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

Tuesday also the Latvian government support repeated nomination of National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director Olafs Bruvers for another term in the office.

Tuesday also the Latvian government support repeated nomination of National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director Olafs Bruvers for another term in the office.

The NHRO director has to be confirmed in the office by the parliament. The Government suggested Bruvers should be more active in promoting work by the human rights office, in participating in international human rights conferences to spread information about the situation in Latvia and in looking for foreign sources of funding. The NHRO head himself proposed to the government to adjust functions of the human rights office and the National Children Right Protection Center either by merging the center with the NHRO or by establishing a separate ombudsman for children rights as to eliminate the currently overlapping functions of the two agencies. In case of his re-appointment to the office Bruvers named as priorities the acceptance of complaints from population and elimination of human right violations, focusing on the most unprotected social groups -- disabled persons, children, prison inmates, etc. The NHRO director also vowed to seek closer co-operation with municipal institutions and non-governmental organisations. He agreed that so far he had not been very successful in obtaining support from foreign institutions and establishing contacts with other Baltic states.

The NHRO director has to be confirmed in the office by the parliament. The Government suggested Bruvers should be more active in promoting work by the human rights office, in participating in international human rights conferences to spread information about the situation in Latvia and in looking for foreign sources of funding. The NHRO head himself proposed to the government to adjust functions of the human rights office and the National Children Right Protection Center either by merging the center with the NHRO or by establishing a separate ombudsman for children rights as to eliminate the currently overlapping functions of the two agencies. In case of his re-appointment to the office Bruvers named as priorities the acceptance of complaints from population and elimination of human right violations, focusing on the most unprotected social groups -- disabled persons, children, prison inmates, etc. The NHRO director also vowed to seek closer co-operation with municipal institutions and non-governmental organisations. He agreed that so far he had not been very successful in obtaining support from foreign institutions and establishing contacts with other Baltic states. BNS

Rigas Balss provides opinions of some politicians about O.Bruvers work. Social democrat V.Lazo “It does not make any sense to appoint somebody else – you do not change wheels when driving. And after all – his office was not doing so bad”. LW Saeima faction chairperson K.Libane says “I have not heard that he has done something really good, however, if the government supports his candidature, the Saeima is going to approve him”. Also FF/LNNK V.Balodis said that there is no another alternative. People’s Party discussed the possibility to nominate for the post A.Pabriks, however, after A.Pabriks refusal to candidate for the post, the party will also support O.Bruvers.

Rigas Balss provides opinions of some politicians about O.Bruvers work. Social democrat V.Lazo It does not make any sense to appoint somebody else – you do not change wheels when driving. And after all – his office was not doing so bad. LW Saeima faction chairperson K.Libane says I have not heard that he has done something really good, however, if the government supports his candidature, the Saeima is going to approve him. Also FF/LNNK V.Balodis said that there is no another alternative. Peoples Party discussed the possibility to nominate for the post A.Pabriks, however, after A.Pabriks refusal to candidate for the post, the party will also support O.Bruvers.

The Latvian government Tuesday endorsed accession of Latvia to the Council of Europe (CE) Convention on Nationals. The Latvian effective Citizenship Law basically meets convention requirements but, as Latvia is a CE member country it should sign the convention, the annotation to the draft law reads. The convention admits individual approach towards a set of issues and, Latvia in the future too will set out for non-citizens children, born in Latvia after Aug, 21, 1991, a requirement to speak state language (if that child has reached age of 15 years) and have no previous criminal record. Latvia will not promote acquisition of citizenship by citizens spouses, refugees, persons staying in the country permanently and others, as well as will not allow persons who have failed to meet their obligations towards Latvia to drop their citizenship. Nationals of other countries who can not drop their current citizenship will be banned from acquiring Latvian citizens.

