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

Government supported the elimination of the naturalization system in the Citizenship Law and granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia, as it was recommended by the OSCE. The amendments should be presented to the Cabinet for consideration by 21 April, and to the Saeima by 23 April.

Government supported the elimination of the naturalization system in the Citizenship Law and granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia, as it was recommended by the OSCE. The amendments should be presented to the Cabinet for consideration by 21 April, and to the Saeima by 23 April. Diena

National Reform Party decided to support the government of Guntars Krasts. Thus, there are theoretically 54 deputies supporting the present government.

National Reform Party decided to support the government of Guntars Krasts. Thus, there are theoretically 54 deputies supporting the present government. Neatkariga, Diena

Yesterday Prime Minister accepted the official resignation of Deputy State Minister Juris Kaksitis (

Yesterday Prime Minister accepted the official resignation of Deputy State Minister Juris Kaksitis (Saimnieks). Two other ministers - and Juris Celmins (Minister of Education) will resign today while Eriks Zunda (State Minister of Self-Governments) will continue working until Tuesday. After the extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers Guntars Krasts said that he will propose the government supporting parties to nominate the candidates for the vacant ministerial posts. Jauna, Neatkariga

Yesterday at the extraordinary meeting the Cabinet of Ministers approved the program a program for overcoming the crisis in the country presented by the Prime Minister. As Guntars Krats told journalists, the program lists specific issues of internal and external politics, and propose the possibilities of solving these problems. The details of the program are not available to the public yet. It is planned to form a crisis management system. The Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis (Saimnieks) said that the government in fact does not have any plans to overcome the crisis. Andrejs Pantelejevs (Latvijas Cels) said that the program lacks the uniformity and presents only various details. At the meeting with journalists State President expressed his opinion about the situation in the country.

Yesterday at the extraordinary meeting the Cabinet of Ministers approved the program a program for overcoming the crisis in the country presented by the Prime Minister. As Guntars Krats told journalists, the program lists specific issues of internal and external politics, and propose the possibilities of solving these problems. The details of the program are not available to the public yet. It is planned to form a crisis management system. The Speaker of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis (Saimnieks) said that the government in fact does not have any plans to overcome the crisis. Andrejs Pantelejevs (Latvijas Cels) said that the program lacks the uniformity and presents only various details. At the meeting with journalists State President expressed his opinion about the situation in the country. Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii

Sweden has good relations with Latvia as well as with Russia, and Sweden should not be mediator to improve the relations between these two countries, Swedish Prime Minister Person said yesterday during his one day visit to Latvia. He stressed that the main objective of the visit was to discuss the relations between Latvia and Sweden and and Sweden's assistance for the Latvia's integration into the EU. at the meeting with Guntars Krasts Swedish Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the Latvian government to implement the OSCE recommendations.

Sweden has good relations with Latvia as well as with Russia, and Sweden should not be mediator to improve the relations between these two countries, Swedish Prime Minister Person said yesterday during his one day visit to Latvia. He stressed that the main objective of the visit was to discuss the relations between Latvia and Sweden and and Sweden's assistance for the Latvia's integration into the EU. at the meeting with Guntars Krasts Swedish Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the readiness of the Latvian government to implement the OSCE recommendations. Diena, Jauna Avize

Olafs Bruveris, Head of the National Human Rights Office informed journalists about the results of the research on situation of social and economic rights in Latvia. According to Bruvers, in Latvia the social and economic rights are observed only partly, and it might lead to the violation of human rights in future.

Olafs Bruveris, Head of the National Human Rights Office informed journalists about the results of the research on situation of social and economic rights in Latvia. According to Bruvers, in Latvia the social and economic rights are observed only partly, and it might lead to the violation of human rights in future. Panorama Latvii

Chair of the OSCE Bronislaw Geremek (Polish Foreign Minister) thinks that Russia's reaction to the situation in Latvia is exaggerated.

Chair of the OSCE Bronislaw Geremek (Polish Foreign Minister) thinks that Russia's reaction to the situation in Latvia is exaggerated. Diena

In an article for

In an article for Diena, Valdis Birkavs states that there should be a clear program that would provide everybody who legally resides and works in Latvia with a possibility to really affect his/her future. "The responsibility of the state is to help those who want to stay in Latvia, to get integrated into to the society and to assist thsoe who do not want to stay here, to leave the country." Diena

Today the OSCE high Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel and CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen arrive in Latvia to discuss the Latvian legislation issues.

Today the OSCE high Commissioner on National Minorities Max van der Stoel and CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen arrive in Latvia to discuss the Latvian legislation issues. Diena, B&B

Yesterday some eighty directors of the various industris met to discuss the situation realted with the economic sanctions of Russia. They described the politics of the Latvian government as "crime againts its own nation, "and the proposals to re-orantate the industry towards Western markets as "foolish and naive". Participants of the meeting decided to form a work group that will prepare the report about the current situation in industrial sector to be submitted to the State President and the government.

Yesterday some eighty directors of the various industris met to discuss the situation realted with the economic sanctions of Russia. They described the politics of the Latvian government as "crime againts its own nation, "and the proposals to re-orantate the industry towards Western markets as "foolish and naive". Participants of the meeting decided to form a work group that will prepare the report about the current situation in industrial sector to be submitted to the State President and the government. B&B

In an interview for

In an interview for Chas, Aija Priedite Director of the National State Program on Latvian Language Teaching, states that it would take at least ten years for the Latvian language to become a real second language for the Russian speaking population.