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

Yesterday President Ulmanis in an interview for the National Radio objected to amending the Law on the

Yesterday President Ulmanis in an interview for the National Radio objected to amending the Law on the Saeima Elections. The President criticized the amendments for "banning new parties from the Parliament." The first reading of the draft amendments has been adopted by the Saeima and bans political parties formed later than three years before the election day from participating in the Saeima elections. Diena

Yesterday State Human Rights Office Director Olafs Bruvers and his Deputy Kaija Gertnere held a meeting with President Ulmanis. The President said that he expected the Office to work out recommendations on naturalization and general integration of Latvia's society. Mr. Bruvers noted that the Human Rights Office had not received any complaints related to naturalization. The agenda of the meeting included a discussion of the immediate tasks of the Office. Those are protection of the rights of the most vulnerable social groups (children, the disabled, the poor). Mr. Bruvers told the President that he did not see any human rights problems in Latvia that would not allow the country to enter the European Union. Still, he pointed at the necessity of abolishing employment restrictions for non-citizens that contradict the freedom of a free choice of vocation supported by international human rights instruments. Mr. Bruvers also stressed the importance of abolishing death penalty for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with the European Human Rights Convention Protocol.

Yesterday State Human Rights Office Director Olafs Bruvers and his Deputy Kaija Gertnere held a meeting with President Ulmanis. The President said that he expected the Office to work out recommendations on naturalization and general integration of Latvia's society. Mr. Bruvers noted that the Human Rights Office had not received any complaints related to naturalization. The agenda of the meeting included a discussion of the immediate tasks of the Office. Those are protection of the rights of the most vulnerable social groups (children, the disabled, the poor). Mr. Bruvers told the President that he did not see any human rights problems in Latvia that would not allow the country to enter the European Union. Still, he pointed at the necessity of abolishing employment restrictions for non-citizens that contradict the freedom of a free choice of vocation supported by international human rights instruments. Mr. Bruvers also stressed the importance of abolishing death penalty for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with the European Human Rights Convention Protocol. Diena, Neatkariga

Andrejs Krastins, former Minister of Defense and a co-founder of National Party for Reforms, told

Andrejs Krastins, former Minister of Defense and a co-founder of National Party for Reforms, told "SM" that the new party would support market economy reforms and would occupy a niche between "Latvijas Cels" and "Tevzemei un Brivibai" in Latvia's political spectrum. The party recognizes the right of non-citizens for naturalization and participation in the country's economic life.