Press Report

Press Report

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council states in their analysis of Commissioner Espersen's report expressed concern about violation of children's rights and the situation of asylum seekers. Mr. Ole Espersen stressed that Latvia ignored recommendations by the Council on granting non-citizens the right to vote in local elections. The Baltic Council suggested that the right could be given to non-citizens who had been residing in Latvia for three of five years. Russian Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Avdeyev at a press-conference said that the Baltic Council should focus more on minority rights, the problem being "like an oil stain on a smooth surface of the Baltic Sea."

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council states in their analysis of Commissioner Espersen's report expressed concern about violation of children's rights and the situation of asylum seekers. Mr. Ole Espersen stressed that Latvia ignored recommendations by the Council on granting non-citizens the right to vote in local elections. The Baltic Council suggested that the right could be given to non-citizens who had been residing in Latvia for three of five years. Russian Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs Avdeyev at a press-conference said that the Baltic Council should focus more on minority rights, the problem being "like an oil stain on a smooth surface of the Baltic Sea." Diena, SM Mag. Phil. Maris Rutks insists on the positive role of nationalism in strengthening the independence of Latvia. He quotes Head of the OSCE Mission Charles Magee who said that further retaining of the large number of non-citizens would sustain a certain tension in the Latvian society. Mr. Rutks believes that the tension will remain anyway since most of non-citizens "have different traditions, language and economic and political values." Diena

According to Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department Solvite Mellupe, holders of new alien passports will be able to enter Russia in late August or early September. Latvia and Russia will exchange official notes before August 1 and Russia will issue regulations for its Consular Departments in Latvia within thirty days after the exchange. Holder of alien passports will have to apply for an entry permit to the Russian Embassy. The permit will give the right for a multiple entry to Russia within one year. Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Nesterushkin told the press yesterday that the Russian side had drafted an agreement between the two countries on resolving the citizenship.

According to Director of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Department Solvite Mellupe, holders of new alien passports will be able to enter Russia in late August or early September. Latvia and Russia will exchange official notes before August 1 and Russia will issue regulations for its Consular Departments in Latvia within thirty days after the exchange. Holder of alien passports will have to apply for an entry permit to the Russian Embassy. The permit will give the right for a multiple entry to Russia within one year. Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Valery Nesterushkin told the press yesterday that the Russian side had drafted an agreement between the two countries on resolving the citizenship. B&B

International Program Director of the "Union of Councils" human rights organizations Leonid Stonov held a press-conference yesterday. Mr. Stonov stressed that the large number of non-citizens was Latvia's major human rights problem. His organization regularly informs the US Congress and the President's Administration about human rights violations both in the US and abroad. Mr. Stonov believes that Latvia could grant citizenship to all its inhabitants who permanently resided in the country on the moment it regained independence. 

International Program Director of the "Union of Councils" human rights organizations Leonid Stonov held a press-conference yesterday. Mr. Stonov stressed that the large number of non-citizens was Latvia's major human rights problem. His organization regularly informs the US Congress and the President's Administration about human rights violations both in the US and abroad. Mr. Stonov believes that Latvia could grant citizenship to all its inhabitants who permanently resided in the country on the moment it regained independence.

An article in

An article in "SM" by Oleg Schiptsov points at numerous discrepancies between the draft Education Law and the Hague Recommendations. The document recommends providing education in minority languages in elementary schools and making higher education available to minorities in their native languages. The draft Law puts harder restrictions on the use of minority languages as languages of instruction in elementary and secondary schools and does not provide for the use of languages other than Latvian in vocational schools and universities.

Press Report

Press Report

The Russian side agreed to recognize new Latvian alien passports during the consultations on consular issues held in Moscow on June 30 -- July 2. The procedure of official recognition on all levels is to be accomplished by the end of this summer.

