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

Yesterday the "People's Harmony" faction submitted its proposals on removing the "window mechanism" provisions from the Citizenship Law to the Saeima Presidium. The amendments also provide for granting Latvian citizenship to all persons born in the country after May 4, 1990, if the "Law on Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or another State" cannot be applied to such persons. "PH" also suggested to simplify naturalization tests for pensioners.

Yesterday the "People's Harmony" faction submitted its proposals on removing the "window mechanism" provisions from the Citizenship Law to the Saeima Presidium. The amendments also provide for granting Latvian citizenship to all persons born in the country after May 4, 1990, if the "Law on Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or another State" cannot be applied to such persons. "PH" also suggested to simplify naturalization tests for pensioners. "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK and "Latvijas Cels" object to the suggested amendments while "Saimnieks" is expected to express its official opinion today. member of "TB"/LNNK faction Aigars Jirgens told "DIENA that the party would never accept the amendments even if its firm standpoint caused a government crisis. "LC" Secretary General Lorencs agreed that it was necessary to amend the Citizenship Law. Still, amending the Law was impossible since it would lead to a government crisis, said Mr. Lorencs. Today the Saeima Human Rights Committee is starting a discussion of "window mechanism" and on differences between the rights enjoyed by citizens and non-citizens. Most of the Parliament members interviewed by "BIZNES & BALTIYA" on the issue believe that "naturalization windows" should be abolished. Still, they do not believe that a discussion of the issue could lead to a government crisis. "TB"/LNNK Deputy-Chairman Dobelis told "B&B" that the party would never agree to any amendments to the Citizenship Law. Diena, B&B

"People's Harmony" member Janis Urbanovics in an article for "DIENA" stresses that the initial purpose of choosing the "window mechanism" as a basic naturalization scheme was to avoid lines at the Naturalization Board Offices. Now, when there is no signs of non-citizens rushing to obtain citizenship, the "widows" are considered not as a purely technical norm but as means of "preserving the domination of ethnic Latvians in the country's political life." Mr. Urbanovics stresses that the term "domination" is a thin disguise for the fear to lose seats in the Saeima during the next elections. He also believes that employment restrictions were introduced to avoid competition with non-citizens in such profitable domains as legal advice and pharmacology. The author of the article argues with those who oppose granting non-citizens the right to participate in local elections by referring to generally accepted European practice. He stresses that foreigners residing in Western countries have entered the countries being aware of their immigrant status. Non-citizens in Latvia have been living in the country for years and had the rights equal to those enjoyed by current citizens. They lost several of their rights after Latvia regained its independence. Therefore, Western practice cannot be applied to them, believes Mr. Urbanovics. Mr. Urbanovics fully agrees with the European Commission that criticized the 1994 Amnesty. The amnesty was applied only to citizens, and the author calls the Law on the Amnesty "an outrageous injustice." He also criticizes the regulations on the status of the unemployed that require the knowledge of the Latvian language by all applicants for unemployment benefits. Mr. Urbanovics opinion on the draft Education Law and the draft Language Law is negative as well. He refers to the assessment of the Education Law by the Saeima Human Rights Committee. The Committee characterized the draft Law as "discriminating and not complying with Latvia's international obligations." Mr. Urbanovics believes that the Council of Europe could clearly see the difference between integration and assimilation, the latter being encouraged by the draft Education Law. He stresses that Latvia has no other choice but to follow recommendations given by the European Commission. The article outlines several points mentioned in the report by the Commission. Those points are as follows:

