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

Latvia's top watchdog, the Constitutional Protection Office (CPO), has refused to file a criminal case on a book recently published by Vieda. The CPO deputy director Uldis Dzenitis told BNS that a criminal case has been refused because the book, sharply criticised by Russia and controversially spoken of in Latvia, has not been evaluated as promoting national hatred. Dzenitis said that on investigation the CPO interviewed both authors and people having criticised the competition and book. The CPO concluded that, although sharp discussions were aroused by the competition, partially provoked by the Vieda publishing house's organised competition and book, it nevertheless is more of a political nature and should thus be looked upon according to the constitutional rights to religious and political freedom and freedom of speech. Dzenitis said that the CPO decision may be dropped by the Prosecutor General who in turn may refuse filing a criminal case, but motivate the decision differently. The Prosecutor General may also carry out additional investigation or request other respective institutions to do so, and also has the possibility of filing a criminal case. There is no legal deadline by which the Prosecutor General must make a decision.

Latvia's top watchdog, the Constitutional Protection Office (CPO), has refused to file a criminal case on a book recently published by Vieda. The CPO deputy director Uldis Dzenitis told BNS that a criminal case has been refused because the book, sharply criticised by Russia and controversially spoken of in Latvia, has not been evaluated as promoting national hatred. Dzenitis said that on investigation the CPO interviewed both authors and people having criticised the competition and book. The CPO concluded that, although sharp discussions were aroused by the competition, partially provoked by the Vieda publishing house's organised competition and book, it nevertheless is more of a political nature and should thus be looked upon according to the constitutional rights to religious and political freedom and freedom of speech. Dzenitis said that the CPO decision may be dropped by the Prosecutor General who in turn may refuse filing a criminal case, but motivate the decision differently. The Prosecutor General may also carry out additional investigation or request other respective institutions to do so, and also has the possibility of filing a criminal case. There is no legal deadline by which the Prosecutor General must make a decision. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Two Russian newspapers –

Two Russian newspapers – Chas and Panorama Latvii – have received threat letters from a committee For Latvia, Free from Russian Occupants. Chas compares the style and content of the letter with the essays included in Viedas book. Chas has forwarded the letter to the Constitution Protection Office.

Chas

gives brief comments to the Law on Detective Profession just recently adopted by the Saeima. According to the Law all detectives will have to undergo repeated registration and this time their citizenship status and language skills will be considered. gives brief comments to the Law on Detective Profession just recently adopted by the Saeima. According to the Law all detectives will have to undergo repeated registration and this time their citizenship status and language skills will be considered. ChasChas provides the comments of the former interior minister of Latvian Soviet Republic and honour member of Detectives Association B.Shteinbrik I think the more people fight with criminals the better. Now there are about 100 members in our Association and after re-registration there will be much lesser. The question is – who will benefit from that? provides the comments of the former interior minister of Latvian Soviet Republic and honour member of Detectives Association B.Shteinbrik “I think the more people fight with criminals the better. Now there are about 100 members in our Association and after re-registration there will be much lesser. The question is – who will benefit from that?” “After what has happened in Macedonia, Latvian authorities have worship the leaders of Russian-speaking organisations – thanking them for their ability to fight for the rights of national minorities only with peaceful measures”, said FHRUL deputy B.Cilevich and gives more complete analyses of the situations of Russians in Latvia and Albanians in Macedonia.

After what has happened in Macedonia, Latvian authorities have worship the leaders of Russian-speaking organisations – thanking them for their ability to fight for the rights of national minorities only with peaceful measures, said FHRUL deputy B.Cilevich and gives more complete analyses of the situations of Russians in Latvia and Albanians in Macedonia. Vesti Segodnja

During summer months naturalisation rate has dropped very significantly, writes

During summer months naturalisation rate has dropped very significantly, writes Vesti Segodnja. The newspaper gives deeper analyses of the current situation of non-citizens. Just recently the Latvian Government awarded non-citizens with three extra bonuses – first, recalculations of pensions for non-citizens are not going to happen, second, non-citizens are not entitled to obtain detectives license and, third, it was re-approved that the members of the Constitutional Court can be only citizens. According to the columnist all people who wanted to get naturalised have already done that. The columnist also draws attention to the fact that integration and naturalisation projects are funded by everybody but the Latvian Government. He explains that in general Latvian Government and community are quite happy that such vast number of people (non-citizens) are excluded from public affairs and are fulfil vacancies of non- prestigious jobs. The article is concluded with the assumption that the majority of non-citizens still believe in the re-union of the former Soviet Republics. Vesti Segodnja

Friday night somebody set fire at the door of famous “Radio Russia” journalist V.Bochkovoy’s apartment in Riga. V.Bochkova does not think that it is just an accident – she links the fire with her publications on violations of the rights of non-citizens, closure of Russian schools and scandal around the essay contest organised by Vieda.

Friday night somebody set fire at the door of famous Radio Russia journalist V.Bochkovoys apartment in Riga. V.Bochkova does not think that it is just an accident – she links the fire with her publications on violations of the rights of non-citizens, closure of Russian schools and scandal around the essay contest organised by Vieda. Vesti Segodnja