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

I.Brands-Kehris and N.Muiznieks from Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre write that time has come to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia but it should be done by simultaneously proving Latvia’s capability to solve the remaining problems independently and adjust gradually to international human rights standards. Only thus we can reach our goal – become a democratic and full-fledged EU and NATO member state.

I.Brands-Kehris and N.Muiznieks from Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre write that time has come to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia but it should be done by simultaneously proving Latvias capability to solve the remaining problems independently and adjust gradually to international human rights standards. Only thus we can reach our goal – become a democratic and full-fledged EU and NATO member state. Diena

Diena’s commentary by Aivars Ozolins looks into President Vaira Vike-Freiberga’s statement that restrictions in election rights according to the state language are undemocratic and need to be revoked, stressing that it is unlikely that PCTVL will vote to lift the restrictions. Therefore FHRUL "masters in Moscow" will no longer be able to hamper Latvia’s move to NATO.

Dienas commentary by Aivars Ozolins looks into President Vaira Vike-Freibergas statement that restrictions in election rights according to the state language are undemocratic and need to be revoked, stressing that it is unlikely that PCTVL will vote to lift the restrictions. Therefore FHRUL "masters in Moscow" will no longer be able to hamper Latvias move to NATO. Diena

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Chairman Maris Grinblats tells Lauku Avize about the matters of national importance that will be reviewed during FF/LNNK’s congress Saturday

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK Chairman Maris Grinblats tells Lauku Avize about the matters of national importance that will be reviewed during FF/LNNKs congress Saturday. Grinblats compares his party with a play where there are very many characters and each has certain meaning. The party is not a theatre company with one actor. "We have a few members that at times make radical statements, but as soon the Latvian language, citizenship or Constitution are concerned, we are strict enough". Lauku Avize

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga went on a working visit to Geneva to discuss Latvia’s activities in different international organisations - UN, WTO, IOC and IMO.

President Vaira Vike-Freiberga went on a working visit to Geneva to discuss Latvias activities in different international organisations - UN, WTO, IOC and IMO. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

I.Murniece from

I.Murniece from Lauku Avize, writing about the language experts meeting at the Presidents Office, states that most of the present experts were just high state officials and no well-known professors. When she asked who had chosen the participants and why the Head of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa had not been invited, the answer was – Presidents Office. Addressing the experts, the President said that Latvia was the only country in Europe that had such a superfluous limitation in its election law, pointing out that the Estonian parliament accepted abolishing this norm. Then President charged the experts with two tasks: 1. to manage that there would be no limitations to the right of deputies to carry out office records in the Latvian language; 2. to manage let the election law (which according to the President is undemocratic and contradictory to the Constitution) would become democratic - according international understanding. The meeting took place behind closed door, where experts expressed their opinions on the problem and agreed for the next meeting on December 17.

I.Kuzmina writes that after the statement of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga that language requirement norm was undemocratic, contradictory to the Satversme and limiting the democratic rights of citizens. The fact is that the Saeima Roll of Procedures establishes that the only language to be used at the Saeima is the Latvian language. But this norm may be abolished, and the Satversme is a “stronger” document that the Roll of Procedures. The journalist asked some MPs - lawyers whether this first step would not be followed by another one. The Head of the Saeima State Administration and Local Government Commission J.Lagzdins answered that, seeing what was going on in Estonia, they had to worry whether President’s proposal was just the first step let the state language would lose its positions. Estonians abolished the language proficiency norm, and Russia is setting forth new, even wider demands. Mr.Lagzdins thinks that Latvians must not yield to any pressure – neither from West or East. Chairman of the Saeima juridical Commission L.Mucins agreed to the statement that after abolishing new demand could follow. All this fuss is artificial and inspired by Russia. Mr.Mucins reminded that when opening the OSCE Mission to Latvia there was no demand to abolish this norm. Saeima Secretary S.Dreimane considers that even amending the election law should be done when the society was ready for that, and she did not see any public support for this idea. Ms.Dreimane also reminded the fact of opening the OSCE Mission here and said that non-Latvians should understand that one more language would make them richer and there were no problems to master the Latvian language here.

