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

A high ranking Russian MFA official has announced that Moscow considered it to be too early to start evaluate the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. “Lately, several Western politicians try to create an impression that solution of non-citizen problems in Latvia is coming to an end. We think that there are not enough grounds for that.” He said that Latvian politicians had made a positive step to change the discriminatory policy towards national minorities, but it had been blocked by Latvian national radicals, besides the amendments made by the Latvian Saeima, took into consideration only the major recommendation of EU commissioners.

A high ranking Russian MFA official has announced that Moscow considered it to be too early to start evaluate the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. Lately, several Western politicians try to create an impression that solution of non-citizen problems in Latvia is coming to an end. We think that there are not enough grounds for that. He said that Latvian politicians had made a positive step to change the discriminatory policy towards national minorities, but it had been blocked by Latvian national radicals, besides the amendments made by the Latvian Saeima, took into consideration only the major recommendation of EU commissioners. Neatkariga, Bizness & Baltiya

On Saturday, Latvian Union Party, led by A.Kauls, passed at its congress a resolution of support for a national voting on the issue of citizenship, at the same time offering to include in it also the question of Latvia joining EU and NATO. Party stressed that such a procedure would favour real implementation of democracy in Latvia, although LUP itself was rather reserved about it.

On Saturday, Latvian Union Party, led by A.Kauls, passed at its congress a resolution of support for a national voting on the issue of citizenship, at the same time offering to include in it also the question of Latvia joining EU and NATO. Party stressed that such a procedure would favour real implementation of democracy in Latvia, although LUP itself was rather reserved about it. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Chas

Immigration Police has issued a decree of departure to a citizen of Afghanistan Sh.Benval who had complained to the Office of the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Justice, Afghan Embassy that a religious sect held noisy religious ceremonies at his private property. Security Police, having investigated these complains, stated that Mr. Benval had been married to a Latvian and, basing on this had received a TRP, then had divorced and resided in Riga with no residence permit. The building, he had been claiming as his property, belonged to his former wife, who was a member of the religious sect that hold the above mentioned ceremonies at the premises upon her permission.

Immigration Police has issued a decree of departure to a citizen of Afghanistan Sh.Benval who had complained to the Office of the Prosecutor General, Ministry of Justice, Afghan Embassy that a religious sect held noisy religious ceremonies at his private property. Security Police, having investigated these complains, stated that Mr. Benval had been married to a Latvian and, basing on this had received a TRP, then had divorced and resided in Riga with no residence permit. The building, he had been claiming as his property, belonged to his former wife, who was a member of the religious sect that hold the above mentioned ceremonies at the premises upon her permission. Neatkariga

The presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Poland, participating at the closing ceremony of military training

The presidents of Latvia, Estonia and Poland, participating at the closing ceremony of military training Baltic Challenge 98 announced that the training was not directed against Russia and acknowledged that Russia should be involved in similar training in the future.

Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Latvian - German talks on the agreement to exchange illegal immigrants till take place in Riga on July 27 and 28. The agreement is necessary to implement no visa regime between those two countries.

Latvian - German talks on the agreement to exchange illegal immigrants till take place in Riga on July 27 and 28. The agreement is necessary to implement no visa regime between those two countries. Panorama Latvii

On Friday sixteen citizens of Algiers came to Riga after being evicted from Estonia. These people were members of a folk ensemble that took part in song and dance festival “Baltic - 98”. While in Tallinn, three of them addressed Estonian Immigration Police with a request for a political asylum. Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs issued them a TPR but took the rest of the group to the Estonian - Latvian border. As the correspondent found out, Algerians in their discussion with Latvian policemen expressed their sympathy towards this country and a wish to stay here. In answer to this request, policemen took the group to the airport for a plain to Warsaw.

On Friday sixteen citizens of Algiers came to Riga after being evicted from Estonia. These people were members of a folk ensemble that took part in song and dance festival Baltic - 98. While in Tallinn, three of them addressed Estonian Immigration Police with a request for a political asylum. Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs issued them a TPR but took the rest of the group to the Estonian - Latvian border. As the correspondent found out, Algerians in their discussion with Latvian policemen expressed their sympathy towards this country and a wish to stay here. In answer to this request, policemen took the group to the airport for a plain to Warsaw. Bizness & Baltiya