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

Minorities problems in each country, including Latvia, should be looked upon individually with due regard to historic circumstances of a specific country, Latvian president said. Her remark came as she was answering to a question by Hungarian media about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. The president said that regardless of criticism by some countries about Latvia's minorities policy Latvia has "the most liberal citizenship law which is even more liberal than in Germany" which stipulates that on reaching 16 years of age non-citizens can automatically acquire Latvia's citizenship. "People have choice -- repatriate, integrate or retain the status of non-citizen," said Vike-Freiberga.. She reported to the journalists about support of the Latvian government to society integration, reduced naturalisation fee, Latvian language teaching programs as well as resources allocated for society integration.

Minorities problems in each country, including Latvia, should be looked upon individually with due regard to historic circumstances of a specific country, Latvian president said. Her remark came as she was answering to a question by Hungarian media about the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. The president said that regardless of criticism by some countries about Latvia's minorities policy Latvia has "the most liberal citizenship law which is even more liberal than in Germany" which stipulates that on reaching 16 years of age non-citizens can automatically acquire Latvia's citizenship. "People have choice -- repatriate, integrate or retain the status of non-citizen," said Vike-Freiberga.. She reported to the journalists about support of the Latvian government to society integration, reduced naturalisation fee, Latvian language teaching programs as well as resources allocated for society integration. BNS, Diena, Vyecernaya Riga

Some 20 non-governmental and political organisations seeking to protect various rights of Latvia's Russian-speaking population have signed an agreement and will draft a co-operation plan, said an activist for the cause of Russian-speakers in Latvia.

Some 20 non-governmental and political organisations seeking to protect various rights of Latvia's Russian-speaking population have signed an agreement and will draft a co-operation plan, said an activist for the cause of Russian-speakers in Latvia.

Tatyana Zhdanok, the leader of the Latvian Human Rights Committee and co-chairwoman of the Equal Rights party. The co-operation will take a form of discussion, reviewing the initiatives by Russian-speaker organisations and deciding on supporting the proposals and joining in their implementation. The most recent outcome of this co-operation was the gathering of Russian-speaking residents in the Riga centre on Oct. 14, said Zhdanok. She said one of the objectives was to get ready for next parliamentary elections in Latvia to be held in fall 2002.

Tatyana Zhdanok, the leader of the Latvian Human Rights Committee and co-chairwoman of the Equal Rights party. The co-operation will take a form of discussion, reviewing the initiatives by Russian-speaker organisations and deciding on supporting the proposals and joining in their implementation. The most recent outcome of this co-operation was the gathering of Russian-speaking residents in the Riga centre on Oct. 14, said Zhdanok. She said one of the objectives was to get ready for next parliamentary elections in Latvia to be held in fall 2002. Lauku Avize, BNS

Vesti Segodnja

publishes an interview with T.Zhdanok. She is very sure that for the 8th Saeima election the parties that constitutes the Union For Human Rights in a United Latvia will not be competing with each other thus having real consolidated power. In regard about her chances to run for the next Parliamentarian election she is not so certain as her case will be reviewed in Strasbourg but most probably it will take more than a year. T.Zhdanok also voices that her party is not working for the electorate of one nationality, and believes that the Latvians will be voting for her party, too. publishes an interview with T.Zhdanok. She is very sure that for the 8th Saeima election the parties that constitutes the Union For Human Rights in a United Latvia will not be competing with each other thus having real consolidated power. In regard about her chances to run for the next Parliamentarian election she is not so certain as her case will be reviewed in Strasbourg but most probably it will take more than a year. T.Zhdanok also voices that her party is not working for the electorate of one nationality, and believes that the Latvians will be voting for her party, too.

