Press Report

The

The Saeima Human Rights Committee is planning to consider the possibility of abolishing the age group "window" principle currently provided for by the Citizenship Law. Chairman of the Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that the discussion will be held upon the initiative of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Committee will review proposals by the two organizations and OSCE High Commissioner's van der Stoel's recommendations on the issue. Mr. Seiksts admitted that non-citizens willing to undergo naturalization could not receive citizenship while those having no intention to apply for naturalization have the right. He noted that canceling the "window" mechanism would be the best defence against critical statements often made by Russia and by international organizations. Mr. Seiksts believes that provisions of the Law requiring the knowledge of the Latvian language and history by applicants should be preserved. Chairman of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK" faction Janis Straume in an interview for the Latvian Radio said that amending the Citizenship Law would inevitably lead to a government crisis. "TB/LNNK" Chairman Juris Vidins believes that the Human Rights Committee would not support the proposal on amending the Citizenship Law. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs agrees to the suggested amendment to the Citizenship Law and believes that it could be a step toward improving relations with Russia and facilitating Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, the governing factions should not allow the decision to cause a government crisis, says Mr. Birkavs. Diena, B&B

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied.

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied. SM

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board. Diena, B&B

"PANORAMA LATVII"

interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The "PL" "PL" journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment.

President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment. Diena

The

The Saeima Human Rights Committee is planning to consider the possibility of abolishing the age group "window" principle currently provided for by the Citizenship Law. Chairman of the Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that the discussion will be held upon the initiative of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Committee will review proposals by the two organizations and OSCE High Commissioner's van der Stoel's recommendations on the issue. Mr. Seiksts admitted that non-citizens willing to undergo naturalization could not receive citizenship while those having no intention to apply for naturalization have the right. He noted that canceling the "window" mechanism would be the best defence against critical statements often made by Russia and by international organizations. Mr. Seiksts believes that provisions of the Law requiring the knowledge of the Latvian language and history by applicants should be preserved. Chairman of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK" faction Janis Straume in an interview for the Latvian Radio said that amending the Citizenship Law would inevitably lead to a government crisis. "TB/LNNK" Chairman Juris Vidins believes that the Human Rights Committee would not support the proposal on amending the Citizenship Law. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs agrees to the suggested amendment to the Citizenship Law and believes that it could be a step toward improving relations with Russia and facilitating Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, the governing factions should not allow the decision to cause a government crisis, says Mr. Birkavs. Diena, B&B

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied.

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied. SM

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board. Diena, B&B

PL

interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. Theinterviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The "PL" "PL" journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment.

President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment. Diena, LV

Press Report

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Richard Samuel during his meeting with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs stressed the importance of accelerating the naturalization process. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of the Mission also discussed future research of the problem. Only slightly more than five thousand non-citizens received citizenship through naturalization between the beginning of 1995 and April 1997 although 93 thousand had the right to apply during the period. President Ulmanis during his meeting with the Head of the OSCE Mission admitted that agreement between the governing factions did not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Still, the President believes that an open discussion and amending certain regulations could help to improve the situation. Among steps that could be taken to improve the situation Mr. Ulmanis mentioned granting citizenship to children born in Latvia and reducing the number of employment restrictions for non-citizens. During his talk with Mr. Samuel the President suggested to hold regular meetings of Naturalization Board, Human Rights Bureau, OSCE Mission and Council of Nationalities representatives.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Richard Samuel during his meeting with Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs stressed the importance of accelerating the naturalization process. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Head of the Mission also discussed future research of the problem. Only slightly more than five thousand non-citizens received citizenship through naturalization between the beginning of 1995 and April 1997 although 93 thousand had the right to apply during the period. President Ulmanis during his meeting with the Head of the OSCE Mission admitted that agreement between the governing factions did not allow to amend the Citizenship Law. Still, the President believes that an open discussion and amending certain regulations could help to improve the situation. Among steps that could be taken to improve the situation Mr. Ulmanis mentioned granting citizenship to children born in Latvia and reducing the number of employment restrictions for non-citizens. During his talk with Mr. Samuel the President suggested to hold regular meetings of Naturalization Board, Human Rights Bureau, OSCE Mission and Council of Nationalities representatives. Diena, SM

Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Gennady Kotov prepared a report on the human rights situation in Latvia for the UN Human Rights Committee. The report is an attempt to prove that Latvia's policy toward non-citizens can be qualified as apartheid. Mr. Kotov believes that a group deprived of political rights cannot defend its other rights efficiently. According to Mr. Kotov, the Human Rights Committee provided proofs of discrimination to Western authorities when such proofs were required by individuals willing to emigrate to the West. In most cases Western immigration authorities had to agree to the argumentation provided by the Committee and gave the applicants a political refugee status. Mr. Kotov is skeptical about the decrease in the number of court cases lost by the CID. He explains the tendency by a growing political partiality of Latvian courts that are trying to back the CID. Mr. Kotov believes the naturalization procedure to be humiliating. He objects to complicated tests and the Oath of Loyalty to Latvia, the latter requiring that a person should sometimes sacrifice his or her religious or political beliefs.

