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

A special

A special Saeima committee is working on the draft of the Second Part of the Satversme entitled "On Human Rights". The final version of the draft is expected to be submitted to the Saeima in November. Mr. Ilmars Bisers, Chairman of the committee currently working on the draft, believes that Latvia will not be able to join the European Union without providing constitutional guarantees of human rights. The existing "Law on the Rights of an Individual and a Citizen" does not have the force of a constitutional law since it was not adopted by a qualified majority of votes. According to Mr. Bisers, the draft is based on constitutions of the EU countries and on international human rights instruments. Most of the discussions in the working committee are focused on the acceptability of capital punishment and on the difference between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Still, Head of the Saeima Juridical Committee Antons Seiksts noted that most of the arguments concern legal issues rather than political ones. Diena

According to a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the border agreement with Latvia as well as President Ulmanis' visit to Russia are not scheduled for the nearest future. He explained that although all the required documents were prepared, the agreement could not be signed until delimitation maps were completed.

According to a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signing of the border agreement with Latvia as well as President Ulmanis' visit to Russia are not scheduled for the nearest future. He explained that although all the required documents were prepared, the agreement could not be signed until delimitation maps were completed. B&B

According to the opinion poll by the SKDS company,

According to the opinion poll by the SKDS company, "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK has the highest rating among Latvia's inhabitants (13.6%). "TB"/LNNK is followed by Bojars' Social Democrats (12.3%), "Saimnieks" (9.4%) and "Latvijas Cels" (8.4%). All other parties are supported by not more than 4% of inhabitants. The poll shows the growth of "Saimnieks" popularity. All state institutions have a negative rating. The most unpopular ones are the Customs, the Police, the State Revenue Service, the Saeima, the State Human Rights Office, the Army and local self-governments. Neatkariga