Press Report

Due to the shortcomings in the legislation several illegal immigrants reside in the places for illegal immigrants for over two years. According to the law, they may neither be deported nor granted the status of refugee. Majority of them are former prisoners. In order to remedy the situation, the Saeima Human Rights Commission has decided to prepare amendments to particular laws.

Due to the shortcomings in the legislation several illegal immigrants reside in the places for illegal immigrants for over two years. According to the law, they may neither be deported nor granted the status of refugee. Majority of them are former prisoners. In order to remedy the situation, the Saeima Human Rights Commission has decided to prepare amendments to particular laws. Diena

The Russian Minister on National Policy Ramzan Abdulatipov might be approved to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission.

The Russian Minister on National Policy Ramzan Abdulatipov might be approved to the post of the co-chairman of the Latvian-Russian intergovernmental commission. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

Commenting the meeting of the Russian teachers from the CIS and the Baltic States with the Russian Minister on National Policy R. Abdulatipov, the head of the Russian Social Foundation of Estonia V. Lebedev said that in order to help the education in Russian as the language of instruction in the CIS and the Baltic States, Russia should prepare a framework conception of the Russian national schools in the near abroad.

Commenting the meeting of the Russian teachers from the CIS and the Baltic States with the Russian Minister on National Policy R. Abdulatipov, the head of the Russian Social Foundation of Estonia V. Lebedev said that in order to help the education in Russian as the language of instruction in the CIS and the Baltic States, Russia should prepare a framework conception of the Russian national schools in the near abroad. Panorama Latvii

According to the decree of the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans, a governmental working group dealing with the preparation of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia will be formed. It will be headed by the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The program should be prepared by 15 December 1999. By 26 February the working group will have to specify the plan for the public discussion of the program conception as well as budget for providing social integration events.

According to the decree of the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans, a governmental working group dealing with the preparation of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia will be formed. It will be headed by the head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane. The program should be prepared by 15 December 1999. By 26 February the working group will have to specify the plan for the public discussion of the program conception as well as budget for providing social integration events. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

From 22 -24 February upon the invitation of the Latvian MP Gundars Bojars the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin together with four deputies will visit Latvia. It is planned that Mr. Baburin will meet with the chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission, representatives of the Latvian -Russian parliamentary co-operation group, and visit Ventspils, Liepaja, Rezekne and Daugavpils.

From 22 -24 February upon the invitation of the Latvian MP Gundars Bojars the Vice Speaker of the Russian Duma Sergey Baburin together with four deputies will visit Latvia. It is planned that Mr. Baburin will meet with the chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission, representatives of the Latvian -Russian parliamentary co-operation group, and visit Ventspils, Liepaja, Rezekne and Daugavpils. Neatkariga, Chas, SM

Press Review

Press Review

The cancellation of the Soldiers’ Commemoration Day on the 16th March would create the tension, the majority of the officials interviewed by 

The cancellation of the Soldiers Commemoration Day on the 16th March would create the tension, the majority of the officials interviewed byDiena said. The State President Guntis Ulmanis has already expressed his opinion about this date, namely, that it should not be politicised. Mr. Ulmanis himself has planned to pay working visit to Greece and will not be in Latvia at this day. The Saeima Speaker Janis Straume who also will be outside Latvia that day considers the call to abolish the commemoration day provocative. The Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans will not participate in the commemorative events. The Riga City Council has received the application from the National Soldiers Society with the request to permit a march from the Doma Cathedral to the Freedom Monument without using the Republic of Latvia flags or any other symbols. Diena

Last Friday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the report on Human Rights in Latvia in 1998 published in the Latvian, English and Russian languages. According to this report, the situation in prisons, the leadership crisis in the National Human Rights Office and the formation of new radical group propagandising the racial hatred were major human rights problems in Latvia in 1998. Among the achievements in this sphere, the authors of the report mention the liberalisation of the Citizenship Law, the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are no Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, as well as the supplementing of the Constitution with the new chapter on human rights.

Last Friday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the report on Human Rights in Latvia in 1998 published in the Latvian, English and Russian languages. According to this report, the situation in prisons, the leadership crisis in the National Human Rights Office and the formation of new radical group propagandising the racial hatred were major human rights problems in Latvia in 1998. Among the achievements in this sphere, the authors of the report mention the liberalisation of the Citizenship Law, the amendments to the Law on the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are no Citizens of Latvia or Any Other Country, as well as the supplementing of the Constitution with the new chapter on human rights. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Public organisation

Public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-citizens has submitted to the Saeima amendments to the draft law On the elections of city councils and parish councils giving non-citizens the right of vote. But in accordance with the law they will not be able to candidate. Neatkariga

