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 Review

Press Review

Yesterday several

Yesterday several Saeima deputies left the Unity Party and the "Tautai un Taisnibai" factions. Five "Tautai un Taisnibai" deputies (Gunta Gannusa, Andris Saulitis, Janis Strods, Ojars Grinbergs and Olgerts Dunkers) joined the "Saimnieks" faction. The "Tautai un Taisnibai" faction was formed last year by former Zigerist's party deputies. One "TT" member (Saeima Deputy-Secretary Maris Rudzitis) joined "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Earlier, "TB" terminated Leopolds Ozolins's mandate after the deputy voted against Skele's Cabinet. Ozolins objected to Juris Kaksitis ("Saimnieks") taking the post of Deputy Prime-Minister. "TB" again has 14 seats in the Saeima. Unity Party faction member Edgars Bans joined "Saimnieks". Now "Saimnieks" has 23 seats. Adolfs Locmelis, formerly a "Unity" member, joined the Farmers' Union/the Union of Christian Democrats. Three remaining "Unity" members have not joined any faction yet and may retain the status of independent deputies. Diena

Leopolds Ozolins was the only

Leopolds Ozolins was the only "TB" member voting against Skele's Cabinet. His mandate was terminated by "TB" for violating faction discipline. Ozolins claimed that candidate for Deputy Prime-Minister Juris Kaksitis in 1986, while a judge, sentenced a young dissident to five years in a reformatory camp. With the beginning of "perestroyka" the dissident was released and forced to emigrate to USA. Kaksitis does not deny his possible participation in the political persecution while Ziedonis Cevers said that Kaksitis "was following the laws that were in force then." Diena

"Saimnieks"

suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the suggested amendments to the Citizenship Law that would grant Latvian citizenship to all ethnic Poles permanently residing in Latvia who do not have citizenship of any other state. The amendments were declined by a majority of deputies and were not passed to the Saeima Saeima committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." committees. The deputies objected to granting privileges to an ethnic group. Bartasevics, Lujans, Dozortsev, Urbanovics and Jurkans submitted draft amendments granting citizenship to all children born in Latvia, one of whose parents was a permanent resident. The amendments also provide for canceling of the "window mechanism", i.e., giving the right to obtain citizenship through naturalization to all permanent residents without any age restrictions. In connection with the suggested amendment Bartasevics pointed at OSCE High Commissioner van der Stoel's objections to the "window mechanism." NeatkarigaNeatkariga