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

First non-citizens' passports will be issued this week. According to Deputy-Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Board Janis Leins, ten or fifteen new passports will be handed out on April 10. Application forms have been available starting April 2 at post-offices and local offices of the Board. Mr. Leins informed applicants for new non-citizens' passport about a mistake that occurred in the Russian version of the form. The form does not specify the age of an applicant's children to be listed in the form. Regulations require that children under sixteen years of age should be listed in the form. Mr. Leins advised holders of old "brown" non-citizens' passports not to rush for new passports to avoid excessive queues at local offices of the Board. New non-citizens' passports have been recognized by USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia and Norway.

First non-citizens' passports will be issued this week. According to Deputy-Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Board Janis Leins, ten or fifteen new passports will be handed out on April 10. Application forms have been available starting April 2 at post-offices and local offices of the Board. Mr. Leins informed applicants for new non-citizens' passport about a mistake that occurred in the Russian version of the form. The form does not specify the age of an applicant's children to be listed in the form. Regulations require that children under sixteen years of age should be listed in the form. Mr. Leins advised holders of old "brown" non-citizens' passports not to rush for new passports to avoid excessive queues at local offices of the Board. New non-citizens' passports have been recognized by USA, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Byelorussia, Slovakia and Norway. Diena, Panorama Latvii

EU Commissioner van den Broek called upon Latvian statesmen to bring the country's legislation in compliance with EU standards. At his press-conference last Friday Mr. van den Broek stressed the importance of resolving the problem of non-citizens paying special attention to employment restrictions. During his visit to the Human Rights Office the EU Commissioner highly evaluated its efforts calling it "a unique institution". Mr. van den Broek also touched upon the low pace of naturalization and recommended to study the process thoroughly. He also noted that the Government was ready to discuss naturalization procedure. In an interview for

EU Commissioner van den Broek called upon Latvian statesmen to bring the country's legislation in compliance with EU standards. At his press-conference last Friday Mr. van den Broek stressed the importance of resolving the problem of non-citizens paying special attention to employment restrictions. During his visit to the Human Rights Office the EU Commissioner highly evaluated its efforts calling it "a unique institution". Mr. van den Broek also touched upon the low pace of naturalization and recommended to study the process thoroughly. He also noted that the Government was ready to discuss naturalization procedure. In an interview for "DIENA" Mr. van den Broek said that "Latvia approached the issue of non-citizens in a sensible way in compliance with EU norms". The EU Commissioner said that he was satisfied with the recent progress in Latvia's talks with Russia. He stressed that the EU would not agree to Russia connecting border delimitation to the issue of Russian-speakers. Diena