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

Press Report

The draft of the education development program for 2000-2004 has been presented for public discussion. For the upcoming years it includes the following priorities in the sphere of education– improvement of education, more cautious money operations, equal opportunities to have education to everyone. However, the draft lacks any indication on financial sources for its realisation.

The draft of the education development program for 2000-2004 has been presented for public discussion. For the upcoming years it includes the following priorities in the sphere of education– improvement of education, more cautious money operations, equal opportunities to have education to everyone. However, the draft lacks any indication on financial sources for its realisation. Diena, Neatkariga

“Latvia does not deal with the integration of recently immigrated persons or persons with refugee status into society of Latvia,” considers the UN Commissariat on Refugee Issues Baltic Bureau. Latvia’s Foreigner Association (LFA) was founded in order to support foreigners residing in Latvia, foreign students and refugees. LFA has already launched discussions with the State Employment Service and the State Language Centre. LFA vice-president Haisam Abuu Abda said that the biggest difficulty for anyone who immigrates to a foreign country is non-proficiency of the state language.

Latvia does not deal with the integration of recently immigrated persons or persons with refugee status into society of Latvia, considers the UN Commissariat on Refugee Issues Baltic Bureau. Latvias Foreigner Association (LFA) was founded in order to support foreigners residing in Latvia, foreign students and refugees. LFA has already launched discussions with the State Employment Service and the State Language Centre. LFA vice-president Haisam Abuu Abda said that the biggest difficulty for anyone who immigrates to a foreign country is non-proficiency of the state language. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas

Latvia’s presidency in the EC was the main discussion subject during the meeting of Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins and Russia’s Ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcovs. I.Berzins gave the description of planned actions, as well as briefly mentioned the priorities, which Latvia will place as a presiding country. They also discussed bilateral relations and necessity to develop more active inter-parliamentary co-operation.

Latvias presidency in the EC was the main discussion subject during the meeting of Latvias Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins and Russias Ambassador to Latvia A.Udalcovs. I.Berzins gave the description of planned actions, as well as briefly mentioned the priorities, which Latvia will place as a presiding country. They also discussed bilateral relations and necessity to develop more active inter-parliamentary co-operation. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Vesti Segodnja

At the meeting with British journalists the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga invited them to visit Latvia and learn about the situation in the country and its achievements. The journalists presented

At the meeting with British journalists the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga invited them to visit Latvia and learn about the situation in the country and its achievements. The journalists presented BBC, Financial Times, The Times, Spokesman, Public Information Europe, Polarities, The Parliament Magazine, Europe Magazine. Neatkariga

In these days the General Assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association will decide upon admittance of Latvia’s Trans Atlantic Organisation as its associated member. Many high officials, among them NATO General Secretary, ministers of Austria, Italy, Greece, take part at the General Assembly. The Ministry of Defence G.V.Kristovskis and Latvia’s Ambassador to the NATO I.Liegis represent the Government of Latvia. I.Liegis will present the speech on the issues concerning Russia.

In these days the General Assembly of the Atlantic Treaty Association will decide upon admittance of Latvias Trans Atlantic Organisation as its associated member. Many high officials, among them NATO General Secretary, ministers of Austria, Italy, Greece, take part at the General Assembly. The Ministry of Defence G.V.Kristovskis and Latvias Ambassador to the NATO I.Liegis represent the Government of Latvia. I.Liegis will present the speech on the issues concerning Russia. Neatkariga, Jauna, Lauku Avzie

A new non-governmental organisation the

A new non-governmental organisation the Unity of Latvias People was established. The founders of the organisation are scientists, people coming from the spheres of culture and education, entrepreneurs. The aim of the organisation is to unite inhabitants of Latvia irrespectively of their nationality, religion, social status and party membership. Neatkariga, Respublika, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

As of the next year the travelling procedure to Russia will be changed – all non-citizens, even if they are non-citizens of their residing countries, will have to have a visa to travel to Russia. There will not be any exceptions for non-citizens from the Baltic countries.

As of the next year the travelling procedure to Russia will be changed – all non-citizens, even if they are non-citizens of their residing countries, will have to have a visa to travel to Russia. There will not be any exceptions for non-citizens from the Baltic countries. Vesti Segodnja

The embassy of Russia did not provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia with a specific explanation why FF/LNNK deputy J.Vidins was denied entrance to Russia. “Accordingly to the international practice the embassy has rights not to give explanation on visa denial” is said in the response letter.

