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

Latvijas vestnesis

reports: Tuesday justice minister I.Labucka met with the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby to discuss further co-operation and its main issues – state language legislation, society integration process and formation of the ombudsman institution in Latvia. Both parties acknowledged the necessity to study the situation concerning the ruling of the European Human Rights Court on the case of excluding candidates from election lists due to their insufficient level of state language proficiency and the consequences on legislation, as well as possibility to enter amendments to legal norms if the claim is found grounded by the court. The justice minister informed OSCE Mission to Latvia Head about the implementation course of the national programme Society Integration in Latvia, as well as about the job done and actual tasks regarding the establishment of Society Integration Foundation, which is scheduled to be completed till the beginning of October. In his turn, P.Semneby informed about the activities of the OSCE concerning state language studies and public awareness campaign. When discussing the establishment of the ombudsman institution in Latvia, I.Labucka and P.Semneby agreed on continuing the successful co-operation. reports: “Tuesday justice minister I.Labucka met with the OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby to discuss further co-operation and its main issues – state language legislation, society integration process and formation of the ombudsman institution in Latvia. Both parties acknowledged the necessity to study the situation concerning the ruling of the European Human Rights Court on the case of excluding candidates from election lists due to their insufficient level of state language proficiency and the consequences on legislation, as well as possibility to enter amendments to legal norms if the claim is found grounded by the court. The justice minister informed OSCE Mission to Latvia Head about the implementation course of the national programme “Society Integration in Latvia”, as well as about the job done and actual tasks regarding the establishment of Society Integration Foundation, which is scheduled to be completed till the beginning of October. In his turn, P.Semneby informed about the activities of the OSCE concerning state language studies and public awareness campaign. When discussing the establishment of the ombudsman institution in Latvia, I.Labucka and P.Semneby agreed on continuing the successful co-operation”. The signing of the coalition agreement among Latvia’s Way, People’s Party and FF/LNNK scheduled for yesterday was postponed. FF/LNNK stated that it would be premature, as the hopes that other small parties will also join the coalition, have failed.

The signing of the coalition agreement among Latvias Way, Peoples Party and FF/LNNK scheduled for yesterday was postponed. FF/LNNK stated that it would be premature, as the hopes that other small parties will also join the coalition, have failed. Diena, Neatkariga

Latvia's member of parliament, Antons Seiksts, recently observing the Belarus residential elections as part of the OSCE mission, claims that the elections were undemocratic. The MP told reporters on Tuesday that he had for the first time seen such a paradox, that an undemocratic pre-election campaign could have ended up sodemocratically.

Latvia's member of parliament, Antons Seiksts, recently observing the Belarus residential elections as part of the OSCE mission, claims that the elections were undemocratic. The MP told reporters on Tuesday that he had for the first time seen such a paradox, that an undemocratic pre-election campaign could have ended up sodemocratically. Neatkariga

Neatkariga

reports that Latvias Way is having crisis in its administration and provides example of three party members who have showed non-loyalty to Latvias Way. Just recently Latvias Way member O.Kehris allotted funds for the to-be-established party and today he has to report on that to the Party Board. Another partys member Riga City Council deputy G.Grinberg left the party and yesterday joined Social Democrats. Former Prime Minister V.Kristopans has asked to release him from Partys Board member duties, as well as he stated that he would probably provide support the party to-be-establsihed after E.Repshe names other party members. reports that Latvia’s Way is having crisis in its administration and provides example of three party members who have showed “non-loyalty” to Latvia’s Way. Just recently Latvia’s Way member O.Kehris allotted funds for the to-be-established party and today he has to report on that to the Party Board. Another party’s member Riga City Council deputy G.Grinberg left the party and yesterday joined Social Democrats. Former Prime Minister V.Kristopans has asked to release him from Party’s Board member duties, as well as he stated that he would probably provide support the party to-be-establsihed after E.Repshe names other party members. Chas Chas

Latvijas vestnesis

asks President V.Vike-Freibergas opinion about the party-to be-established. The President considers that the main priority of the new party will be solution of actual interior problems and when asked to comment on the joining of ex-President G.Ulmanis to the new party, she, in a rather ironic manner, says that she feels glad that Ulmanis does not feel tired anymore and is ready for political activities. On the occasion of presenting credentials to the new Latvian ambassador to Russia N.Penke, the President says that his duties do not differ from the duties of other ambassadors, however, maybe in his situation they are more difficult to fulfil. asks President V.Vike-Freiberga’s opinion about the party-to be-established. The President considers that the main priority of the new party will be solution of actual interior problems and when asked to comment on the joining of ex-President G.Ulmanis to the new party, she, in a rather ironic manner, says that she feels glad that Ulmanis does not feel tired anymore and is ready for political activities. On the occasion of presenting credentials to the new Latvian ambassador to Russia N.Penke, the President says that his duties do not differ from the duties of other ambassadors, however, maybe in his situation they are more difficult to fulfil.

Chas

gives a little bit more detailed information about Latvian language courses free of charge for the applicants for naturalisation funded by the Governments of Norway, Sweden and the USA. gives a little bit more detailed information about Latvian language courses free of charge for the applicants for naturalisation funded by the Governments of Norway, Sweden and the USA. At the beginning of October the Russian Compatriot Congress will take place in Moscow. The member of Compatriot Council at Russia’s State Duma V.Gavrilov informs about the main issues on Congress’ agenda – adoption of the “Framework Programme on Russia’s Support to Compatriots Residing Abroad”, which received Russian President’s approval last week; round table discussions on legal norms concerning lives of Russian compatriots abroad. About the situation in Latvia, V.Gavrilovs says “existing opposition of the two communities is created and maintained in an artificial manner by radical political powers and, unfortunately, West and the States had and are having their roles in that, too”.

At the beginning of October the Russian Compatriot Congress will take place in Moscow. The member of Compatriot Council at Russias State Duma V.Gavrilov informs about the main issues on Congress agenda – adoption of the Framework Programme on Russias Support to Compatriots Residing Abroad, which received Russian Presidents approval last week; round table discussions on legal norms concerning lives of Russian compatriots abroad. About the situation in Latvia, V.Gavrilovs says existing opposition of the two communities is created and maintained in an artificial manner by radical political powers and, unfortunately, West and the States had and are having their roles in that, too.