Vesti Segodnja

discusses the possible closure of the OSCE Mission in Latvia at the end of the year. The newspaper links the issue with the discussions at the EU held in Brussels just few days ago and writes that according to the first part of the discussions the most probable assumption is that the Mission would be closed at the end of the year. As an argument the newspaper states that since Latvia is a candidate for the EU membership, the presence of the OSCE spoils not only the image of Latvia but also the goodwill of the EU, however, the EU understands that Latvia still has problems in regard to national minority issues, therefore, the EU will offer the colleagues from the OSCE to introduce the post of an advisor on the matters of Latvia and Estonia. The adviser will be the part of the OSCE HCNM office. But lets not rush with burying Peter Semnebys Mission – the final decision will be taken by the summit of the OSCE in November. Russia is going to say its word then. In regard to Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins statement on the fulfilment of the OSCE guidelines, the newspaper writes the Latvian authorities are so impatient with trying to get rid of the unnecessary witness, that they are ready to give any fantastic promises. The columnist concludes the OSCE better stay in Latvia for some time. The mission of this European organisation is not fulfilled. discusses the possible closure of the OSCE Mission in Latvia at the end of the year. The newspaper links the issue with the discussions at the EU held in Brussels just few days ago and writes that according to the first part of the discussions the most probable assumption is that the Mission would be closed at the end of the year. As an argument the newspaper states that “since Latvia is a candidate for the EU membership, the presence of the OSCE spoils not only the image of Latvia but also the goodwill of the EU”, however, the EU understands that Latvia still has problems in regard to national minority issues, therefore, “the EU will offer the colleagues from the OSCE to introduce the post of an advisor on the matters of Latvia and Estonia. The adviser will be the part of the OSCE HCNM office. But let’s not rush with burying Peter Semneby’s Mission – the final decision will be taken by the summit of the OSCE in November. Russia is going to say its word then.” In regard to Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins’ statement on the fulfilment of the OSCE guidelines, the newspaper writes “the Latvian authorities are so impatient with trying to get rid of the “unnecessary witness”, that they are ready to give any fantastic promises”. The columnist concludes “the OSCE better stay in Latvia for some time. The mission of this European organisation is not fulfilled”. The Saeima faction of Social Democrats believes that there is no need to sign co-operation agreement with FHRUL. LSDSP Saeima faction's chairman Egils Baldzens told that proposing such an agreement was "rather strange" of FHRUL. Baldzens stressed that LSDSP co-operates with all political forces at Saeima in tackling matters that concern LSDSP's program.

The Saeima faction of Social Democrats believes that there is no need to sign co-operation agreement with FHRUL. LSDSP Saeima faction's chairman Egils Baldzens told that proposing such an agreement was "rather strange" of FHRUL. Baldzens stressed that LSDSP co-operates with all political forces at Saeima in tackling matters that concern LSDSP's program. Lauku Avize

After couple months of unsuccessful attempts of trying to launch the work of Russian Latvian intergovernmental committee, it experiences one more crisis situation – committee’s co-chairperson from Russia’s party A.Blohin is recalled from the post of minister and his ministry is closed. Russia could not provide any information about the successor of A.Blohin.

After couple months of unsuccessful attempts of trying to launch the work of Russian Latvian intergovernmental committee, it experiences one more crisis situation – committees co-chairperson from Russias party A.Blohin is recalled from the post of minister and his ministry is closed. Russia could not provide any information about the successor of A.Blohin. Diena, Chas

In September the number of applications to naturalise has increased (884). Most probably the increase occurred due to the reduced state fee for naturalisation. By the reduction of the state fee the government has fulfilled one of the main requirements of the OSCE.

In September the number of applications to naturalise has increased (884). Most probably the increase occurred due to the reduced state fee for naturalisation. By the reduction of the state fee the government has fulfilled one of the main requirements of the OSCE. Diena

Society Integration Department Head V.Antoniskis provides information about the Society Integration Foundation, what phase it is now and principles of its work in the future.

Society Integration Department Head V.Antoniskis provides information about the Society Integration Foundation, what phase it is now and principles of its work in the future. Vyecernaya Riga

Today at the Ministry of Education and Science the session of Advisory Council on National Minority Education Matters takes place. It is scheduled to review the proposals submitted by the Latvian Association of Support to Russian Schools in Latvia.

Today at the Ministry of Education and Science the session of Advisory Council on National Minority Education Matters takes place. It is scheduled to review the proposals submitted by the Latvian Association of Support to Russian Schools in Latvia. Chas