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

It is planned to introduce stricter regulations to receive a pass to the Saeima building to prevent such cases as the one that took place last week when the left wing block MP M.Mitrofanov organised a press conference with participation of National Bolsheviks.

It is planned to introduce stricter regulations to receive a pass to the Saeima building to prevent such cases as the one that took place last week when the left wing block MP M.Mitrofanov organised a press conference with participation of National Bolsheviks. Diena,

On Monday in a press interview President V.Vike-Freiberga called not to wait any longer and ratify at the Saeima Latvian – Lithuanian see border agreement that was signed in 1999.

On Monday in a press interview President V.Vike-Freiberga called not to wait any longer and ratify at the Saeima Latvian – Lithuanian see border agreement that was signed in 1999. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Vesti Segonya

If the political forces kept on lingering to elaborate the draft law on legal presumption, the President would ask lawyers to prepare such a draft, and she would submit it to the Saeima herself. Such a law would make officials to prove how they had received considerable sums of money. V.Vike-Freiberga said this during her regular Monday interview.

If the political forces kept on lingering to elaborate the draft law on legal presumption, the President would ask lawyers to prepare such a draft, and she would submit it to the Saeima herself. Such a law would make officials to prove how they had received considerable sums of money. V.Vike-Freiberga said this during her regular Monday interview. Diena

The Government has accepted the draft law on declaring one’s domicile, and the law should take effect in the middle of the next year. The draft law was elaborated because the current system caused problems for all parties – the DCMA, municipalities and residents as well. Representatives of municipalities oppose to the DCMA saying that there is too much trust in residents, rights of flat owners will not be protected and municipalities are not technically ready for this law. During the discussion of this draft the major concern was that nothing would prevent a person to declare any address as his domicile thus endangering the rights of flat owners.

The Government has accepted the draft law on declaring ones domicile, and the law should take effect in the middle of the next year. The draft law was elaborated because the current system caused problems for all parties – the DCMA, municipalities and residents as well. Representatives of municipalities oppose to the DCMA saying that there is too much trust in residents, rights of flat owners will not be protected and municipalities are not technically ready for this law. During the discussion of this draft the major concern was that nothing would prevent a person to declare any address as his domicile thus endangering the rights of flat owners. Diena

In the future every party from left-wing block would have to be responsible for its own activities and they would not be allowed to use the tittle of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia during their events. This was a decision of the FHRUL Co-ordination Council yesterday. The leader of Socialist Party A.Rubiks acknowledged that this decision had been taken due to the latest activities of some left-wing politicians.

In the future every party from left-wing block would have to be responsible for its own activities and they would not be allowed to use the tittle of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia during their events. This was a decision of the FHRUL Co-ordination Council yesterday. The leader of Socialist Party A.Rubiks acknowledged that this decision had been taken due to the latest activities of some left-wing politicians. Neatkariga

The Minister of Justice I.Labucka signed yesterday a direction stating that former red guerrilla commander V.Kononov, who had been accused of committing wartime crimes, was deprived of Latvian citizenship. V.Kononov had given up his Latvian citizenship because he was granted Russian citizenship.

The Minister of Justice I.Labucka signed yesterday a direction stating that former red guerrilla commander V.Kononov, who had been accused of committing wartime crimes, was deprived of Latvian citizenship. V.Kononov had given up his Latvian citizenship because he was granted Russian citizenship. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Chief Editor of the newspaper

Chief Editor of the newspaper Lauku Avize J.Krustins writes analyses the call of the left-wing block for non-violent disobedience actions. Luckily there have not been observed any cases of such disobedience. But it is the aim of the organisers of this action – start them, if not today then some time in the future. One of the authors of the call – A.Gilman clearly states that their goal is not to protect the Russian language, but the Russian speaking minority (44%) does not have equal rights with Latvians in the political process. The newspaper Panorama Latvii has published instructions to the Russian speakers where it is stated that one should take into consideration that rights are not received, they are to be taken. Government yields only to a well-organised pressure. Lauku Avize

If Latvia is going to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minorities; it should be decided what a national minority is. The Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee A.Seiksts assured that there was no such definition in any international documents, so this definition should have to be prepared here. The newspaper

If Latvia is going to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minorities; it should be decided what a national minority is. The Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee A.Seiksts assured that there was no such definition in any international documents, so this definition should have to be prepared here. The newspaper Lauku Avize asked several Saeima deputies what this definition should be. K.Libane from Latvian Way states that Latvia has to be reserved in ratifying this convention, and according to her opinion Latvian legislation ensures implementation 90 or 95% of the Conventions norms. Lauku Avize

Former TB/LNNK member and activist E.Berklavs states that every mentioning of the name of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel means that some new bad proposal is coming or interference in Latvia’s internal affairs is to be expected. But judging from the information published in newspapers, E.Berklavs has come to a conclusion that now Latvia has one more commissioner, following advises of which would mean direct suicide for Latvia. It is the CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen with his proposal to grant election rights to all people who reside legally in Latvia.

Former TB/LNNK member and activist E.Berklavs states that every mentioning of the name of the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel means that some new bad proposal is coming or interference in Latvias internal affairs is to be expected. But judging from the information published in newspapers, E.Berklavs has come to a conclusion that now Latvia has one more commissioner, following advises of which would mean direct suicide for Latvia. It is the CBSS Commissioner Ole Espersen with his proposal to grant election rights to all people who reside legally in Latvia. Lauku Avize

Respublika

journalist Z.Kaz interviewed Prime Minister A.Berzins about the current situation in the government. The Prime Minister said that problems have been solved, he had sent a letter to FF/LNNK with the explanation of the Minister of Economics actions. Speaking about the future A.Berzins assured that FF/LNNK were an experienced political player and knew how far they should go not to upset the balance in the government. Speaking about the ratification of the Framework Convention on National Minorities the Prime Minister said that the priority was Integration Program but the Convention would have to be ratified – sooner or later. Now the Ministry of Justice was analysing what would be legal and economic consequences of this ratifying. The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met yesterday the Danish Parliament Speaker I.Hansen and the Head of Parliamentarian Commission of EU Affairs K.Larsen-Jensen and discussed the future of the EU expansion process. The Minister was also received by the Danish Queen Margaret II.

The Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met yesterday the Danish Parliament Speaker I.Hansen and the Head of Parliamentarian Commission of EU Affairs K.Larsen-Jensen and discussed the future of the EU expansion process. The Minister was also received by the Danish Queen Margaret II. Respublika

S.Zaletajev in

S.Zaletajev in Panorama Latvii describes the situation in the block For Human Rights in United Latvia and states that their decision to start a non-violent disobedience action was the only right thing to do in the current political situation. Unfortunately the Equality allies in the Union Peoples Harmony Party and Socialist Party and refused to take part in this action.

Diena

writes about the new book on human rights in the world and Latvia and interviews its editor and one of the authors I.Ziemele. She hopes that it will be useful for lawyers, Parliament, students and other interested people. writes about the new book on human rights in the world and Latvia and interviews its editor and one of the authors I.Ziemele. She hopes that it will be useful for lawyers, Parliament, students and other interested people.