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

The

The Saeima Committee on Education and Culture suggested to amend the procedure of granting Latvian citizenship for an outstanding service to the country. Committee members believe that the notion of "an outstanding service" should be withdrawn from the law and citizenship should be granted by the President. Head of the Committee Dzintars Abikis told the press that corresponding amendments should be introduced into the Citizenship Law because of heated arguments over each candidate for citizenship in the Saeima. Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts also believes that the procedure should be changed since candidates often prove to be "merely financial supporters of a political party". Mr. Seiksts suggests drafting a clear explanation of the term "an outstanding service" to be included in the Citizenship Law. Although "Tevzemei un Brivibai" opposes granting of citizenship for an outstanding service, it will not support amending the Citizenship Law. "TB" deputy Aigars Jirgens says that the faction is against any changes to the Citizenship Law that might serve as a precedent for a more profound amending of the Law. Mr. Jirgens believes granting of citizenship to few persons for an outstanding service to Latvia to be "a lesser evil than creating a situation when thousands would obtain the right for extraordinary naturalization" as a result of amending the Citizenship Law. Diena, B&B

The

The Saeima Committee for Human Rights and Social Issues declined proposal by deputy Vladlen Dozortsev ("Peoples' Harmony") on granting non-citizens the right to work as lawyers. Chairman of the Committee Anton Seiksts told the press that the restriction set by the legislation in force did not contradict international human rights conventions. Neatkariga

Deputy-Chairman of the

Deputy-Chairman of the Duma Committe for the Affairs of the CIS and Compatriots Abroad Vyacheslav Igrunov ("Yabloko" - "Apple") took part in the drafting of the Law "On Compatriots". According to Mr. Igrunov, the Committee worked its own draft that contradicts several international and Russian legal norms. He does not believe that the draft law would be passed by the Council of the Federation and by the President. In an interview for "SM" Mr. Igrunov said that he saw no evidence of a noticeable improvement in non-citizens' situation in Latvia. The "Yabloko" faction strongly objects to NATO enlargement and to the joining of NATO by the Baltic states in particular believing it to be a threat to stability in Europe. Mr. Igrunov confirms that the entire political spectrum represented in the Russian Duma saw NATO enlargement as a challenge to Russia. SM