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 European Union (EU) presiding country's foreign minister, Anna Lindh from Sweden, and the EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenther Verheugen on Tuesday in Brussels named Latvia among best second-group candidates likely to catch up with the so-called fast-track candidates. Latvia has to think how to keep up non-citizens' interest to be naturalised and to continue providing state language courses. The EU reminded that law harmonisation is not completed in the fields regarding refuge and migration issues, as well as some international conventions are to be ratified.

The European Union (EU) presiding country's foreign minister, Anna Lindh from Sweden, and the EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenther Verheugen on Tuesday in Brussels named Latvia among best second-group candidates likely to catch up with the so-called fast-track candidates. Latvia has to think how to keep up non-citizens' interest to be naturalised and to continue providing state language courses. The EU reminded that law harmonisation is not completed in the fields regarding refuge and migration issues, as well as some international conventions are to be ratified. Diena

Left-wingers want to change pension calculation procedure for non-citizens. Leftists want that the years which non-citizens worked outside Latvia would also be taken into account when their pensions are calculated.

Left-wingers want to change pension calculation procedure for non-citizens. Leftists want that the years which non-citizens worked outside Latvia would also be taken into account when their pensions are calculated. Diena, Chas, Pnorama Latvii

Diena

provides the main points of OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby's report to OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, which he will present on Thursday. Access to information and its distribution to non-citizens about the possibilities to learn the language and be naturalised is a top priority of Latvian Government. provides the main points of OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby's report to OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, which he will present on Thursday. Access to information and its distribution to non-citizens about the possibilities to learn the language and be naturalised is a top priority of Latvian Government. The Council of Europe secretary general Tuesday congratulated Latvia with the adoption of a public integration program and urged other countries and international organisations to assist in the financing of the program. Walter Schwimmer expressed hope that Latvia might also ratify the convention on national minorities rights as soon as possible, and join the European charter on regional and minority languages.

The Council of Europe secretary general Tuesday congratulated Latvia with the adoption of a public integration program and urged other countries and international organisations to assist in the financing of the program. Walter Schwimmer expressed hope that Latvia might also ratify the convention on national minorities rights as soon as possible, and join the European charter on regional and minority languages. Diena, Neatkariga

Vesti Segodnja

comments on the article published in comments on the article published in Diena Diena about the possible choice of people who recently acquired citizenship and therefore will vote for the first time. about the possible choice of people who recently acquired citizenship and therefore will vote for the first time. Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja agrees with agrees with DienaDiena about the choice - most likely it will be FHRUL, however, disagrees on the reasons for that - about the choice - most likely it will be FHRUL, however, disagrees on the reasons for that - Vesti SegodnjaVesti Segodnja says it will be because "it is the party which has never cheated and betrayed them" as other parties do. says it will be because "it is the party which has never cheated and betrayed them" as other parties do. Latvia has another case on discrimination by language and rights to participate at election in UN Human Rights Office. The claim is submitted by teacher A.Ignate who was excluded from the lists of candidates to municipal elections because of her insufficient language skills. T.Zhdanok is sure that they will win the case.

Latvia has another case on discrimination by language and rights to participate at election in UN Human Rights Office. The claim is submitted by teacher A.Ignate who was excluded from the lists of candidates to municipal elections because of her insufficient language skills. T.Zhdanok is sure that they will win the case. Vesti Segodnja

Chas

gives the main points of the report by USA State Department about discrimination of different human rights in Latvia. The main problems in Latvia are the observance of the rights of children and women, however, the discrimination of the rights of non-citizens are also mentioned in the report. Experts admit that non-citizen rights are discriminated by election and prohibition on some professions. American experts also see a problem in the lack of Latvian language teachers at Russian schools and in their opinion most likely that will hinder introduction of general education only in the state language in 2004 as it is provided for by the law. gives the main points of the report by USA State Department about discrimination of different human rights in Latvia. The main problems in Latvia are the observance of the rights of children and women, however, the discrimination of the rights of non-citizens are also mentioned in the report. Experts admit that non-citizen rights are discriminated by election and prohibition on some professions. American experts also see a problem in the lack of Latvian language teachers at Russian schools and in their opinion most likely that will hinder introduction of general education only in the state language in 2004 as it is provided for by the law.

Respublika

asks the opinion of Nils Muiznieks, Head of Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre, on the first case against Latvia in the European Human Rights Court. N.Muiznieks forecasts that Latvia will lose the case against Podkolzina and will have to enter respective amendments in the legislation. In his opinion, it will not give a big impact on the reputation of Latvia and he does not think that there will follow many claims from Latvia of that character asks the opinion of Nils Muiznieks, Head of Human Rights and Ethnic Research Centre, on the first case against Latvia in the European Human Rights Court. N.Muiznieks forecasts that Latvia will lose the case against Podkolzina and will have to enter respective amendments in the legislation. In his opinion, it will not give a big impact on the reputation of Latvia and he does not think that there will follow many claims from Latvia of that character Tomorrow the book "Russia - Baltics", which had been presented recently in Moscow, will be presented in Riga.

Tomorrow the book "Russia - Baltics", which had been presented recently in Moscow, will be presented in Riga. Respublika

Russia is strictly against the joining of the Baltic States to NATO", stated Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznyev in Vienna.

Russia is strictly against the joining of the Baltic States to NATO", stated Russian State Duma Speaker G.Seleznyev in Vienna. Respublika