Co-chairman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Gennady Kotov prepared a report on the human rights situation in Latvia for the UN Human Rights Committee. The report is an attempt to prove that Latvia's policy toward non-citizens can be qualified as apartheid. Mr. Kotov believes that a group deprived of political rights cannot defend its other rights efficiently. According to Mr. Kotov, the Human Rights Committee provided proofs of discrimination to Western authorities when such proofs were required by individuals willing to emigrate to the West. In most cases Western immigration authorities had to agree to the argumentation provided by the Committee and gave the applicants a political refugee status. Mr. Kotov is skeptical about the decrease in the number of court cases lost by the CID. He explains the tendency by a growing political partiality of Latvian courts that are trying to back the CID. Mr. Kotov believes the naturalization procedure to be humiliating. He objects to complicated tests and the Oath of Loyalty to Latvia, the latter requiring that a person should sometimes sacrifice his or her religious or political beliefs. Diena

Representatives of the Citizenship and Immigration Department at the yesterday's meeting of the

Representatives of the Citizenship and Immigration Department at the yesterday's meeting of the Saeima Committee on the Implementation of the Citizenship Law said that 6,000 inhabitants of Latvia had no status at all in accordance with the legislation in force. 4,000 persons having no status are spouses of citizens, non-citizens, foreigners, and stateless persons. 1,000 persons are registered only at company staff departments. Another 1,000 is homeless and stateless. CID Director Ints Zitars in a letter addressed to the Saeima stresses that the existing situation contradicted the European Human Rights Convention. The problem was raised by the CID in connection with the upcoming expiration of former USSR passports. Neatkariga, B&B

Press Report

EU Commissioner on Foreign Affairs Hans van der Broek told

EU Commissioner on Foreign Affairs Hans van der Broek told DIENA that the EU Council shared the opinion of the European Commission on future talks with candidates for EU membership. He is certain that the talks will not be started simultaneously with all candidates. Mr. van der Broek said that although citizenship issues and other political aspects played certain role in assessing Latvias potential for joining the EU, the main emphasis was laid on the economic situation. Diena

Yesterday Mr. George Soros visited the Central Prison that runs a Latvian language training program financed by the Soros foundation. At his yesterday’s press-conference Mr. Soros noted that he “could hardly imagine Latvia integrating in the European Union with existing penitentiary system”. He was also shocked by the situation when suspects were kept in custody for up to three years waiting for final court verdicts on their cases. Mr. Soros said that he could see two separate communities (i.e., Latvians and non-Latvians) in Latvia that had very few links with each other. He believes that democratic processes in the country and naturalization of non-citizens to be too slow. Yesterday Mr. Soros had a meeting with Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts and Director of the Soros Foundation-Latvia Ms. Vita Terauda. The agenda of the meetings included economic issues, privatization and naturalization-related issues.

Yesterday Mr. George Soros visited the Central Prison that runs a Latvian language training program financed by the Soros foundation. At his yesterdays press-conference Mr. Soros noted that he could hardly imagine Latvia integrating in the European Union with existing penitentiary system. He was also shocked by the situation when suspects were kept in custody for up to three years waiting for final court verdicts on their cases. Mr. Soros said that he could see two separate communities (i.e., Latvians and non-Latvians) in Latvia that had very few links with each other. He believes that democratic processes in the country and naturalization of non-citizens to be too slow. Yesterday Mr. Soros had a meeting with Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts and Director of the Soros Foundation-Latvia Ms. Vita Terauda. The agenda of the meetings included economic issues, privatization and naturalization-related issues. Diena, SM, B&B

Mr. Gennady Kotov of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in his report on the human rights situation in Latvia points to an increase of the number of complaints related to court decrees that contradicted the Law and Latvia’s international obligations. He connects the tendency to the Mr. Rasnacs of

Mr. Gennady Kotov of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in his report on the human rights situation in Latvia points to an increase of the number of complaints related to court decrees that contradicted the Law and Latvias international obligations. He connects the tendency to the Mr. Rasnacs of Tevzemei un Brivibai taking the office of Minister of Justice. SM

Press Report

The Luxembourg meeting of EU Ministers worked out a new approach to potential EU members. Each candidate country will be offered its own program and will have individual talks on its admission to the EU. The main purpose of the new approach is to minimize the tension between the candidates.

The Luxembourg meeting of EU Ministers worked out a new approach to potential EU members. Each candidate country will be offered its own program and will have individual talks on its admission to the EU. The main purpose of the new approach is to minimize the tension between the candidates. Diena

Last Saturday (October 4) the Third Congress of the Democratic Party

Last Saturday (October 4) the Third Congress of the Democratic Party Saimnieks adopted state nationalism as the partys new ideology. Party Chairman Ziedonis Cevers opposed state nationalism to ethnic nationalism and stressed the importance of forming a political nation and integrating non-Latvians in the Latvian society. Mr. Cevers was elected Chairman of the Party for another term. Diena, SM

Mr. George Soros visited Latvia for the annual presentation of the Soros Foundation Awards. In his speech delivered at the event Mr. Soros expressed concern about the indifference of the Latvian Government toward integration of non-Latvians in the Latvian society.

Mr. George Soros visited Latvia for the annual presentation of the Soros Foundation Awards. In his speech delivered at the event Mr. Soros expressed concern about the indifference of the Latvian Government toward integration of non-Latvians in the Latvian society. Chas

Press Review

Press Review

“People’s Harmony” circulated an open letter to Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts signed by its Chairman Janis Jurkans. “PH” requests the Prime-Minister to demand a more simple procedure for the issuing of new alien passports. The letter points to a three-month term often required for issuing a passport. “PH” believes such delays to be purposeful. CID Deputy-Director Atis Leins told

Peoples Harmony circulated an open letter to Prime-Minister Guntars Krasts signed by its Chairman Janis Jurkans. PH requests the Prime-Minister to demand a more simple procedure for the issuing of new alien passports. The letter points to a three-month term often required for issuing a passport. PH believes such delays to be purposeful. CID Deputy-Director Atis Leins told DIENA that applicants received new passports within twenty working days unless additional check-ups of Register of Inhabitants data were required. He believes that the slow exchange of old USSR passports for new alien passports could be explained by Russia having suspended the recognition of the new documents. According to BIZNES & BALTIYA only 5.45% of non-citizens have received new alien passports. Diena, B&B