Russian newspaper

Russian newspaper Nevskoe Vremya, writing about the research of USA Georgetown Foundation, analysing the course of Latvian Foreign Policy, stated that it was not clear where Latvijas Cels was leading Latvia to, at the same time pointing out that Latvian Russian relations should be decided just by Riga and Moscow. As Nevskoe Vremya informs, V.Kristopans had made it understand that current Latvian government would continue its attempts to integrate into NATO and no promises of Russia would make them to swerve from this goal. Neatkariga

Representatives of security services assured that several extremist organisations in Latvia, also Barkashovecs, are under control and their activities did not exceed the limits of administrative norms. Security services are working now on finding out persons and illegal groups that could organise instigations on March 16. The Minister if the Interior R.Jurdzs assured that people did not have to worry because security institutions were working to prevent possible instigations.

Representatives of security services assured that several extremist organisations in Latvia, also Barkashovecs, are under control and their activities did not exceed the limits of administrative norms. Security services are working now on finding out persons and illegal groups that could organise instigations on March 16. The Minister if the Interior R.Jurdzs assured that people did not have to worry because security institutions were working to prevent possible instigations. Neatkariga

The Saeima has adopted in the final reading the draft law “On the status of a stateless person” regulating the status of those persons who have legally entered the territory of Latvia without having citizenship of any country. The law stipulates that such persons shall be issued a stateless person ID. The Deputies did not support the proposal of the faction

The Saeima has adopted in the final reading the draft law On the status of a stateless person regulating the status of those persons who have legally entered the territory of Latvia without having citizenship of any country. The law stipulates that such persons shall be issued a stateless person ID. The Deputies did not support the proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant this status to those persons who had illegally entered Latvia and had received no refugee status. According to the member of this faction B.Cilevich, there are about 2000 such people. Neatkariga

Yesterday the leader of the Saeima faction

Yesterday the leader of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans sent an open letter to the State President, Prime Minister and Saeima Chairman asking to use their authority and cross out from the list of commemoration days March 16 because the faction considered that this day would increase tension within the society, thus endangering the integration process. Neatkariga

The leaders of the faction

The leaders of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia met with the Prime Minister and informed him about their forecasts of the possible outcome of the March 16 event and got an impression that the Prime Minister took it very seriously. Next Tuesday V.Kristopans is planning to have a closed meeting of the government to consider the commemoration of March 16. SM, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK

have adopted two announcements about the events on March 16 and the book The Dreadful Year. The Chairman M.Grinblats did not want to speak about the content of these announcements because they were still working on their wording. have adopted two announcements about the events on March 16 and the book “The Dreadful Year”. The Chairman M.Grinblats did not want to speak about the content of these announcements because they were still working on their wording. NeatkarigaNeatkariga Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of France to Latvia exchanged the notes on introducing no visa regime between Latvia and France. It is planned that the agreement will take effect on March 1.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of France to Latvia exchanged the notes on introducing no visa regime between Latvia and France. It is planned that the agreement will take effect on March 1. Neatkariga

The leader of

The leader of Social Democrats J.Bojars has elaborated a completely new Law on Citizenship that has been given to experts for evaluation and afterwards would be submitted to the Saeima for consideration. This new draft law makes it easier to receive citizenship for several groups of residents, at the same time fixing stricter norms of naturalisation. Diena

Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Council S.Baburin is going to visit Riga upon an invitation of the Saeima

Deputy Chairman of the Russian National Council S.Baburin is going to visit Riga upon an invitation of the Saeima Social Democrats faction leader G.Bojars. This visit will be economically orientated but there will be also meetings with the representatives of the Russian community, Saeima factions and the Presidium. Russian representatives will also visit several Latvian cities. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Since the regaining of the independence some 4 thousand persons have repatriated to Latvia, Head of the Repatriation Centre Juris Dombrovskis told DIENA. According to the Law on Repatriation adopted in 1995, a repatriate is a person who is a citizen of Latvia or whose one parent or grandparent is a Latvian or a Liv, and who moves to Latvia for permanent residence. The Repatriation Centre helps to solve the housing and the work related problems, as well as assists with the state language training. Although the state does not have a special language training program for the repatriates, the Repatriation Centre co-operates with Latvian People’s School and covers the course fees. The repatriates are entitled to have the travel and resettlement expenses compensated, and in case the Employment Service has not been able to offer the job, to receive allowance in amount of 90% of the minimum wage for 6 months. These expenses are covered from the Repatriation Fund which receives 51 thousand Lats annually from the state budget. Mr. Dombrovskis believes that the repatriation rate will continue increase and, according to the Centre’s calculations, the Repatriation Fund would need some 113 thousand Lats annually.