The Latvian government Tuesday endorsed accession of Latvia to the Council of Europe (CE) Convention on Nationals. The Latvian effective Citizenship Law basically meets convention requirements but, as Latvia is a CE member country it should sign the convention, the annotation to the draft law reads. The convention admits individual approach towards a set of issues and, Latvia in the future too will set out for non-citizens children, born in Latvia after Aug, 21, 1991, a requirement to speak state language (if that child has reached age of 15 years) and have no previous criminal record. Latvia will not promote acquisition of citizenship by citizens spouses, refugees, persons staying in the country permanently and others, as well as will not allow persons who have failed to meet their obligations towards Latvia to drop their citizenship. Nationals of other countries who can not drop their current citizenship will be banned from acquiring Latvian citizens. Chas

A group of Latvian lawmakers has departed for a visit to Belarus without the parliament's approval and is set during the visit to meet all top Belarus officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko. Latvian parliament inter-parliamentary relations office head Sandra Paura told that the parliament board last Thursday denied the group of lawmakers a status of an official visit in Belarus because it does not regard Belarus parliament as legitimate. On acquaintance visit to Belarus have departed leftist MP Janis Urbanovics (from For Human Rights in United Latvia), Osvalds Zvejsalnieks (Social Democrat), Peteris Apinis (Latvia's Way) and Helmuts Cibulis (People's Party). Urbanovics told that on Monday the Latvian lawmakers attended the Belarus parliament as well as met deputy foreign minister to discuss Russian-Belarus unification process as well as Belarus relations with Ukraine and Moldova.

A group of Latvian lawmakers has departed for a visit to Belarus without the parliament's approval and is set during the visit to meet all top Belarus officials, including President Alexander Lukashenko. Latvian parliament inter-parliamentary relations office head Sandra Paura told that the parliament board last Thursday denied the group of lawmakers a status of an official visit in Belarus because it does not regard Belarus parliament as legitimate. On acquaintance visit to Belarus have departed leftist MP Janis Urbanovics (from For Human Rights in United Latvia), Osvalds Zvejsalnieks (Social Democrat), Peteris Apinis (Latvia's Way) and Helmuts Cibulis (People's Party). Urbanovics told that on Monday the Latvian lawmakers attended the Belarus parliament as well as met deputy foreign minister to discuss Russian-Belarus unification process as well as Belarus relations with Ukraine and Moldova. Diena, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

At Riga City Council Social democrats yield to FF/LNNK in entering the amendments to the Regulations of Riga City Council Board already in Tuesday’s sitting. The board was renamed into presidium and it is considered that after this agreement there are no obstacles to sign a coalition agreement.

At Riga City Council Social democrats yield to FF/LNNK in entering the amendments to the Regulations of Riga City Council Board already in Tuesdays sitting. The board was renamed into presidium and it is considered that after this agreement there are no obstacles to sign a coalition agreement. Diena, Jauna, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Minister of Justice I.Labucka met with foreign ambassadors to inform them about the work at the draft on Society Integration Fund and the possible time of its implementation.

Yesterday the Minister of Justice I.Labucka met with foreign ambassadors to inform them about the work at the draft on Society Integration Fund and the possible time of its implementation. Vesti Segodnja

Yesterday Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee chairperson Dz.Abikis called Riga City Council and School Board to continue reorganisation of Russian schools and increase the number of Latvian kindergartens.

Yesterday Saeima Education, Culture and Science Committee chairperson Dz.Abikis called Riga City Council and School Board to continue reorganisation of Russian schools and increase the number of Latvian kindergartens. Vesti Segodnja comments there should not be any illusions – the word reorganisation means closing. Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the adoption of the amendments to the Regulations No 296, which would provide comparability of the examination in the Latvian language for 9 graders of national minority schools to the language examination for naturalisation, was postponed again.

Yesterday the adoption of the amendments to the Regulations No 296, which would provide comparability of the examination in the Latvian language for 9 graders of national minority schools to the language examination for naturalisation, was postponed again. Chas names its sabotage as the examination in the Latvian language for 9th grade pupils is scheduled to 12 June. Respublika

Chas

comments on the statement made by the Prime Minister whether non-citizens should have rights to participate at municipal elections. In the opinion of the newspaper, it would be only in the interests of the ruling parties to provide non-citizens with voting rights at municipal elections, otherwise the choice of new citizens and citizens-to-be will remain the same for the next elections as it was at this year election. comments on the statement made by the Prime Minister whether non-citizens should have rights to participate at municipal elections. In the opinion of the newspaper, it would be only in the interests of the ruling parties to provide non-citizens with voting rights at municipal elections, otherwise the choice of “new citizens” and citizens-to-be will remain the same for the next elections as it was at this year election.

Chas

gives perspectives on what will happen after three years when Russian schools will provide secondary education programmes only in the state language and what could be the solutions to the problems. gives perspectives on what will happen after three years when Russian schools will provide secondary education programmes only in the state language and what could be the solutions to the problems.