The Russian side agreed to recognize new Latvian alien passports during the consultations on consular issues held in Moscow on June 30 -- July 2. The procedure of official recognition on all levels is to be accomplished by the end of this summer. B&B

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council countries arrived to Riga yesterday to participate in the Sixth Session of the Council. The agenda of the Session includes the election of Commissioner on Human Rights and National Minority Issues. The post is currently held by former Danish Minister of Justice Ole Espersen. Mr. Espersen has pointed at a low pace of naturalization and high number of non-citizens in Latvia more than once. Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Avdeyev suggested electing Mr. Espersen for another three-year term. The issue of non-citizens will be on the agenda of Mr. Avdeyev's meeting with State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins today. This year Latvia is passing its chairmanship in the Council to Denmark.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Baltic Council countries arrived to Riga yesterday to participate in the Sixth Session of the Council. The agenda of the Session includes the election of Commissioner on Human Rights and National Minority Issues. The post is currently held by former Danish Minister of Justice Ole Espersen. Mr. Espersen has pointed at a low pace of naturalization and high number of non-citizens in Latvia more than once. Deputy-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Alexander Avdeyev suggested electing Mr. Espersen for another three-year term. The issue of non-citizens will be on the agenda of Mr. Avdeyev's meeting with State Secretary of the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins today. This year Latvia is passing its chairmanship in the Council to Denmark. SM, B&B

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their monthly survey of the human rights situation in Latvia accused the CID of pressing non-Latvians to leave the country. They mentioned a case when a fifteen year-old boy was given an expulsion order. Maxim Kostylev was born in Latvia and has never left the country. His father did not live with the family while his mother left Latvia and settled in Russia leaving the boy to be looked after by his grandmother. The CID canceled his registration and demanded annulling his

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their monthly survey of the human rights situation in Latvia accused the CID of pressing non-Latvians to leave the country. They mentioned a case when a fifteen year-old boy was given an expulsion order. Maxim Kostylev was born in Latvia and has never left the country. His father did not live with the family while his mother left Latvia and settled in Russia leaving the boy to be looked after by his grandmother. The CID canceled his registration and demanded annulling his "propiska" in Riga. The State Human Rights Office gave only a formal response to a complaint submitted by Kostylev's grandmother. Meanwhile, the Orphanage Court deprived his grandmother of her guardian's rights. The survey notes that international organizations and foreign diplomats do not criticize Latvia for human rights violations due to political reasons. Still, in some cases Western courts recognize the right of emigrants from Latvia for a refugee status. According to Kotov and Rayhman, Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen openly claimed Latvia and Estonia to violate human rights saying that the two countries cannot be placed among democratic states. The authors also believe the presence of the OSCE Mission shows that the West believes the situation in Latvia to be "fraught with an open conflict." SM

Mr. Atis Silaroze, Chairman of the Committee for the Affairs of Non-citizens and Stateless Persons under the Olaine Self-Government, said that the number of non-citizens as of July 1 was 686,027. According to the Law on Self-Governments, all cities with non-citizens constituting over 20% of their population should establish committees similar to the one headed by Mr. Silaroze. Among the issues to be handled by the committees are human rights violations and individual complaints. Riga and Olaine were the only cities to follow the requirement of the Law and to establish the Committees. Mr. Silaroze criticized the existing legislation for discriminating against unemployed non-citizens by demanding that an applicant for an unemployment benefit should hold a "language certificate". He said that he stayed in touch with High Commissioner van der Stoel who said that Latvia could join all European institutions already next year if it managed to resolve the problem of non-citizens.

Mr. Atis Silaroze, Chairman of the Committee for the Affairs of Non-citizens and Stateless Persons under the Olaine Self-Government, said that the number of non-citizens as of July 1 was 686,027. According to the Law on Self-Governments, all cities with non-citizens constituting over 20% of their population should establish committees similar to the one headed by Mr. Silaroze. Among the issues to be handled by the committees are human rights violations and individual complaints. Riga and Olaine were the only cities to follow the requirement of the Law and to establish the Committees. Mr. Silaroze criticized the existing legislation for discriminating against unemployed non-citizens by demanding that an applicant for an unemployment benefit should hold a "language certificate". He said that he stayed in touch with High Commissioner van der Stoel who said that Latvia could join all European institutions already next year if it managed to resolve the problem of non-citizens. SM

Riga Mayor Andris Berzins told the press that the City Council could adopt a decision on the restoration of the Monument to the Liberators of Riga before summer vacations. The meeting of the Council scheduled for July 8 has the issue on its agenda. The Mayor believes that the Monument should be restored.

Riga Mayor Andris Berzins told the press that the City Council could adopt a decision on the restoration of the Monument to the Liberators of Riga before summer vacations. The meeting of the Council scheduled for July 8 has the issue on its agenda. The Mayor believes that the Monument should be restored. Diena

The Prosecutor General's Office is still analyzing information on possible violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Minister of Communications Kristopans. The investigation is to be accomplished next Monday.

