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 President proposes lifting language requirements on candidates for Saeima and municipal deputies. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is ready to submit to the Saeima amendments to the law on elections so that a supposedly discriminatory point, which requires that candidates for Saeima and municipal deputies be proficient in the state language, is stricken. The president could take such a step if experts she is consulting with say that this law does not comply with international standards or the Constitution. The next meeting of the President and experts is scheduled on 17 December.

The President proposes lifting language requirements on candidates for Saeima and municipal deputies. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga is ready to submit to the Saeima amendments to the law on elections so that a supposedly discriminatory point, which requires that candidates for Saeima and municipal deputies be proficient in the state language, is stricken. The president could take such a step if experts she is consulting with say that this law does not comply with international standards or the Constitution. The next meeting of the President and experts is scheduled on 17 December. Diena and Chas ask the opinion of the leading politicians about Presidents statement. The Prime Minister A.Berzins supports Presidents initiative. Latvias Way faction chairperson K.Libane admits that there is a difference whether the proposal comes from FHRUL or from the President, however, the statement is a little bit unexpected and we are not ready for it. Peoples Party faction chairperson V.Muizniece even voiced a hope that the President would not put forward such initiative to the Saeima. Social Democrat faction chairperson E.Baldzens is also not ready to support the abolishment of language requirements from Election Laws. FF/LNNK faction chairperson Maris Grinblats emphasises that the Article which provides the Latvian language the status of the state language is among those articles that can be amended only by popular vote. FHRUL member B.Cilevics says that, of course, his party is satisfied with Presidents statement. Peoples Party leader A.Skele says that he is categorically against abolishment of language requirements for election candidates. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Telegraf, Latvijas Vestnesis

The suggestion by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to remove from the election law the provision requiring state language proficiency from candidates may increase Latvia's chances to see the OSCE mission wind up its work in the Baltic state. OSCE Mission to Latvia head Peter Semneby told BNS that President's proposal was a very important step proving Latvia was ready to tackle this issue. Although the mission focused on naturalisation and citizenship issues, Semneby said that it had also turned its attention to the state language proficiency requirement for candidates in parliament elections.

The suggestion by Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to remove from the election law the provision requiring state language proficiency from candidates may increase Latvia's chances to see the OSCE mission wind up its work in the Baltic state. OSCE Mission to Latvia head Peter Semneby told BNS that President's proposal was a very important step proving Latvia was ready to tackle this issue. Although the mission focused on naturalisation and citizenship issues, Semneby said that it had also turned its attention to the state language proficiency requirement for candidates in parliament elections.

The mission head said it is important for Latvia to obtain from the OSCE positive opinion in the matter adding it could be possible to close the mission before the requirement is lifted, however, he said "Latvia should have a clear roadmap" on the issue.

The mission head said it is important for Latvia to obtain from the OSCE positive opinion in the matter adding it could be possible to close the mission before the requirement is lifted, however, he said "Latvia should have a clear roadmap" on the issue.

On Dec. 20 Semneby will present to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna his report on Latvia where "i will give very positive evaluation on naturalisation and citizenship," he said. The council will decide on further fate of the OSCE mission in Latvia.

On Dec. 20 Semneby will present to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna his report on Latvia where "i will give very positive evaluation on naturalisation and citizenship," he said. The council will decide on further fate of the OSCE mission in Latvia.

What matters is that Latvia had started dealing with this problem, and President's statement should be regarded as the beginning, said Semneby.

What matters is that Latvia had started dealing with this problem, and President's statement should be regarded as the beginning, said Semneby.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation visiting Latvia on Wednesday and Thursday is also aware of the Latvian president's suggestion, he said but would not comment on the delegation's response to it.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation visiting Latvia on Wednesday and Thursday is also aware of the Latvian president's suggestion, he said but would not comment on the delegation's response to it. BNS

Diena publishes editorial concerning Presidents suggestion to abolish language requirement from the Election Laws by Aivars Ozolins. He notes that this could become a major problem for Jurkans and Rubiks – if the Saeima majority supports the president, PCTVL will be no longer able to hinder Latvias shaking off Moscows grasp. It may well be that PCTVL members themselves will vote against the proposal, which they pretended to support earlier.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation is visiting Latvia. Thursday Parliamentary Assembly met with Saeima Vice-Speaker Rihards Piks. The parliamentarians were interested in Latvia’s position towards the abolishment of language requirements from the Election Laws. The members of the Parliamentary Assembly also met Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre director Nils Muiznieks, Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane and officials from foreign affairs minister.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation is visiting Latvia. Thursday Parliamentary Assembly met with Saeima Vice-Speaker Rihards Piks. The parliamentarians were interested in Latvias position towards the abolishment of language requirements from the Election Laws. The members of the Parliamentary Assembly also met Latvian Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Centre director Nils Muiznieks, Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane and officials from foreign affairs minister. Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

Due to residents' petitions concerning Latvianization of their names, submitted to Latvia's courts and European Court of Human Rights, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will soon request experts to analyse the problem. The president told her advisors and other experts today that spelling in the Latvian language has become a legal problem, it should be settled so that nobody’s rights are restricted. The president believes that Latvianization of persons’ names and surnames can create a number of technical problems that would make identification of these persons more complicated, drawing the example of surname Schneider, which is to be changed into Snaiders in documents. If Latvia wants such Snaiders, and the name is passed to the Interpol, finding such person will be very complicated, said the president. The president plans to launch a debate among political scientists, linguists, lawyers and other specialists in order to evaluate all issues that concern Latvianization of people's names.

Due to residents' petitions concerning Latvianization of their names, submitted to Latvia's courts and European Court of Human Rights, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga will soon request experts to analyse the problem. The president told her advisors and other experts today that spelling in the Latvian language has become a legal problem, it should be settled so that nobodys rights are restricted. The president believes that Latvianization of persons names and surnames can create a number of technical problems that would make identification of these persons more complicated, drawing the example of surname Schneider, which is to be changed into Snaiders in documents. If Latvia wants such Snaiders, and the name is passed to the Interpol, finding such person will be very complicated, said the president. The president plans to launch a debate among political scientists, linguists, lawyers and other specialists in order to evaluate all issues that concern Latvianization of people's names. Latvijas Vestnesis

Vechernaya Riga

informs about the opening of the premises of the Society Integration Foundation and publishes parts of the speeches by Prime Minister A.Berzins, SIF Board chairperson R.Umblija, SIF member S.Bukinholt. informs about the opening of the premises of the Society Integration Foundation and publishes parts of the speeches by Prime Minister A.Berzins, SIF Board chairperson R.Umblija, SIF member S.Bukinholt.

Telegraf

interviews Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane about Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper thinks that the Campaign actually is just one of the manipulations of the Latvians and is carried out only for their own sake, as the big number of non-citizens could hinder Latvias accession to the EU. interviews Naturalisation Board Head Eizenija Aldermane about Public Awareness and Citizenship Promotion Campaign. The newspaper thinks that the Campaign actually is just one of the manipulations of the Latvians and is carried out only for their own sake, as the big number of non-citizens could hinder Latvia’s accession to the EU.