Since the regaining of the independence some 4 thousand persons have repatriated to Latvia, Head of the Repatriation Centre Juris Dombrovskis told DIENA. According to the Law on Repatriation adopted in 1995, a repatriate is a person who is a citizen of Latvia or whose one parent or grandparent is a Latvian or a Liv, and who moves to Latvia for permanent residence. The Repatriation Centre helps to solve the housing and the work related problems, as well as assists with the state language training. Although the state does not have a special language training program for the repatriates, the Repatriation Centre co-operates with Latvian Peoples School and covers the course fees. The repatriates are entitled to have the travel and resettlement expenses compensated, and in case the Employment Service has not been able to offer the job, to receive allowance in amount of 90% of the minimum wage for 6 months. These expenses are covered from the Repatriation Fund which receives 51 thousand Lats annually from the state budget. Mr. Dombrovskis believes that the repatriation rate will continue increase and, according to the Centres calculations, the Repatriation Fund would need some 113 thousand Lats annually. Diena

It is planned that the Saeima will consider the draft budget for 1999in the second reading on 25 February.

It is planned that the Saeima will consider the draft budget for 1999in the second reading on 25 February. Diena

Germany as the EU presiding country, believes the EU should take a decision about the starting the accession talks with Latvia this year, in an interview for the DIENA the German State Minister Gunter Verheugen said. According to him, Latvia has achieved the progress that was acknowledged in the European Commission report, and the conclusions should be made accordingly.

Germany as the EU presiding country, believes the EU should take a decision about the starting the accession talks with Latvia this year, in an interview for the DIENA the German State Minister Gunter Verheugen said. According to him, Latvia has achieved the progress that was acknowledged in the European Commission report, and the conclusions should be made accordingly. Diena

Commenting the 16th of March Commemoration Day, the Director of the Foreign Affairs Institute Atis Lejins tries to answer the question why this date creates the sense of insecurity un political tension in Latvia and undermines the Latvia’s image in the world. Mr. Lejins believes that the present Parliament will have to abolish the decision of the previous Saeima to have the 16th March as the Second World War Soldiers Commemoration Day.

Commenting the 16th of March Commemoration Day, the Director of the Foreign Affairs Institute Atis Lejins tries to answer the question why this date creates the sense of insecurity un political tension in Latvia and undermines the Latvias image in the world. Mr. Lejins believes that the present Parliament will have to abolish the decision of the previous Saeima to have the 16th March as the Second World War Soldiers Commemoration Day. Diena

Yesterday the Saeima fraction

Yesterday the Saeima fraction For Human Rights decided to ask the government to take an initiative and abolish the Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers before the 16 March of this year. The deputies think that there are certain forces on both sides that will try to use this day for increasing their popularity. B&B, Panorama Latvii

The Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Toms Baumanis told journalists that the visa free regime with the countries of the Schengen treaty will apply only to the Latvian citizens.

The Press Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Toms Baumanis told journalists that the visa free regime with the countries of the Schengen treaty will apply only to the Latvian citizens. SM, commenting this fact, argues that this is one more restriction of the Latvian non-citizens rights.

During last four years some 17, 355 person applied for the Latvian citizenship. In 1805 cases the application was denied. 11, 576 persons were granted the citizenship, of which 54% were Russians, 17,6 -Lithuanians and Estonians, 10, 4% - Belorussians, 8,1% - Poles, 5,6% - Ukrainians, and 0.6% - Latvians and Livs.

During last four years some 17, 355 person applied for the Latvian citizenship. In 1805 cases the application was denied. 11, 576 persons were granted the citizenship, of which 54% were Russians, 17,6 -Lithuanians and Estonians, 10, 4% - Belorussians, 8,1% - Poles, 5,6% - Ukrainians, and 0.6% - Latvians and Livs. SM

Some time ago the Saeima fractions received a draft law on amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the public organisation “Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens,” allowing non-citizens to participate in the elections of the local authorities. Yesterday the 

Some time ago the Saeima fractions received a draft law on amendments to the Law on Municipal Elections prepared by the public organisation Union of Citizens and Non-Citizens, allowing non-citizens to participate in the elections of the local authorities. Yesterday theChas asked 27 deputies to assess such amendments. All, except for the deputies of the fraction For Human Rights, were against the amendments arguing that the non-citizens have the opportunity to naturalise. Chas

Irina Osadchaya, the CHAS journalist, discuss the world security issue in connection with the closing of the Skrunda Early Missile Warning Radar Station. According to the journalist, Russia and the United States still hold the Cold War nuclear doctrines, main of which is the conception of the guaranteed mutual destruction. The danger of continuing to apply this doctrine increases because of the collapse of the Russian early missile warning system, including the dismantling the Skrunda Radar Station.

