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

After the record-high number of naturalization applications in March, the figure is considerably lower in April reaching the lowest level since amending the Citizenship Law in autumn of 1998. 780 applications came in last month while after the law was amended the usual monthly number exceeded one thousand. However, Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane does not think that the lower number shows a beginning of falling tendency in activity of naturalization as there were several Easter holidays in April and with the warm weather people in countryside were working in their fields and gardens. Lower activity was observed in the regional departments, in Riga the amount was the same.

After the record-high number of naturalization applications in March, the figure is considerably lower in April reaching the lowest level since amending the Citizenship Law in autumn of 1998. 780 applications came in last month while after the law was amended the usual monthly number exceeded one thousand. However, Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane does not think that the lower number shows a beginning of falling tendency in activity of naturalization as there were several Easter holidays in April and with the warm weather people in countryside were working in their fields and gardens. Lower activity was observed in the regional departments, in Riga the amount was the same. Diena

After observing the language tests in naturalization exams in Riga, Liepaja, Jelgava, Bauska and Ludza, members of the SaeimaТs Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law found that in practice the level of the required language proficiency is low and allows to acquire citizenship for people with weak knowledge of the language. Commission members from different parties were not equally critical but all of them agreed that in each examination group there were applicants who could not actually communicate but passed the exam. Head of the Commission Jвnis Lagzdiтр was particularly concerned about the tendency that young people and employees of state institutions (the police) donТt know the language which shows that in these groups of society the language is not being used. The work of examination commissions was evaluated as professional Ц their members were considerate and helpful. The Saeima commission members suggest that it would be necessary to change the set questions in tests as well as use the principle of rotation in the examination commissions so that the examinees did not know who is to accept the exam. Naturalization Board keeps an opinion that these announcements are political. Deputy Head Jвnis Kahanoviиs said that they have not seen the results of the inspection but he believed that the language exam corresponds all the requirements.

After observing the language tests in naturalization exams in Riga, Liepaja, Jelgava, Bauska and Ludza, members of the SaeimaТs Commission for Implementation of the Citizenship Law found that in practice the level of the required language proficiency is low and allows to acquire citizenship for people with weak knowledge of the language. Commission members from different parties were not equally critical but all of them agreed that in each examination group there were applicants who could not actually communicate but passed the exam. Head of the Commission Jвnis Lagzdiтр was particularly concerned about the tendency that young people and employees of state institutions (the police) donТt know the language which shows that in these groups of society the language is not being used. The work of examination commissions was evaluated as professional Ц their members were considerate and helpful. The Saeima commission members suggest that it would be necessary to change the set questions in tests as well as use the principle of rotation in the examination commissions so that the examinees did not know who is to accept the exam. Naturalization Board keeps an opinion that these announcements are political. Deputy Head Jвnis Kahanoviиs said that they have not seen the results of the inspection but he believed that the language exam corresponds all the requirements. Diena, Jauna Avize

During the first three months of this year citizenship was granted to 3710 applicants which is by 2.5 times more than during the same period of time last year. The number of new citizens in April was 1665.

During the first three months of this year citizenship was granted to 3710 applicants which is by 2.5 times more than during the same period of time last year. The number of new citizens in April was 1665. Chas

Chas

reports of the integration seminar in Liepaja where the Russian Consul General Valery Polyakov surprised the audience by saying part of his speech in Latvian. Head of the Liepвja regional department of the Naturalization Board Juris Aboliтр stressed the importance of cooperation with the local governments and suggested to develop an integration program in Liepвja. Eizenija Aldermane noted that a council of integration like in Ventspils should be in every municipality. reports of the integration seminar in Liepaja where the Russian Consul General Valery Polyakov surprised the audience by saying part of his speech in Latvian. Head of the Liepвja regional department of the Naturalization Board Juris Aboliтр stressed the importance of cooperation with the local governments and suggested to develop an integration program in Liepвja. Eizenija Aldermane noted that a council of integration like in Ventspils should be in every municipality. ChasChas New Party most likely will leave to the end of summer calling of the party congress to elect the new party leader. Raimonds Pauls who recently left the post of the party chairman stated that he cannot name his possuble successor yet. Political scientist Janis Penikis predicted that the party will not survive till the elections of the 8th Saeima.

New Party most likely will leave to the end of summer calling of the party congress to elect the new party leader. Raimonds Pauls who recently left the post of the party chairman stated that he cannot name his possuble successor yet. Political scientist Janis Penikis predicted that the party will not survive till the elections of the 8th Saeima. Diena, Lauku Avize

Democratic Party of Latvia, the former Democratic Party

Democratic Party of Latvia, the former Democratic Party Saimnieks proposes to introduce the same type of foreign passports for citizens and non-citizens to travel abroad. The purple non-citizen passports then could be used inside the country. Also, the party is planning to create consultative councils of non-citizens like the one in Ventspils in municipalities where members of the party have the leading role. Vesti

Article with a title УLatvia will not be accepted in Europe because of УFatherlandФ [the party]Ф reports on the interview with the EU Commissioner of Agriculture Franz Fischler in a Hungarian newspaper where he stresses that the EU is ready to stop accession negotiations with any candidate country if openly xenophobic forces come to power in these countries.

Article with a title УLatvia will not be accepted in Europe because of УFatherlandФ [the party]Ф reports on the interview with the EU Commissioner of Agriculture Franz Fischler in a Hungarian newspaper where he stresses that the EU is ready to stop accession negotiations with any candidate country if openly xenophobic forces come to power in these countries. Chas