I.Kuzmina writes that after the statement of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga that language requirement norm was undemocratic, contradictory to the Satversme and limiting the democratic rights of citizens. The fact is that the Saeima Roll of Procedures establishes that the only language to be used at the Saeima is the Latvian language. But this norm may be abolished, and the Satversme is a stronger document that the Roll of Procedures. The journalist asked some MPs - lawyers whether this first step would not be followed by another one. The Head of the Saeima State Administration and Local Government Commission J.Lagzdins answered that, seeing what was going on in Estonia, they had to worry whether Presidents proposal was just the first step let the state language would lose its positions. Estonians abolished the language proficiency norm, and Russia is setting forth new, even wider demands. Mr.Lagzdins thinks that Latvians must not yield to any pressure – neither from West or East. Chairman of the Saeima juridical Commission L.Mucins agreed to the statement that after abolishing new demand could follow. All this fuss is artificial and inspired by Russia. Mr.Mucins reminded that when opening the OSCE Mission to Latvia there was no demand to abolish this norm. Saeima Secretary S.Dreimane considers that even amending the election law should be done when the society was ready for that, and she did not see any public support for this idea. Ms.Dreimane also reminded the fact of opening the OSCE Mission here and said that non-Latvians should understand that one more language would make them richer and there were no problems to master the Latvian language here. Lauku Avize

At the last week plenary sitting the Saeima supported the proposal of the faction FF/LNNK to amend the Law on Local Governments by stipulating that the working language of local governments had to be the state language. The amendments stipulate as well that the only office record language is the Latvian language. The Saeima rejected another FF/LNNK proposal to establish criminal liability for persons, who call to neglect Latvian legislation, as well as persons, who act in public organisations aimed at or their activities are aimed at overthrowing the state authority of the Republic of Latvia and abolishing national independence or destroying of territorial integrity. J.Dobelis promised that the faction would still put forward their proposal for the third reading, saying that this proposal was not aimed at those, who considered Latvia’s legislation imperfect but against those, who organise campaigns in mass media and during different events call to neglect laws.

At the last week plenary sitting the Saeima supported the proposal of the faction FF/LNNK to amend the Law on Local Governments by stipulating that the working language of local governments had to be the state language. The amendments stipulate as well that the only office record language is the Latvian language. The Saeima rejected another FF/LNNK proposal to establish criminal liability for persons, who call to neglect Latvian legislation, as well as persons, who act in public organisations aimed at or their activities are aimed at overthrowing the state authority of the Republic of Latvia and abolishing national independence or destroying of territorial integrity. J.Dobelis promised that the faction would still put forward their proposal for the third reading, saying that this proposal was not aimed at those, who considered Latvias legislation imperfect but against those, who organise campaigns in mass media and during different events call to neglect laws. Lauku Avize

In an interview to the newspaper

In an interview to the newspaper Lauku Avize the Chairman of FF/LNNK M.Grinblats spoke also about the language issues. He confirmed that the party remained in firm position on all essential national issues, e.g. concerning the proposal of the President on amending the election law. Mr.Grinblats thinks that the principles stipulated both in the Saeima and local government election laws have reasonable grounds, and it is not discrimination of non-Latvians. What concerns the possible actions, if the election law were amended, (possible amending of the Saeima Roll of Procedures) Mr.Grinblats said that nobody spoke about it yet. So if deputy, who does not speak any Latvian were elected to the Saeima, he could complain to the European Human Rights Court for not letting him work in the language he wants to. Then may follow a demand to introduce in local governments and even in the Saeima two or even three working languages. But the Satversme stipulates that the Latvian language is the only official state language, and this article may be amended only in a referendum. So the faction will not support the President. Mr.Grinblats spoke also about the state language inspectors and education reform.

Prime Minister A.Berzins participated in two events linked with society integration processes. The first was opening of the Naturalisation Board Information Centre where he thanked all persons, who participated in establishing of this office, and Latvia’s foreign partners for their input in the process of society integration. At the opening ceremony of the Society Integration Foundation premises the Prime Minister spoke about the important contributions of EU, UNDP, OSCE and other foreign donors in furthering the society integration processes and pointed out the importance of the latest OSCE Mission to Latvia projects, especially the “Public awareness project”.

Prime Minister A.Berzins participated in two events linked with society integration processes. The first was opening of the Naturalisation Board Information Centre where he thanked all persons, who participated in establishing of this office, and Latvias foreign partners for their input in the process of society integration. At the opening ceremony of the Society Integration Foundation premises the Prime Minister spoke about the important contributions of EU, UNDP, OSCE and other foreign donors in furthering the society integration processes and pointed out the importance of the latest OSCE Mission to Latvia projects, especially the Public awareness project. Latvijas Vestnesis

Writing about the opening ceremony of the Naturalisation Board Information Centre

Writing about the opening ceremony of the Naturalisation Board Information Centre Panorama Latvii cites the words of the Ambassador of the Delegation of CoE to Latvia G.Weiss, Everybody who receives Latvian citizenship in a few years will become a citizen of EU.

