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

During the last months Latvian authorities have started turbulent activities pretending to integrate non-citizens. But the real goal of this action is not so much integration but to mange to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia. As Prime Minister A.Berzins said yesterday at the meeting with journalists, the government hoped the Mission to be closed at the end of this year. Thus the authorities would kill two birds with one stone – there will be no place for unsatisfied people to come with their complains and persuade EU that everything is OK with human rights in Latvia. By closing of this Mission they will be able to present it as acknowledgement by this important human rights organization the fact of the progress made by Latvia in the human rights field. But all the latest activities are just cosmetic improvements, sooner or later the authorities will have to agree to “0” version that was the demand of the Russian speakers from the very beginning.

During the last months Latvian authorities have started turbulent activities pretending to integrate non-citizens. But the real goal of this action is not so much integration but to mange to close the OSCE Mission to Latvia. As Prime Minister A.Berzins said yesterday at the meeting with journalists, the government hoped the Mission to be closed at the end of this year. Thus the authorities would kill two birds with one stone – there will be no place for unsatisfied people to come with their complains and persuade EU that everything is OK with human rights in Latvia. By closing of this Mission they will be able to present it as acknowledgement by this important human rights organization the fact of the progress made by Latvia in the human rights field. But all the latest activities are just cosmetic improvements, sooner or later the authorities will have to agree to 0 version that was the demand of the Russian speakers from the very beginning. Vesti Segodnya

The Latvian parliament may not approve of re-appointing the Latvian Human Rights Office (HRO) leader, Olafs Bruvers, in a vote on Thursday. The parliament's center People's Party faction will be voting against Bruvers' candidacy, while center Latvian Way and the social democrats are apparently open to choice on the vote. The People's Party faction has claimed that they decided to vote against approving Bruvers for another term at the HRO, as the parliament members doubt his ability to improve anything in the work of the human rights office. Nevertheless, the party has no other candidate for now. The Latvian Way faction chairperson Kristiana Libane claimed that the faction's parliament members have quite differed opinions on the issue and that the voting will take place to their own discretion.

The Latvian parliament may not approve of re-appointing the Latvian Human Rights Office (HRO) leader, Olafs Bruvers, in a vote on Thursday. The parliament's center People's Party faction will be voting against Bruvers' candidacy, while center Latvian Way and the social democrats are apparently open to choice on the vote. The People's Party faction has claimed that they decided to vote against approving Bruvers for another term at the HRO, as the parliament members doubt his ability to improve anything in the work of the human rights office. Nevertheless, the party has no other candidate for now. The Latvian Way faction chairperson Kristiana Libane claimed that the faction's parliament members have quite differed opinions on the issue and that the voting will take place to their own discretion. BNS

The first interactive CD-ROM containing information about Soviet atrocities in Latvia following its occupation in 1940 has been released in Latvia. The CD-ROM dealing with Soviet crimes against humanity, the Latvian people and the Latvian state during the period of repression following Latvia's occupation by the Soviet Union was Wednesday presented in the Occupation Museum in the Latvian capital Riga.

The first interactive CD-ROM containing information about Soviet atrocities in Latvia following its occupation in 1940 has been released in Latvia. The CD-ROM dealing with Soviet crimes against humanity, the Latvian people and the Latvian state during the period of repression following Latvia's occupation by the Soviet Union was Wednesday presented in the Occupation Museum in the Latvian capital Riga. BNS

Latvian foreign minister next week will head for a one day working visit in the Netherlands to meet Dutch lawmakers and European affairs state minister as well as join discussions with business and academic people, a spokeswoman said. On agenda of Indulis Berzins visit on June 13 will be issues like bilateral relations between the two countries as well as European Union and NATO enlargement, said Liga Bergmane.

BNS After public reaction to the objections of human rights experts to the work of Human Rights Office, People’s Party has decided to vote against repeated appointing O.Bruveris, current Office head to this position but Latvian Way has decided for free vote, giving as the reason the doubt that O.Bruveris could carry out foreign activities planned for the Office. It shows that Bruvers could not receive support from whole coalition because only FF/LNNK and opposition parties Social Democrats and For Human Rights in United Latvia will vote for him.

