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

Draft protocol of co-operation between Riga and Moscow sets out as priorities expansion of contacts in the areas of education, research, culture, sports and tourism as well as co-operation between media. The draft protocol made public by the Riga city council envisages promotion of co-operation of city council of both cities and delegation exchange, stipulating that each delegation may comprise no more than seven people and each party pays for plane tickets for its delegation. The draft protocol also envisages exchange of experience in developing draft legislation aimed at improving self-government system as well as economic and budget policy issues at the level of city legislation. The draft protocol offered by Moscow has been sent to Riga city council factions that should submit their proposals for co-operation. Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars Wednesday reiterated talking to reporters the protocol will be prepared for signing without delay but concrete terms have not been specified. Previously he described the protocol as declarative therefore the Riga city council should include concrete issues into it. The co-operation protocol with Moscow city government could be signed at the end of the year when Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov is expected arriving on a visit in Riga. With Moscow city council the protocol could be signed even earlier.

Draft protocol of co-operation between Riga and Moscow sets out as priorities expansion of contacts in the areas of education, research, culture, sports and tourism as well as co-operation between media. The draft protocol made public by the Riga city council envisages promotion of co-operation of city council of both cities and delegation exchange, stipulating that each delegation may comprise no more than seven people and each party pays for plane tickets for its delegation. The draft protocol also envisages exchange of experience in developing draft legislation aimed at improving self-government system as well as economic and budget policy issues at the level of city legislation. The draft protocol offered by Moscow has been sent to Riga city council factions that should submit their proposals for co-operation. Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars Wednesday reiterated talking to reporters the protocol will be prepared for signing without delay but concrete terms have not been specified. Previously he described the protocol as declarative therefore the Riga city council should include concrete issues into it. The co-operation protocol with Moscow city government could be signed at the end of the year when Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov is expected arriving on a visit in Riga. With Moscow city council the protocol could be signed even earlier. Diena

Wednesday the Constitutional Court initiated the first case in this court in Latvia on a claim by a private individual, contesting compliance to the Constitution of norms under the state language law and government regulations on spelling names and surnames in documents. Constitutional Court Chairman Aivars Endzins told BNS the claimant so far has contested at all court instances of the general jurisdiction the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Department to make Latvian spelling Mencena of the surname Mentzen. All general jurisdiction courts had turned down her complaint. Juta Mentzen-Mencena said in her claim to the court the state language law and corresponding government regulations on spelling names and surnames in documents do not comply with the provision under the Constitution on inviolability of privacy. The claim also cites two court judgements of the European Court of Human Rights. The court panel requested the parliament and government provide response on

Wednesday the Constitutional Court initiated the first case in this court in Latvia on a claim by a private individual, contesting compliance to the Constitution of norms under the state language law and government regulations on spelling names and surnames in documents. Constitutional Court Chairman Aivars Endzins told BNS the claimant so far has contested at all court instances of the general jurisdiction the decision of the Citizenship and Migration Department to make Latvian spelling Mencena of the surname Mentzen. All general jurisdiction courts had turned down her complaint. Juta Mentzen-Mencena said in her claim to the court the state language law and corresponding government regulations on spelling names and surnames in documents do not comply with the provision under the Constitution on inviolability of privacy. The claim also cites two court judgements of the European Court of Human Rights. The court panel requested the parliament and government provide response on

the matter by Sept. 3. Under recent amendments to the law on Constitutional Court, in effect since July 1, the circle of persons entitled to filing a claim with the court was expanded so to embrace private individuals. Private individuals can turn to the Constitutional Court only in the event their rights guaranteed under the constitution have been violated as well as all possibilities of appeal at the general jurisdiction courts have been exhausted. So far several dozens of residents have used the possibility to file the claim with the Constitutional Court but most of them do not fall into the court's competence for various reasons. The amendments also allow general jurisdiction courts to turn to the Constitutional Court if they, during consideration of a case, come across a norm not complying with the constitution. Also entitled to turn to the Constitutional Court are justices of Land Book register. The amendments also have expanded possibilities of local authorities and National Human Rights Office.

the matter by Sept. 3. Under recent amendments to the law on Constitutional Court, in effect since July 1, the circle of persons entitled to filing a claim with the court was expanded so to embrace private individuals. Private individuals can turn to the Constitutional Court only in the event their rights guaranteed under the constitution have been violated as well as all possibilities of appeal at the general jurisdiction courts have been exhausted. So far several dozens of residents have used the possibility to file the claim with the Constitutional Court but most of them do not fall into the court's competence for various reasons. The amendments also allow general jurisdiction courts to turn to the Constitutional Court if they, during consideration of a case, come across a norm not complying with the constitution. Also entitled to turn to the Constitutional Court are justices of Land Book register. The amendments also have expanded possibilities of local authorities and National Human Rights Office. Diena, Neatkariga, Panorama Latvii, Respublika, Chas

Note: On a related point, the Mission is now reviewing a regulation being considered by the Cabinet of Ministers which provides a style guide (codex) for the transcription of names into Latvian from other languages. It is not clear if this draft regulation would supplement or replace the regulations being challenged in the Court case noted above.

Neatkariga

interviews Riga City Council mayor G.Bojars. In G.Bojars opinion he is contributing to the stability of political situation in the country as he is not taking measures just to make himself popular but he is implementing long-term development programmes. Once again G.Bojars stresses that his political views and activities are not always in compliance with the views of his father J.Bojars, Social Democrats Party chairperson.

Weekly Russian newspaper Subbota interviews OSCE Mission to Latvia head P.Semneby on the role and activities of the OSCE Mission in Latvia.