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

The Russian side agreed to recognize new Latvian alien passports during the consultations on consular issues held in Moscow on June 30 -- July 2. The procedure of official recognition on all levels is to be accomplished by the end of this summer.

The Russian side agreed to recognize new Latvian alien passports during the consultations on consular issues held in Moscow on June 30 -- July 2. The procedure of official recognition on all levels is to be accomplished by the end of this summer. B&B

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council countries arrived to Riga yesterday to participate in the Sixth Session of the Council. The agenda of the Session includes the election of Commissioner on Human Rights and National Minority Issues. The post is currently held by former Danish Minister of Justice Ole Espersen. Mr. Espersen has pointed at a low pace of naturalization and high number of non-citizens in Latvia more than once. Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Avdeyev suggested electing Mr. Espersen for another three-year term. The issue of non-citizens will be on the agenda of Mr. Avdeyev's meeting with State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins today. This year Latvia is passing its chairmanship in the Council to Denmark.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council countries arrived to Riga yesterday to participate in the Sixth Session of the Council. The agenda of the Session includes the election of Commissioner on Human Rights and National Minority Issues. The post is currently held by former Danish Minister of Justice Ole Espersen. Mr. Espersen has pointed at a low pace of naturalization and high number of non-citizens in Latvia more than once. Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Avdeyev suggested electing Mr. Espersen for another three-year term. The issue of non-citizens will be on the agenda of Mr. Avdeyev's meeting with State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins today. This year Latvia is passing its chairmanship in the Council to Denmark. SM, B&B

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their monthly survey of the human rights situation in Latvia accused the CID of pressing non-Latvians to leave the country. They mentioned a case when a fifteen year-old boy was given an expulsion order. Maxim Kostylev was born in Latvia and has never left the country. His father did not live with the family while his mother left Latvia and settled in Russia leaving the boy to be looked after by his grandmother. The CID canceled his registration and demanded annulling his

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their monthly survey of the human rights situation in Latvia accused the CID of pressing non-Latvians to leave the country. They mentioned a case when a fifteen year-old boy was given an expulsion order. Maxim Kostylev was born in Latvia and has never left the country. His father did not live with the family while his mother left Latvia and settled in Russia leaving the boy to be looked after by his grandmother. The CID canceled his registration and demanded annulling his "propiska" in Riga. The State Human Rights Office gave only a formal response to a complaint submitted by Kostylev's grandmother. Meanwhile, the Orphanage Court deprived his grandmother of her guardian's rights. The survey notes that international organizations and foreign diplomats do not criticize Latvia for human rights violations due to political reasons. Still, in some cases Western courts recognize the right of emigrants from Latvia for a refugee status. According to Kotov and Rayhman, Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen openly claimed Latvia and Estonia to violate human rights saying that the two countries cannot be placed among democratic states. The authors also believe the presence of the OSCE Mission shows that the West believes the situation in Latvia to be "fraught with an open conflict." SM

Mr. Atis Silaroze, Chairman of the Committee for the Affairs of Non-citizens and Stateless Persons under the Olaine Self-Government, said that the number of non-citizens as of July 1 was 686,027. According to the Law on Self-Governments, all cities with non-citizens constituting over 20% of their population should establish committees similar to the one headed by Mr. Silaroze. Among the issues to be handled by the committees are human rights violations and individual complaints. Riga and Olaine were the only cities to follow the requirement of the Law and to establish the Committees. Mr. Silaroze criticized the existing legislation for discriminating against unemployed non-citizens by demanding that an applicant for an unemployment benefit should hold a "language certificate". He said that he stayed in touch with High Commissioner van der Stoel who said that Latvia could join all European institutions already next year if it managed to resolve the problem of non-citizens.

Mr. Atis Silaroze, Chairman of the Committee for the Affairs of Non-citizens and Stateless Persons under the Olaine Self-Government, said that the number of non-citizens as of July 1 was 686,027. According to the Law on Self-Governments, all cities with non-citizens constituting over 20% of their population should establish committees similar to the one headed by Mr. Silaroze. Among the issues to be handled by the committees are human rights violations and individual complaints. Riga and Olaine were the only cities to follow the requirement of the Law and to establish the Committees. Mr. Silaroze criticized the existing legislation for discriminating against unemployed non-citizens by demanding that an applicant for an unemployment benefit should hold a "language certificate". He said that he stayed in touch with High Commissioner van der Stoel who said that Latvia could join all European institutions already next year if it managed to resolve the problem of non-citizens. SM

Riga Mayor Andris Berzins told the press that the City Council could adopt a decision on the restoration of the Monument to the Liberators of Riga before summer vacations. The meeting of the Council scheduled for July 8 has the issue on its agenda. The Mayor believes that the Monument should be restored.

Riga Mayor Andris Berzins told the press that the City Council could adopt a decision on the restoration of the Monument to the Liberators of Riga before summer vacations. The meeting of the Council scheduled for July 8 has the issue on its agenda. The Mayor believes that the Monument should be restored. Diena

The Prosecutor General's Office is still analyzing information on possible violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Minister of Communications Kristopans. The investigation is to be accomplished next Monday.

The Prosecutor General's Office is still analyzing information on possible violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Minister of Communications Kristopans. The investigation is to be accomplished next Monday. Diena