panorama Latvii states that due to the pressure of right-wing radicals, every year about 5000 people leave Latvia and move to the East. Last hear half of them - 2565 people applied for help to The Federal Migration service at the Embassy of Russia in Latvia. The newspaper interviews the Head of this Service V.Yentyakov.

Panorama Latvii states that due to the pressure of right-wing radicals, every year about 5000 people leave Latvia and move to the East. Last hear half of them - 2565 people applied for help to The Federal Migration service at the Embassy of Russia in Latvia. The newspaper interviews the Head of this Service V.Yentyakov.

The State Language inspection informs that 448 teachers have not passed the certification of the state language knowledge for the highest level by the December 1, and at least 183 of them are to be dismissed according to the amendments to the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science of December 18, 1996. According to this decree, teachers should master the state language on the third level by September of this year. By that time 715 teachers had not fulfilled this demand, and they were given an extension till December 31, 1998. Only 267 teachers have used this possibility so far.

The State Language inspection informs that 448 teachers have not passed the certification of the state language knowledge for the highest level by the December 1, and at least 183 of them are to be dismissed according to the amendments to the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science of December 18, 1996. According to this decree, teachers should master the state language on the third level by September of this year. By that time 715 teachers had not fulfilled this demand, and they were given an extension till December 31, 1998. Only 267 teachers have used this possibility so far. Diena

The Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Director G.Vasilevskis told

The Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Director G.Vasilevskis told Diena that the Ministry and Naturalisation Board had agreed on unified demands for the state language tests for non-Latvian secondary school students. The most important task for implementation of the bilingual system of education in minority schools according to MES is to find 20 000 Ls to finance the education of teachers. No such money is allocated for this purpose in the budget of 1999. Diena

Russian MP G.Raikov who participated in the conference “How secure are the Baltic states?” considers that the economic crisis in Russia could lead strengthen the positions of national radicals in Latvia. But he assured that Russia would never neglect the situation of Russian speakers and acted in all possible directions to ensure their rights.

Russian MP G.Raikov who participated in the conference How secure are the Baltic states? considers that the economic crisis in Russia could lead strengthen the positions of national radicals in Latvia. But he assured that Russia would never neglect the situation of Russian speakers and acted in all possible directions to ensure their rights. SM

The newspaper

The newspaper Chas describes a case when the DCMA had issued a decree of departure for Galina Olya. She is residing in Latvia since 1982, married in 1992 and had to get registered in the Resident Register but the local house manager refused to issue her a certificate No 22-z, necessary for registration as he explained due to a debt for communal services payment. Therefore, instead of the square seal, Galina, whose husband is a Latvian citizen, got the round seal.