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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Latvia’s Way and the People’s Party have asked FF/LNNK to withdraw its proposed amendments to the Law on Local Governments and Law on the Status of a Member of the Saeima and Local Governments. The proposed amendments would require the dismissal of a council of the local government if it does not observe language requirements stipulated by the Constitution and other laws. Moreover, the proposed amendments would give a council the right to annul the mandate of a member of local government who does not know the state language on the level necessary to perform his/her professional duty. FF/LNNKs coalition partners oppose the proposed amendments and believe that the status of the state language is already secured in the Constitution. Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that the current political situation is very unfavourable for proposing any new amendments concerning language requirements, which could hinder Latvia’s NATO aspirations.

Latvias Way and the Peoples Party have asked FF/LNNK to withdraw its proposed amendments to the Law on Local Governments and Law on the Status of a Member of the Saeima and Local Governments. The proposed amendments would require the dismissal of a council of the local government if it does not observe language requirements stipulated by the Constitution and other laws. Moreover, the proposed amendments would give a council the right to annul the mandate of a member of local government who does not know the state language on the level necessary to perform his/her professional duty. FF/LNNKs coalition partners oppose the proposed amendments and believe that the status of the state language is already secured in the Constitution. Prime Minister Andris Berzins stated that the current political situation is very unfavourable for proposing any new amendments concerning language requirements, which could hinder Latvias NATO aspirations. Diena, Lauku Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the Coalition Council did not review the suitability of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for her position. FF/LNNK chairperson Maris Grinblats statedthat his party will suggest such a review in an upcoming Coalition Council session.

Yesterday the Coalition Council did not review the suitability of head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane for her position. FF/LNNK chairperson Maris Grinblats statedthat his party will suggest such a review in an upcoming Coalition Council session. Diena, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize interviews Saeima Speaker Janis Straume of FF/LNNK. He believes that Latvia should be protected from “the return of hostile forces,” particularly with regard to local government elections as “we can see that after that [elections] a city implements its own foreign policy.” Regarding social integration Janis Straume agrees with the journalist that “the Naturalisation Board gives Latvian citizenship to those who do not care at all about Latvia.” He states that in the current political situation it is possible only to think about making the naturalisation procedure stricter, but maybe the situation will change in the future.

Lauku Avize interviews Saeima Speaker Janis Straume of FF/LNNK. He believes that Latvia should be protected from the return of hostile forces, particularly with regard to local government elections as we can see that after that [elections] a city implements its own foreign policy. Regarding social integration Janis Straume agrees with the journalist that the Naturalisation Board gives Latvian citizenship to those who do not care at all about Latvia. He states that in the current political situation it is possible only to think about making the naturalisation procedure stricter, but maybe the situation will change in the future.

Chas

interviews FF/LNNK deputy Guntars Krasts. He stresses that his party has remained loyal to its program based on national values. Krasts predicts that FF/LNNK will have at least 10 seats in the 8th Saeima elections. interviews FF/LNNK deputy Guntars Krasts. He stresses that his party has remained loyal to its program based on national values. Krasts predicts that FF/LNNK will have at least 10 seats in the 8th Saeima elections.

Vesti Segodnja

reports that the National Human Rights Office presented an analysis of humanitarian issues in Latvia to the Saeima Human Rights Committee. According to the report of the NHRO the number of complaints concerning language discrimination is increasing. The majority of complaints are about the norm stipulating that people can apply and receive responses from local governments in the state language. The NHRO recommends the creation of a special institution to assist non-Latvians to write applications and complaints to local governments and, second, that state and municipal institutions should accept applications in other languages as well. reports that the National Human Rights Office presented an analysis of humanitarian issues in Latvia to the Saeima Human Rights Committee. According to the report of the NHRO the number of complaints concerning language discrimination is increasing. The majority of complaints are about the norm stipulating that people can apply and receive responses from local governments in the state language. The NHRO recommends the creation of a special institution to assist non-Latvians to write applications and complaints to local governments and, second, that state and municipal institutions should accept applications in other languages as well.

Vesti Segodnja

reports that the European Court of Human Rights registered a claim of Latvian non-citizen Valerij Pimenov about illegal deprivation of citizenship from people who stayed in Latvia after it regained its independence in 1991. reports that the European Court of Human Rights registered a claim of Latvian non-citizen Valerij Pimenov about “illegal deprivation of citizenship from people who stayed in Latvia after it regained its independence in 1991.”

Panorama Latvii

interviews lawyer Vanda Zamickaja with an ethnic background of Roma. Zamickaja tells about a non-governmental organisation established by her, which deals with cases concerning Roma discrimination and providing legislative support to Roma. interviews lawyer Vanda Zamickaja with an ethnic background of Roma. Zamickaja tells about a non-governmental organisation established by her, which deals with cases concerning Roma discrimination and providing legislative support to Roma.