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

Latvian Trade Unions, leaders of some political parties and NGOs passed a joint appeal on August 6 to the Saeima Speaker Janis Straume asking to delay for two months publishing of the amendments to the Pension Law. The meeting supported the idea about a public referendum. Straume will not make a decision about proclaiming the amendments to the law before Thursday, August 12. Straume allowed the possibility that during this week the 35 deputies from the opposition factions who asked the president not to proclaim the amendments may reconsider their decision and withdraw the signatures.

Latvian Trade Unions, leaders of some political parties and NGOs passed a joint appeal on August 6 to the Saeima Speaker Janis Straume asking to delay for two months publishing of the amendments to the Pension Law. The meeting supported the idea about a public referendum. Straume will not make a decision about proclaiming the amendments to the law before Thursday, August 12. Straume allowed the possibility that during this week the 35 deputies from the opposition factions who asked the president not to proclaim the amendments may reconsider their decision and withdraw the signatures. Diena, Neatkariga

Reforms in the field of education suggested by the new government are contradictory and some of them superficial and ungrounded, think school teachers. After Education Minister Silva Golde, it is possible to raise teachers’ salaries by closing the small rural schools and reducing the amount of classes.

Reforms in the field of education suggested by the new government are contradictory and some of them superficial and ungrounded, think school teachers. After Education Minister Silva Golde, it is possible to raise teachers salaries by closing the small rural schools and reducing the amount of classes.

As there are more than 3000 pension-age teachers working at schools the school directors expect problems starting January 1, 2000 if the amendments to the Pension Law enter into effect making pension-age teachers decide to quit their jobs and live on the pension. As a result, it is possible that some subjects will not be taught at all.

As there are more than 3000 pension-age teachers working at schools the school directors expect problems starting January 1, 2000 if the amendments to the Pension Law enter into effect making pension-age teachers decide to quit their jobs and live on the pension. As a result, it is possible that some subjects will not be taught at all. Diena

Director of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers’ opinion is that passing over the functions of the Constitutional Court to the Supreme Court would mean a step back in Latvia’s way to lawful state and democratic society.

Director of the Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers opinion is that passing over the functions of the Constitutional Court to the Supreme Court would mean a step back in Latvias way to lawful state and democratic society. Diena

After the statement released by press office of Russia’s plenipotentiary in human rights issues Oleg Mironov, Latvia systematically violates the General Declaration of Human Rights as well as its commitments in the role of the CE member state. Mironov has registered more than 40 differences in the rights of Latvian citizens and non-citizens. Mironov has decided to suggest to Russia’s delegation to the CE Parliamentary Assembly to propose putting Latvia’s issue on the Assembly’s agenda. Latvian Foreign Ministry’s press officer Janis Silis said that the human rights situation in Latvia is regularly studied by international experts who think that human rights are not violated in Latvia.

After the statement released by press office of Russias plenipotentiary in human rights issues Oleg Mironov, Latvia systematically violates the General Declaration of Human Rights as well as its commitments in the role of the CE member state. Mironov has registered more than 40 differences in the rights of Latvian citizens and non-citizens. Mironov has decided to suggest to Russias delegation to the CE Parliamentary Assembly to propose putting Latvias issue on the Assemblys agenda. Latvian Foreign Ministrys press officer Janis Silis said that the human rights situation in Latvia is regularly studied by international experts who think that human rights are not violated in Latvia. Neatkariga 07.08., Chas, Panorama Latvii 09.08.