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

Press Report

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading the budget for the next year with planned 2% fiscal deficit from GNP.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading the budget for the next year with planned 2% fiscal deficit from GNP. Neatkariga, Diena

The opposition factions during the voting tried to direct more funds for education, medicine, pensioners and other social needs.

The opposition factions during the voting tried to direct more funds for education, medicine, pensioners and other social needs. Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya states that the budget had been adopted international interests of the rich.

The Chairman of Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dz.Abikis informed that the Commission had prepared the Language law for repeated consideration in the Saeima. Mr.Abikis thinks that the amendments, supported by the Commission, observe the demands of European institutions and defend the positions of the Latvian language.

The Chairman of Saeima Commission on Education and Science Dz.Abikis informed that the Commission had prepared the Language law for repeated consideration in the Saeima. Mr.Abikis thinks that the amendments, supported by the Commission, observe the demands of European institutions and defend the positions of the Latvian language. Neatkariga, Rigas Balss(01.12.1999)

At the same time he does not anticipate an easy adoption of the law and is not completely sure that it will be done on December 9.

At the same time he does not anticipate an easy adoption of the law and is not completely sure that it will be done on December 9. Diena, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

gives also the old reading of the law and the proposals of the Commission. gives also the old reading of the law and the proposals of the Commission. The Union of political organisations For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that the Government should extend the validity term of former USSR passports in Latvia because it expires on January 1, 2000. The DCMA estimate that 93 000 non-citizens will not exchange their passports. B.Cilevics from FHRIL says that in reality those people will become illegals because the law on staying of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will not be able to be applied to them because of lack of a valid ID.

The Union of political organisations For Human Rights in United Latvia consider that the Government should extend the validity term of former USSR passports in Latvia because it expires on January 1, 2000. The DCMA estimate that 93 000 non-citizens will not exchange their passports. B.Cilevics from FHRIL says that in reality those people will become illegals because the law on staying of foreigners and stateless persons in Latvia will not be able to be applied to them because of lack of a valid ID. Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii

Political scientist I.Indans in

Political scientist I.Indans in Diena writes about the idea to establish the Integration Fund. He describes the Estonian experience of such a fund and analyses what benefits such a fund could give to Latvia.

Professor I.Lazovskis supports the idea for preserving demands to use the Latvian language in public information and gives his reasons. One of them is that integration is determined by the practical life where dominates only one question – do I need the Latvian language?

Professor I.Lazovskis supports the idea for preserving demands to use the Latvian language in public information and gives his reasons. One of them is that integration is determined by the practical life where dominates only one question – do I need the Latvian language? Diena

On Wednesday at a solemn ceremony 70 new citizen of Latvia were presented the extracts from the Government decree on granting them Latvian citizenship thus continuing the tradition of the Naturalisation Board and Riga City Council.

On Wednesday at a solemn ceremony 70 new citizen of Latvia were presented the extracts from the Government decree on granting them Latvian citizenship thus continuing the tradition of the Naturalisation Board and Riga City Council. Diena

A.Smiltnieks from the Naturalisation Board informs about an international seminar on public integration with the help of education and language. The goal of this seminar is to analyse the problems of public integration in different EU countries.

A.Smiltnieks from the Naturalisation Board informs about an international seminar on public integration with the help of education and language. The goal of this seminar is to analyse the problems of public integration in different EU countries. Latvijas Vestnesis

Lately more and more children chose to attend schools with the Latvian language of tuition, and the number of students at Russian speaking schools has reduced considerably. These are the data of a poll organised by the Soros Fund Latvia. The results of this poll were presented to the participants of the seminar “Bilingual education: Latvian experience.”

Lately more and more children chose to attend schools with the Latvian language of tuition, and the number of students at Russian speaking schools has reduced considerably. These are the data of a poll organised by the Soros Fund Latvia. The results of this poll were presented to the participants of the seminar Bilingual education: Latvian experience. Lauku Avize