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 Review

Press Review

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts appointed Mr. Ritums Rozenbergs his Press-Secretary. Mr. Rozenbergs is a professional journalist and has worked for several Latvian newspapers and for the National Radio and TV. Former Minister of Public Health Juris Vinkelis was appointed Head of the Prime Minister's Bureau. The Premier's team will be completed by the middle of September.

Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts appointed Mr. Ritums Rozenbergs his Press-Secretary. Mr. Rozenbergs is a professional journalist and has worked for several Latvian newspapers and for the National Radio and TV. Former Minister of Public Health Juris Vinkelis was appointed Head of the Prime Minister's Bureau. The Premier's team will be completed by the middle of September. Diena

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins in an interview for

Minister of Education and Science Juris Celmins in an interview for Diena stressed that the reform of the country's education system should be implemented on a step-by-step basis. He pointed at the importance of a legislative basis for the reform. The Ministry of Education has drafted the new General Law on Education, the Law on the Elementary Education and the Law on Vocational Education. The Minister did not mention the issue of minority schools and the status of the Russian language in schools under the new Law.

An Australian Latvian (J.A.Ziedars) in an article for

An Australian Latvian (J.A.Ziedars) in an article for Diena argues with Nils Muiznieks who suggested to pay closer attention to the process of naturalization. The author believes the Citizenship Law to be democratic and compares naturalization rate in Latvia to that in Australia. He points at the fact that the Latvian Citizenship Law allows a much higher naturalization rate than the Australian legislation. The author suggests that imposing citizenship on ethnic Russians would be a violation of their human rights since many Russians in Latvia feel a strong affinity with Russia and are still to decide whether they will take the side of Latvia in case of a conflict. The author of the article believes that the citizenship issue is exaggerated by EU politicians. He suggests that the OSCE, the EU and Russia should contribute to naturalizing non-citizens in Latvia. Russia should declare that it has no objections to naturalization. It should ratify the border agreement with Latvia and officially confirm Latvia's sovereignty. Among other measures to be taken by Russia the author also mentions the establishment of a non-visa regime for Latvian citizens. Russia and the international community should provide financial support to Latvian language study programs for non-citizens. Diena