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

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, meeting with the Prime Minister V.Kristopans, acknowledged that Latvia had fulfilled the recommendation on citizenship issues and there were no human rights violations and that he had expressed this opinion to Russian officials. During this visit the High Commissioner also supported the language program, stood for strengthening the position of the Latvian language and was positive about granting additional resources for teaching the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools. The representatives of

The OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel, meeting with the Prime Minister V.Kristopans, acknowledged that Latvia had fulfilled the recommendation on citizenship issues and there were no human rights violations and that he had expressed this opinion to Russian officials. During this visit the High Commissioner also supported the language program, stood for strengthening the position of the Latvian language and was positive about granting additional resources for teaching the Latvian language in Russian speaking schools. The representatives of Peoples Party A.Skele and V.Vike, after a meeting with Max van der Stoel, said that he had showed understanding and agreed that extremes should not be allowed while liberalising the language use in private businesses. The leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars discussed with the High Commissioner issues concerning Latvian international obligations concerning human and minority rights, as well as the draft language law. J.Bojars insisted that Latvia might not realise too liberal language policy taking into consideration the fact that in all major cities of Latvia the basic nation is in minority. The members of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia expressed their concern about Latvian education policy that could cause national minority schools to disappear within several years. The Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs acquainted the guest with the Latvian Society Integration Program and asked him to support the attempts of the Latvian government to implement this program and asked for a financial support. Neatkariga, Diena (Russian version), Bizness & Baltiya

The DCMA informed the Saeima Commission that their previous position considering Latvian citizens residing in Russia as illegal double-citizens was a misunderstanding. As

The DCMA informed the Saeima Commission that their previous position considering Latvian citizens residing in Russia as illegal double-citizens was a misunderstanding. As Diena has informed before, the DCMA considered about 250 Latvian citizens, permanently residing in Russia, to be illegal double citizens. A DCMA official explained that there was only one more problem hindering these people to travel to Latvia - present normative acts did not provide a possibility to issue entry visas to the citizens of the Republic of Latvia. Diena

An illegal immigrant from Algeria tried to escape from the illegal immigrants’ camp in Olaine, but this attempt was unsuccessful because he had fallen out of the window and broken his leg.

An illegal immigrant from Algeria tried to escape from the illegal immigrants camp in Olaine, but this attempt was unsuccessful because he had fallen out of the window and broken his leg. Diena

All the terms have expired for those Russian speaking teachers working in Liepaja, to pass the test of the Latvian language knowledge on the highest level. The decree was issued in 1996, and at that time there were 413 such people and only 96 of them had the highest level of knowledge. Next year 144 teachers out of 409 passed this test, but in 1998 - 369 out of 400. From the remaining 31 teachers, labour contract have been concluded only with 6 because they have been recognised as irreplaceable. The rest have been fired or their contracts expire this month, and new teachers have been found to replace them.

All the terms have expired for those Russian speaking teachers working in Liepaja, to pass the test of the Latvian language knowledge on the highest level. The decree was issued in 1996, and at that time there were 413 such people and only 96 of them had the highest level of knowledge. Next year 144 teachers out of 409 passed this test, but in 1998 - 369 out of 400. From the remaining 31 teachers, labour contract have been concluded only with 6 because they have been recognised as irreplaceable. The rest have been fired or their contracts expire this month, and new teachers have been found to replace them. Jauna Avize

Cultural Society of Russians Living in Latvia (CSRLL) has decided to discontinue its membership in the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS). Leaders of this society motivate their decision with the fact that the position of the leadership of LANCS on national minority education is radically opposite to theirs. CSRLL do not support the transition to the tuition in the state language, planned in the national public integration program. They stand for bilingual system in schools as the only means to preserve existence of Russian intelligence.

Cultural Society of Russians Living in Latvia (CSRLL) has decided to discontinue its membership in the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (LANCS). Leaders of this society motivate their decision with the fact that the position of the leadership of LANCS on national minority education is radically opposite to theirs. CSRLL do not support the transition to the tuition in the state language, planned in the national public integration program. They stand for bilingual system in schools as the only means to preserve existence of Russian intelligence. Diena

SM

publishes a comment on the decision of Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK to stop granting citizenship to children of non-citizens who are eligible to become citizens after adopting the amendments to the Law on Citizenship.