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

Although the Government has learned about the procedure of the new tender on printing Latvian citizen passports, people and mass media still have no access to the information about the offers and submitted prices. The law on the state and local governments’ tenders prohibits it. The majority of politicians acknowledge that information for tenders, where the product is produced for tax payers money, should be made publicly available but, of course, observing legal norms. Also the Prime Minister holds the same opinion. In his turn the Deputy Head of the DCMA A.J.Lejins said that information on proposals and offered prices was confidential and did not give any details. Diena

Although the Government has learned about the procedure of the new tender on printing Latvian citizen passports, people and mass media still have no access to the information about the offers and submitted prices. The law on the state and local governments tenders prohibits it. The majority of politicians acknowledge that information for tenders, where the product is produced for tax payers money, should be made publicly available but, of course, observing legal norms. Also the Prime Minister holds the same opinion. In his turn the Deputy Head of the DCMA A.J.Lejins said that information on proposals and offered prices was confidential and did not give any details. Diena

The Prime Ministers of the Baltic States will meet this Thursday and Friday in the Estonian city Parnu to discuss co-operation issues.

The Prime Ministers of the Baltic States will meet this Thursday and Friday in the Estonian city Parnu to discuss co-operation issues. Diena

For the first time the most important facts of the history of the Baltic States have been summed up and published in one book. It covers the period from the time when the first people came to this territory up to the present days. The money for publishing this book comes from the CoE and Soros Foundation.

For the first time the most important facts of the history of the Baltic States have been summed up and published in one book. It covers the period from the time when the first people came to this territory up to the present days. The money for publishing this book comes from the CoE and Soros Foundation. Diena, Jauna Avize, Rigas Balss

The US Congress pointed out the input of the USA into the restoration the Baltic States freedom, i.e. the sixties anniversary of the policy of not recognising the incorporation of these states into the USSR. June 14 is announced in the USA to be the Baltic Freedom Day.

The US Congress pointed out the input of the USA into the restoration the Baltic States freedom, i.e. the sixties anniversary of the policy of not recognising the incorporation of these states into the USSR. June 14 is announced in the USA to be the Baltic Freedom Day. Neatkariga

On June 14 was Latvia commemorated the victims of Communist terror. Commemoration events were held in many places all around Latvia, but the main one took place at the Freedom Monument where the President gave a speech where she stated that Stalinism genocide was the same crime as Nazi crimes and had no lapse.

On June 14 was Latvia commemorated the victims of Communist terror. Commemoration events were held in many places all around Latvia, but the main one took place at the Freedom Monument where the President gave a speech where she stated that Stalinism genocide was the same crime as Nazi crimes and had no lapse. Diena, Lauku Avize, Neatkariga, Respublika

Also Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar called for giving a moral and legal estimation to the crimes committed by Communists. He did it during his speech in an international conference “Crimes of Communism” that took place in Tallin.

Also Estonian Prime Minister M.Laar called for giving a moral and legal estimation to the crimes committed by Communists. He did it during his speech in an international conference Crimes of Communism that took place in Tallin. Respublika

Lauku Avize

interviewed Latvian politicians about the courageous decision of Lithuania to levy Russia for the damages made to this country during 50 years of Soviet occupation. Dz.Abikis from Peoples Party thinks that Lithuania has made a correct step. Russia should pay compensation as Germany did it. But it is clear that it is unreal to receive any compensation from Russia, at least now. K.Leiskalns, Latvijas Cels, thinks that Russia must take responsibility for the damages. But the laws of the Baltic States are not valid for Russia, and nobody would pay any attention to such a law. Therefore if Latvia adopts a similar law, it would be simply a hostile act. Latvia would get no money, just trouble. J.Jurkans from For Human Rights in United Latvia points out that it was the USSR that occupied Latvia but not Russia. This country does not exist any more, and Russia is not a heir of the USSR. A.Kazakov from

A.Kazakov from Vesti Segodnya interpreted this step of Lithuania as an original way to increase the state revenues because the rough estimates show the sum of 30 billion USD. He suggests Latvian politicians not to follow this example otherwise Moscow would reach with the claims that Latvia can not even dream about.

Yesterday in Tallin at the conference dedicated the Communism victims the Russian deputy and human rights activist S.Kovalov repeated his statement that Russia should apologise to the Baltic States for the 50 years of Soviet occupation. He pointed out that the Russian nation is collectively responsible for the crimes committed by Communists.

Yesterday in Tallin at the conference dedicated the Communism victims the Russian deputy and human rights activist S.Kovalov repeated his statement that Russia should apologise to the Baltic States for the 50 years of Soviet occupation. He pointed out that the Russian nation is collectively responsible for the crimes committed by Communists. Lauku Avize , Respublika

Liepaja branch of the Latvian Socialists Party wants to hold a picket at the to Liberators Monument on June 22 to commemorate the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.

Liepaja branch of the Latvian Socialists Party wants to hold a picket at the to Liberators Monument on June 22 to commemorate the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Jauna Avize

Daugavpils City Party summed up the results of the opinion poll organised to find out the opinion of City residents on giving the municipal election rights to non-citizens. About 300 people answered the questions of the poll, more that a half were citizens. 120 non-citizens wanted to participate in municipal elections, 120 Latvian citizens supported this idea, but 38 citizens were against it.

Daugavpils City Party summed up the results of the opinion poll organised to find out the opinion of City residents on giving the municipal election rights to non-citizens. About 300 people answered the questions of the poll, more that a half were citizens. 120 non-citizens wanted to participate in municipal elections, 120 Latvian citizens supported this idea, but 38 citizens were against it. Panorama Latvii

The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia Deputy M.Mitrofanov told Panorama Latvii about the forum of EU states governmental institutions dealing with national minority issues. He said that this had been some kind of a working meeting of state officials heading departments and other services involved in the integration process. Latvian representatives - the Minister of Justice I.Labucka , Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane and some other high officials seemed rather “unimpressive” but the DCMA whose officials have taken a complex approach to these problems although the mandate of the DCMA did not provide for it. One more reason for Latvian failure was unwillingness to ratify the framework convention on national minorities.

The Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia Deputy M.Mitrofanov told Panorama Latvii about the forum of EU states governmental institutions dealing with national minority issues. He said that this had been some kind of a working meeting of state officials heading departments and other services involved in the integration process. Latvian representatives - the Minister of Justice I.Labucka , Head of the Naturalisation Board E.Aldermane and some other high officials seemed rather unimpressive but the DCMA whose officials have taken a complex approach to these problems although the mandate of the DCMA did not provide for it. One more reason for Latvian failure was unwillingness to ratify the framework convention on national minorities. Panorama Latvii