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

Russian MFA has circulated an official announcement where it voiced its opinion that the decision of the Saeima to advertise abroad its Declaration on Occupation should be considered as a provocative action proving deceitfulness and hypocrisy of Latvian policy.

Russian MFA has circulated an official announcement where it voiced its opinion that the decision of the Saeima to advertise abroad its Declaration on Occupation should be considered as a provocative action proving deceitfulness and hypocrisy of Latvian policy. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, SM, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Saeima amended the law on national festivities and remembrance days. It decided that henceforth March 16 would be the remembrance day of Latvian soldiers ( so far this was a meeting day of the old legionnaires) and the first Sunday of December - a day to remember Latvian people - victims of the totalitarian Communist regime.

Yesterday the Saeima amended the law on national festivities and remembrance days. It decided that henceforth March 16 would be the remembrance day of Latvian soldiers ( so far this was a meeting day of the old legionnaires) and the first Sunday of December - a day to remember Latvian people - victims of the totalitarian Communist regime. Neatkariga

Russian speaking newspapers are very negative about this March 16 remembrance day calling it a provocation from the Latvian side.

Russian speaking newspapers are very negative about this March 16 remembrance day calling it a provocation from the Latvian side. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Wednesday meeting of higher state officials, ambassadors of several countries, EU representatives and deputies of the Saeima faction

Wednesday meeting of higher state officials, ambassadors of several countries, EU representatives and deputies of the Saeima faction Latvijas Cels took place where they discussed the procedure of adoption and discussion of the Law on Citizenship. LC had received confirmation that, along with OSCE recommendations concerning amending the Law on Citizenship, to enter EU there would not be any other recommendations. The present ambassadors expressed repeatedly their willingness to support Latvia if Russia started any provocation against Latvia concerning the Law on Citizenship. LC representative K.Libane said that the goal of those recommendations were to create such a mechanism that all non-citizens would be demanded to show their Latvian language and history knowledge. Several ambassadors voiced an opinion that the main thing is to provide this mechanism and if the majority of non-citizens would not like to use this opportunity, it would not be an obstacle to join EU. Neatkariga, Rita Zinas, Jauna Avize

PACE deputies, who have come to Latvia to prepare a report on this country, have met with the Prime Minister, representatives of Saeima factions and commissions and showed their interest not only about citizenship issues, but also stressed the necessity to abolish the capital punishment.

PACE deputies, who have come to Latvia to prepare a report on this country, have met with the Prime Minister, representatives of Saeima factions and commissions and showed their interest not only about citizenship issues, but also stressed the necessity to abolish the capital punishment. Neatkariga, SM,

Panorama Latvii writes about the meeting of the Latvian Human Rights Committee representatives with these experts. Latvian party received confirmation that even in the case of adopting amendments to the Law on Citizenship PACE would follow carefully to all developments in the spheres of human rights and integration of non-citizens in Latvia.

Panorama Latvii writes about the meeting of the Latvian Human Rights Committee representatives with these experts. Latvian party received confirmation that even in the case of adopting amendments to the Law on Citizenship PACE would follow carefully to all developments in the spheres of human rights and integration of non-citizens in Latvia.

On Wednesday, Estonian Parliament started to discuss in the second reading amendments to the Law on Citizenship that plan to give the children of non-citizens the right to receive Estonian citizenship through eased procedure. But most likely is that the deputies, upon a proposal of the commission in charge, will postpone the final decision till autumn because there is no unity on this in the government coalition.

On Wednesday, Estonian Parliament started to discuss in the second reading amendments to the Law on Citizenship that plan to give the children of non-citizens the right to receive Estonian citizenship through eased procedure. But most likely is that the deputies, upon a proposal of the commission in charge, will postpone the final decision till autumn because there is no unity on this in the government coalition. Diena

During a discussion with journalists, the State President predicted that the Saeima, on its extraordinary meeting on June 22, would adopt amendments to the Law on Citizenship corresponding to OSCE recommendations not changing the position, agreed in the second reading, allowing to recognise children of non-citizens born after August 21as Latvian citizens, 1991.

During a discussion with journalists, the State President predicted that the Saeima, on its extraordinary meeting on June 22, would adopt amendments to the Law on Citizenship corresponding to OSCE recommendations not changing the position, agreed in the second reading, allowing to recognise children of non-citizens born after August 21as Latvian citizens, 1991. Diena

In the second reading, the Saeima rejected the proposal of the State President to abandon the capital punishment. NHRO voiced its opinion to

In the second reading, the Saeima rejected the proposal of the State President to abandon the capital punishment. NHRO voiced its opinion to Diena that the capital punishment should be abandoned in Latvia because it contradicted one of the basic human rights - the right to life. Also G.Ulmanis was negative about this decision but he would respect the Saeima opinion. Anyhow, the President still has the right to stop publication of the law for two months. Diena, Chas

Diena

publishes a large article where the Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane speaks about regional conferences organised within the program On the road to a civic society and the ideas generated there. One idea was common for all four conferences - Naturalisation is not to be considered as the basis of integration because a person after received Latvian citizenship should not be taken as already integrated in the Latvian society. One more - the Latvian language should be the state language. These conferences also stated one common feature in those four regions - the society has alienated from the state. In Riga conference an idea was raised that non-citizens should be given the right to participate in local elections in order to make them feel linked and responsible for the place they live. The Head of Saeima Human Rights and Social Affairs Commission A.Seiksts in his interview to the newspaper

The Head of Saeima Human Rights and Social Affairs Commission A.Seiksts in his interview to the newspaper Rigas Balss expressed his fear of the process when Latvian non-citizens would apply for Russia citizenship in mass ( there are already 50 000 of them ) and concern for the futureof A Latvia. Rigas Balss