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

Press Report

The Government forming factions will consider all proposals of the Free Trade Unions on the amendments to the pension law and formulate their position by Monday. Currently these parties do not have a common position on what proposals should be included for consideration in the second reading.

The Government forming factions will consider all proposals of the Free Trade Unions on the amendments to the pension law and formulate their position by Monday. Currently these parties do not have a common position on what proposals should be included for consideration in the second reading. Neatkariga, Diena, Bizness & Baltiya

Teachers have started their protest actions by a picket by the Saeima. They ask to increase their salaries starting form January 1, 2000.

Teachers have started their protest actions by a picket by the Saeima. They ask to increase their salaries starting form January 1, 2000. Neatkariga

Prime Minister A.Skele has planned to address the deputies of the Saeima and report on the Government activities during the first 100 days of its rule.

Prime Minister A.Skele has planned to address the deputies of the Saeima and report on the Government activities during the first 100 days of its rule. Neatkariga, Diena

Four of the six Saeima factions have promised to support the draft budget for 2000 in the first reading – the three ruling factions and the New Party from the opposition. The Chairman of NP S.Dreimane acknowledged that the Party had some objections to this budget, but they would be submitted for the second reading.

Four of the six Saeima factions have promised to support the draft budget for 2000 in the first reading – the three ruling factions and the New Party from the opposition. The Chairman of NP S.Dreimane acknowledged that the Party had some objections to this budget, but they would be submitted for the second reading. Neatkariga

Due to the internal political situation the visit of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Saudarg is postponed for some time in the future.

Due to the internal political situation the visit of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs A.Saudarg is postponed for some time in the future. Neatkariga

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that Latvia is prosecuting the executors of Stalinist repression to kindle anti-Russian feelings. Official representative of MFA V.Rahmanin stated that these actions were a political order, no doubt. He pointed out that such a position did favour neither the public consolidation in Latvia nor forming of good neighbourly relations with Russia. In its turn t Latvian MFA announced that the court proceedings against persons accused in violations against mankind should not influence the relations of both countries.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that Latvia is prosecuting the executors of Stalinist repression to kindle anti-Russian feelings. Official representative of MFA V.Rahmanin stated that these actions were a political order, no doubt. He pointed out that such a position did favour neither the public consolidation in Latvia nor forming of good neighbourly relations with Russia. In its turn t Latvian MFA announced that the court proceedings against persons accused in violations against mankind should not influence the relations of both countries. Neatkariga

On Thursday, the Saeima, discussing in the final reading the amendments to the law on public organisations and their unions could cross out the norm, proposed by Peoples Party that would increase the original number members of a public organisation from 200 to 1000 Latvian citizens. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels faction K.Libane pointed out that the wish to increase the number of party members five times causes doubt that it would correspond to the human rights principles.

On Thursday, the Saeima, discussing in the final reading the amendments to the law on public organisations and their unions could cross out the norm, proposed by Peoples Party that would increase the original number members of a public organisation from 200 to 1000 Latvian citizens. The Chairman of Latvijas Cels faction K.Libane pointed out that the wish to increase the number of party members five times causes doubt that it would correspond to the human rights principles. Diena

On Wednesday and agreement was signed on granting 708 935USD additional financing to the National Language Training Program. Six donor countries – Sweden, GB, USA, DENMARK, Norway and Finland, have granted the money. Finnish Ambassador to Latvia H.Hamelainen said that the activities of the NLLTP were well organised and effective and there was no other program that could substitute it. The granted money is planned to be used for organising the Latvian language training courses, it will be enough only for 800 groups.

On Wednesday and agreement was signed on granting 708 935USD additional financing to the National Language Training Program. Six donor countries – Sweden, GB, USA, DENMARK, Norway and Finland, have granted the money. Finnish Ambassador to Latvia H.Hamelainen said that the activities of the NLLTP were well organised and effective and there was no other program that could substitute it. The granted money is planned to be used for organising the Latvian language training courses, it will be enough only for 800 groups. Diena, Jauna Avize

The Prime Minister together with the ruling coalition had driven them to a cul-de-sack what concerns the Language law because it is evident that the current law returned for consideration by the President is a failure. But the deputies may amend only those articles, which the President had objections to. But the other articles, even the most absurd ones, the deputies may not change. So there will remain articles contradictory to some European conventions and the recommendations of the OSCE. The members of the faction FHRIL B.Cilevic and M.Mitrofanov think that a completely new law, corresponding to the international standards, is necessary, but the ruling coalition will no go for it.

The Prime Minister together with the ruling coalition had driven them to a cul-de-sack what concerns the Language law because it is evident that the current law returned for consideration by the President is a failure. But the deputies may amend only those articles, which the President had objections to. But the other articles, even the most absurd ones, the deputies may not change. So there will remain articles contradictory to some European conventions and the recommendations of the OSCE. The members of the faction FHRIL B.Cilevic and M.Mitrofanov think that a completely new law, corresponding to the international standards, is necessary, but the ruling coalition will no go for it. Vesti Segodnya