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

Press Report

Yesterday the first twenty non-citizens' passports were issued at the Passport Center of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Affairs. According to

Yesterday the first twenty non-citizens' passports were issued at the Passport Center of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Affairs. According to "DIENA", the passport has been recognized by fifteen countries. "SM" mentions twelve countries, while "PANORAMA LATVII" names fourteen. Seven applicants failed to appear at the ceremony. According to "SM", Minister of the Interior Turlais in his speech interpreted the applicants' willingness to obtain the new passport as a token of their loyalty to Latvia. The BNS news agency reports on Russian Ambassador Udaltsov's negative attitude to the new passports. He stressed that the document did not comply with several international conventions and did not resolve the problem of the large number of non-citizens in Latvia. "Russia will have to analyze the consequences of its possible attitude to holders of new passports," said Mr. Udaltsov when asked about possible recognition of the new passports by Russia. Deputy-Head of the Board for Citizenship and Migration Issues Leins commented on the Ambassadors' statement saying that Russia would complicate the problems faced by non-citizens by refusing to recognize the new passports. The Board is planning to issue 700.000 non-citizens' passports within the next three years. Diena, SM, PL

"SM"

commented on a response of the Latvian Government officials and the Latvian press to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stole's visit to Latvia. The article suggests that the nationalists' opposition to any changes in the Citizenship Law is rooted in their fear to lose their political power. This also accounts for their objections to granting citizenship to "Eastern" Latvians. The Latvian media was mostly defending the state policy toward non-citizens claiming that the High Commissioner lacked the understanding of the situation in the country. "Independent journalist" Karlis Reimanis incommented on a response of the Latvian Government officials and the Latvian press to OSCE High Commissioner van der Stole's visit to Latvia. The article suggests that the nationalists' opposition to any changes in the Citizenship Law is rooted in their fear to lose their political power. This also accounts for their objections to granting citizenship to "Eastern" Latvians. The Latvian media was mostly defending the state policy toward non-citizens claiming that the High Commissioner lacked the understanding of the situation in the country. "Independent journalist" Karlis Reimanis in "NEATKARIGA" "NEATKARIGA" (April 8) even compared van der Stole to an angel of death willing to bring easy and painless death to the Latvian people. (April 8) even compared van der Stole to an angel of death willing to bring easy and painless death to the Latvian people. SMSM The Latvian Government is deliberately creating prerequisites for the closure of Russian-language schools, believes an The Latvian Government is deliberately creating prerequisites for the closure of Russian-language schools, believes an "SM""SM" journalist. Even if the draft Law on Education introducing school education in the Latvian language only after 2005 is not adopted, many Russian-language schools will be closed due to the lack of teachers. They will be forced to quit their jobs after September 1, 1998. This is a deadline for all Russian-school teachers to pass the highest category Latvian language test. Elderly teachers will not be able to pass the test while most of the teachers do not have enough free time to get properly prepared for it. journalist. Even if the draft Law on Education introducing school education in the Latvian language only after 2005 is not adopted, many Russian-language schools will be closed due to the lack of teachers. They will be forced to quit their jobs after September 1, 1998. This is a deadline for all Russian-school teachers to pass the highest category Latvian language test. Elderly teachers will not be able to pass the test while most of the teachers do not have enough free time to get properly prepared for it. SMSM The Saeima voted against including amendments suggested by the Saeima Human Rights Committee in the third reading of the Law on Pharmacy. The amendments provided for giving non-citizens the right to work as certified pharmacists. According to the Law, non-citizens can be employed by pharmacies but cannot work as directors of drug-stores or pharmacy dealers.

The Saeima voted against including amendments suggested by the Saeima Human Rights Committee in the third reading of the Law on Pharmacy. The amendments provided for giving non-citizens the right to work as certified pharmacists. According to the Law, non-citizens can be employed by pharmacies but cannot work as directors of drug-stores or pharmacy dealers. Diena, SM