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 government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future

The government yesterday unanimously accepted the concept of the Society Integration Program which points out the principal directions of integration in Latvia that will be developed into a project program by next March. 16,600 thousand lats from the state budget that are needed for developing the program along with the 41,895 lats from foreign donors will be allocated in near future. Diena, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events.

The Saeima Committee on Education yesterday specified its proposed amendments to the Language Law providing that the government should have the right to determine cases when along with the state language foreign languages may be used in public information, stamps and letterheads. Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK expressed its support to this specified version of the provisions. The party still holds a different from the rest of the ruling coalition position concerning the language in public events. Neatkariga, Diena, Vesti

Diena

publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the Peoples Party regarding the laws most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law Latvias last battle of the 20th century. publishes two commentaries on the situation around the Language Law: one is by Dzintars Abikis who explains what is the position of the People’s Party regarding the law’s most controversial provisions. The other is by Artis Pabriks calling passing of the law “Latvia’s last battle of the 20th century”. Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeima’s Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvia’s non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens.

Deputy Director of DCMA Andris Janis Lejins yesterday met the Saeimas Human Rights Commission to discuss the approaching deadline for exchanging the old Soviet passport with Latvias non-citizen passports. As a new thing it was suggested that for people who are older than 60 could be granted a three month extension of the deadline. After estimates, after next January 1, 25-30 thousand people will become stateless persons or foreign citizens. Chas, BB, Panorama Latvii