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

President Ulmanis at his press-conference last Monday said that he had not received any documents from

President Ulmanis at his press-conference last Monday said that he had not received any documents from "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK debating his opinion on naturalization issues. "I haven't heard about any objections expressed by "TB" and the only information that I have is obtained from radio and TV broadcasts," said the President. Mr. Ulmanis stressed that he would continue expressing his opinion on important issues and noted that the freedom of speech was "one of the advantages of our democratic state". The president may have a meeting with "TB"/LNNK representatives this weeks after his return from Sweden. Diena, Chas

The European Parliament has launched a project aimed at supporting the observance of human rights and encouraging the abolishment of the death penalty. The project involves special conference on the issue for Government members, legislators and representatives of international organizations. The first conference has already been held in Estonia. According to Estonian representatives, the country could not abolish the capital punishment and complained about a high crime rate. They also expressed concern about a possible inflow of criminals from Russia in case Estonia abolished the death penalty. The author of the article in

The European Parliament has launched a project aimed at supporting the observance of human rights and encouraging the abolishment of the death penalty. The project involves special conference on the issue for Government members, legislators and representatives of international organizations. The first conference has already been held in Estonia. According to Estonian representatives, the country could not abolish the capital punishment and complained about a high crime rate. They also expressed concern about a possible inflow of criminals from Russia in case Estonia abolished the death penalty. The author of the article in "DIENA" points to an importance of an open nation-wide discussion of the issue. Diena

Only 55 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports valid for travel outside Latvia. Old Soviet passports become invalid for travel abroad on January 1, 1998. Around 600 thousand non-citizens still hold old passports. The CID will receive additional resources to facilitate the issuance of new passports. Still, its Director Ints Zitars does not believe that the CID will be able to handle all requests for new passports if all holders of Soviet passports apply before the New Year.

Only 55 thousand non-citizens have received new alien passports valid for travel outside Latvia. Old Soviet passports become invalid for travel abroad on January 1, 1998. Around 600 thousand non-citizens still hold old passports. The CID will receive additional resources to facilitate the issuance of new passports. Still, its Director Ints Zitars does not believe that the CID will be able to handle all requests for new passports if all holders of Soviet passports apply before the New Year. Chas