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 likely that on Tuesday PACE will suggest cease three years long monitoring of Latvia, basing on the positive statements made by two reporters. T.Deivis and G.Janson, who went on their last monitoring visit to Latvia in November 2000, in their draft report state that “Latvia has essentially progressed in the fields of democracy and social integration”.

It is likely that on Tuesday PACE will suggest cease three years long monitoring of Latvia, basing on the positive statements made by two reporters. T.Deivis and G.Janson, who went on their last monitoring visit to Latvia in November 2000, in their draft report state that Latvia has essentially progressed in the fields of democracy and social integration. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Before leaving to PACE meeting in Strasbourg, President V.Vike-Freiberga stated in a press conference that PACE most likely would vote for stopping monitoring and she considered that Latvia had fulfilled all international demands concerning national minorities.

Before leaving to PACE meeting in Strasbourg, President V.Vike-Freiberga stated in a press conference that PACE most likely would vote for stopping monitoring and she considered that Latvia had fulfilled all international demands concerning national minorities. Chas

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins after returning from Moscow described this dialog with his Russian colleague I.Ivanov as “proper”.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins after returning from Moscow described this dialog with his Russian colleague I.Ivanov as proper. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas got information that I.Berzins had called Moscow to acknowledge Latvia’s achievements in the field of public integration. But Russian authorities did not see any possibility to praise Latvia. When both ministers discussed the possible visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Riga, I.Ivanov announced that in the agenda of this visit would also be included a meeting with compatriots. He stressed that they had not received from their compatriots any signals on improvement of Latvian policy towards Russian speakers.

Chas got information that I.Berzins had called Moscow to acknowledge Latvias achievements in the field of public integration. But Russian authorities did not see any possibility to praise Latvia. When both ministers discussed the possible visit of Russian Foreign Minister to Riga, I.Ivanov announced that in the agenda of this visit would also be included a meeting with compatriots. He stressed that they had not received from their compatriots any signals on improvement of Latvian policy towards Russian speakers.

The group of international analysts Economist Intelligence Unit in their report to the magazine The Economist write that the local government election of March 11 will be a real test for the unstable government of Latvia. While the major parties mostly will use the national question in their pre-election campaign, independent candidates could make use of the reserved attitude of the electorate to the political elite, claiming themselves to be closer to the masses. According to the analysts, the most concern for major parties is the growing popularity of Social Democrats that could endanger the positions of the right-centric coalition.

The group of international analysts Economist Intelligence Unit in their report to the magazine The Economist write that the local government election of March 11 will be a real test for the unstable government of Latvia. While the major parties mostly will use the national question in their pre-election campaign, independent candidates could make use of the reserved attitude of the electorate to the political elite, claiming themselves to be closer to the masses. According to the analysts, the most concern for major parties is the growing popularity of Social Democrats that could endanger the positions of the right-centric coalition. Diena

The functions of testing the state language knowledge will perform Education Content and Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and Science but not the State Language Center of the Ministry of Justice as it was so far. It is stipulated in the draft decree adopted by the government commission. The government will discuss this draft on Tuesday.

The functions of testing the state language knowledge will perform Education Content and Examination Center of the Ministry of Education and Science but not the State Language Center of the Ministry of Justice as it was so far. It is stipulated in the draft decree adopted by the government commission. The government will discuss this draft on Tuesday. Diena

A.Story in

A.Story in Chas comments this news as a transition from repressions to pragmatism.

Yesterday the Prime Minister took an unordinary step – charged to Acting Minister of Economics R.Zile from FF/LNNK to ensure that his party member State Proxy in the Latvian Shipping Company E.Cepurnieks arrived to the Prosecutor General’s office. Although the ruling coalition members after the coalition’s council meeting assured that they had not discussed the privatization of SHC and it did not endanger stability of the government, one may see this act of Prime Minister as a brutal cornering of FF/LNNK, in reality violating the principle of independence of executive and judiciary powers, stipulated in the Satversme.

Yesterday the Prime Minister took an unordinary step – charged to Acting Minister of Economics R.Zile from FF/LNNK to ensure that his party member State Proxy in the Latvian Shipping Company E.Cepurnieks arrived to the Prosecutor Generals office. Although the ruling coalition members after the coalitions council meeting assured that they had not discussed the privatization of SHC and it did not endanger stability of the government, one may see this act of Prime Minister as a brutal cornering of FF/LNNK, in reality violating the principle of independence of executive and judiciary powers, stipulated in the Satversme. Neatkariga

According to the data of the Ministry of Justice, currently there are 50 political parties and their unions registered in Latvia.

According to the data of the Ministry of Justice, currently there are 50 political parties and their unions registered in Latvia. Neatkariga

Political observer A.Jansons in

Political observer A.Jansons in Neatkariga analyses the last tendencies and forecasts the future for the relations of the Baltic States with Russia. He thinks that economic priorities combined with the issues of compatriots will even more influence the activities of Russian embassies in this region.

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize has unofficial information that Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov will be replaced by some Mr.Studennikov who had so far fulfilled his diplomatic missions in Africa. Journalists asked Chairman of Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission G.Krasts to comment this news, but Mr.Krasts heard this name for the first time.

Chas writes that the name of the new Ambassador to Latvia will be made public in the nearest future.

According to the latest data of CoE, residents of Latvia are active in filing complaints with the European Human Rights Court. Last year in Strasbourg were registered 80 cases where Latvian residents expressed their indignation for illegal activities of Latvian authorities.

According to the latest data of CoE, residents of Latvia are active in filing complaints with the European Human Rights Court. Last year in Strasbourg were registered 80 cases where Latvian residents expressed their indignation for illegal activities of Latvian authorities. Chas