Panorama Latvii

informs that the Russian National Council adopted in the first reading the Presidential version of the citizenship law. The law envisages abolishing a possibility for all former USSR citizens to become citizens of Russia automatically. But it does not exclude a double citizenship. The new law would also lead to reconsideration of the law on compatriots. In the Kremlin they decided to have a new interpretation of this term. Now a compatriot – first of all is a citizen of Russia: their number in the neighbouring countries of Russia is increasing and most important constitutional task of the Russian government is to take care of this category of its citizens. informs that the Russian National Council adopted in the first reading the “Presidential” version of the citizenship law. The law envisages abolishing a possibility for all former USSR citizens to become citizens of Russia automatically. But it does not exclude a double citizenship. The new law would also lead to reconsideration of the law on compatriots. In the Kremlin they decided to have a new interpretation of this term. Now a compatriot – first of all is a citizen of Russia: their number in the neighbouring countries of Russia is increasing and most important constitutional task of the Russian government is to take care of this category of its citizens. Informing about the new draft law on financing political parties Russian-speaking newspapers speak ironically that authorities estimate the price for one vote – 60 santims. This financing will come from the national budget and only for those parties that will overcome 3% threshold at the Saeima election.

Informing about the new draft law on financing political parties Russian-speaking newspapers speak ironically that authorities estimate the price for one vote – 60 santims. This financing will come from the national budget and only for those parties that will overcome 3% threshold at the Saeima election. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernyaya Riga

Last week at the Ukrainian Secondary School took place a regular seminar where teachers of Russian-speaking schools discussed the problems of bilingual education within the framework of the program of the Riga City Council “Bilingual education and possibilities for Russian schools”. The organiser of this action A.Mitrevica told the journalist that the meaning of this action is let different schools present their bilingual experiences, teachers visit open lessons. As a result teachers come to conclusions how to improve their work.

Last week at the Ukrainian Secondary School took place a regular seminar where teachers of Russian-speaking schools discussed the problems of bilingual education within the framework of the program of the Riga City Council Bilingual education and possibilities for Russian schools. The organiser of this action A.Mitrevica told the journalist that the meaning of this action is let different schools present their bilingual experiences, teachers visit open lessons. As a result teachers come to conclusions how to improve their work. Vechernyaya Riga

Author o the above mentioned article E.Slyusareva published another article just under the previous one about the opinions behind the surface, stating that all respondents during out of record conversations acknowledged that this reform would lead to a mass scale assimilation.

Author o the above mentioned article E.Slyusareva published another article just under the previous one about the opinions behind the surface, stating that all respondents during out of record conversations acknowledged that this reform would lead to a mass scale assimilation. Vechernyaya Riga

MP B.Cilevich publishes his seeing the latest activities on Russian-speaking youth in Latvia and their attitude towards integration campaign. Latvian officials regard these young people as an object to implement their progressive attentions on – an object that with the help of some manipulations in necessary to adjust to functioning in the society of Latvia. And this attitude creates a rather reserved attitude in many people but youngsters are more radical in their actions. As examples of it B.Cilevich names the activities of the ultra national Russian National Unity Movement, the incident with Prince Charles, the attack with eggs on Latvian Minister of Agriculture in Russia, etc. State authorities try to prove the international community that everything is OK in Latvia, but their attitude is shown by treating the demand to preserve education in national minority languages. Now when all the activities of opposition activists proved the world the real situation in Latvia and it is not possible to deny the evident, Latvian top officials want to redirect the guilt for that to the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia – they have canvassed to speak against the state language and Latvian legislation.

MP B.Cilevich publishes his seeing the latest activities on Russian-speaking youth in Latvia and their attitude towards integration campaign. Latvian officials regard these young people as an object to implement their progressive attentions on – an object that with the help of some manipulations in necessary to adjust to functioning in the society of Latvia. And this attitude creates a rather reserved attitude in many people but youngsters are more radical in their actions. As examples of it B.Cilevich names the activities of the ultra national Russian National Unity Movement, the incident with Prince Charles, the attack with eggs on Latvian Minister of Agriculture in Russia, etc. State authorities try to prove the international community that everything is OK in Latvia, but their attitude is shown by treating the demand to preserve education in national minority languages. Now when all the activities of opposition activists proved the world the real situation in Latvia and it is not possible to deny the evident, Latvian top officials want to redirect the guilt for that to the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia – they have canvassed to speak against the state language and Latvian legislation. Telegraf