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

In an attempt to improve the frequently criticised slow speed of non-citizen naturalisation in Latvia, the Naturalisation Board has launched a wide informative campaign on promoting understanding of citizenship issues, motivating non-citizens to chose Latvian citizenship. The campaign on promoting public information and understanding of citizenship issues will be staged by the NB, the Justice Ministry's social integration department, the OSCE mission to Latvia, the UNDP in Latvia, supported by the US international development agency in co-operation with the NGO Freedom House, Britain, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Germany.

In an attempt to improve the frequently criticised slow speed of non-citizen naturalisation in Latvia, the Naturalisation Board has launched a wide informative campaign on promoting understanding of citizenship issues, motivating non-citizens to chose Latvian citizenship. The campaign on promoting public information and understanding of citizenship issues will be staged by the NB, the Justice Ministry's social integration department, the OSCE mission to Latvia, the UNDP in Latvia, supported by the US international development agency in co-operation with the NGO Freedom House, Britain, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Germany. Chas, BNS

Lauku Avize

interviews Social Democrats Saeima faction leader Egils Baldzens who tells of the Social Democrats further work in the Saeima. In fact, Egils Baldzens is now in an opposition within his own party as his and Social Democrats Party chairperson J.Bojârs stances are quite opposite on several issues. Baldzens says that he has "not come into politics to serve abstract ideas but represent the part of voters whose views on key matters coincide with mine. E.Baldzçns sees no possibility to sign a co-operation agreement with FHRUL. He forecasts that Social Democrats could have 16-18 seats at the 8th Saeima. In this year’s progress reports on EU applicant countries, which will be made public today, the European Commission will most likely confirm the expected scenario for next year, foreseeing that ten countries, including Latvia, could complete the negotiations in 2002, says

In this years progress reports on EU applicant countries, which will be made public today, the European Commission will most likely confirm the expected scenario for next year, foreseeing that ten countries, including Latvia, could complete the negotiations in 2002, says Diena. Whereas Neatkariga notes that the report on Latvia, which will be positive overall, will also include criticism for slow public administration reform. In regard to national minority issues, most probably, Latvia will be reminded that it has not ratified the EC Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities. Concerning practical implementation of language policy both Latvia and Estonia should be advised to remain reasonable. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

FF/LNNK has decided to ask the General Prosecutor Office to find out the source of false language proficiency certificates, as lately a big number of false language proficiency certificates has been discovered. According to V.Balodis about 400 false certificates have been discovered already this year. FF/LNNK will also offer several amendments to the regulations that would allow the State Language Centre to re-examine state language skills of persons who have graduated from non-Latvian schools. FF/LNNK is also drafting other changes regarding language legislation: the old certificates should be replaced with the new type of documents, the State Language Centre should have rights to re-examine person’s state language proficiency only once within 12 months, besides a person should not have to pay for such re-examination.

FF/LNNK has decided to ask the General Prosecutor Office to find out the source of false language proficiency certificates, as lately a big number of false language proficiency certificates has been discovered. According to V.Balodis about 400 false certificates have been discovered already this year. FF/LNNK will also offer several amendments to the regulations that would allow the State Language Centre to re-examine state language skills of persons who have graduated from non-Latvian schools. FF/LNNK is also drafting other changes regarding language legislation: the old certificates should be replaced with the new type of documents, the State Language Centre should have rights to re-examine persons state language proficiency only once within 12 months, besides a person should not have to pay for such re-examination. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja

Neatkariga

gives the main points of the seminar on national minority schools that took place two weeks ago in Daugavpils. gives the main points of the seminar on national minority schools that took place two weeks ago in Daugavpils.

Lauku Avize

gives editorial about Peoples Party deputy Dz.Abikis letter in gives editorial about People’s Party deputy Dz.Abikis’ letter in Lauku Avize Lauku Avize where he stated that the Prime Minister misinformed him that the State Language Centre took part in discussions on the regulations that limit the rights of the Centre to examine persons state language proficiency. The journalist heavily doubts such possibility. where he stated that the Prime Minister misinformed him that the State Language Centre took part in discussions on the regulations that limit the rights of the Centre to examine person’s state language proficiency. The journalist heavily doubts such possibility.

Lauku Avize

asks couple questions to FHRUL leader J.Jurkans about his visit to Moscow. J.Jurkans informs that they discussed different issues, including, language policy and education law. J.Jurkans denies that Russian officials had suggested any legislation initiatives which the fraction should submit to the Saeima. asks couple questions to FHRUL leader J.Jurkans about his visit to Moscow. J.Jurkans informs that they discussed different issues, including, language policy and education law. J.Jurkans denies that Russian officials had suggested any legislation initiatives which the fraction should submit to the Saeima.

Vecernaja Riga

writes about the first attempt to bribe the naturalisation examination commission. The commission found 50$ bill in one of the written test papers. The Naturalisation Board called police that established the attempt of bribery. The person who tried to bribe the Commission failed the test and now will be able to re-take the test only after three months if criminal charges are not raised. writes about the first attempt to bribe the naturalisation examination commission. The commission found 50$ bill in one of the written test papers. The Naturalisation Board called police that established the attempt of bribery. The person who tried to bribe the Commission failed the test and now will be able to re-take the test only after three months if criminal charges are not raised.