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 Review

Press Review

Saeima yesterday conceptually supported amendments to the law on Constitutional Court that provide for an extended circle of persons who have the right to turn to the Court. It is suggested that claims to the Constitutional Court may be submitted also by courts, judges of Land Registry departments, natural and legal persons. It is planned that persons will have the right to turn to this court in connection with violation of their specific rights and not another person’s rights. After

Saeima yesterday conceptually supported amendments to the law on Constitutional Court that provide for an extended circle of persons who have the right to turn to the Court. It is suggested that claims to the Constitutional Court may be submitted also by courts, judges of Land Registry departments, natural and legal persons. It is planned that persons will have the right to turn to this court in connection with violation of their specific rights and not another persons rights. After Vesti, the draft amendments are passed over to the Saeimas commissions. According to draft amendments, a claim can be submitted only after all possible protection at other courts has been seaked. Neatkariga, Vesti

Yesterday Saeima passed in the second reading the draft Administrative Procedures Law. Provisions of the law determine that decisions passed by civil servants shall be objective and complying with legislative norms. The draft law provides for an easy procedure of appealing civil servant’s decisions.

Yesterday Saeima passed in the second reading the draft Administrative Procedures Law. Provisions of the law determine that decisions passed by civil servants shall be objective and complying with legislative norms. The draft law provides for an easy procedure of appealing civil servants decisions. Diena

The left-wing parties - People’s Harmony Party, Equality and Socialist Party - represented in Riga City Council by 6 members formed a faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and in the next municipal elections expect better success hoping for at least 30 mandates in the Council. The faction is planning to focus on easing the utility payments and preventing the closure of Russian-language schools in Riga. At the beginning of the press conference it was announced that due to principal considerations it will be conducted in Russian. One of the speakers A. Gilman backed the move by the provisions of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that allows free distribution of information, implying also choice of language. Another speaker announced that due to the big number of Russian speakers this language should be recognized as official.

The left-wing parties - Peoples Harmony Party, Equality and Socialist Party - represented in Riga City Council by 6 members formed a faction For Human Rights in United Latvia and in the next municipal elections expect better success hoping for at least 30 mandates in the Council. The faction is planning to focus on easing the utility payments and preventing the closure of Russian-language schools in Riga. At the beginning of the press conference it was announced that due to principal considerations it will be conducted in Russian. One of the speakers A. Gilman backed the move by the provisions of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that allows free distribution of information, implying also choice of language. Another speaker announced that due to the big number of Russian speakers this language should be recognized as official. Diena, Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii

As announced by the head of Latvia’s Security Police, Latvia’s National Bolsheviks declare that they did not blow up the railway in Riga. They asserted that the organization does not use such methods and are trying to become legal.

As announced by the head of Latvias Security Police, Latvias National Bolsheviks declare that they did not blow up the railway in Riga. They asserted that the organization does not use such methods and are trying to become legal. Diena

US State Department favorably received the plans of Latvian Prosecutor’s Office to bring up charges against Konrâds Kalçjs. Wiesenthal Center does not believe that Australia will agree to extradite Kalçjs and reproaches the country of the lack of the political will.

US State Department favorably received the plans of Latvian Prosecutors Office to bring up charges against Konrâds Kalçjs. Wiesenthal Center does not believe that Australia will agree to extradite Kalçjs and reproaches the country of the lack of the political will. Diena, Neatkariga

A commentary in

A commentary in Diena by political scientist Ginters Grunckis continues the discussion on the issue of granting municipal election rights to non-citizens. In his mind, most interested in granting these rights is the political organization For Human Rights in United Latvia whose supporters traditionally are the Russian speaking part of the population but many of them are not Latvian citizens.

Titles on the first page of

Titles on the first page of Chas announce that after the draft Language Law regulations will make non-Latvians unemployed and suggest that they will be able to work only in labor professions. A following article by Anna Stroy says that the classification of language requirements for various professions has an openly discriminatory nature. Along with the article the paper publishes the history of developments in Kosovo and a viewpoint of an MP from For Human Rights in United Latvia Mitrofanov who promises to call the society not to comply with the new regulations and appeal the imposed fines in the European Court.