After public reaction to the objections of human rights experts to the work of Human Rights Office, Peoples Party has decided to vote against repeated appointing O.Bruveris, current Office head to this position but Latvian Way has decided for free vote, giving as the reason the doubt that O.Bruveris could carry out foreign activities planned for the Office. It shows that Bruvers could not receive support from whole coalition because only FF/LNNK and opposition parties Social Democrats and For Human Rights in United Latvia will vote for him. Diena, Respublika

Jauna Avize titles this information “Parties are not interested in the post of Bruvers”

Jauna Avize titles this information Parties are not interested in the post of Bruvers

Russia as the chairing state of the BSSC plans to put for discussions a question on the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia and Estonia. Sources of information in Moscow stated that Moscow did not plan to raise this issue “in spirit of confrontation” but would use the means being the Chairman.

Russia as the chairing state of the BSSC plans to put for discussions a question on the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia and Estonia. Sources of information in Moscow stated that Moscow did not plan to raise this issue in spirit of confrontation but would use the means being the Chairman. Neatkariga

Chas

adds that former Commissioner on Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of CBSS O.Espersen had been tougher concerning non-citizen issues and more critical and open than his colleagues in other international organizations. And it cost him his post. His successor H.Daign now has a reduced title comparing to O.Espersen; she is the Commissioner on Democratic Development. A court in eastern Latvian town Wednesday sent four National Bolsheviks from Russia to seven months confinement for illegal entry into Latvia. The three were detained last November as they illegally crossed into Latvia, jumping off St. Petersburg -Kaliningrad train. Three of them were sentenced to seven month in jail and one of them in juvenile penitentiary. They will be expelled from Latvia after they serve their sentence.

A court in eastern Latvian town Wednesday sent four National Bolsheviks from Russia to seven months confinement for illegal entry into Latvia. The three were detained last November as they illegally crossed into Latvia, jumping off St. Petersburg -Kaliningrad train. Three of them were sentenced to seven month in jail and one of them in juvenile penitentiary. They will be expelled from Latvia after they serve their sentence. BNS

Last weekend in Liepaja took place seminar “Language policy in urban environment” organized by the Baltic Project of European Minorities Affairs Center. The goal of the seminar was to discuss language functions in large cities as well as exchange opinions on language policy in Europe Region countries.

Last weekend in Liepaja took place seminar Language policy in urban environment organized by the Baltic Project of European Minorities Affairs Center. The goal of the seminar was to discuss language functions in large cities as well as exchange opinions on language policy in Europe Region countries. Jauna Avize

Newspaper

Newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed the UN Representative to Latvia G.Veiss about the process of Latvia joining EU and the problems on this road. When asked about Russias pressure on EU as if for human rights violations in Latvia, the Ambassador answered that it was not in the interests of Russia itself. It is clear that EU wants good relations with Russia and wants to further political and economic stability there and it is important for Latvia to have Russia as a strong and stable neighbor. Answering to the question about the statement of N.Muiznieks about national discrimination in Latvia G.Veiss said that he had discussed these issues with N.Muiznieks and it was Muizniekss duty to point out on the existing problems, but the Ambassador thought that newspaper had reflected only one part of the things Muiznieks said. The presented information was partial. Of course, N.Muiznieks may express his opinion, and the Ambassador does not think that the situation with non-citizens is ideal, but it had changed radically during the last years. And it only serves to increase stability in this country. He would be glad if the Latvian government would do more for non-citizens.

Yesterday Russian newspaper “Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote that if K.Kalejs, accused for WW II crimes, were extradited to Latvia, his court hearing would raise a wave of anti Russian mood in the society and would lead to new processes against former KGB officers.

