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

An article in

An article in "SM" draws a parallel between the current language policy and the gradual introduction of the Latvian language as an official state language in the twenties and in the thirties. The author of the article believes that the new Language Law will be even more strict than the one currently in force. SM

"FOKUSS" interviewed several prominent persons on the existing employment restrictions for non-citizens. Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Federation of Detectives and Security Services Mr. Chernousov believes that non-citizens should be given the right to work as private detectives. As a possible compromise solution he suggests issuing temporary licenses to non-citizens allowing them to work as private detectives until they receive citizenship through naturalization. Director of the State Human Rights Office Mr. Olafs Bruveris sees the canceling of the restrictions as a step required by the EU norms. "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK deputy Mr. Juris Dobelis does not see any necessity in abolishing the restrictions. He believes that the state should take care of its citizens first. "TB"/LNNK will never agree to cancel any of the exiting restrictions, says Dobelis. "People's Harmony" member Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev says that his party supports abolishing all restrictions. He criticized "Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks" for their indifference to the problem. Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Mr. Antons Seiksts would not agree to canceling all ten restrictions mentioned in a report by the State Human Rights Bureau as "groundless". Still, he believes that non-citizens should be given the right to work as lawyers and to run pharmacies. He suggests that political rhetoric on the subject is used to disguise the fear of competition. Fokuss