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 Monday the Board of the Latvijas Cels distributed the appeal to public to support the Citizenship Law amendments and not to participate in canvassing the popular votes for the referendum. The Board of the Latvijas Cels described the petition to suspend the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments as a short-sighted, irresponsible step which can seriously undermine the state security. Representatives of several other parties (the People’s Party, the New Party, the Social Democratic Party) asked by the 

On Monday the Board of the Latvijas Cels distributed the appeal to public to support the Citizenship Law amendments and not to participate in canvassing the popular votes for the referendum. The Board of the Latvijas Cels described the petition to suspend the promulgation of the Citizenship Law amendments as a short-sighted, irresponsible step which can seriously undermine the state security. Representatives of several other parties (the Peoples Party, the New Party, the Social Democratic Party) asked by theDiena to evaluate the call for the referendum, are against the referendum, since it will be a part of the political campaign of one party - the Tevzemei un Brivibai/LNNK.

According to the

According to the Neatkariga, the majority of the political parties, including those which are not represented in the parliament, are against the referendum.

Lauku Avize publishes an article about the visit of the Prime Minister to Kuldiga last Friday. Commenting the Citizenship Law amendments, Mr. Krasts said that they were made under the economic pressure of Russia and in great hurry implementing the recommendations of the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. As a result, 49 deputies who voted for the granting of citizenship to the children born after the independence, tried to attach the force of law to things which have not been discussed in the society and the Saeima. According to the Prime Minister, the adopted amendments opened the door for the automatic granting of the citizenship which will be encouraged by the further supplementary recommendations of the OSCE. The Prime Minister supported the using of rights provided by the Constitution to suspend the promulgation of the law. Lauku Avize

Starting 1 July the internal passports of the former USSR will not be valid for the return to Latvia.

Starting 1 July the internal passports of the former USSR will not be valid for the return to Latvia. Panorama Latvii

SM puts the blame for the failure to implement the Citizenship Law amendments not only on the Tevzemei un Brivibai/ LNNK, but also on the Latvijas Cels which due to the lack of will, allowed the TB/LNNK to remain in the government and to deceive the world community.

In an interview for the

In an interview for the SM Jury Kuznecov, the Deputy Chair of the Committees on the Relations with the CIS and Countrymen at the Russian Duma (Parliament) said that before coming to Latvia he knew about the serious human rights violations here, but his visit showed that the situation is more serious, since there are obvious signs of the Fascism in Latvia. He referred to the decision of the Saeima to proclaim the 16 of March a Commemoration Day of the Latvian Soldiers.

The State President has decided to promulgate the Criminal Law with a special clause stating that the law comes into the force along with the new Criminal Procedure Code and the Code on the Implementation of Punishment which might be considered by the Saeima before the elections.

The State President has decided to promulgate the Criminal Law with a special clause stating that the law comes into the force along with the new Criminal Procedure Code and the Code on the Implementation of Punishment which might be considered by the Saeima before the elections. Neatkariga