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

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel has arrived for a three day visit to Latvia. He has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister , Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Saeima Speaker as well as representatives of the Saeima commissions on Human Rights, Social Affairs, Education, Science and Culture.

OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel has arrived for a three day visit to Latvia. He has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister , Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Saeima Speaker as well as representatives of the Saeima commissions on Human Rights, Social Affairs, Education, Science and Culture. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

A MFA representative predicted that the High Commissioner would not make any recommendations on the Law on Citizenship.

A MFA representative predicted that the High Commissioner would not make any recommendations on the Law on Citizenship. Diena

Panorama Latvii

asked several MPs a question what they expected from this visit of Max van der Stoel to Latvia. A representative of left wing parties M.Lujanis said that there could be nothing unexpected. His colleague P.Maksimov thought that the High Commissioner could address the problem of national minorities rights in Latvia. The Chairman of the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts wished not to have any demonstrative recommendations, not because there were no problems in Latvia, because they such sharp recommendations could cause a sharp reaction from TB/LNNK and also some other forces. D.Lemesonoks in

D.Lemesonoks in Neatkariga writes about the current situation with naturalisation in Latvia. The voting on amendments to the Law on Citizenship was a release and at the same time the end of a dream about ethnically pure Latvia. But not everybody would become a Latvian. The Head of Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane thinks that only 280 - 300 000 people will naturalise. The major influence of the increase of the number of citizens will be in the voting districts - especially in Kurzeme and Riga. The Chairman of Central Election Commission A.Cimdars thinks that there will be no problems due to the increase of the number of voters. A.Kaktins, Director of Socially Correlative data system Research Centre thinks that the greatest impact of naturalisation will be on politics. with increasing number of non-Latvian citizens, parties will have to regard their opinion. They will have to change their programs, slogans to preserve the current proportion of the electorate.

Almost 200 unemployed people in Daugavpils completed a two month training course in the Latvian language. This course was organized by the city’s Employment office. The participants received also a grant - 21 LS. The money was given by the Ministry of Well-being and was taken from the social budget.

Almost 200 unemployed people in Daugavpils completed a two month training course in the Latvian language. This course was organized by the citys Employment office. The participants received also a grant - 21 LS. The money was given by the Ministry of Well-being and was taken from the social budget. Neatkariga

The Head of the Public Integration Board of the Cabinet of Ministers J.Gaigals told

The Head of the Public Integration Board of the Cabinet of Ministers J.Gaigals told Diena that the concept of the national Public Integration program would be submitted for public discussion at the end of January. The society would need 4 to 5 months to evaluate this concept.

Diena

journalist Anna Stroy writes about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia starting with those children of non-citizens who received the right to receive Latvian citizenship after amending the Law on Citizenship. The amendments were adopted but the procedure how to register them was still missing although the registration should start on January 1. The Naturalisation Board came with an offer to prepare their lists of children of independence. Then she discusses the situation of those teachers in Russian speaking schools who did not pass the test on the Latvian language knowledge. journalist Anna Stroy writes about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia starting with those children of non-citizens who received the right to receive Latvian citizenship after amending the Law on Citizenship. The amendments were adopted but the procedure how to register them was still missing although the registration should start on January 1. The Naturalisation Board came with an offer to prepare their lists of “children of independence”. Then she discusses the situation of those teachers in Russian speaking schools who did not pass the test on the Latvian language knowledge. DienaDiena (Russian version)(Russian version)