Yesterday Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta wrote that if K.Kalejs, accused for WW II crimes, were extradited to Latvia, his court hearing would raise a wave of anti Russian mood in the society and would lead to new processes against former KGB officers. Lauku Avize

The question is there as need for Riga City to have a Council on Non-citizen Affairs like in Vespils has been discussed for a long time. Now the Riga City Mayor G.Bojars spoke in favor of this idea. In an interview to the Latvian Radio hi supported this idea, pointing out that the Council should deal not only with of non-citizen issues as a separate social group but problems of integration in general. Chas

The question is there as need for Riga City to have a Council on Non-citizen Affairs like in Vespils has been discussed for a long time. Now the Riga City Mayor G.Bojars spoke in favor of this idea. In an interview to the Latvian Radio hi supported this idea, pointing out that the Council should deal not only with of non-citizen issues as a separate social group but problems of integration in general. Chas

Just the Cabinet of Ministers postponed consideration the regulations on centralized state language exams for 9th graders to be considered as a naturalization test, the Parliamentary Education, Culture and Science Commission got worried – did not spoil this good idea. One should rejoice for this step of Latvian deputies to make the life of students more comfortable, but the motive for it was just the opposite – the level of the state language knowledge should be constantly increased.

Just the Cabinet of Ministers postponed consideration the regulations on centralized state language exams for 9th graders to be considered as a naturalization test, the Parliamentary Education, Culture and Science Commission got worried – did not spoil this good idea. One should rejoice for this step of Latvian deputies to make the life of students more comfortable, but the motive for it was just the opposite – the level of the state language knowledge should be constantly increased. Chas

Little competence, no control, overlapping of functions of state officials have raised a discussion on introducing Ombudsman institution in Latvia. The discussion was raised up by the Office of the State President that received too many complaints from state residents. Therefore with the Office was established a working group to work on the Ombudsman project. The opponents of the new idea say that such an institution already exists – Human Rights Office although it supervised only human rights issues therefore its efficiency should be strengthened by widening its authority charging it to consider complaints on state administration. It is planned that Ombudsman is a publicly respected, exact person nominated by the President and approved by the Saeima for 5 years. One of the major arguments for defenders of Ombudsman idea is that this institution is established by grounding it on the Human Rights Office. Similar idea is proposed also by UN and OSCE experts’ working group, only under one condition – original strengthening of Human Rights Office. But some are concerned whether “grounding it on the Human Rights Office” would not mean complete destroying of the created system. UN and OSCE experts point out that the Latvian human rights system is disintegrated and its functions overlap. Latvian Child Rights Protection Center Director I.Ielite said that it would not be so if the Human Rights Office worked and would not redirect to us people with complains. In addition due to conflicts in the present Human Rights Office administration they lost foreign financing and have to survive with 90 000 Ls from the state budget. This might be considered as an important obstacle to quality working. And it does not look like that the state could increase financing for the office.

Little competence, no control, overlapping of functions of state officials have raised a discussion on introducing Ombudsman institution in Latvia. The discussion was raised up by the Office of the State President that received too many complaints from state residents. Therefore with the Office was established a working group to work on the Ombudsman project. The opponents of the new idea say that such an institution already exists – Human Rights Office although it supervised only human rights issues therefore its efficiency should be strengthened by widening its authority charging it to consider complaints on state administration. It is planned that Ombudsman is a publicly respected, exact person nominated by the President and approved by the Saeima for 5 years. One of the major arguments for defenders of Ombudsman idea is that this institution is established by grounding it on the Human Rights Office. Similar idea is proposed also by UN and OSCE experts working group, only under one condition – original strengthening of Human Rights Office. But some are concerned whether grounding it on the Human Rights Office would not mean complete destroying of the created system. UN and OSCE experts point out that the Latvian human rights system is disintegrated and its functions overlap. Latvian Child Rights Protection Center Director I.Ielite said that it would not be so if the Human Rights Office worked and would not redirect to us people with complains. In addition due to conflicts in the present Human Rights Office administration they lost foreign financing and have to survive with 90 000 Ls from the state budget. This might be considered as an important obstacle to quality working. And it does not look like that the state could increase financing for the office. Diena