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

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that Latvia's admission to NATO will simplify Latvian-Russian relations. "I only hope that a positive decision about admitting us will be adopted already November next year in Prague. I think it will solve a lot of issues, make many things simpler, including our relations with Russia," the president said in the interview for Lauku Avize. Vike-Freiberga said that Latvian-Russian relations were also influenced by relations between the United States and Russia. "Our relations with Russia are to a certain extent affected by the relations between Russia and the US. Our relations is not independent of relations Russia has with the European Union members." She said Russia's negative attitude towards the movement of Latvia and the Baltic States to the EU and NATO was understandable. Nevertheless, things are going to change after admission of the Baltic States to these organisations as Russia simply will have to respond in a different manner. "While we are still outside the EU and NATO, it is clear that Russia will try to block our admission. But as soon as we become members, Russia will have to reconcile itself to this new fact and react differently," said Vike-Freiberga. Several countries, including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, hope to be invited to join NATO at the alliance's summit in Prague in late 2002. In regard to integration issues the President said out of 10 thousand letters received at Chancellery during a year only one letter was a complaint letter from non-Latvian who considered himself to be discriminated. In her opinion the situation regarding integration is very stable in Latvia.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga believes that Latvia's admission to NATO will simplify Latvian-Russian relations. "I only hope that a positive decision about admitting us will be adopted already November next year in Prague. I think it will solve a lot of issues, make many things simpler, including our relations with Russia," the president said in the interview for Lauku Avize. Vike-Freiberga said that Latvian-Russian relations were also influenced by relations between the United States and Russia. "Our relations with Russia are to a certain extent affected by the relations between Russia and the US. Our relations is not independent of relations Russia has with the European Union members." She said Russia's negative attitude towards the movement of Latvia and the Baltic States to the EU and NATO was understandable. Nevertheless, things are going to change after admission of the Baltic States to these organisations as Russia simply will have to respond in a different manner. "While we are still outside the EU and NATO, it is clear that Russia will try to block our admission. But as soon as we become members, Russia will have to reconcile itself to this new fact and react differently," said Vike-Freiberga. Several countries, including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, hope to be invited to join NATO at the alliance's summit in Prague in late 2002. In regard to integration issues the President said out of 10 thousand letters received at Chancellery during a year only one letter was a complaint letter from non-Latvian who considered himself to be discriminated. In her opinion the situation regarding integration is very stable in Latvia.

Latvian National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director is surprised over his repeated appointment to the post and in the future would turn more to international contacts and building of NHRO's image. The parliament Wednesday appointed the previous NHRO director Olafs Bruvers for the second term in office although support to his candidacy was swaying ahead of the vote. Bruvers who was the only candidate officially nominated for the post was elected with 47 votes against eight and 28 abstentions. Bruvers told BNS that as part of his future activities he is committed to step up contacts with officials pointing less attention to consideration of complaints from the people. Bruvers reported to BNS about his "strategic future plans" that will include strengthening ties with non-governmental organisations, especially outside Riga. He said he also is committed to devote more time to relations with local authorities putting more emphasis on requests to solve human rights problems there, if possible, and turn to the NHRO for help only in desperate situations. He called on the local authorities to set up commissions dealing with human rights issues. Bruvers said he regards as his next goal building contacts with international institutions, especially Baltic states ombudsmen and other international partners. He also has decided to work more on fund raising for the NHRO because this issue has become under the sharpest criticism. He voiced an opinion though that reproaches over attracting of insufficient funds are partly groundless because "the NHRO is a state institution and the state should take care of its financing". Bruvers told BNS he did not know until the last minute what the outcome of the parliament vote will be like and was very much afraid he would not be appointed repeatedly because he "likes the job a lot". "It would be sad to leave because a well started work would stay". He voiced regret that media are covering work of the NHRO less than could be expected "therefore an impression is created that NHRO is doing nothing". Bruvers added though he does not want to blame the media.

Latvian National Human Rights Office (NHRO) director is surprised over his repeated appointment to the post and in the future would turn more to international contacts and building of NHRO's image. The parliament Wednesday appointed the previous NHRO director Olafs Bruvers for the second term in office although support to his candidacy was swaying ahead of the vote. Bruvers who was the only candidate officially nominated for the post was elected with 47 votes against eight and 28 abstentions. Bruvers told BNS that as part of his future activities he is committed to step up contacts with officials pointing less attention to consideration of complaints from the people. Bruvers reported to BNS about his "strategic future plans" that will include strengthening ties with non-governmental organisations, especially outside Riga. He said he also is committed to devote more time to relations with local authorities putting more emphasis on requests to solve human rights problems there, if possible, and turn to the NHRO for help only in desperate situations. He called on the local authorities to set up commissions dealing with human rights issues. Bruvers said he regards as his next goal building contacts with international institutions, especially Baltic states ombudsmen and other international partners. He also has decided to work more on fund raising for the NHRO because this issue has become under the sharpest criticism. He voiced an opinion though that reproaches over attracting of insufficient funds are partly groundless because "the NHRO is a state institution and the state should take care of its financing". Bruvers told BNS he did not know until the last minute what the outcome of the parliament vote will be like and was very much afraid he would not be appointed repeatedly because he "likes the job a lot". "It would be sad to leave because a well started work would stay". He voiced regret that media are covering work of the NHRO less than could be expected "therefore an impression is created that NHRO is doing nothing". Bruvers added though he does not want to blame the media. BNS, Jauna, Lauku Avize

Diena writes “the vote of the parliament for Bruvers, despite the fact that he was sharply criticised, has proved the assumptions that politicians do not care about human rights in the country, they are only interested to have a weak control mechanism”.

