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

"PANORAMA LATVII"

published an interview with Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia believes that the Mission will continue its activities after December 1997. Mr. Magee supports the changing of the name of the Mission suggested by the Latvian Government. He noted that some delegations to the OSCE objected to such a change and that Latvia should do its best to prove that the change of the name is not used to disguise a plan of closing the Mission. Mr. Magee gave a brief survey of the tasks performed by the Mission since its establishment. He admitted that the Mission was not fully satisfied with all provisions of the Citizenship Law. Still, he is aware of the final version of the Law being a result of a compromise. The Head of the OSCE Mission pointed to the inefficiency of "the window mechanism". The Mission believes that the right to receive citizenship through naturalization should be given to all permanent residents. This would help to increase the naturalization rate and to reduce the number of non-citizens. Mr. Magee stressed that OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel shared the opinion. He marked the growing interest to naturalization issues displayed by the President. Still, the Mission was discouraged by the final wording of the Memorandum for the European Commission. The document did not include any suggestions on resolving the problem of non-citizens and suggests to study it. Mr. Magee believes that the Government is capable of solving more significant problems than a mere study of the naturalization process. published an interview with Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia Charles Magee. The Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia believes that the Mission will continue its activities after December 1997. Mr. Magee supports the changing of the name of the Mission suggested by the Latvian Government. He noted that some delegations to the OSCE objected to such a change and that Latvia should do its best to prove that the change of the name is not used to disguise a plan of closing the Mission. Mr. Magee gave a brief survey of the tasks performed by the Mission since its establishment. He admitted that the Mission was not fully satisfied with all provisions of the Citizenship Law. Still, he is aware of the final version of the Law being a result of a compromise. The Head of the OSCE Mission pointed to the inefficiency of "the window mechanism". The Mission believes that the right to receive citizenship through naturalization should be given to all permanent residents. This would help to increase the naturalization rate and to reduce the number of non-citizens. Mr. Magee stressed that OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel shared the opinion. He marked the growing interest to naturalization issues displayed by the President. Still, the Mission was discouraged by the final wording of the Memorandum for the European Commission. The document did not include any suggestions on resolving the problem of non-citizens and suggests to study it. Mr. Magee believes that the Government is capable of solving more significant problems than a mere study of the naturalization process. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii The Ministry of Education and Science banned the use of foreign text-books in Latvian schools this year. The ban is not applied to books on foreign languages. Books published abroad can be used in exceptional cases only. Still, books in many subjects for Russian-language schools are not available from Latvian publishing houses and are currently imported from Russia. All schools (including Russian-language schools) should use text-books in history, geography, physical training and music in the Latvian language. Riga City Council Deputy Jacob Pliner believes the requirement to be a violation of the Hague Recommendations on education for ethnic minorities.

The Ministry of Education and Science banned the use of foreign text-books in Latvian schools this year. The ban is not applied to books on foreign languages. Books published abroad can be used in exceptional cases only. Still, books in many subjects for Russian-language schools are not available from Latvian publishing houses and are currently imported from Russia. All schools (including Russian-language schools) should use text-books in history, geography, physical training and music in the Latvian language. Riga City Council Deputy Jacob Pliner believes the requirement to be a violation of the Hague Recommendations on education for ethnic minorities.