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

A Panorama Latvii correspondent reports on a NATO study visit of Russian-language press representatives from Latvia organized by the US Embassy in Latvia. He stresses that many NATO commentators and political analysts expressed concern regarding the number of non-citizens in Latvia. It may even be that NATO, as an unexpected source of support for the non-citizens, would be the reason the governments would have to resolve the question, reasons the author. Meanwhile, in a different article by the deputy director of the Institute of USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences writes about the double standards of the West and especially the USA when accepting Latvia and Estonia as NATO candidates while basic human rights are not observed for the Russian-speaking part of the population while these countries also make attempts to rewrite history and support fascism, which the USA should put an end to. The reason the Baltic countries want so much to be part of NATO is not security concerns, which have no basis, but political and economic advantages. According to the author the main threat to Russia if these countries will become members of NATO is that they then will be able to influence the processes from within and harm the development of partnership between NATO and Russia. Panorama Latvii

A Panorama Latvii correspondent reports on a NATO study visit of Russian-language press representatives from Latvia organized by the US Embassy in Latvia. He stresses that many NATO commentators and political analysts expressed concern regarding the number of non-citizens in Latvia. It may even be that NATO, as an unexpected source of support for the non-citizens, would be the reason the governments would have to resolve the question, reasons the author. Meanwhile, in a different article by the deputy director of the Institute of USA and Canada of the Russian Academy of Sciences writes about the double standards of the West and especially the USA when accepting Latvia and Estonia as NATO candidates while basic human rights are not observed for the Russian-speaking part of the population while these countries also make attempts to rewrite history and support fascism, which the USA should put an end to. The reason the Baltic countries want so much to be part of NATO is not security concerns, which have no basis, but political and economic advantages. According to the author the main threat to Russia if these countries will become members of NATO is that they then will be able to influence the processes from within and harm the development of partnership between NATO and Russia. Panorama Latvii

National Human Rights Office head Olafs Bruveris is reported to have commented that the temporary detention and questioning of the National Bolshevik activists during the NATO summit meeting in Riga violates their human rights, notably the right to freedom of expression and the rights to publicly express opinions. Panorama Latvii

National Human Rights Office head Olafs Bruveris is reported to have commented that the temporary detention and questioning of the National Bolshevik activists during the NATO summit meeting in Riga violates their human rights, notably the right to freedom of expression and the rights to publicly express opinions. Panorama Latvii

Simon Wiesenthal Centre representative Ephraim Zuroff held a press conference in Tallinn, announcing the “Last Chance” initiative, announcing a 10,000 USD award for information leading to an actual court case of a Nazi-era Estonian or Latvian war criminal. Panorama Latvii

Simon Wiesenthal Centre representative Ephraim Zuroff held a press conference in Tallinn, announcing the Last Chance initiative, announcing a 10,000 USD award for information leading to an actual court case of a Nazi-era Estonian or Latvian war criminal. Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize comments on the granting of Latvian citizenship to persons for extraordinary service. Until 1998 Latvian citizenship for extraordinary service was granted to 158 persons, mostly officials, sportsmen, and entrepreneurs, but after the abolition of the window quota system for naturalization in 1998, only two persons have been granted citizenship on this basis. The article criticizes the granting of citizenship to sportsmen who don’t speak Latvian. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize comments on the granting of Latvian citizenship to persons for extraordinary service. Until 1998 Latvian citizenship for extraordinary service was granted to 158 persons, mostly officials, sportsmen, and entrepreneurs, but after the abolition of the window quota system for naturalization in 1998, only two persons have been granted citizenship on this basis. The article criticizes the granting of citizenship to sportsmen who dont speak Latvian. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize writes about problems connected to the new law on personal identity documents. Persons who have changed their last names or citizenship status may be prevented from crossing the Latvian border, as their old passports are not valid.

Lauku Avize writes about problems connected to the new law on personal identity documents. Persons who have changed their last names or citizenship status may be prevented from crossing the Latvian border, as their old passports are not valid.

Lauku Avize publishes an interview with the leaders of the “First Party” Eriks Jekabsons and Oskars Kastens. They believe that Latvia must pay special attention to the problems of minorities. An important post in their shadow cabinet is Minister of Minorities’ rights. The issue of transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all secondary school planned for 2004 the Party leaves to experts. The position of the Party about the ratification of EC Framework Convention on National Minorities is that Latvia should ratify the Convention with reservations to ensure that the interests of the core nation are also protected. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize publishes an interview with the leaders of the First Party Eriks Jekabsons and Oskars Kastens. They believe that Latvia must pay special attention to the problems of minorities. An important post in their shadow cabinet is Minister of Minorities rights. The issue of transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all secondary school planned for 2004 the Party leaves to experts. The position of the Party about the ratification of EC Framework Convention on National Minorities is that Latvia should ratify the Convention with reservations to ensure that the interests of the core nation are also protected. Lauku Avize

Telegraf comments on an article recently published by Financial Times Deutschland allegedly stating that anti-Semitism and the attitude towards the Holocaust could prove to be obstacles for Latvia’s, Lithuania’s and Slovakia’s joining NATO. Telegraf

Telegraf comments on an article recently published by Financial Times Deutschland allegedly stating that anti-Semitism and the attitude towards the Holocaust could prove to be obstacles for Latvias, Lithuanias and Slovakias joining NATO. Telegraf