The Prosecutor General's Office is still analyzing information on possible violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Minister of Communications Kristopans. The investigation is to be accomplished next Monday. Diena

Press Report

Press Report

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba officially resigned yesterday. Members of major

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba officially resigned yesterday. Members of major Saeima factions ("Saimnieks", "Tevzemei un Brivibai", LNNK, and "Latvijas Cels") hope that the Cabinet will remain stable despite recent resignations. Three ministers (Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba, Minister of Culture Rihards Piks, State Minister of Health Juris Vinkelis) resigned after the Prosecutor General's Office disclosed that they had violated the Anti-Corruption Law. Minister of the Interior Dainis Turlais resigned after the tragic accident in Talsi. The Procurator General's Office is still investigating a possible violation of the Anti-Corruption Law by Minister of Communications Vilis Kristopans. Diena

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in a survey of the human rights situation in Latvia stress that the President has not made any proposals to the

Gennady Kotov and Leonid Rayhman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in a survey of the human rights situation in Latvia stress that the President has not made any proposals to the Saeima on reducing the number of non-citizens. President Ulmanis only pointed at the problem in some of his speeches. The article by the human rights activists also highlights a recent tendency of gradual reduction of the number of Russian language schools. Local authorities are depriving the schools of their premises in favor of Latvian schools. SM

Press Report

Press Report

Last Saturday (June 28) the Union of Christian Democrats and the Christian People's party (former People's Front) merged into the Christian-Democratic Union. The founding congress of the new party elected Minister of Defense Talavs Jundzis its Chairman. The party will have six seats in the

Last Saturday (June 28) the Union of Christian Democrats and the Christian People's party (former People's Front) merged into the Christian-Democratic Union. The founding congress of the new party elected Minister of Defense Talavs Jundzis its Chairman. The party will have six seats in the Saeima and will remain in a coalition with the Farmers' Union. Diena

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) will decide on his resignation next week. Prime-Minister Skele did not require Dilba's resignation and expects the Minister to make an independent decision. Mr. Dilba was accused of violating the Anti-Corruption Law by not mentioning his shares in private businesses in his annual income declarations.

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) will decide on his resignation next week. Prime-Minister Skele did not require Dilba's resignation and expects the Minister to make an independent decision. Mr. Dilba was accused of violating the Anti-Corruption Law by not mentioning his shares in private businesses in his annual income declarations. Diena

A group of prominent American politicians and analysts addressed President Clinton with an open letter calling upon the President to suspend the enlargement of NATO. The letter points at the complications that may be caused by the Baltic states joining the bloc. Admitting the three countries to NATO would damage the relations between the West and Russia. The letter also mentions "serious border and ethnic minority problems" in some of the countries willing to enter NATO.

A group of prominent American politicians and analysts addressed President Clinton with an open letter calling upon the President to suspend the enlargement of NATO. The letter points at the complications that may be caused by the Baltic states joining the bloc. Admitting the three countries to NATO would damage the relations between the West and Russia. The letter also mentions "serious border and ethnic minority problems" in some of the countries willing to enter NATO. Diena

Forty-one countries have recognized the new Latvian alien passports. Still, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not recognized the document yet and claims it to contradict the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. The issue is likely to be included in the agenda of the consultations between the two countries this July. According to

Forty-one countries have recognized the new Latvian alien passports. Still, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not recognized the document yet and claims it to contradict the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. The issue is likely to be included in the agenda of the consultations between the two countries this July. According to "SM", Latvian non-citizens currently can have five types of travel documents, many of them having serious problems while traveling abroad. Diena, SM

Director of the European Commission of Multilateral Issues Mr. Vinhas in an interview for

Director of the European Commission of Multilateral Issues Mr. Vinhas in an interview for "DIENA" said that although the issue of non-citizens was thoroughly analyzed by Latvian authorities and politicians, nationalistic tendencies still dominated their approach to the problem. He stressed that a country with a large number of its resident shaving no citizenship could not become an EU member. The European Commission will accomplish the evaluation of potential new EU members this July. Diena

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen suggests establishing the post of European Commissioner on Human Rights. In an interview for

