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.

• Finnish President Tarja Halonen: the situation of the Russian-speakers in the Baltic States complies with international standards
• Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane talks about naturalisation in Latvia
• Article by the member of Saeima Boris Tsilevitch about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia
• Political Affairs Committee of the Councils of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) and the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee discuss condemnation of crimes committed by the totalitarian regime
• Latvijas Avize comments on the claim, submitted to the Administrative Court by the activist of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis

‘The European Union has followed the situation of minorities in the Baltic States and its conclusion is that the situation of Russian-speakers in these states complies with international legal norms,’ stated the President of Finland Tarja Halonen in her meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

‘The European Union has followed the situation of minorities in the Baltic States and its conclusion is that the situation of Russian-speakers in these states complies with international legal norms, stated the President of Finland Tarja Halonen in her meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf features an interview with the Head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane about naturalisation and a suggestion to amend the Citizenship Law. The Head of the NB believes that there is a need to amend the Citizenship Law. The new amendments would stipulate additional prohibitions on grant of Latvian citizenship, for example, to persons who are related to international terrorism. Eizenija Aldermane stresses that no changes will be introduced in the naturalisation procedure as it complies with international standards. The Head of the Naturalisation Board assures that although the number of applications is increasing there are no delays with the issuance of passports.

Chas features an article by the member of Saeima Boris Tsilevitch about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Boris Tsilevitch believes that ratification of the Convention with reservations and a decision to recognise several ethnic groups, for example, Russians and Poles, as minorities in Latvia, would bring a negative reaction of the Council of Europe.

The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed condemnation of crimes committed by the communistic regime. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins, majority of Committee’s members supported condemnation of the communist regime.  At the same time, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee launched discussions on the draft declaration on condemnation of the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration calls international organisations to recognise Latvia’s occupation and provide assistance in dealing with its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. The Russian language newspaper

The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) discussed condemnation of crimes committed by the communistic regime. According to the Head of the Latvian delegation to the PACE Andris Berzins, majority of Committees members supported condemnation of the communist regime. At the same time, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee launched discussions on the draft declaration on condemnation of the totalitarian occupation regime in Latvia. The declaration calls international organisations to recognise Latvias occupation and provide assistance in dealing with its consequences. The declaration also foresees support for persons who wish to return to their home countries. The Russian language newspaper Vesti Segodnya calls this document a ‘declaration of ethnic cleansing. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize writes about the claim, submitted to the Administrative Court by the member of the Headquarters for Defence of Russian-language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis. He challenged the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to prohibit him grant on Latvian citizenship. The newspaper speculates that the court could reviews the case in April 2005. The Minister of Justice Solvita Aboltina comments that Jurijs Petropavlovskis has the right to apply with court. The Minister also admits that after throughout discussions new amendments, including new prohibitions on the grant of Latvian Citizenship, to the Law on Citizenship could be adopted. However, the Minister stresses that these amendments should be in compliance with international legal norms so they would not be a ‘bad surprise for Europe.