Diena writes the vote of the parliament for Bruvers, despite the fact that he was sharply criticised, has proved the assumptions that politicians do not care about human rights in the country, they are only interested to have a weak control mechanism.

Diena

publishes the article Latvia Needs an Ombudsman by professor J.Dreifelds who was the head of presidential working group, which developed conceptual paper on the role of ombudsman in Latvia. J.Dreifelds provides rather detailed explanation what the term ombudsman means and what funtions the institution performs in democratic countries and what would be the gains for Latvia if such an institution is established in our country. publishes the article “Latvia Needs an Ombudsman” by professor J.Dreifelds who was the head of presidential working group, which developed conceptual paper on the role of ombudsman in Latvia. J.Dreifelds provides rather detailed explanation what the term “ombudsman” means and what funtions the institution performs in democratic countries and what would be the gains for Latvia if such an institution is established in our country. Winners of a Latvian essay contest organised by a publishing company and criticised by Russia were awarded Wednesday in Riga in a ceremony joined by two parliament members. Nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK member of parliament Roberts Jurdzs who also is parliament repatriation support group member said in a presentation of the book comprised of best of the essays and called "We Don't Give Latvia to Anyone" that the group MPs were pleasantly surprised over the contest results and the idea. Head of the contest organiser Vieda publishing company Aivars Garda said: "If the Cabinet, president and parliament are not solving the most acute problems of Latvians then we should do it by ourselves. There are 700,000 colonists in Latvia who should return to their ethnic native land". The contest was sharply criticised by Russian Foreign Ministry while a local Russian language newspaper Chas asked the law enforcement authorities to check out if the contest should not be seen as inciting to national hatred. National security agency Constitution Protection Office believed there are no grounds to launch a criminal case because Latvia pursues freedom of speech. The book of essays is expected to be presented to country's top officials and will also be on sale. The edition is 3000 copies.

Winners of a Latvian essay contest organised by a publishing company and criticised by Russia were awarded Wednesday in Riga in a ceremony joined by two parliament members. Nationalist Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK member of parliament Roberts Jurdzs who also is parliament repatriation support group member said in a presentation of the book comprised of best of the essays and called "We Don't Give Latvia to Anyone" that the group MPs were pleasantly surprised over the contest results and the idea. Head of the contest organiser Vieda publishing company Aivars Garda said: "If the Cabinet, president and parliament are not solving the most acute problems of Latvians then we should do it by ourselves. There are 700,000 colonists in Latvia who should return to their ethnic native land". The contest was sharply criticised by Russian Foreign Ministry while a local Russian language newspaper Chas asked the law enforcement authorities to check out if the contest should not be seen as inciting to national hatred. National security agency Constitution Protection Office believed there are no grounds to launch a criminal case because Latvia pursues freedom of speech. The book of essays is expected to be presented to country's top officials and will also be on sale. The edition is 3000 copies. Diena, Jauna, Lauku Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Latvian Minister of Agriculture Atis Slakteris and Minister of Economy fell victim

Latvian Minister of Agriculture Atis Slakteris and Minister of Economy fell victim

to Russian national bolshevik extremists on Wednesday, who threw eggs at them during the opening of the Made in Latvia exhibition in Moscow. "Even so the exhibition is doing its task. The result can be seen: Moscow has many Latvian goods. Prices are levelling out, in general everything is fine in this sense. And we will keep working," said Slakteris. The younger of the two turns out to be the son of the Russian national bolshevik movement's Moscow group, and basically the second ranked leader of the Russian national bolshevik organisation.

to Russian national bolshevik extremists on Wednesday, who threw eggs at them during the opening of the Made in Latvia exhibition in Moscow. "Even so the exhibition is doing its task. The result can be seen: Moscow has many Latvian goods. Prices are levelling out, in general everything is fine in this sense. And we will keep working," said Slakteris. The younger of the two turns out to be the son of the Russian national bolshevik movement's Moscow group, and basically the second ranked leader of the Russian national bolshevik organisation. Lauku Avize, Chas, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

4th session of the Associated Council of Latvia and the EC took place in Riga. The scope of discussed matters ranged from society integration to the case of the Swedish ship.

4th session of the Associated Council of Latvia and the EC took place in Riga. The scope of discussed matters ranged from society integration to the case of the Swedish ship. Vesti Segodnja