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

The Saeima Juridical Committee defined the rating of possible candidates for the posts of the Constitutional Court Judges. The Committee will not make public the results of the polling that was based on the analysis of the candidates’ applications and professional experience. According to unofficial information, Deputy-Chairman of the Juridical Committee Endzins (LC) is the most probable candidate for Chairman’s position. The candidates for the posts of judges could be Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Communications Ilma Cepane, Romans Apsitis (LC), Valdis Cielava (LVP), Viktors Elksnis (LZS), Ivars Bukovskis (DPS), Velta Slaidina (KDS), and Valdis Rozukalns (TB). Each candidate has to win 51 vote to be elected. Mr. Kaksitis believes the Saeima will vote on the candidates in the beginning of October.

The Saeima Juridical Committee defined the rating of possible candidates for the posts of the Constitutional Court Judges. The Committee will not make public the results of the polling that was based on the analysis of the candidates applications and professional experience. According to unofficial information, Deputy-Chairman of the Juridical Committee Endzins (LC) is the most probable candidate for Chairmans position. The candidates for the posts of judges could be Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Communications Ilma Cepane, Romans Apsitis (LC), Valdis Cielava (LVP), Viktors Elksnis (LZS), Ivars Bukovskis (DPS), Velta Slaidina (KDS), and Valdis Rozukalns (TB). Each candidate has to win 51 vote to be elected. Mr. Kaksitis believes the Saeima will vote on the candidates in the beginning of October. Diena, Neatkariga

“Saimnieks” Chairman Cevers told the press the Party Council would make a final decision on recalling Mr. Kreituss from a minister’s post this Friday. An official reason for replacing Kreituss is his failure to fulfil obligations taken by the party during the election campaign. According to Kreituss, Cevers’ campaign against him is caused by his refusal to support appointments suggested by Cevers. Today Kreituss is to respond to answers put by “Saimnieks” leaders regarding the fulfilment of the party program. Should the Prime-Minister refuse to support Kreituss’ dismissal, “Saimnieks” will submit a draft decree demanding his dismissal to be voted on by the Saeima. Prime-Minister Skele is not likely to agree to Kreituss’ dismissal.

Saimnieks Chairman Cevers told the press the Party Council would make a final decision on recalling Mr. Kreituss from a ministers post this Friday. An official reason for replacing Kreituss is his failure to fulfil obligations taken by the party during the election campaign. According to Kreituss, Cevers campaign against him is caused by his refusal to support appointments suggested by Cevers. Today Kreituss is to respond to answers put by Saimnieks leaders regarding the fulfilment of the party program. Should the Prime-Minister refuse to support Kreituss dismissal, Saimnieks will submit a draft decree demanding his dismissal to be voted on by the Saeima. Prime-Minister Skele is not likely to agree to Kreituss dismissal. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele will not visit Moscow to meet Chernomyrdin. The decision was made after consultations held by Latvian and Russian diplomats. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still hopes Skele could visit Russia in October.

Prime-MinisterSkele will not visit Moscow to meet Chernomyrdin. The decision was made after consultations held by Latvian and Russian diplomats. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still hopes Skele could visit Russia in October. Neatkariga

Latvia and Russia agreed on forming a joint commission to deal with transportation-related problems. New transportation rates for goods shipped vial Latvia will be on top of the agenda.

Latvia and Russia agreed on forming a joint commission to deal with transportation-related problems. New transportation rates for goods shipped vial Latvia will be on top of the agenda. Neatkariga

The International Humanitarian Co-operation and Human Rights Board of Russia’s Foreign Ministry analyses the rights of compatriots abroad. The Board submits the result of the analysis to the highest government officials and works out guidelines for Russia’s foreign policy.

The International Humanitarian Co-operation and Human Rights Board of Russias Foreign Ministry analyses the rights of compatriots abroad. The Board submits the result of the analysis to the highest government officials and works out guidelines for Russias foreign policy.

The highlights of the analysis of the situation in the Baltic states are as follows.

The highlights of the analysis of the situation in the Baltic states are as follows.

Latvia

Latvia

Positive features

Positive features

Extension of residence permits for demobilised servicemen to leave the country under its agreement with Russia.

Extension of residence permits for demobilised servicemen to leave the country under its agreement with Russia.

Failure of an attempt to collect the number of ballots sufficient for submitting an alternative Citizenship Law to the Saeima.

Failure of an attempt to collect the number of ballots sufficient for submitting an alternative Citizenship Law to the Saeima.

Dismissal of CID official known for their unlawful actions towards the country’s inhabitants (mostly towards Russian-speakers).

Dismissal of CID official known for their unlawful actions towards the countrys inhabitants (mostly towards Russian-speakers).

