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 second reading of the Citizenship Law is expected to be discussed at a plenary meeting of the Saema on May 12 or 19. The draft has been worked out by "Latvijas Cels" and will be considered by the Legal Commission next week. According to the draft non-citizens will start applying for naturalization on January 1, 1996. The naturalization of a priority group might start upon the law coming into force. The priority group includes persons whose ancestor in the second generation is a Liv or a Latvian or spouses of such persons, persons who legally entered Latvia before 1940, persons forcefully transferred to Latvia during German occupation and their descendants, and spouses of Latvian citizens. Applications for naturalization will be received from non-citizens born in Latvia aged between 16 and 23 starting from January 1, 1996. Persons over 23 born in Latvia will start to apply for naturalization after January 1, 1997, and persons who entered Latvia while being under age will start to apply in 1998. The rest of the non-citizens willing to obtain Latvian citizenship will start applying for naturalization starting from 2000. Pensioned army officers and their family members will not be naturalized except for persons born in Latvia or summoned to service from the territory of Latvia. The status of pensioned servicemen and their family members will be defined by the alien law.

The second reading of the Citizenship Law is expected to be discussed at a plenary meeting of the Saema on May 12 or 19. The draft has been worked out by "Latvijas Cels" and will be considered by the Legal Commission next week. According to the draft non-citizens will start applying for naturalization on January 1, 1996. The naturalization of a priority group might start upon the law coming into force. The priority group includes persons whose ancestor in the second generation is a Liv or a Latvian or spouses of such persons, persons who legally entered Latvia before 1940, persons forcefully transferred to Latvia during German occupation and their descendants, and spouses of Latvian citizens. Applications for naturalization will be received from non-citizens born in Latvia aged between 16 and 23 starting from January 1, 1996. Persons over 23 born in Latvia will start to apply for naturalization after January 1, 1997, and persons who entered Latvia while being under age will start to apply in 1998. The rest of the non-citizens willing to obtain Latvian citizenship will start applying for naturalization starting from 2000. Pensioned army officers and their family members will not be naturalized except for persons born in Latvia or summoned to service from the territory of Latvia. The status of pensioned servicemen and their family members will be defined by the alien law. Diena

The Ministry of Justice refused to register the League of the Stateless Individuals. The official explanation says that the league is a political organization and its statutes contradict Latvian legislation since only citizens of the republic enjoy the right of participating in political activities.

The Ministry of Justice refused to register the League of the Stateless Individuals. The official explanation says that the league is a political organization and its statutes contradict Latvian legislation since only citizens of the republic enjoy the right of participating in political activities. SM Segodnya

Prime-Minister Birkavs stressed the importance of the signing of the agreement with Russia in his interview for DIENA and RADIO FREE EUROPE. He pointed out that the agreement on pensioned officers should be modified. Mr.Birkavs noted that there were powerful political forces in Russia interested in disrupt the situation in Latvia. He also said that the repatriation of pensioned officers was necessary and expressed hope that the West would fund the process. He stressed that the UN and the CSCE would provide international guarantees and would monitor the implementation of the agreements

Prime-Minister Birkavs stressed the importance of the signing of the agreement with Russia in his interview for DIENA and RADIO FREE EUROPE. He pointed out that the agreement on pensioned officers should be modified. Mr.Birkavs noted that there were powerful political forces in Russia interested in disrupt the situation in Latvia. He also said that the repatriation of pensioned officers was necessary and expressed hope that the West would fund the process. He stressed that the UN and the CSCE would provide international guarantees and would monitor the implementation of the agreements. Diena