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

Last Saturday (13 September) a conference on the

Last Saturday (13 September) a conference on the Satversme Court and human rights was held in Riga. Its participants discussed the possibility of giving individuals the right to apply to the Satversme Court. The legislation in force does not provide for such an opportunity. The right of an individual to apply to the Constitutional court is provided by the European Convention on Human Rights. Judge of the European Human Rights Court Mr. Egils Levits spoke in support of amending the existing legislation to give individuals the right to apply to the Satversme Court if they have already applied to all court instances. Diena

"DIENA"

interviewed several prominent Latvian politicians on the possibility of reducing the number of employment restrictions currently applied to non-citizens. The Latvian Human Rights Bureau believes that part of the restrictions should be abolished. These are the restrictions of non-citizens' right to work as private detectives, armed guards, members of air vessel crews, sworn attorneys, assistants to sworn attorneys and a restriction of non-citizens' right to receive the license for establishing a pharmacy business. The interviewed several prominent Latvian politicians on the possibility of reducing the number of employment restrictions currently applied to non-citizens. The Latvian Human Rights Bureau believes that part of the restrictions should be abolished. These are the restrictions of non-citizens' right to work as private detectives, armed guards, members of air vessel crews, sworn attorneys, assistants to sworn attorneys and a restriction of non-citizens' right to receive the license for establishing a pharmacy business. The SaeimaSaeima has canceled only one of the restrictions by giving non-citizens the right to work as firefighters. Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev of the "Peoples' Harmony" faction is skeptical about the situation and believes that the governing coalition is not willing to support any considerable changes in the legislation that would expand non-citizens' rights. Head of the has canceled only one of the restrictions by giving non-citizens the right to work as firefighters. Mr. Vladlen Dozortsev of the "Peoples' Harmony" faction is skeptical about the situation and believes that the governing coalition is not willing to support any considerable changes in the legislation that would expand non-citizens' rights. Head of the "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans suggests to consider the issue of restrictions in connection with amendments to the naturalization procedure. Still, he believes that citizens should have the sole right to work as sworn attorneys and captains of air vessels. faction Ernests Jurkans suggests to consider the issue of restrictions in connection with amendments to the naturalization procedure. Still, he believes that citizens should have the sole right to work as sworn attorneys and captains of air vessels. "Latvijas Cels""Latvijas Cels" deputy Karlis Leiskalns said that deputy Karlis Leiskalns said that "LC""LC" supported the abolishment of all restrictions with an exception of the right of a non-citizen to be a captain of an air vessel. Juris Sinka of supported the abolishment of all restrictions with an exception of the right of a non-citizen to be a captain of an air vessel. Juris Sinka of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK"Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK insists that most of the restrictions should be preserved. The only restriction that can be discussed, according to Sinka, is the one not allowing a non-citizen to run a pharmacy. Chairman of the insists that most of the restrictions should be preserved. The only restriction that can be discussed, according to Sinka, is the one not allowing a non-citizen to run a pharmacy. Chairman of the SaeimaSaeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts told "DIENA""DIENA" that the Committee would consider all suggestions on possible abolishment of the restrictions. that the Committee would consider all suggestions on possible abolishment of the restrictions.

"SM" interviewed leading Latvian politicians on the recent meeting of the Head of the OSCE Mission to Latvia with the Latvian President. Head of the Mission Charles Magee recommended to reduce naturalization fee, to simplify history and language tests and to grant citizenship to all children born in Latvia after August 1991. Aleksandrs Kirsteins of the AParty for National Reforms@ said that the measures suggested by Mr. Magee would not give any tangible results since non-citizens have better opportunities for business activities in Russia than Latvian citizens. Christian Democrat A.Rugate believes that the recommendations should be thoroughly considered. Still, the peculiar situation in the country should be kept in mind as well. Ziedonis Cevers ("Saimnieks") and Dzintars Abikis ("Latvijas Cels") share Mr. Magee's views. Mr. Abikis does not believe the naturalization fee to be too high. SM

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs had a meeting with

Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs had a meeting with "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction members on the Border Agreement with Russia. "TB"/LNNK still insisted on referring to the 1920 Peace Treaty in the Agreement. Neatkariga