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

After the statements of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks about national discrimination in Latvia the newspaper

After the statements of Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks about national discrimination in Latvia the newspaper Lauku Avize (02.06.01) interviewed several deputies about this. K.Leiskalns (Latvian Way) thinks that the fact that N.Muiznieks was raised as a national minority representative in the USA had influenced his thinking and now he saw discrimination everywhere. Saeima Human rights Committee Head A.Seiksts said that Mr.Muiznieks just lacked Latvian vision in its historical context and poverty was not only the deal of Russian speakers. What concerns the suggestion to grant the Russian language the status of the state language, A.Seiksts said that Muiznieks was running ahead of time. It might be possible when this generation was gone. N.Rudevis (Latvian Way, Romany himself) assured that there was no national discrimination in Latvia. J.Dobelis suggested to look into the list of 150 millionaires of Latvia – most of them were non-Latvians. And it is typical for N.Muiznieks to speak without any deep analysis. … It seems that he says what somebody needs. J.Urbanovics (For Human Rights in United Latvia) explains that N.Muizniekss statements were based on a scientific research and he agreed to them. It is true that among poor people are Russian speakers who could not adapt to the new situation. But J.Urbanovics does not want to come to any tragic conclusions because there are no states without any discrimination. A.Klementjev (For Human Rights in United Latvia) agrees that discrimination exists because laws are such that it is more difficult for a Russian and non-citizen to get something, e.g. to privatize a land plot.

Some time ago President V.Vike-Freiberga announced that two things should be done in favor of non-citizens: first to ease the process of taking the state language proficiency test by considering the 9th grade graduation state language test as a naturalization examination, and second – to decrease the amount of naturalization state fee. The officials did the first thing immediately and now intend through an urgent procedure to fulfil the second suggestion. Ministry of Justice has submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers a new draft regulation “On state fee for submitting a naturalization application” where it is envisaged to establish the amount of 20 Ls instead of former 30 Ls. Although the institution submitting it is the Ministry of Justice but the real author of it the Naturalization Board. The Head of Naturalization Board Juridical Department V.Rutkovskis explained it was done taking into consideration the real life - people were not able to pay the whole sum. -MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane said that Latvian MFA supported this step. The draft is also agreed with the Ministry of Education and Science but the Ministry of Finances that has to loose quite a sum due to these amendments, has not given its answer.

Some time ago President V.Vike-Freiberga announced that two things should be done in favor of non-citizens: first to ease the process of taking the state language proficiency test by considering the 9th grade graduation state language test as a naturalization examination, and second – to decrease the amount of naturalization state fee. The officials did the first thing immediately and now intend through an urgent procedure to fulfil the second suggestion. Ministry of Justice has submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers a new draft regulation On state fee for submitting a naturalization application where it is envisaged to establish the amount of 20 Ls instead of former 30 Ls. Although the institution submitting it is the Ministry of Justice but the real author of it the Naturalization Board. The Head of Naturalization Board Juridical Department V.Rutkovskis explained it was done taking into consideration the real life - people were not able to pay the whole sum. -MFA Press Secretary L.Bergmane said that Latvian MFA supported this step. The draft is also agreed with the Ministry of Education and Science but the Ministry of Finances that has to loose quite a sum due to these amendments, has not given its answer. Lauku Avize (05.06.01)

Next week in Latvia is set to see a number of events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the 1941 Soviet deportations. Latvian Minister of Culture Karina Petersone said at a press conference on Tuesday that events would take place not only on June 14, the day of remembrance, but also throughout the week in order to remember the "tragic event in the history of our people."

BNS The Riga City Council has finally completed appointing the council's office Tuesday by electing the second deputy mayor, three months after the elections. Inese Vaidere, council member from the center-right party For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party was elected as the second deputy Riga Council chairman by a majority of 34 votes in the 60-strong council. Vaidere will be responsible for social, utility and economic issues.

The Riga City Council has finally completed appointing the council's office Tuesday by electing the second deputy mayor, three months after the elections. Inese Vaidere, council member from the center-right party For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party was elected as the second deputy Riga Council chairman by a majority of 34 votes in the 60-strong council. Vaidere will be responsible for social, utility and economic issues. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

A.Brauna in

A.Brauna in Diena editorial writes that some energetic people have started to advertise the idea on introducing Ombudsman institution in Latvia not noticing that this new idea has been implemented long time ago. It is just have a different name – Human Rights Office but in its functions it even exceeds the classical Ombudsman. And, if this institution is currently not effective in protection of public interests, all things should be done to make it such but not to establish a new institution.

The state made a step towards the applicants for naturalization, especially to specific groups: pensioners, students and handicapped people by reducing the naturalization fee. The basic fee now is 20 Ls.