Adoption of the Law on Former USSR Citizens legalising to a certain extend the status of Latvia’s stateless inhabitants.

Adoption of the Law on Former USSR Citizens legalising to a certain extend the status of Latvias stateless inhabitants.

Latvian authorities take into consideration the OSCE recommendations on the implementation of the Citizenship Law and are trying to amend the legislation in force.

Latvian authorities take into consideration the OSCE recommendations on the implementation of the Citizenship Law and are trying to amend the legislation in force.

Negative features

Negative features

39 discriminating amendments were introduced into the Citizenship Law allowing local authorities to interpret it arbitrarily.

39 discriminating amendments were introduced into the Citizenship Law allowing local authorities to interpret it arbitrarily.

The legislation still provides for 68 differences between the rights of citizens and noncitizens. 30% of potential voters were deprived of the right to participate in the Saeima election in 1995.

The legislation still provides for 68 differences between the rights of citizens and noncitizens. 30% of potential voters were deprived of the right to participate in the Saeima election in 1995.

The Saeima declined “People’s Harmony” suggestion on granting noncitizens the right to participate in local elections.

The Saeima declined Peoples Harmony suggestion on granting noncitizens the right to participate in local elections.

Naturalisation is slow while noncitizen’s passports will be issued only after 1 January 1997 leading to restriction of noncitizens’ right to travel.

Naturalisation is slow while noncitizens passports will be issued only after 1 January 1997 leading to restriction of noncitizens right to travel.

The draft Language Law if adopted would limit the use of the Russian language to the minimum depriving Russian-speaking children of their right for education in their tongue.

The draft Language Law if adopted would limit the use of the Russian language to the minimum depriving Russian-speaking children of their right for education in their tongue.

School 9 has been passed over to Riga’s Ukrainian society in spite of protests from the Russian side.

School 9 has been passed over to Rigas Ukrainian society in spite of protests from the Russian side.

Estonia

Estonia

Positive features

Positive features

Estonian authorities recognised the existence of the problem of Russian-speakers and agreed it was necessary to find a solution to the problem.

Estonian authorities recognised the existence of the problem of Russian-speakers and agreed it was necessary to find a solution to the problem.

Estonian authorities took an obligation to consider all applications for residence permits and foreigner’s passports before July 12.

Estonian authorities took an obligation to consider all applications for residence permits and foreigners passports before July 12.

International organisations managed to press upon Estonia to draft the law on refugees.

International organisations managed to press upon Estonia to draft the law on refugees.

Estonian President declined a discriminating draft local election law banning noncitizens from participating in local elections.

Estonian President declined a discriminating draft local election law banning noncitizens from participating in local elections.

Estonia agreed to ratify an agreement with Russia on social guarantees for demobilised Russian servicemen.

Estonia agreed to ratify an agreement with Russia on social guarantees for demobilised Russian servicemen.

Negative features

Negative features

Estonian Citizenship Law discriminates Russian-speakers making 200 thousand inhabitants stateless.

Estonian Citizenship Law discriminates Russian-speakers making 200 thousand inhabitants stateless.

Naturalisation is extremely slow ( 200 in 1995).

Naturalisation is extremely slow ( 200 in 1995).

Holders of a foreigner’s passport do not a consular and legal support abroad.

Holders of a foreigners passport do not a consular and legal support abroad.

Legal acts on the state language give Russian the status of a foreign language limiting Russian-speakers’ employment opportunities.

Legal acts on the state language give Russian the status of a foreign language limiting Russian-speakers employment opportunities.

Education system for Russian-speakers is being “dismantled”.

Education system for Russian-speakers is being dismantled.

Numerous legal acts restrict noncitizens’ right for employment and their right to privatise apartments.

Numerous legal acts restrict noncitizens right for employment and their right to privatise apartments.

Lithuania

Lithuania

Positive features

Positive features
Lithuania has chosen the so-called zero-option granting citizenship to all its inhabitants. Russian citizens are given rights equal to those of Lithuanian citizens. Lithuanian authorities promptly react to recommendations by international organisations.

Negative features:

Negative features:
Cultural and information links with Russia are being narrowed. Stricter requirements of the mandatory use of the state language are being introduced. The state reduces the funding of Russian-language schools. The Board in its report points at considerable restriction of the use of the Russian language in all three republics and characterises their general policy toward Russian-speakers as discriminating. The Board suggests the Russian government to connect its policy toward the three states to the situation of Russian-speakers in these countries. Russia should conclude a bilateral or multilateral agreement with Baltic states on the status of citizens of one state constantly residing on the territory of another state. The report does not exclude the use of economic sanctions. The priority status in political relations with Russia should be given to the countries resolving citizenship problem in a civilised way. Diena