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

Germany has deported a family from Latvia for illegal residence in this country. The family came to Germany in 1992, and they have no citizenship because at that time Latvian Residents Register was not established yet. Therefore the family is issued return certificates which are valid for one month. During this time these people have to get IDs. Diena

Germany has deported a family from Latvia for illegal residence in this country. The family came to Germany in 1992, and they have no citizenship because at that time Latvian Residents Register was not established yet. Therefore the family is issued return certificates which are valid for one month. During this time these people have to get IDs. Diena

In future in the passports of Estonian citizens and foreigners will be no residence registration stamp and there will be no stamp stating the family status of the passport holder. Estonian DCMA informed that this law became valid from January 1, 2000.

In future in the passports of Estonian citizens and foreigners will be no residence registration stamp and there will be no stamp stating the family status of the passport holder. Estonian DCMA informed that this law became valid from January 1, 2000. Diena

The MP J.Vidins from TB/LNNK faction started to prepare a draft law prohibiting former CP functionaries and KGB officers to hold leading post in state administration.

The MP J.Vidins from TB/LNNK faction started to prepare a draft law prohibiting former CP functionaries and KGB officers to hold leading post in state administration. Jauna Avize

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission did not take a decision to support the appointing of A.Ronis to the post of Latvian Ambassador to the USA. The main objection was his young age and lack of experience. The final decision remains to the President.

The Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission did not take a decision to support the appointing of A.Ronis to the post of Latvian Ambassador to the USA. The main objection was his young age and lack of experience. The final decision remains to the President. Jauna Avize, Bizness & Baltiya

The new Minister of Education M.Vitols announced that he would pay much attention to the implementation of the education reform. The main goal of the reform he sees the improvement of the education quality. To solve the problem of teachers’ salaries a precise schedule of salary increase will be elaborated in the nearest future.

The new Minister of Education M.Vitols announced that he would pay much attention to the implementation of the education reform. The main goal of the reform he sees the improvement of the education quality. To solve the problem of teachers salaries a precise schedule of salary increase will be elaborated in the nearest future. Jauna Avize, Vesti Segodnya

J.Urbanovics published his comments on the reaction of the Saeima and Government to the announcement adopted by Russia on the Latvian Language law. He sees two options, either a complete lack of understanding of the real situation in Latvia or a wish to fool Latvian population, first of all Latvians. Studying the OSCE recommendations and objections of the President one sees – they are oriented to observe the principle of “free capital movement”. These recommendations do not concern observing the language rights of national minorities in Latvia, because both the OSCE and EU consider that Latvia should solve this problem by ratifying first of all the general Convention on Protection of National Minorities. The faction For Human Rights in United Latvia considers that the basic principles of this convention should be elaborated in the Language law.

J.Urbanovics published his comments on the reaction of the Saeima and Government to the announcement adopted by Russia on the Latvian Language law. He sees two options, either a complete lack of understanding of the real situation in Latvia or a wish to fool Latvian population, first of all Latvians. Studying the OSCE recommendations and objections of the President one sees – they are oriented to observe the principle of free capital movement. These recommendations do not concern observing the language rights of national minorities in Latvia, because both the OSCE and EU consider that Latvia should solve this problem by ratifying first of all the general Convention on Protection of National Minorities. The faction For Human Rights in United Latvia considers that the basic principles of this convention should be elaborated in the Language law. Jauna Avize

J.Urbanovics also writes about the conflict between Prime Minister A.Skele and Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs that causes huge losses for the state. And Latvian politicians are divided into two parties – supporters of Skele and supporters of Lembergs. The only solution is to dismiss the Saeima and organise new election.

J.Urbanovics also writes about the conflict between Prime Minister A.Skele and Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs that causes huge losses for the state. And Latvian politicians are divided into two parties – supporters of Skele and supporters of Lembergs. The only solution is to dismiss the Saeima and organise new election. Vesti Segodnya

The announcement of MP J.Urbanovics that it was necessary to dismiss the Saeima and organise new parliament election caused some fuss in the Saeima . According to him it was the only possible means to overcome the deep crisis in Latvia. The leader of Peoples Party G.Berzins finds this position quite logical – the opposition has a goal to overthrow the Government, and the only possibility to achieve this is to dismiss the Saeima. TB/LNNK leader M.Grinblats has the same opinion.

The announcement of MP J.Urbanovics that it was necessary to dismiss the Saeima and organise new parliament election caused some fuss in the Saeima . According to him it was the only possible means to overcome the deep crisis in Latvia. The leader of Peoples Party G.Berzins finds this position quite logical – the opposition has a goal to overthrow the Government, and the only possibility to achieve this is to dismiss the Saeima. TB/LNNK leader M.Grinblats has the same opinion. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian President expressed to the Russian newspaper “Vedomosti” her wish to discuss with the Acting President of Russia V.Putin during their possible meeting a possibility to improve Latvian – Russian relations. At the same time she stated that found Latvian policy concerning the status of the Russian language and Russian speaking non-citizens to be fully established and did not think that EU would put forward any new conditions for Latvia.

Latvian President expressed to the Russian newspaper Vedomosti her wish to discuss with the Acting President of Russia V.Putin during their possible meeting a possibility to improve Latvian – Russian relations. At the same time she stated that found Latvian policy concerning the status of the Russian language and Russian speaking non-citizens to be fully established and did not think that EU would put forward any new conditions for Latvia. Panorama Latvii, Bizness & Baltiya, Vesti Segodnya

At the same time she stated that Latvian economy stopped to depend on Russia. Now the task for Latvia is to make it so that its economy stopped to depend on any influences and to become more diversified.

At the same time she stated that Latvian economy stopped to depend on Russia. Now the task for Latvia is to make it so that its economy stopped to depend on any influences and to become more diversified. Bizness & Baltiya

Last year about 12.5 thousand people went through the process of naturalisation in Latvia, it is almost three times more than in 1998 and four times more than in 1997.

Last year about 12.5 thousand people went through the process of naturalisation in Latvia, it is almost three times more than in 1998 and four times more than in 1997. Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

N.Mihailova in

N.Mihailova in Panorama Latvii complains about the situation in Riga Technical University. Starting from the second year of studies all teaching should be done in the state language, but some instructors demand their students to translate their course papers into the Russian language. And in general, almost 80% of teaching in Russian. And there was some plaintiff who informed about this the State Language Commission. And there were punitive measures taken against these instructors.

Latvian cable TV companies in order to protect consumers’ interests and not to increase licence fee took a decision to stop re-translation of Russian TV channel ORT for some time. Translation will be renewed when acceptable conditions for broadcasting are negotiated.

Latvian cable TV companies in order to protect consumers interests and not to increase licence fee took a decision to stop re-translation of Russian TV channel ORT for some time. Translation will be renewed when acceptable conditions for broadcasting are negotiated. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii, Chas