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

Latvia’s Way will be supporting the re-election of Latvia's current President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. LW reports that the support for Vike-Freiberga would be in order to ensure Latvia's accession to the European Union and NATO. After joining the EU and NATO, LW is prepared to discuss the possibility of a popular elected president.

Latvias Way will be supporting the re-election of Latvia's current President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. LW reports that the support for Vike-Freiberga would be in order to ensure Latvia's accession to the European Union and NATO. After joining the EU and NATO, LW is prepared to discuss the possibility of a popular elected president. Diena, Chas

Bizness & Baltija media group owner Vladimir Gurov had submitted a claim against the provision under the Radio and Television Law requiring broadcasting companies to limit the use of languages other than Latvian to 25 percent of their total daily broadcasting time. Because of this provision, Radio Bizness & Baltija, a radio station with a target audience of Russian-speakers, is unable to air as much Russian-language broadcasts as it deems to be necessary. Gurov believes this statutory provision is contradictory to the Latvian Constitution articles about human rights, the right to freedom of speech and the right of ethnic minorities to preserve and develop their language, ethnic and culture peculiarities. Moreover, this requirement also fails to comply with the European Convention of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms and the Covenant on Civic and Political Rights. Ojars Rubenis, the chairman of the Latvian broadcasting media watchdog, the National Radio and Television Council, told BNS that one can always find something to contest and review in a law but so far the language use restrictions "have been a problem only for Radio Bizness & Baltija and Mr. Gurov." Rubenis said the Latvian laws governing audio-visual area have been approved by the European Union and the European Commission did not have any objections to restrictions on use of foreign languages. Constitutional Court acting chairman Romans Apsitis told BNS that the court panel will review Gurov's application of claim in next few weeks to decide whether a case should or should not be opened over his allegations. Radio Bizness & Baltija has been quarrelling with the National Radio and Television Council over the language use restrictions for a long time. The council several times wanted to suspend the radio station's operations but Radio Bizness & Baltija always appealed against these decisions. There are several radio stations in Latvia targeting the Russian-speaking audience. Whenever the National Radio and Television Council detects excessive broadcasting in languages other than Latvian, the guilty station's broadcasting rights get suspended for one or several days.

Bizness & Baltija media group owner Vladimir Gurov had submitted a claim against the provision under the Radio and Television Law requiring broadcasting companies to limit the use of languages other than Latvian to 25 percent of their total daily broadcasting time. Because of this provision, Radio Bizness & Baltija, a radio station with a target audience of Russian-speakers, is unable to air as much Russian-language broadcasts as it deems to be necessary. Gurov believes this statutory provision is contradictory to the Latvian Constitution articles about human rights, the right to freedom of speech and the right of ethnic minorities to preserve and develop their language, ethnic and culture peculiarities. Moreover, this requirement also fails to comply with the European Convention of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms and the Covenant on Civic and Political Rights. Ojars Rubenis, the chairman of the Latvian broadcasting media watchdog, the National Radio and Television Council, told BNS that one can always find something to contest and review in a law but so far the language use restrictions "have been a problem only for Radio Bizness & Baltija and Mr. Gurov." Rubenis said the Latvian laws governing audio-visual area have been approved by the European Union and the European Commission did not have any objections to restrictions on use of foreign languages. Constitutional Court acting chairman Romans Apsitis told BNS that the court panel will review Gurov's application of claim in next few weeks to decide whether a case should or should not be opened over his allegations. Radio Bizness & Baltija has been quarrelling with the National Radio and Television Council over the language use restrictions for a long time. The council several times wanted to suspend the radio station's operations but Radio Bizness & Baltija always appealed against these decisions. There are several radio stations in Latvia targeting the Russian-speaking audience. Whenever the National Radio and Television Council detects excessive broadcasting in languages other than Latvian, the guilty station's broadcasting rights get suspended for one or several days. Diena, BNS, Chas

Russia's public television channel ORT is set to broadcast a documentary on Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Thursday evening, as part of its Formula of Power series project. The film will speak of Vike-Freiberga's fate, her life in exile and her family, as well as her beliefs as to what the life of every Latvian should be like in ten years time.

Russia's public television channel ORT is set to broadcast a documentary on Latvia's President Vaira Vike-Freiberga on Thursday evening, as part of its Formula of Power series project. The film will speak of Vike-Freiberga's fate, her life in exile and her family, as well as her beliefs as to what the life of every Latvian should be like in ten years time. Diena

Social Democrat chairperson J.Bojars talks about the plans and perspectives of the party. As the main goal for the party is to win at the next Saeima election and J.Bojars is very sure of the victory.

Social Democrat chairperson J.Bojars talks about the plans and perspectives of the party. As the main goal for the party is to win at the next Saeima election and J.Bojars is very sure of the victory. Jauna

Friday at Riga City Council about 30-40 young people who support the movement “Solidarity” took part in non-sanctioned meeting. 2 City Council deputies, as well as Riga City vice mayor S.Dolgopolovs talk to the audience and tried to explain the measures taken in regard to education policy.

Friday at Riga City Council about 30-40 young people who support the movement Solidarity took part in non-sanctioned meeting. 2 City Council deputies, as well as Riga City vice mayor S.Dolgopolovs talk to the audience and tried to explain the measures taken in regard to education policy. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Russia-Latvia intergovernmental committee chairperson A.Gorbunovs gave a positive evaluation to co-operation between Riga and Moscow, however, calls Riga Mayor G.Bojars to sign such agreement that does not contradict to the Latvian legislation, otherwise G.Bojars would have to resign from the post of the Mayor.

Russia-Latvia intergovernmental committee chairperson A.Gorbunovs gave a positive evaluation to co-operation between Riga and Moscow, however, calls Riga Mayor G.Bojars to sign such agreement that does not contradict to the Latvian legislation, otherwise G.Bojars would have to resign from the post of the Mayor. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

talks with the leaders of Solidarity about their experience at the Security Police. J.Obolevich says I was examined for more than three hours. At the beginning they offered me to work for them. Then they told me that I should say farewell to my job at the municipal police and that my studies at the Police Academy will be under the question because of my activities. The questions were mainly about the relation of Solidarity to national bolshevistic organisations and my personal connections and acquaintances. When after three hours I said that I do not have anything else to tell, they replied It is easy to get here – it is difficult to get out. The founder of Solidarity I.Stalnoj shares with his experience at the Security Police with newspaper talks with the leaders of “Solidarity” about their experience at the Security Police. J.Obolevich says “I was examined for more than three hours. At the beginning they offered me to work for them. Then they told me that I should say farewell to my job at the municipal police and that my studies at the Police Academy will be under the question because of my activities. The questions were mainly about the relation of “Solidarity” to national bolshevistic organisations and my personal connections and acquaintances. When after three hours I said that I do not have anything else to tell, they replied “It is easy to get here – it is difficult to get out””. The founder of “Solidarity” I.Stalnoj shares with his experience at the Security Police with newspaper ChasChas. He is indignant about the difference in the reaction of the authorities to activities of Garda and his movement. . He is indignant about the difference in the reaction of the authorities to activities of Garda and his movement.