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

Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to Regulations on Status of Unemployed Person providing that for receiving the status of unemployed a person will not need to present the state language knowledge certificate. The state language knowledge certificate will be necessary in a case when the unemployed person applies for the position which requires a certain level of the state language command.

Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to Regulations on Status of Unemployed Person providing that for receiving the status of unemployed a person will not need to present the state language knowledge certificate. The state language knowledge certificate will be necessary in a case when the unemployed person applies for the position which requires a certain level of the state language command. Diena

On Tuesday the Saeima Legal Affairs Commission approved the amendments to the Citizenship Law concerning the elimination of “naturalization windows” which were submitted by the government for consideration in the first reading.

On Tuesday the Saeima Legal Affairs Commission approved the amendments to the Citizenship Law concerning the elimination of naturalization windows which were submitted by the government for consideration in the first reading. Diena

National Human Rights Office thinks that Latvia should abolish the death penalty, since it contradicts with the rights to life.

National Human Rights Office thinks that Latvia should abolish the death penalty, since it contradicts with the rights to life. Diena

Diena(Russian version) publishes an article about Irma Tkeshelashvili who does not have a legal status in Latvia.

During the official visit in Norway Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs told journalists that Latvia has implemented all the OSCE recommendations and "now Russians can ask for the Latvians citizenship." According to Valdis Birkavs, the problem is that Russians themselves are not eager to receive the citizenship, since it is related with undertaking of some obligations, for instance, the obligatory military service.

During the official visit in Norway Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs told journalists that Latvia has implemented all the OSCE recommendations and "now Russians can ask for the Latvians citizenship." According to Valdis Birkavs, the problem is that Russians themselves are not eager to receive the citizenship, since it is related with undertaking of some obligations, for instance, the obligatory military service. Chas

According to a decree isued by the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts, a work group headed by the Head of the DCMA Ints Zitars will be formed for preparing a new form of Latvian citizen passports. The existing citizen passports do not comply with some technical requirements and can easily be counterfeited. It is planned to have a new sample of the citizen passport ready by 1 September.

According to a decree isued by the Prime Minister Guntars Krasts, a work group headed by the Head of the DCMA Ints Zitars will be formed for preparing a new form of Latvian citizen passports. The existing citizen passports do not comply with some technical requirements and can easily be counterfeited. It is planned to have a new sample of the citizen passport ready by 1 September. Chas

Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts told

Chair of the Saeima Human Rights Commission Antons Seiksts told SM that at this point the most important issue in discussion about the draft Language Law is a necessity to reduce the state influence on private sphere. Although at the meeting of the Commission on Wednesday deputies did not support proposals amending the particular provisions, Mr. Seiksts hopes that by August when, according the Chair of the Education Commission Dz.Abikis , the draft law will be submitted to the Saeima for the third reading, some progress will be made and the Language law will be in tact with the OSCE recommendations.

In an article for 

In an article forJauna Avize Dr.phil. Elmars Vebers states that the social integration is a gradual and long term process. One of its main prerequisites is changes in attitudes of non-Latvians toward the Latvian language. According to Mr. Vebers, school and the educational system, in general, will be the environment in which the integration would take a place.