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 Review

The government has not fulfilled its decision to accept OSCE recommendations to amend the Law on Citizenship concerning children of non-citizens born in Latvia. This adoption is postponed for a week. The government has accepted only the part concerning the annulment of “window” mechanism. The working group responsible for preparing these amendments has decided to do an additional examining of legal norms regulating education and the state language matters so the need to preserve Latvian national identity would be observed when deciding about the possibility to grant citizenship to children of non-citizens. Ministers representing the faction

The government has not fulfilled its decision to accept OSCE recommendations to amend the Law on Citizenship concerning children of non-citizens born in Latvia. This adoption is postponed for a week. The government has accepted only the part concerning the annulment of window mechanism. The working group responsible for preparing these amendments has decided to do an additional examining of legal norms regulating education and the state language matters so the need to preserve Latvian national identity would be observed when deciding about the possibility to grant citizenship to children of non-citizens. Ministers representing the faction Latvijas Cels stated the fact that the government decision had not been fulfilled and managed a decision to be taken that necessary amendments to the Law on Citizenship were to be elaborated and submitted to the Saeima till Wednesday. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya

There were two rallies against amending the Law on Citizenship.

There were two rallies against amending the Law on Citizenship. Diena, Chas

Answering the appeal of Latvian Farmers Union to all government forming factions to come together and discuss the proposals how to stabilise situation in Latvia and agree on joint actions, the Prime Minister G.Krasts will meet with these factions. G.Krasts does not intend to ask for a vote of confidence. Faction

Answering the appeal of Latvian Farmers Union to all government forming factions to come together and discuss the proposals how to stabilise situation in Latvia and agree on joint actions, the Prime Minister G.Krasts will meet with these factions. G.Krasts does not intend to ask for a vote of confidence. Faction Latvijas Cels will wait till Thursday and then they will decide what steps are to be taken. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Bizness & Baltiya

One of Russian governors - Y.Nazdratenko - announced on the radio station “Exo Moskvi” on Monday that in a case of necessity Russia had to launch its “war machinery”. Commenting this, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a decision on the state policy should not be made from expressions made by one of its governors. Russian Ambassador to Latvia characterised such announcements as irresponsible.

One of Russian governors - Y.Nazdratenko - announced on the radio station Exo Moskvi on Monday that in a case of necessity Russia had to launch its war machinery. Commenting this, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a decision on the state policy should not be made from expressions made by one of its governors. Russian Ambassador to Latvia characterised such announcements as irresponsible. Diena

On Tuesday’s press briefing in Strasbourg, Russian delegation representative S.Glotov announced that Council of Europe was reacting inadequately to the rebirth of Fascism. Discussions on Latvian - Russian relations changed its mood when S.Glotov announced that Fascism was returning quickly to Latvia. Nevertheless these debates did not spread out the press centre because this issue was crossed off the PACE agenda on Monday. PACE President L.Fisher told several journalists that it was an issue to be solved between Russia and Latvia.

On Tuesdays press briefing in Strasbourg, Russian delegation representative S.Glotov announced that Council of Europe was reacting inadequately to the rebirth of Fascism. Discussions on Latvian - Russian relations changed its mood when S.Glotov announced that Fascism was returning quickly to Latvia. Nevertheless these debates did not spread out the press centre because this issue was crossed off the PACE agenda on Monday. PACE President L.Fisher told several journalists that it was an issue to be solved between Russia and Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic countries signed an announcement where they criticised Russia for its policy of threat towards Latvia. Nordic countries consider differences of opinion should be solved through a dialogue. They appealed to Russia to stop its economic sanction threat. This document was adopted during so called 5+3 talks in Sweden.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Nordic countries signed an announcement where they criticised Russia for its policy of threat towards Latvia. Nordic countries consider differences of opinion should be solved through a dialogue. They appealed to Russia to stop its economic sanction threat. This document was adopted during so called 5+3 talks in Sweden. Diena , Neatkariga

The Association of Russian Speaking Schools in Latvia has decided to be actively involved in education of Russian speaking population. Majority of these people do not understand how dangerous is the new draft elaborated by the Ministry of Education for gradual transition of all state schools to the Latvian language till 2007. The Association intends to show parents what will happen to Russian speaking schools after this happens.

Neatkariga

Representatives of Russian community in Latvia blocked the entrance door to the building of Peter the Great in Riga and organised a rally in front of the building to protest against the evicting of Cultural Centre of Russians in Latvia from its premises. National Real Property Agency sold this building in an auction to a firm Meka and the firm planned to start repairs in this building. The decision for the auction was made because of the fact that the Centre owed about 40 000 Ls to the agency as rent fees and neglected the building completely thus causing its dilapidation.

Jauna Avize, Chas, Panorama Latvii, SM