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

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima elected former State Minister for Human Rights Olafs Bruveris ("Saimnieks") Director of the State Human Rights Office. 58 deputies voted for the candidate while 18 voted against Bruveris and 5 abstained. Mr. Bruveris' candidature was opposed by "Tevzemei un Brivibai". Its representative Juris Vidins questioned Mr. Bruveris' past pointing at a mild punishment for his dissident activities in Soviet times. He also criticized Mr. Bruveris for being biased and focusing only on the rights of non-citizens. Mr. Cevers ("Saimnieks") called Vidins' remarks "an evidence a moral crisis in the country." In a brief interview for "SM" Mr. Bruveris said that he saw bringing Latvia's human rights legislation into compliance with European norms as his basic task. SM, Diena

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov has been holding meetings with

Russian Ambassador Udaltsov has been holding meetings with Saeima faction representatives and independent deputies. The Ambassador had meetings with "Saimnieks", "Latvijas Cels", "People's Harmony", the Socialists, "The Equal Rights", "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and "Latvijai". The Ambassador told "SM" that there were notable differences in the approach of different political parties to the issue of Russian-speakers. Mr. Udaltsov believes that repatriation of Russian-speakers suggested by "Tevzemei un Brivibai" would be a violation of human rights. He said that he had a constructive discussion with "Latvijai" representatives. The faction suggested an amendment to the Citizenship Law that would allow granting Latvian citizenship to all Latvian language school and university graduates. The governing coalition declined the amendment. The Russian Ambassador said that most of the deputies showed a constructive approach to existing problems allowing "to consider future perspectives with moderate optimism." SM

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the first reading of draft amendments to the Satversme extending the term of the Saeima power for one year (four years instead of current three years). Neatkariga