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen suggests establishing the post of European Commissioner on Human Rights. In an interview for "DIENA" Mr. Espersen explained that the Commissioner would provide recommendations on minority issues and observance of human rights. The Commissioner's tasks would be similar to those of a national ombudsman and would comprise the entire spectrum of human rights issues. As examples of such issues Mr. Espersen mentioned the draft law restricting the right of newly formed political parties to participate in elections and a suggested provision of the Language Law demanding a mandatory use of the Latvian language during all public events. Mr. Espersen believes that an Ombudsman should be elected by the Parliament but not appointed by the Cabinet, as suggested by the Latvian Government. He also pointed at the importance of abolishing capital punishment for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with EU norms. Mr. Espersen spoke in favor of simplifying the naturalization procedure and called upon Latvia to display a more pragmatic approach in resolving the problem of its large number of non-citizens. Diena

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on President Yeltsin's criticism of Latvia during the Denver Summit. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia was paying close attention to human rights issues and referred to Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen who admitted that flagrant human rights violations were not observed in Latvia.

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on President Yeltsin's criticism of Latvia during the Denver Summit. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia was paying close attention to human rights issues and referred to Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen who admitted that flagrant human rights violations were not observed in Latvia. SM

Press Report

Press Report

The Prosecutor General's Office has discovered that Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba ("The Farmers' Union") violated the Anti-Corruption Law by not stating his shares in two companies when declaring his annual income in 1996 and 1997. The Prosecutor General's Office will not institute criminal proceedings against Mr. Dilba. The Office still has not accomplished the investigation of Minister of Communications Kristopans' case. Five Ministers have already been officially accused of violating the Anti-corruption Law. Minister of Culture Rihards Piks and Minister of Health Juris Vinkelis had to resign. The

The Prosecutor General's Office has discovered that Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba ("The Farmers' Union") violated the Anti-Corruption Law by not stating his shares in two companies when declaring his annual income in 1996 and 1997. The Prosecutor General's Office will not institute criminal proceedings against Mr. Dilba. The Office still has not accomplished the investigation of Minister of Communications Kristopans' case. Five Ministers have already been officially accused of violating the Anti-corruption Law. Minister of Culture Rihards Piks and Minister of Health Juris Vinkelis had to resign. The "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction circulated a statement criticizing Prime-Minister Skele for a biased approach to the Ministers violating the Law. The statement suggests that the Prime-Minister displayed tolerance toward "Saimnieks" members by not insisting on Minister of Education and Science Celmins's and Deputy Prime-Minister Kaksistis' resignation. Still, the Prime-Minister demanded "TB" member Vinkelis' (Minister of Health) resignation for similar violations of the Anti-Corruption Law. Diena

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ron Asmus during his visit to Latvia made it clear the US did not consider the three Baltic states to be prepared for entering NATO. The aim of the visit is introducing the draft Baltic-American Charter to the Latvian Government. According to Mr. Asmus, the Charter is a manifestation of commitment to common values but will not provide security guarantees to the Baltic states.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ron Asmus during his visit to Latvia made it clear the US did not consider the three Baltic states to be prepared for entering NATO. The aim of the visit is introducing the draft Baltic-American Charter to the Latvian Government. According to Mr. Asmus, the Charter is a manifestation of commitment to common values but will not provide security guarantees to the Baltic states. Diena

Yesterday Latvia initialed an agreement on a non-visa regime with Switzerland. The agreement is to be ratified this year. A similar agreement with Finland will be ratified in late July.

Yesterday Latvia initialed an agreement on a non-visa regime with Switzerland. The agreement is to be ratified this year. A similar agreement with Finland will be ratified in late July. B&B

Boris Tsilevich in his article points at double standards used by the Latvian political system. Although formal procedures look quite "civilized", the law requires that all

Boris Tsilevich in his article points at double standards used by the Latvian political system. Although formal procedures look quite "civilized", the law requires that all Saeima deputies have a command of the Latvian language and restricts political rights of former Communist Party members. Although the West defends Latvia against Russia's criticism regarding the rights of non-citizens, Western countries (e.g., Canada) have provided asylum to several Latvian non-citizens. Boris Tsilevich stressed the role of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in helping to protect the rights of non-citizens at the European Human Rights Court.SM