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

Press Review

The Central Election Commission has requested to increase financing for the national voting for 438 000 Ls, that is almost a half of the sum allocated for organising the 7th election of the Saeima. Among that Central Election Commission requested means to increase the salary fund and administration expenses almost in half. In its turn the Ministry of Finances doubts the validity of this request.

The Central Election Commission has requested to increase financing for the national voting for 438 000 Ls, that is almost a half of the sum allocated for organising the 7th election of the Saeima. Among that Central Election Commission requested means to increase the salary fund and administration expenses almost in half. In its turn the Ministry of Finances doubts the validity of this request. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

The decree to assign a personal code to the daughter of Georgian Irma Tkeshelashvili, who has been illegally residing in Latvia for 7 years and officially expelled from the country, was finally signed at the DCMA yesterday. The daughter was born in Latvia, her father was a Latvian but Irma has no citizenship at all. Therefore law demands to assign the child both citizenship and a personal code, but the officials of the DCMA lingered to do so. Ms.Tkeshelashvili, a former student of the Latvian International Institute of the Bible, has not managed to legalise its staying in Latvia nor find a country where she could go legally. Immigration offices have already several times promised to issue a residence permit, three times tried to expel her from the country, once even by force but did not succeed.

The decree to assign a personal code to the daughter of Georgian Irma Tkeshelashvili, who has been illegally residing in Latvia for 7 years and officially expelled from the country, was finally signed at the DCMA yesterday. The daughter was born in Latvia, her father was a Latvian but Irma has no citizenship at all. Therefore law demands to assign the child both citizenship and a personal code, but the officials of the DCMA lingered to do so. Ms.Tkeshelashvili, a former student of the Latvian International Institute of the Bible, has not managed to legalise its staying in Latvia nor find a country where she could go legally. Immigration offices have already several times promised to issue a residence permit, three times tried to expel her from the country, once even by force but did not succeed. Neatkariga

Yesterday the Saeima adopted amendments to the Civil code establishing the procedure how the violations of the Saeima election law are stated. The amendments anticipate that applications of finding limitations of the right of vote may be submitted by a prosecutor or persons submitting a list of deputy candidates.

Neatkariga The Saeima also adopted in the second and final reading amendments to the

The Saeima also adopted in the second and final reading amendments to the Law on national voting and proposing laws anticipating that a referendum should be organised in one day - on Saturday, instead of former two days, so the referendum will be carried out along with the election on October 3. Another amendment states that military servicemen will be released from their duties for the period of time necessary for voting. During the referendum voters will have to mark their choice with + or - answering the question Are you for the abolishment of the law Amendments to the Law on Citizenship. One more amendment is that it will be possible to vote by mail. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize

Neatkariga

, answering to the requests of its readers, publishes a full text of amendments to the Law on Citizenship and comments, explaining the essence of them. At first the author of the article explains the process and ways of receiving citizenship, them deals with the window mechanism and the reasons for implementing it. Then he details about the changes, if the amendments would be adopted, and finally explains what the referendum will be about. , answering to the requests of its readers, publishes a full text of amendments to the Law on Citizenship and comments, explaining the essence of them. At first the author of the article explains the process and ways of receiving citizenship, them deals with the “window” mechanism and the reasons for implementing it. Then he details about the changes, if the amendments would be adopted, and finally explains what the referendum will be about. The Chairman of

The Chairman of Latvian Farmers Union L.Strujevics represents his party position on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship in Diena. The Board of LFU took a decision on August 26 to connects its attitude on the amendments to the Law on Citizenship to the adoption of the state language law. If till the referendum such a language law were adopted that would guarantee that all students in Latvia have to master the Latvian language, as well as it would guarantee the use of the Latvian language, then LFU would ask to vote for the amendments. If no such law were adopted till the referendum, the party keeps the right not to support the law. Asked about the possible influence of the amendments to the process of public integration and Latvias joining EU, L.Strujevics answered that amending the Law on Citizenship would favour the process on integration only if citizens and candidates to citizens have common basic interests, understanding of traditions and other emotional factors. And a language is the shortest way to incorporate non-Latvians who have been granted Latvian citizenship. In such a case abolishing of window mechanism would also favour the process of integration. If citizenship, upon a request of childs parents, were granted to a group of children who would not have proper training of Latvian at school, there could form a group on citizens that would have no ties of the language, understanding of the culture and traditions with the state and the rest of citizens. Then there could form a group of citizens having the right to take decisions, but due to the lack of language knowledge, it would be possible to manipulate with it. Diena

The Head of Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis wrote an open letter correcting the wrong statement published in

The Head of Saeima Commission on Education, Culture and Science Dz.Abikis wrote an open letter correcting the wrong statement published in Diena as if he considered the law on education should be adopted by the next Saeima. He explains that the law has to be considered in the second reading, and it could happen after the Saeima election. But he reminds that the 6th Saeima will still work one month after the election and expresses his hope that the law will still be adopted by this Saeima. Diena

Diena

commentator A.Ozolins analyses the situation with Prime Minister G.Krasts who does not believe in the promises of western states that there will be no additional demands for Latvia if the amendments to the Law on Citizenship were adopted. A.Ozolins writes about the EU answer to Russia concerning Moscows critique that the amendments adopted by the Saeima are just a cosmetic repair and non-sufficient, therefore Latvian legislation needs further improvement and agreement with international (Russian) standards. In the above mentioned document, EU declares clearly that it considers Russia facts and considerations inaccurate and not reflecting the real situation and that it agrees to the announcement of Max van der Stoel that these amendments correspond to the very essence of his recommendations. The other important document is the unprecedented personal announcement of OSCE High Commissioner for G.Krasts that Latvia, adopting these amendments, would fulfil all OSCE recommendation concerning citizenship and no new recommendations are not planned. Diena

I.Egle writes about the possible situation with forming the next government after the election. Sometimes there is a situation when the majority parties may not agree on the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, and in such a case an “outside” might come to the power. During the 6th Saeima it was A.Skele. Several politicians admit that such a possibility could establish after this election. But it is not a secret that the most influential parties have received financing from Venspils transit business enterprises. And

I.Egle writes about the possible situation with forming the next government after the election. Sometimes there is a situation when the majority parties may not agree on the candidate for the post of Prime Minister, and in such a case an outside might come to the power. During the 6th Saeima it was A.Skele. Several politicians admit that such a possibility could establish after this election. But it is not a secret that the most influential parties have received financing from Venspils transit business enterprises. And Diena has an information that the parties, receiving money from Venspils, have been asked to sign a promise not to form a coalition government with Peoples Party lead by A.Skele. The leaders of such parties as Latvijas Cels and TB/LNNK refused such a statement but agreed that their relations with Peoples Party were complicated. But they admit that a coalition without PP could be possible. I.Egle also analyses the possibility of the Mayor of Venspils Lembergs to become a Prime Minister. Diena

S.Upleja writes in

S.Upleja writes in Diena about the Estonian Fund For Integration of non-Estonians, its activities and things achieved. During the first months of its operation, they have received proposals for about 70 different projects, and 5 of them have received financing. Those were projects dealing mostly with teaching the Estonian language to non-Estonians at summer camps but one was about language training in Estonian families. Diena