The state made a step towards the applicants for naturalization, especially to specific groups: pensioners, students and handicapped people by reducing the naturalization fee. The basic fee now is 20 Ls. Diena, Jauna Avize, Chas, Respublika

A Latvian parliamentary committee will ask the government to introduce obligatory centralized state language examination for non-Latvian students of junior high schools in order to strengthen the position of the Latvian language in the country. The parliamentary committee for education, culture and science at the meeting Wednesday also urged the government to turn attention to increasing number of junior high students relieved from taking exams. Committee chairman Dzintars Abikis said that the state language positions had to be strengthened in Latvia therefore the government should find the way to introduce already next year the obligatory centralized Latvian language exam for graduates of non-Latvian junior high schools. This exam would serve as a proof of state language proficiency by these youngsters. The Education Contents and Examination Center head Marcis Krastins said it will hardly be possible to organize the centralized Latvian language exam for non-Latvian junior high students next year as the move would require extra costs of 20,000 lats (USD 31,000). BNS

A Latvian parliamentary committee will ask the government to introduce obligatory centralized state language examination for non-Latvian students of junior high schools in order to strengthen the position of the Latvian language in the country. The parliamentary committee for education, culture and science at the meeting Wednesday also urged the government to turn attention to increasing number of junior high students relieved from taking exams. Committee chairman Dzintars Abikis said that the state language positions had to be strengthened in Latvia therefore the government should find the way to introduce already next year the obligatory centralized Latvian language exam for graduates of non-Latvian junior high schools. This exam would serve as a proof of state language proficiency by these youngsters. The Education Contents and Examination Center head Marcis Krastins said it will hardly be possible to organize the centralized Latvian language exam for non-Latvian junior high students next year as the move would require extra costs of 20,000 lats (USD 31,000). BNS

Some schools that are under supervision of Ministry of Welfare, Culture and Agriculture were dissatisfied the proposal discussed at the Saeima in the second reading within two years to bring all higher and secondary vocational schools under supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. This idea is carried out without any proper public discussion.

Some schools that are under supervision of Ministry of Welfare, Culture and Agriculture were dissatisfied the proposal discussed at the Saeima in the second reading within two years to bring all higher and secondary vocational schools under supervision of the Ministry of Education and Science. This idea is carried out without any proper public discussion. Diena

Riga City Mayor J.Bojars thinks that it is not useful to establish a Non-citizen Consultative Council within the Riga City Council but a Public Integration Council. Mr.Bojars considers that public should not be divided into citizens and non-citizens. “We have to take care for all the society, not just for non-citizens.”

Riga City Mayor J.Bojars thinks that it is not useful to establish a Non-citizen Consultative Council within the Riga City Council but a Public Integration Council. Mr.Bojars considers that public should not be divided into citizens and non-citizens. We have to take care for all the society, not just for non-citizens. Rigas Balss

Chairman of Riga City Council faction For Human Rights in United Latvia L.Kurdjumov sent a letter to the State Language Center to linger a repeated language proficiency test for those faction deputies who were accused of not knowing the language. Deputy Director of State Language Center A.Timuska called this letter “a letter for letter’s sake”.

Chairman of Riga City Council faction For Human Rights in United Latvia L.Kurdjumov sent a letter to the State Language Center to linger a repeated language proficiency test for those faction deputies who were accused of not knowing the language. Deputy Director of State Language Center A.Timuska called this letter a letter for letters sake. Rigas Balss

According to statistical data the number of non-citizens in Latvia reduces for 3000 every month; 1800 of them die, 1200 - naturalize. After ten years this problem would disappear itself. Bur specialists acknowledge that “thanks” to the state national policy the Russian speaking population of Latvia increases the stratum of declassed elements. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks after analyzing the latest data came to a conclusion that public integration did not favor Latvian society. He is worried about the situation because majority of changes had turned to be negative. E.g. within two years has increased the number of those Russian speakers who support the idea of two state languages, also has increased the number of those non-citizens who can not find a job where they have to know the state language and they do not feel comfortable in Latvia. Even fewer non-citizens think that they should know the Latvian language. When asked about any positive changes, N.Muznieks answered that judging from the speed of naturalization there were none.

According to statistical data the number of non-citizens in Latvia reduces for 3000 every month; 1800 of them die, 1200 - naturalize. After ten years this problem would disappear itself. Bur specialists acknowledge that thanks to the state national policy the Russian speaking population of Latvia increases the stratum of declassed elements. Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Center Director N.Muiznieks after analyzing the latest data came to a conclusion that public integration did not favor Latvian society. He is worried about the situation because majority of changes had turned to be negative. E.g. within two years has increased the number of those Russian speakers who support the idea of two state languages, also has increased the number of those non-citizens who can not find a job where they have to know the state language and they do not feel comfortable in Latvia. Even fewer non-citizens think that they should know the Latvian language. When asked about any positive changes, N.Muznieks answered that judging from the speed of naturalization there were none. Rigas Balss

The Russian version of the newspaper

Rigas Balss interviewed the Head of the State Language Center Dz.Hirsa about the situation of the Latvian language. Ms.Hirsa said that the Latvian language should be dominating, but Article 21 of the State language law permits entrepreneurs to make signs in some other language. The Center may prove that thus they violate legitimate public interests but it may be achieved only by proving it. The previous law was more logical. Now a private businessman may argue, and an inspector has to prove that the Latvian language should be used. It seems obvious that employees service sector have to know the state language on the second level, and managers on the third level. Everybody agreed to it, but now inspectors sometimes have to prove that a shop assistant has to know the language. The statements on the new Riga City Council deputies: Now we are the masters of this City make Centers people to prick up their ears and to wonder about the possible changes.