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

Yesterday the government accepted amendments to the Law on Citizenship granting Latvian citizenship to children of non-citizens that are born in independent Latvia if the child’s parents had requested it. Citizenship shall be granted to children without any preconditions - language, education or any other demands as it was suggested by the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. By accepting these recommendations, the government has fulfilled its promise to make amendments to the Law on Citizenship corresponding to OSCE recommendations.

Yesterday the government accepted amendments to the Law on Citizenship granting Latvian citizenship to children of non-citizens that are born in independent Latvia if the childs parents had requested it. Citizenship shall be granted to children without any preconditions - language, education or any other demands as it was suggested by the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. By accepting these recommendations, the government has fulfilled its promise to make amendments to the Law on Citizenship corresponding to OSCE recommendations. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, SM, Bizness & Baltiya, Chas

The Chairman of

The Chairman of DP Saimnieks announced to the press that he had asked to summon an extraordinary party congress to elect a new party chairman. He had decided to resign from this post and as well from running for the post of the Prime Minister. He did not name any concrete reasons for this decision. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, SM, Bizness & Baltiya

To achieve public integration, Latvia should become a multinational state. Such a historical model already existed in Latvia before WW II, and it does not mean assimilation of minorities but a union on common values. Therefore it is necessary to find such common values. These were the main ideas voiced on Monday and Tuesday at a conference “on the Road to an united society in Europe. The conference was organise by Latvian Foreign Policy Institute and the Delegation of EU in Latvia.

To achieve public integration, Latvia should become a multinational state. Such a historical model already existed in Latvia before WW II, and it does not mean assimilation of minorities but a union on common values. Therefore it is necessary to find such common values. These were the main ideas voiced on Monday and Tuesday at a conference on the Road to an united society in Europe. The conference was organise by Latvian Foreign Policy Institute and the Delegation of EU in Latvia. Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

GB Secretary of Foreign Affairs R.Cook as a representative of the Chairman-in-office state will have a telephone conversation with Foreign Affairs Ministers of Latvia and Russia this week. They will discuss Russia - Latvian relations. Nevertheless, EU does not plan to pass a declaration condemning Russia for imposing economic sanctions against Latvia.

GB Secretary of Foreign Affairs R.Cook as a representative of the Chairman-in-office state will have a telephone conversation with Foreign Affairs Ministers of Latvia and Russia this week. They will discuss Russia - Latvian relations. Nevertheless, EU does not plan to pass a declaration condemning Russia for imposing economic sanctions against Latvia. Diena

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted with in indignation to the explosion at Dobele Common graveyard. Latvian Ambassador to Russia I. Daudiss was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demanded that the damages should be repaired and the persons guilty - punished. Latvian party promised that all the damages would be repaired till May 9. Russia party considers that all the explosions, that have taken place lately, were links of one chain.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted with in indignation to the explosion at Dobele Common graveyard. Latvian Ambassador to Russia I. Daudiss was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demanded that the damages should be repaired and the persons guilty - punished. Latvian party promised that all the damages would be repaired till May 9. Russia party considers that all the explosions, that have taken place lately, were links of one chain. Neatkariga, Rita Zinas, Chas, Diena

Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs T.H.Ilvess announced yesterday at the EU Foreign Ministers Committee meeting that Latvia observed European human rights norms.

Jauna Avize

The newspaper

Rita Zinas analyses the situation with Russian economic sanctions against Latvia as a counter reaction to the human rights violations of Russian speaking population in Latvia and founds this statement just pure populism because the real reason is interests of Russian oil exporting companies.