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 DCMA has summarised the results of its last years activities and come to a conclusion that no major changes had taken place in the processes, only more and more people change their nationality or give up their Latvian citizenship. Last year the DCMA rendered 113 572 services related to issuing visas, issued 7634 PRPs, most of them to foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia, issued 145 273 Latvian citizen passports and supplied with non-citizen passports about 55.5% of non-citizen population of Latvia. Last year 689 persons changed their nationality (in 1997 - 452). A rather large number of Latvian citizens expressed a wish to give up their citizenship the DCMA received 529 such applications, most of these people planned to leave for living abroad or had already been living outside Latvia or had received citizenship of some other state.

The DCMA has summarised the results of its last years activities and come to a conclusion that no major changes had taken place in the processes, only more and more people change their nationality or give up their Latvian citizenship. Last year the DCMA rendered 113 572 services related to issuing visas, issued 7634 PRPs, most of them to foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia, issued 145 273 Latvian citizen passports and supplied with non-citizen passports about 55.5% of non-citizen population of Latvia. Last year 689 persons changed their nationality (in 1997 - 452). A rather large number of Latvian citizens expressed a wish to give up their citizenship the DCMA received 529 such applications, most of these people planned to leave for living abroad or had already been living outside Latvia or had received citizenship of some other state. Neatkariga

Russian Ambassador to Latvia condemns the Saeima decision to support NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He assured that this position would not help to improve bilateral relations with Russia. The Ambassador also explained Russian position.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia condemns the Saeima decision to support NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. He assured that this position would not help to improve bilateral relations with Russia. The Ambassador also explained Russian position. Diena (Russian version)

The newspaper

The newspaper Panorama Latvii states that after adoption in the second reading the draft language law, it is evident that the Russian language is under threat to be ousted from the public life and organises a telephone opinion poll, asking people to call and express their opinion on this problem from 12 to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Panorama Latvii

March 29, 1999

March 29, 1999

This week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit to the government a report on the procedure of harmonising the national legislation with EU normative acts. As the Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that harmonising had been proceeding successfully, although the EU experts conclusion was that Latvia still had many things to complete but was on the right track.

This week the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will submit to the government a report on the procedure of harmonising the national legislation with EU normative acts. As the Press Secretary T.Baumanis informed that harmonising had been proceeding successfully, although the EU experts conclusion was that Latvia still had many things to complete but was on the right track. Neatkariga

Byelorussian Vice- Prime minister V.Koziks is arriving to on a tree day to Latvia. He plans to meet Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans, Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs.

Byelorussian Vice- Prime minister V.Koziks is arriving to on a tree day to Latvia. He plans to meet Latvian Prime Minister V.Kristopans, Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs and Minister of Communications A.Gorbunovs. Neatkariga

Vladimir Buzayev, co-chairman of Latvian Human Rights Committee contemplates about the naturalisation process in Latvia. He starts with describing a meeting of the Co-ordination Council of Public Organisation where the Russian speaking public organisations discussed a document, proposed by the Russian Public Council on the possible system, to fight discrimination of non-citizens. Then he turns to the differences between citizens and non-citizens - naming such profession bans as being heads of enterprises having a license to provide security services. The same ban refers to alcohol and drug addicts, members of terrorist organisations, criminal groups, as well as persons not knowing the state language on the highest level.

SM

The member of the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia Janis Urbanovics, commenting the findings of the Commission on Fighting Racism and Intolerance of the European Council that there were cases of aggressive nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism in Latvia, says that nothing else could be expected. The facts - blasts at the synagogue, publishing of Mein Kampf, etc. The MP, answering to the question on the possible consequences, states that such a conclusion could lead to serious trouble for Latvia up to imposing sanctions and postponing Latvias joining EU and NATO. Panorama Latvii