Irina Osadchaya, the CHAS journalist, discuss the world security issue in connection with the closing of the Skrunda Early Missile Warning Radar Station. According to the journalist, Russia and the United States still hold the Cold War nuclear doctrines, main of which is the conception of the guaranteed mutual destruction. The danger of continuing to apply this doctrine increases because of the collapse of the Russian early missile warning system, including the dismantling the Skrunda Radar Station. Chas

Panorama Latvii journalist Sergey Zaletayev analyses the Cabinet of Minister Regulations on the Procedure of Receiving and Considering the Applications for the Naturalisation. He argues that some provisions of these Regulations contradict with the provisions of the Citizenship Law. For example, the Regulations enlist the documents that should be presented by the person when applying for the naturalisation, including the statement that the person does not hold the citizenship of another country, if the person is a citizen of the former USSR who on 4 May 1999 permanently resided in Latvia. It means that the persons who are citizens of the former USSR permanently residing in Latvia who already hold citizenship of another country, in fact are ineligible to apply for the Latvian citizenship. This, however, is not restricted by the Citizenship Law. The Article 12 paragraph 1 subparagraph 7 states that citizenship of Latvia shall be granted through naturalisation to those persons who are registered in the Residents Register and have submitted a statement of renunciation of their former citizenship and have received an expatriation permit from the state of their former citizenship, if such permit is provided for by the laws of that state, or have received a document certifying the loss of citizenship, but citizens of the former USSR who on May 4, 1990 permanently resided in Latvia - a statement that they have not received citizenship of other country. These documents, according to the Citizenship Law, should be submitted after the person has been officially notified that there are no obstacles to grant him/her the citizenship. In conclusion Mr. Zaletayev states that in the state power institutions there are certain political forces that actively make obstacles to obtaining of the Latvian citizenship by permanent residents of Latvia who have received the Russian citizenship.

Dienainforms that the Estonian parliament adopted the law about the person identification documents according to which starting 1 January 2001 each Estonian citizen permanently residing in Estonia and foreign citizen whose residence permit is issued for at least one year, will have to have a person identification card for the domestic transactions.

Press Review

Press Review

Finishing his visit to Latvia, German government representative G.Verheugen said that Germany government wished Latvia to be invited for talks on joining EU this year. During this visit he signed an agreement of no visa regime between Germany and Latvia.

Finishing his visit to Latvia, German government representative G.Verheugen said that Germany government wished Latvia to be invited for talks on joining EU this year. During this visit he signed an agreement of no visa regime between Germany and Latvia. Diena

Russian speaking newspapers note that the Germany official had also promised to start considering the question of annulling visas for non-citizens of Latvia.

Russian speaking newspapers note that the Germany official had also promised to start considering the question of annulling visas for non-citizens of Latvia. Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

Prime Minister V.Kristopans announced to the press on Monday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. The Chairman the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts had no comments on this statement because the Commission was not supporting any exact person, it just wished the NHRO to be come the most prestigious human rights institution in Latvia.

Prime Minister V.Kristopans announced to the press on Monday that the Director of the NHRO O.Bruveris should be exchanged. The Chairman the Saeima Commission on Human Rights A.Seiksts had no comments on this statement because the Commission was not supporting any exact person, it just wished the NHRO to be come the most prestigious human rights institution in Latvia. Union of Latvian Social Democrats propose the Director of Latvian University Human Rights Institute I.Ziemele to this post, and she has agreed to this proposal. Diena

When the newspaper

When the newspaper Chas journalist asked Prime Minister V.Kristopans what decision had been taken about March 16, the answer was that the discussion had been very lively but without any decision. He also did not explain what would be the reaction if any of ministers would attend the demonstration of legionnaires. Speaking about his possible visit to Russia, V.Kristopans said that before the intergovernmental commission started its activities, he even did not think about such a thing.

Yesterday the sitting of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, where they considered the second reading of the draft language law was not a very successful one for the Saeima faction

Yesterday the sitting of the Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science, where they considered the second reading of the draft language law was not a very successful one for the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. All their proposals were rejected. Representatives of this faction Ya.Pliner and A.Bartashevich tried to persuade other Commission members to follow the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. These two deputies have made 36 proposals and 99% of them are rejected. SM

Panorama Latvii, writing about the problem of spelling the names of non-citizens in the violet non-citizen passports, describes the case of the Shishkins family. In Latvian spelling their family name acquires quite a different meaning, and these people have even appealed to court, but the decision was not in their favour. These people still continue to address different state institutions to change the spelling of their family.

Panorama Latvii, writing about the problem of spelling the names of non-citizens in the violet non-citizen passports, describes the case of the Shishkins family. In Latvian spelling their family name acquires quite a different meaning, and these people have even appealed to court, but the decision was not in their favour. These people still continue to address different state institutions to change the spelling of their family.