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

Several Riga residents told the newspaper

Several Riga residents told the newspaper Diena that the norm to vote at ones registered place of domicile not only proved that the state did not trust voters but also limited their rights in electing local governments. They said those bureaucratic obstacles had decreased their wish to participate in this election. Although the state has acknowledged the absurdity of this situation, legislators do not worry about it, promising to change it only before the next local government election. Diena

People’s Party finds unacceptable the passive position of Minister of Welfare A.Pozharnov on concluding a social welfare agreement with Russia. Due to Minister’s passiveness interests of Latvia suffer. People’s Party faction asked the Minister to give explanations why the Ministry of Welfare had started negotiations with Russia for advantages in receiving pensions for non-citizens and Russian citizens residing in Latvia. After listening to the Minister, the faction came to a conclusion that the Ministry of Welfare had not done economically grounded calculation whether such an agreement was profitable for Latvia.

Peoples Party finds unacceptable the passive position of Minister of Welfare A.Pozharnov on concluding a social welfare agreement with Russia. Due to Ministers passiveness interests of Latvia suffer. Peoples Party faction asked the Minister to give explanations why the Ministry of Welfare had started negotiations with Russia for advantages in receiving pensions for non-citizens and Russian citizens residing in Latvia. After listening to the Minister, the faction came to a conclusion that the Ministry of Welfare had not done economically grounded calculation whether such an agreement was profitable for Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

The opinion poll carried out in February showed that the activity of voters could be even higher than during the last two local government elections. In 1994 election participated 58.5% of electorate, in 1997 – 56.8%.

The opinion poll carried out in February showed that the activity of voters could be even higher than during the last two local government elections. In 1994 election participated 58.5% of electorate, in 1997 – 56.8%. Diena

Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga in her Monday radio interview called for urgent abolishment of domicile registration system, stating that it was outdated and a relict of the previous totalitarian system.

Latvian President V.Vike-Freiberga in her Monday radio interview called for urgent abolishment of domicile registration system, stating that it was outdated and a relict of the previous totalitarian system. Diena, Neatkariga

On Tuesday the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission will consider the proposals submitted by the National TV and Radio Council that envisage granting the Council more authority to impose administrative fines on broadcasting organisations for violating the law.

On Tuesday the Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Commission will consider the proposals submitted by the National TV and Radio Council that envisage granting the Council more authority to impose administrative fines on broadcasting organisations for violating the law. Diena

Byelorussian Prime Minister V.Jermoshin arrived on a several days visit to Latvia. Latvian MFA defined this visit as a private one, but Byelorussian officials had announced it as a working one. The main goal of Prime Minister’s visit is to open the exposition Byelorussia Expo 2001 in Riga. Journalists found out that neither Latvian Prime Minister nor President had planned any meeting with Mr. Yermoshin.

Byelorussian Prime Minister V.Jermoshin arrived on a several days visit to Latvia. Latvian MFA defined this visit as a private one, but Byelorussian officials had announced it as a working one. The main goal of Prime Ministers visit is to open the exposition Byelorussia Expo 2001 in Riga. Journalists found out that neither Latvian Prime Minister nor President had planned any meeting with Mr. Yermoshin. Neatkariga, Respublika

The newspaper

The newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed V.Avercev, who arrived to Riga as a member of Russian Foreign Policy and Defence Council delegation. Mr.Avercev told journalists that Russia was concerned about the situation of Russian speakers in the Baltic States, and in Latvia the situation was the worst. Criticism about this had come not only from Russia but also from international organisation and Latvia did not improve it. But in general the relations between Russia and Latvia improve.

Rigas Balss

published complete lists of candidates for the local government election of all political parties. published complete lists of candidates for the local government election of all political parties. National Employment Service plans to organise the state language training for unemployed people, who face problems to find a job due to their state language proficiency level. According to statistics there are about 16 000 such people.

National Employment Service plans to organise the state language training for unemployed people, who face problems to find a job due to their state language proficiency level. According to statistics there are about 16 000 such people. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the radio station Maximus in Daugavpils did not broadcast. The National TV and Radio Council closed this station for one day, accusing it of violating the language law norms. Officials found out that 61% of all broadcasting time was in the Russian language.

Yesterday the radio station Maximus in Daugavpils did not broadcast. The National TV and Radio Council closed this station for one day, accusing it of violating the language law norms. Officials found out that 61% of all broadcasting time was in the Russian language. Vesti Segodnya

The latest in the middle of April European Human Rights Court has to take a decision in the case of Latvian citizen I.Podkolzina. Ms.Podkolzina accused Latvian authorities of violating her human rights and discriminating her due to her mother tongue. In October 1998 she was crossed out of the list of candidates for the Saeima election “due to insufficient state language proficiency”.

The latest in the middle of April European Human Rights Court has to take a decision in the case of Latvian citizen I.Podkolzina. Ms.Podkolzina accused Latvian authorities of violating her human rights and discriminating her due to her mother tongue. In October 1998 she was crossed out of the list of candidates for the Saeima election due to insufficient state language proficiency. Vesti Segodnya

The newspaper

The newspaper Chas writes about the case of N.Shevanova. A short time domicile registration in Russia cost her an expulsion order from Latvia. Then she was saved by a stroke. But now it seems that Latvian authorities will have to restore her rights after a European Human Rights Court decision and pay a large sum of money as compensation.

On Friday President V.Vike-Freiberga handed letters of accreditation to the new Latvian Ambassadors to Kirgistan A.Puga and to Malta Republic – M.Perts.

On Friday President V.Vike-Freiberga handed letters of accreditation to the new Latvian Ambassadors to Kirgistan A.Puga and to Malta Republic – M.Perts. Latvijas Vestnesis