The embassy of Russia did not provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia with a specific explanation why FF/LNNK deputy J.Vidins was denied entrance to Russia. Accordingly to the international practice the embassy has rights not to give explanation on visa denial is said in the response letter. Vesti Segodnja

The draft proposing amendments to the Law on Meetings, Public Gatherings and Protest Activities which would set more strict requirements towards people who organise meetings and protest activities was not approved by the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Union of Latvia’s Free Unions protested against these amendments as in their opinion they would restrict rights to democracy in the country.

The draft proposing amendments to the Law on Meetings, Public Gatherings and Protest Activities which would set more strict requirements towards people who organise meetings and protest activities was not approved by the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Union of Latvias Free Unions protested against these amendments as in their opinion they would restrict rights to democracy in the country. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

The member of the Saeima Committee on Human Rights Miroslav Mitrafanov comments amendments to the Administrative Violation Code regarding the Law on the State Language and regulations. In his opinion these amendments are “nothing new - the same norms, already effective now, but not working in practice”. He says that “the most important is to remember that all other but Latvian language speakers have rights to talk to the representatives of the state and municipal institutions in his/her language. And the representatives are obliged to answer you”.

The member of the Saeima Committee on Human Rights Miroslav Mitrafanov comments amendments to the Administrative Violation Code regarding the Law on the State Language and regulations. In his opinion these amendments are nothing new - the same norms, already effective now, but not working in practice. He says that the most important is to remember that all other but Latvian language speakers have rights to talk to the representatives of the state and municipal institutions in his/her language. And the representatives are obliged to answer you. Panorama Latvii.

Yesterday Latvia, Russia and Byelorussia ratified the agreement on border passing point of three countries.

Yesterday Latvia, Russia and Byelorussia ratified the agreement on border passing point of three countries. Chas, Respublika

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted the draft of amendments in the Law on the Status of the Foreign Armed Forces in the Republic of Latvia”. The amendments foresees to delegate to the Ministry of Defence the rights to take decisions on joint military training of Latvia’s National Army and foreign armies in cases when the number of foreign military persons does not exceed 500.

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers accepted the draft of amendments in the Law on the Status of the Foreign Armed Forces in the Republic of Latvia. The amendments foresees to delegate to the Ministry of Defence the rights to take decisions on joint military training of Latvias National Army and foreign armies in cases when the number of foreign military persons does not exceed 500.

The draft of amendments was also accepted in the Law on “Participation of Latvia’s National Armed Forces in International Operations” – the amendments foresee to abolish restriction regarding the number of foreign military persons, who can stay in Latvia at a time.

The draft of amendments was also accepted in the Law on Participation of Latvias National Armed Forces in International Operations – the amendments foresee to abolish restriction regarding the number of foreign military persons, who can stay in Latvia at a time. Latvijas Vestnesis

In her address at the London School of Economic the President V.Vike-Freiberga regarding the society integration program said: “Our Government has undertaken a major project – the elaboration of a national programme for the integration of society in Latvia. This programme is unique and is structured around three main areas:1)civic participation and political integration 2)social and regional integration 3)education, language and culture, including the languages and cultures of minorities”.

In her address at the London School of Economic the President V.Vike-Freiberga regarding the society integration program said: Our Government has undertaken a major project – the elaboration of a national programme for the integration of society in Latvia. This programme is unique and is structured around three main areas:1)civic participation and political integration 2)social and regional integration 3)education, language and culture, including the languages and cultures of minorities. Latvijas Vestnesis

24 October the draft of “Regulations on the State Language Proficiency Level Necessary to Carry Out Professional and Job Duties and on the Language Proficiency Examination Procedure” supplemented with the list of professions from the private sphere for which the state language is compulsory was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. Right now the draft is discussed at the ministries.

24 October the draft of Regulations on the State Language Proficiency Level Necessary to Carry Out Professional and Job Duties and on the Language Proficiency Examination Procedure supplemented with the list of professions from the private sphere for which the state language is compulsory was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. Right now the draft is discussed at the ministries. Latvijas Vestnesis