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

On Thursday the Saeima adopted in the first reading the draft law Amendments to the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia anticipating to define more clearly the basic human rights. It is said in the draft law that all people in Latvia shall be equal before the Law and the Court, and realisation of obligations and freedoms fixed in the Satversme is ensured with no discrimination.

On Thursday the Saeima adopted in the first reading the draft law Amendments to the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia anticipating to define more clearly the basic human rights. It is said in the draft law that all people in Latvia shall be equal before the Law and the Court, and realisation of obligations and freedoms fixed in the Satversme is ensured with no discrimination. Neatkariga, Rita Zinas

Neatkariga

informs about the case of Russian artist Fateyev who has to leave the country upon an expulsion order of the DCMA. According to the DCMA, Fateyev has acquired informs about the case of Russian artist Fateyev who has to leave the country upon an expulsion order of the DCMA. According to the DCMA, Fateyev has acquired propiska propiska and residence permit illegally and, after the fact had been established, refused to legalise his staying in a legal way. In his turn Fateyev maintains that his actions were legal, and the DCMA was guilty for this problem. Russian newspaper and residence permit illegally and, after the fact had been established, refused to legalise his staying in a legal way. In his turn Fateyev maintains that his actions were legal, and the DCMA was guilty for this problem. Russian newspaper ChasChas looks at this problem from a different angle. looks at this problem from a different angle. The Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs considers that expressions of the NHRO Director O.Bruveris concerning State Audit findings at the NHRO hinder Latvian co-operation with international organisations. The Head of the Saeima Human Rights Commission A.Seiks holds the same opinion.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs V.Birkavs considers that expressions of the NHRO Director O.Bruveris concerning State Audit findings at the NHRO hinder Latvian co-operation with international organisations. The Head of the Saeima Human Rights Commission A.Seiks holds the same opinion. Neatkariga, Rita Zinas

The Riga City Council plans to ban

The Riga City Council plans to ban Latvian Socialist Party to organise any public events. Before the rally of May 14 LSP signed a document undertaking all responsibility for it. When the permission was granted, there were leaflets circulated with Neo-bolshevik content and the very rally turned into this mood. Neatkariga, Chas

The Chairman of the faction

The Chairman of the faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK J.Straume was elected the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima to replace A.Jirgens who stepped down from this post due to a scandal. Diena, Rita Zinas, Chas

The Saeima at its ordinary sitting has adopted the Law on General Education in the first reading. A member of the Saeima Committee on Education, Culture and Science A.Tomasuns considers that most lively debates could be on the state language. He thinks that this issue should be solved in such a way that Russia could not use it in “its games”. The Chairman of this commission Dz.Abikis stressed that it should be achieved that at least half of all subjects in secondary schools and all in professional education would be taught in the Latvian language till 2005.

The Saeima at its ordinary sitting has adopted the Law on General Education in the first reading. A member of the Saeima Committee on Education, Culture and Science A.Tomasuns considers that most lively debates could be on the state language. He thinks that this issue should be solved in such a way that Russia could not use it in its games. The Chairman of this commission Dz.Abikis stressed that it should be achieved that at least half of all subjects in secondary schools and all in professional education would be taught in the Latvian language till 2005. Jauna Avize

The Speaker of the Saeima A.Cepanis gave an interview to the newspaper

SM where he expressed his opinion on the situation with adopting the amendments to the Law on Citizenship. Cepanis thinks that the faction Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK will stick, although unwillingly, to its promise to the coalition partners to amend the Law on Citizenship. But they would use any means possibile to prevent the Saeima from adopting all the amendments. SM