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 Saeima has conceptually supported establishing June 17 as the commemoration day of occupation of the Republic of Latvia. Only the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia voted against this decision.

The Saeima has conceptually supported establishing June 17 as the commemoration day of occupation of the Republic of Latvia. Only the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia voted against this decision. Neatkariga, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

US diplomats handed over to Russian diplomats the answer to the letter of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to US State Secretary M.Albright where it was stated that the USA supported investigation of all war crimes disregarding the side offenders fought.

US diplomats handed over to Russian diplomats the answer to the letter of Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs to US State Secretary M.Albright where it was stated that the USA supported investigation of all war crimes disregarding the side offenders fought. Neatkariga

Russian Presidential election in Latvia starts today. The first election poll will be opened today in Jelgava, tomorrow in Jekabpils and Jurmala but on Sunday in Riga, Liepaja and Daugavpils.

Russian Presidential election in Latvia starts today. The first election poll will be opened today in Jelgava, tomorrow in Jekabpils and Jurmala but on Sunday in Riga, Liepaja and Daugavpils. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Respublika, Chas

The Constitutional Court judge A.Endzins initiated a court case on conformity of the Saeima election law to Latvian Constitution and European Convention on Basic Human Rights and Freedoms. The application was handed in by 23 opposition deputies who asked to evaluate the ban to vote for persons who after January 13, 1991 were members of prohibited in Latvia organisations.

The Constitutional Court judge A.Endzins initiated a court case on conformity of the Saeima election law to Latvian Constitution and European Convention on Basic Human Rights and Freedoms. The application was handed in by 23 opposition deputies who asked to evaluate the ban to vote for persons who after January 13, 1991 were members of prohibited in Latvia organisations. Neatkariga

Prime Minister A.Skele said yesterday that Latvia would follow EU policy and did not plan to receive refugees from Chechnya.

Prime Minister A.Skele said yesterday that Latvia would follow EU policy and did not plan to receive refugees from Chechnya. Neatkariga, Diena, Jauna Avize, Respublika, Chas

Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov hoped that Latvian – Russian relations could improve after the Presidential election in Russia.

Russian Ambassador to Latvia A.Udaltsov hoped that Latvian – Russian relations could improve after the Presidential election in Russia. Diena

A.Udaltsov made a sensational statement saying that Latvian statistics decreased the commodity turnover between Russia and Latvia for several times. According to the data of Russian Statistics Board the amount of last year had been decreased for 48% but his year – for 250 – 300%. This allows to draw a conclusion that Russia occupies not the 5th place as it is shown by Latvian experts and some politicians but is the main trade partner of Latvia.

A.Udaltsov made a sensational statement saying that Latvian statistics decreased the commodity turnover between Russia and Latvia for several times. According to the data of Russian Statistics Board the amount of last year had been decreased for 48% but his year – for 250 – 300%. This allows to draw a conclusion that Russia occupies not the 5th place as it is shown by Latvian experts and some politicians but is the main trade partner of Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

A.Udaltsov also thought that it was rather likely that the Russian National Council would adopt sanctions against Latvia, but he found this step as too heavy and clumsy artillery. Still he was sure that the law would not come into force. If it still happened and the federal authorities would have to implement the sanctions, they would go for a very long time, even after the reasons for those sanctions had disappeared.

A.Udaltsov also thought that it was rather likely that the Russian National Council would adopt sanctions against Latvia, but he found this step as too heavy and clumsy artillery. Still he was sure that the law would not come into force. If it still happened and the federal authorities would have to implement the sanctions, they would go for a very long time, even after the reasons for those sanctions had disappeared. Chas

Russian Embassy in Latvia Diena delayed issuing visa to OSCE Latvian delegation Head deputy H.Demakova who was to go to Moscow to observe Russian Presidential election. In the morning Ms. Demakova was refused to be issued a visa; the Embassy grounded this decision by the fact that Russian MFA had not given confirmation for issuing the visa. But later in the day the visa was issued. Jauna Avize

Russian Embassy in Latvia Diena delayed issuing visa to OSCE Latvian delegation Head deputy H.Demakova who was to go to Moscow to observe Russian Presidential election. In the morning Ms. Demakova was refused to be issued a visa; the Embassy grounded this decision by the fact that Russian MFA had not given confirmation for issuing the visa. But later in the day the visa was issued. Jauna Avize

The Council of Russian Citizens published a call to Russian citizens residing in Latvia to come to the election polls and elect the President.

The Council of Russian Citizens published a call to Russian citizens residing in Latvia to come to the election polls and elect the President. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga organised a press conference for Russian writing journalists where she answered the questions on the participants. V.V.Freiberga told about the existing lingual situation in Canada, expressed her conviction that non-citizens would receive the right of vote in the municipal election after 4 years.

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga organised a press conference for Russian writing journalists where she answered the questions on the participants. V.V.Freiberga told about the existing lingual situation in Canada, expressed her conviction that non-citizens would receive the right of vote in the municipal election after 4 years. Vesti Segodnya

Representatives of faction For Human Rights in United Latvia received an invitation of the Chairman of the Commission on Relations with Compatriots Abroad of the Russian National Council to discuss the issues of Russian – Latvia co-operation. The leader of the faction J.Jurkans answered the questions of Panorama Latvii journalist. He supposed that the discussion could be about the consequences of the sanctions. J.Jurkans hopped that the sanctions would no be imposed because they would effect also Russia.

Representatives of faction For Human Rights in United Latvia received an invitation of the Chairman of the Commission on Relations with Compatriots Abroad of the Russian National Council to discuss the issues of Russian – Latvia co-operation. The leader of the faction J.Jurkans answered the questions of Panorama Latvii journalist. He supposed that the discussion could be about the consequences of the sanctions. J.Jurkans hopped that the sanctions would no be imposed because they would effect also Russia. Panorama Latvii