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

Fifty eight Saeima deputies voted for the government of G.Krasts on May 1. The rest of the deputies did not vote. The faction of the DP Saimnieks doubted legality of the meeting and would ask the Satversme Court to examine it because the Prime Minister had asked for a simultaneous vote for the current and four newly invited members of the government. The Chairman of

Fifty eight Saeima deputies voted for the government of G.Krasts on May 1. The rest of the deputies did not vote. The faction of the DP Saimnieks doubted legality of the meeting and would ask the Satversme Court to examine it because the Prime Minister had asked for a simultaneous vote for the current and four newly invited members of the government. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels A.Pantelejevs announced that the party had voted for the government in advance. Should there be a slightest deviation from the promises given in the additional agreement, LC held the right to act differently. Diena

Very often in Latvian press, especially when writing about violations of the law, the nationality of persons detained or suspected is mentioned. Lately they also mention citizenship. The worst situation is with Romany people. Their nationality has been mentioned even when there are some other persons involved, bet nothing has been said about their nationality. Representatives of Latvian Romany people and National Human Rights Office find this kind of action discriminating and creating prejudices towards the totality of this nation.

Very often in Latvian press, especially when writing about violations of the law, the nationality of persons detained or suspected is mentioned. Lately they also mention citizenship. The worst situation is with Romany people. Their nationality has been mentioned even when there are some other persons involved, bet nothing has been said about their nationality. Representatives of Latvian Romany people and National Human Rights Office find this kind of action discriminating and creating prejudices towards the totality of this nation. Die- na, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga, SM, Chas, Panorama Latvii

Deputies of PACE Supervision Commission are not going to write a report on the human rights situation in Latvia because they plan to return here and examine the it more carefully. They found the vote of confidence for the government very important because it would confirm intention of Latvia to fulfil the recommendations of international organisations. PACE deputy from GB Terry Davis said that their visit did not mean an exam for Latvia. They just listened to reproaches, discussed them with the government and then listened to the other party once again. The discussion would no be finished this week.

Deputies of PACE Supervision Commission are not going to write a report on the human rights situation in Latvia because they plan to return here and examine the it more carefully. They found the vote of confidence for the government very important because it would confirm intention of Latvia to fulfil the recommendations of international organisations. PACE deputy from GB Terry Davis said that their visit did not mean an exam for Latvia. They just listened to reproaches, discussed them with the government and then listened to the other party once again. The discussion would no be finished this week. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize,

Latvian Human Rights Committee have collected data on complains of Latvias residents during the period of time from December 1992 till April 1998. The total number was 18 143. The majority of them - 5382 were about refusal to be registered in the Resident Register.

Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii informs about reconstruction of the Victory Monument that had been damaged in an explosion and about the planned rally of Red Army veterans on May 9.