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

Press Report

Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers will review amendments to the Regulations No 296 envisaging that till 1 September 2003 the examination in the Latvian language for national minority students of 9th grade are to be comparable to the state language examinations for naturalisation.

Tuesday the Cabinet of Ministers will review amendments to the Regulations No 296 envisaging that till 1 September 2003 the examination in the Latvian language for national minority students of 9th grade are to be comparable to the state language examinations for naturalisation. Diena

American newspaper

American newspaper The New York Times publishes an article about society integration in Latvia. The article provides some insight into Latvian history and in regard to todays problems says that the majority of Russian speakers in Latvia is constituted of former Soviet military persons and people brought into the country on the directive of Stalin. It is admitted that Russians protests against violation of their rights seem a little bit ironic, besides Latvian Citizenship and State Language Laws meet all the requirements of the EU and OSCE for several years. The newspaper concludes that for successful integration in Latvia only justice is not enough. Diena

Latvian Government has started the long way to the ratification of the Convention on Nationalities – tomorrow the Government should take decision about the ratification of the Convention on Nationalities of 6 November of 1997. In order to have the Latvian Law on Citizenship in agreement with the Convention Latvia has entered some pretexts to the articles of the Convention.

Latvian Government has started the long way to the ratification of the Convention on Nationalities – tomorrow the Government should take decision about the ratification of the Convention on Nationalities of 6 November of 1997. In order to have the Latvian Law on Citizenship in agreement with the Convention Latvia has entered some pretexts to the articles of the Convention. Diena

A plaintiff, who turned to the European Court of Human Rights with a claim over violations of the election law, wants to exact from Latvia 50,000 lats (USD 79,000) in moral damages and also 1,500 in lost salary. The claim for moral damages is contradictory to the initial statement by the left-wing alliance For Human Rights to which Podkolzina belongs. The leftist block said earlier Podkolzina's case was a matter of principle and they sought legislative amendments, not money. The court notified the Latvian government about the amount of damages claimed. By June 7 the government has to submit its comments. The European Court of Human Rights has accepted for review in substance Podkolzina's claim about restricting elections rights on the grounds of discrimination by language. Podkolzina of eastern Latvian city of Daugavpils with predominantly Russian-speaking population was the only person deleted from the list of candidates in parliamentary elections in Latvia in 1998 due to inadequate language proficiency. Earlier the Latvian government was given the chance to try to reach a settlement with Podkolzina but the left-wing bloc in which she is a member insisted on amendments to the election law, eliminating discrimination against ethnic minority representatives whose rights to run for elections are restricted on the grounds of language proficiency.

A plaintiff, who turned to the European Court of Human Rights with a claim over violations of the election law, wants to exact from Latvia 50,000 lats (USD 79,000) in moral damages and also 1,500 in lost salary. The claim for moral damages is contradictory to the initial statement by the left-wing alliance For Human Rights to which Podkolzina belongs. The leftist block said earlier Podkolzina's case was a matter of principle and they sought legislative amendments, not money. The court notified the Latvian government about the amount of damages claimed. By June 7 the government has to submit its comments. The European Court of Human Rights has accepted for review in substance Podkolzina's claim about restricting elections rights on the grounds of discrimination by language. Podkolzina of eastern Latvian city of Daugavpils with predominantly Russian-speaking population was the only person deleted from the list of candidates in parliamentary elections in Latvia in 1998 due to inadequate language proficiency. Earlier the Latvian government was given the chance to try to reach a settlement with Podkolzina but the left-wing bloc in which she is a member insisted on amendments to the election law, eliminating discrimination against ethnic minority representatives whose rights to run for elections are restricted on the grounds of language proficiency. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii, BNS, Delfi

The campaign of

Vesti Segodnja providing advertising possibilities in the newspaper free of charge to the companies which sign boards are also in Russian has raised rather serious opposition from the Latvian language specialists and political scientists. Although the campaign is in accordance with the Law, political scientist A.Pabriks comments that the campaign should be viewed as civic irresponsibility and an invitation to confrontation. Diena Naturalisation Board has developed new proposals regarding the Regulations of Cabinet of Ministers on the State Fee for Naturalisation. The new regulations envisage more categories of people who should pay reduced state fee.

Naturalisation Board has developed new proposals regarding the Regulations of Cabinet of Ministers on the State Fee for Naturalisation. The new regulations envisage more categories of people who should pay reduced state fee. Diena

Chas

interviews the current Latvian ambassador to Russia I.Daudish whose term in the office comes to an end. The ambassador talks about the difficulties in his work and future perspectives. He says that we expected more from the meeting of our presidents, however, it was necessary as after that our President could start discussions with Latvian politicians on what could be improved in these relations. I.Daudishs next assignment is the post of Latvian ambassador to the United Kingdom. interviews the current Latvian ambassador to Russia I.Daudish whose term in the office comes to an end. The ambassador talks about the difficulties in his work and future perspectives. He says that “we expected more from the meeting of our presidents, however, it was necessary as after that our President could start discussions with Latvian politicians on what could be improved in these relations”. I.Daudishs next assignment is the post of Latvian ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Respublika

re-publishes excerpts from re-publishes excerpts from DienaDiena article whether or not non-citizens should have rights to participate at municipal elections. article whether or not non-citizens should have rights to participate at municipal elections.