"People's Harmony" member Janis Urbanovics in an article for "DIENA" stresses that the initial purpose of choosing the "window mechanism" as a basic naturalization scheme was to avoid lines at the Naturalization Board Offices. Now, when there is no signs of non-citizens rushing to obtain citizenship, the "widows" are considered not as a purely technical norm but as means of "preserving the domination of ethnic Latvians in the country's political life." Mr. Urbanovics stresses that the term "domination" is a thin disguise for the fear to lose seats in the Saeima during the next elections. He also believes that employment restrictions were introduced to avoid competition with non-citizens in such profitable domains as legal advice and pharmacology. The author of the article argues with those who oppose granting non-citizens the right to participate in local elections by referring to generally accepted European practice. He stresses that foreigners residing in Western countries have entered the countries being aware of their immigrant status. Non-citizens in Latvia have been living in the country for years and had the rights equal to those enjoyed by current citizens. They lost several of their rights after Latvia regained its independence. Therefore, Western practice cannot be applied to them, believes Mr. Urbanovics. Mr. Urbanovics fully agrees with the European Commission that criticized the 1994 Amnesty. The amnesty was applied only to citizens, and the author calls the Law on the Amnesty "an outrageous injustice." He also criticizes the regulations on the status of the unemployed that require the knowledge of the Latvian language by all applicants for unemployment benefits. Mr. Urbanovics opinion on the draft Education Law and the draft Language Law is negative as well. He refers to the assessment of the Education Law by the Saeima Human Rights Committee. The Committee characterized the draft Law as "discriminating and not complying with Latvia's international obligations." Mr. Urbanovics believes that the Council of Europe could clearly see the difference between integration and assimilation, the latter being encouraged by the draft Education Law. He stresses that Latvia has no other choice but to follow recommendations given by the European Commission. The article outlines several points mentioned in the report by the Commission. Those points are as follows:

- Non-citizens in Latvia do not have a guaranteed right to own land;

- Non-citizens in Latvia do not have a guaranteed right to own land;

- The Citizenship Law does has little effect due to the "window mechanism", minors born in Latvia are not granted citizenship;

- The Citizenship Law does has little effect due to the "window mechanism", minors born in Latvia are not granted citizenship;

- Non-citizens' employment rights are restricted;

- Non-citizens' employment rights are restricted;

- Last amnesty was applied only to citizens.

- Last amnesty was applied only to citizens.

- Latvia has not adopted the Law on Education for National Minorities.

- Latvia has not adopted the Law on Education for National Minorities. Diena

Excerpts from President Ulmanis address to the Council of Europe Summit on October 10, 1997.

Excerpts from President Ulmanis address to the Council of Europe Summit on October 10, 1997.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Another issue I would like to address is the rights and the identity of national minorities. I am happy that Latvia has ratified the European Human Rights Convention this year. We shall proceed with acceding other conventions and charters adopted by the Council of Europe. Human and minority rights are of special importance to us, these rights having been regained after the years of Soviet lawlessness. The modernization of Latvia is a conjunction of two policies. National identity of Latvians and our national state are important to us. At the same time, protection of the rights of national minorities are of similar importance and priority. We see the two processes that add to each other. The forming of a harmonious and consolidated society in Latvia, as in any other European country, requires both policies. The Latvian society develops peacefully without any ethnicity-related conflicts. Preserving a balance between these two policies and forming a future society that would involve all the country's inhabitants is a task to be accomplished by a joint effort of our politicians. The rights of national minorities as well as other democratic values will be guaranteed in a balance with the values that strengthen the national identity of our state. Excerpts from President Ulmanis' press-conference upon his return to Riga. Human rights were thoroughly discussed. I would stress that the issue should be regarded in a broad context. The Baltic countries were not mentioned specially in that connection. I had another confirmation of the appropriateness of our policy. No-one can criticize Latvia for violating human rights to leave alone separate violations by bureaucratic machinery.

Another issue I would like to address is the rights and the identity of national minorities.I am happy that Latvia has ratified the European Human Rights Convention this year. We shall proceed with acceding other conventions and charters adopted by the Council of Europe. Human and minority rights are of special importance to us, these rights having been regained after the years of Soviet lawlessness. The modernization of Latvia is a conjunction of two policies. National identity of Latvians and our national state are important to us. At the same time, protection of the rights of national minorities are of similar importance and priority. We see the two processes that add to each other. The forming of a harmonious and consolidated society in Latvia, as in any other European country, requires both policies. The Latvian society develops peacefully without any ethnicity-related conflicts. Preserving a balance between these two policies and forming a future society that would involve all the country's inhabitants is a task to be accomplished by a joint effort of our politicians. The rights of national minorities as well as other democratic values will be guaranteed in a balance with the values that strengthen the national identity of our state. Excerpts from President Ulmanis' press-conference upon his return to Riga. Human rights were thoroughly discussed. I would stress that the issue should be regarded in a broad context. The Baltic countries were not mentioned specially in that connection. I had another confirmation of the appropriateness of our policy. No-one can criticize Latvia for violating human rights to leave alone separate violations by bureaucratic machinery. Latvijas Vestnesis