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 Human Rights Committee is planning to consider the possibility of abolishing the age group "window" principle currently provided for by the Citizenship Law. Chairman of the Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that the discussion will be held upon the initiative of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Committee will review proposals by the two organizations and OSCE High Commissioner's van der Stoel's recommendations on the issue. Mr. Seiksts admitted that non-citizens willing to undergo naturalization could not receive citizenship while those having no intention to apply for naturalization have the right. He noted that canceling the "window" mechanism would be the best defence against critical statements often made by Russia and by international organizations. Mr. Seiksts believes that provisions of the Law requiring the knowledge of the Latvian language and history by applicants should be preserved. Chairman of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK" faction Janis Straume in an interview for the Latvian Radio said that amending the Citizenship Law would inevitably lead to a government crisis. "TB/LNNK" Chairman Juris Vidins believes that the Human Rights Committee would not support the proposal on amending the Citizenship Law. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs agrees to the suggested amendment to the Citizenship Law and believes that it could be a step toward improving relations with Russia and facilitating Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, the governing factions should not allow the decision to cause a government crisis, says Mr. Birkavs. Diena, B&B

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied.

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied. SM

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board. Diena, B&B

"PANORAMA LATVII"

interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The "PL" "PL" journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment.

President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment. Diena

The

The Saeima Human Rights Committee is planning to consider the possibility of abolishing the age group "window" principle currently provided for by the Citizenship Law. Chairman of the Committee Antons Seiksts told the press that the discussion will be held upon the initiative of the Citizenship and Immigration Department and the Naturalization Board. The Committee will review proposals by the two organizations and OSCE High Commissioner's van der Stoel's recommendations on the issue. Mr. Seiksts admitted that non-citizens willing to undergo naturalization could not receive citizenship while those having no intention to apply for naturalization have the right. He noted that canceling the "window" mechanism would be the best defence against critical statements often made by Russia and by international organizations. Mr. Seiksts believes that provisions of the Law requiring the knowledge of the Latvian language and history by applicants should be preserved. Chairman of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK" faction Janis Straume in an interview for the Latvian Radio said that amending the Citizenship Law would inevitably lead to a government crisis. "TB/LNNK" Chairman Juris Vidins believes that the Human Rights Committee would not support the proposal on amending the Citizenship Law. Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs agrees to the suggested amendment to the Citizenship Law and believes that it could be a step toward improving relations with Russia and facilitating Latvia's integration in the EU. Still, the governing factions should not allow the decision to cause a government crisis, says Mr. Birkavs. Diena, B&B

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied.

Head of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told journalists that the Committee will suggest to ratify the International Convention on Protection of National Minorities. Mr. Seiksts also expressed his concern about the inefficiency of the Law on National Cultural Autonomy. According to Mr. Seiksts, the Law is not being applied. SM

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board.

Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane told the press yesterday that the Board had launched a comprehensive research of the issues related to the forming of a political nation in Latvia. The Board has interviewed 1,500 citizens and the same number of non-citizens. After the data obtained during the interviews is systematized, the Board will work out a set of recommendations to the Government. Ms. Aldermane told the journalists that the interviews had already shown a wide gap between citizens and non-citizens proving that two separate communities had already formed in Latvia. The agenda of the press-conference also included information on the set of aids for the study of the Latvian language issued by the Board. Diena, B&B

PL

interviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. Theinterviewed Director of the State Human Rights Office Oafs Bruvers. The Human Rights Office receives around 1,700 complaints annually. Most of the complaints received by the Office are related to social problems. If the Office discovers a violation of a Latvian law or an international convention, it recommends the institution responsible for the violation to review its decision. Mr. Bruvers says that all recommendations of this kind were fulfilled. The second large category of complaints is CID-related cases. The Head of the Human Rights Office pointed to a decrease of the number of complaints relating to non-implementation of court decrees. He stressed a noticeable improvement of relations between the Human Rights Office and the CID. Mr. Bruvers in his interview spoke in favor of canceling twenty employment restrictions for non-citizens. The "PL" "PL" journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. journalist reminded the Head of the Office about a skeptical attitude toward the Office among the country's inhabitants. Mr. Bruvers explained that the office could not resolve all the cases, many of them being beyond its authority. Panorama LatviiPanorama Latvii President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment.

President Ulmanis will participate in the Council of Europe Conference in Strasbourg on October 10/11. The Latvian president will deliver a report at the First Plenary session of the Conference. The report will focus on the forming of a harmonious society in European countries. Such a possibility is based on the variety of cultural heritage, national identity and the rights of national minorities. The President will also inform the Conference about the Latvia's decision to extend the moratorium on the capital punishment. Diena, LV