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

According to Head of the

According to Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts, OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel "has not changed his views on human rights since his last visit to Latvia". The High Commissioner recommended canceling the registration of nationality in passports, granting of citizenship to children born in Latvia, simplifying naturalization tests in history and the Latvian language. Mr. Seiksts told the press that Mr. van der Stoel's "liberal democratic outlook" could benefit from obtaining "deeper understanding of the peculiar situation in Latvia". He hopes that Mr. van der Stoel "would display a deeper understanding of the situation" during his next visit to Latvia. The Head of the Saeima Committee stressed that such understanding could be especially useful when discussing the removal of the "nationality graph" from passports. According to Mr. Seiksts, the society "is not ready to accept such a change". Mr. Seiksts said that the High Commissioner had not insisted on canceling "the window mechanism". He explained to the Commissioner that the agreement between the governing factions allows to amend the Citizenship Law only on the basis of consensus. Seiksts himself believes the approach to be outdated since it does not allow introducing even minor technical amendments to the Law. The Head of the Saeima Committee agreed with Mr. van der Stoel who suggested simplifying the naturalization test in history. Still, Mr. Seiksts would not agree to simplifying the language test. Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis briefed Mr. van der Stoel on the implementation of the Citizenship Law and on the steps taken to abolish the nine differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens that did not comply with EU legislation. Mr. Cepanis said that the High Commissioner did not believe the human rights problem to be a burning issue in Latvia and was mostly concerned about a low pace of the naturalization process suggesting to simplify naturalization tests. Mr. Cepanis informed the High Commissioner of a recent social research of the possible reasons for an extremely low number of applicants for naturalization. Among those is a non-visa regime for entering Russia still in force for non-citizens, unwillingness to serve in the Latvian Army and a low rating of Latvian citizenship among non-citizens. During his visit to the Naturalization Board the High Commissioner focused on altering the history test and activities of the Board. According to Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the history test is being reviewed by the Board. The High Commissioner will follow the results of a research by the Naturalization Board on citizens' and non-citizens' approach to citizenship and on their perception of the issue. The Naturalization Board will study the problem in collaboration with the Human Rights Office, the Soros Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Science and the Citizenship and Immigration Department. Mrs. Aldermane informed the High Commissioner about an information booklet on naturalization prepared in co-operation with the OSCE Mission (with financial support of the Mission, according to "NEATKARIGA").

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports.

During a meeting with President Ulmanis OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel stressed that naturalization should not be accomplished just for its own sake. The process was a powerful mechanism for integrating non-Latvians into Latvia's society. The President focused on the reform of the education system and on the efforts aimed at establishing a broad dialogue in Latvia's society. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs informed the High Commissioner about the introduction of new non-citizens' passports on April 10. Mr. van der Stoel was surprised by the small number of states that had recognized the passports. Diena, Neatkariga, B&B

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.

Deputy-Head of the Naturalization Board Kohanovics took part in a meeting of the Union of Latvia's Ukrainians. In his report he suggested that naturalization problems should be resolved without provoking confrontation in the society. Mr. Kohanovics spoke in favor of abolishing "the window mechanism" and granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia. He believes that elderly people should be exempt from a written test in the Latvian language. The Deputy-Head of the Board also supports decreasing naturalization fee.