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

"Latvijas Cels"

deputies told the press that the faction might suggest the President to consider dismissing the Saeima. The statements were made after the deputies told the press that the faction might suggest the President to consider dismissing the Saeima. The statements were made after the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" "Tevzemei un Brivibai" faction tried to block the adoption of several draft laws last Thursday. The issue will be on the agenda of the faction tried to block the adoption of several draft laws last Thursday. The issue will be on the agenda of the "LC""LC" party conference. party conference. DienaDiena Last Friday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Self-Government Elections liquidating elected regional self-governments.

Last Friday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on Self-Government Elections liquidating elected regional self-governments. "Tevzemei un Brivibai", part of LNNK, and opposition factions tried to block the vote. "TB" Chairman Straume at a press-conference explained that the party had informed its coalition partners about its negative viewpoint on free land market and the liquidation of regional self-governments. Diena

The UNDP and the Government of Latvia signed an agreement on an aid project for implementing the latvian Language Training National Program. Minister of Education Grinblats in his speech pointed at the importance of teaching Latvian to the young. Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Magee expressed hope that the program would speed up the naturalization process.

The UNDP and the Government of Latvia signed an agreement on an aid project for implementing the latvian Language Training National Program. Minister of Education Grinblats in his speech pointed at the importance of teaching Latvian to the young. Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Magee expressed hope that the program would speed up the naturalization process. Diena

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said at a press-conference that he considered "overcoming problems in relations with Russia" to be the main task of his Ministry for the coming year.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs said at a press-conference that he considered "overcoming problems in relations with Russia" to be the main task of his Ministry for the coming year. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele suggested that

Prime-Minister Skele suggested that "Tevzemei un Brivibai" Areconsider its policy" toward free land market and regional self-governments. Mr. Skele addressed the Third "TB" Congress yesterday. The congress voted for "TB" merging with LNNK and the Christian Democrats planned for the coming year. Diena

Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev criticized the UNDP for supporting a "radical" education program. The existing legislation and upcoming laws on language and education are aimed at assimilating national minorities. The Latvian Human Rights Committee is organizing a picket in front of the UNDP office on the International Human Rights Day.

Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Vladimir Buzayev criticized the UNDP for supporting a "radical" education program. The existing legislation and upcoming laws on language and education are aimed at assimilating national minorities. The Latvian Human Rights Committee is organizing a picket in front of the UNDP office on the International Human Rights Day. PL

Boris Tsilevich in a report on the Vienna conference on education for national minorities points at the situation in Slovakia that, in his opinion, is similar to the problems faced by Russian schools in Latvia. According to Tsilevich, the Slovak Government ignores the opinion of the Hungarian minority on education issues. Latvia was represented by Mrs. Baiba Kinstlere, a mid-level official at the Ministry of Education. Tsilevich believes that the low level of representation is an evidence of Latvia's attitude to the problem. Mrs. Kinstlere in her report said that the country's legislation complied with international human rights norms. She admitted that violations occurred due to misinterpretation of the laws. Mrs. Kinstlere explained that the rights of ethnic Latvians were being restored, which inevitably lead to a certain reduction of the rights of non-Latvians. Latvia's education system had not been formed yet, stressed Kinstlere. Boris Tsilevich pointed at the tendencies in Latvian education policies that contradict the Hague recommendations. Among those is discriminating financing of private schools by the state. According to the law, only Latvian schools are entitled to state financial aid. Tsilevich also mentioned Minister of Education Grinblats saying that Latvian and non-Latvian children should not attend the same classes. Such a policy, if implemented, would not allow non-Latvians to obtain secondary education if it becomes available only in Latvian.

Boris Tsilevich in a report on the Vienna conference on education for national minorities points at the situation in Slovakia that, in his opinion, is similar to the problems faced by Russian schools in Latvia. According to Tsilevich, the Slovak Government ignores the opinion of the Hungarian minority on education issues. Latvia was represented by Mrs. Baiba Kinstlere, a mid-level official at the Ministry of Education. Tsilevich believes that the low level of representation is an evidence of Latvia's attitude to the problem. Mrs. Kinstlere in her report said that the country's legislation complied with international human rights norms. She admitted that violations occurred due to misinterpretation of the laws. Mrs. Kinstlere explained that the rights of ethnic Latvians were being restored, which inevitably lead to a certain reduction of the rights of non-Latvians. Latvia's education system had not been formed yet, stressed Kinstlere. Boris Tsilevich pointed at the tendencies in Latvian education policies that contradict the Hague recommendations. Among those is discriminating financing of private schools by the state. According to the law, only Latvian schools are entitled to state financial aid. Tsilevich also mentioned Minister of Education Grinblats saying that Latvian and non-Latvian children should not attend the same classes. Such a policy, if implemented, would not allow non-Latvians to obtain secondary education if it becomes available only in Latvian. SM

An article in

An article in "SM" by professional lawyers describes typical problems faced by applicants for residence permits. Persons who married residents or citizens of Latvia between 1989 and 1990 and had a temporary "propiska" cannot extend it without receiving a residence permit. The CID cannot issue the permit to a person having only an internal USSR passport. Such persons cannot apply to the Russian Embassy for citizenship without having a permanent "propiska" in Latvia. The vicious circle is aggravated by the fact that the person, having no valid travel documents, cannot receive foreign citizenship outside Latvia. SM