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

Does not seem that the proposal accepted by the Estonian government to abolish the norm requesting deputy candidates to know the state language on the highest level will be an example for Latvian politicians to follow. Government forming coalition MPs are rather sceptical about a similar demand from the OSCE and the attempts of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. They think that the election law should not be changed in the nearest future. Today the Saeima has to consider the amendments to the election law proposed by FHRUL but it is very likely that they will be rejected. Saeima Human Rights Commission head A.Seiksts said that Estonians had cornered themselves and Latvians, and now the OSCE received an additional pretence not to close the OSCE Mission in Latvia. He considers that any positive vote could be interpreted as a pressure on the European Human Rights Court concerning I.Podkolzina’s case. A similar opinion had expressed also Prime Minister A.Berzins and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Nevertheless the OSCE Mission holds an opinion that any person, who does not know the state language on the highest level, may work as a deputy.

Does not seem that the proposal accepted by the Estonian government to abolish the norm requesting deputy candidates to know the state language on the highest level will be an example for Latvian politicians to follow. Government forming coalition MPs are rather sceptical about a similar demand from the OSCE and the attempts of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. They think that the election law should not be changed in the nearest future. Today the Saeima has to consider the amendments to the election law proposed by FHRUL but it is very likely that they will be rejected. Saeima Human Rights Commission head A.Seiksts said that Estonians had cornered themselves and Latvians, and now the OSCE received an additional pretence not to close the OSCE Mission in Latvia. He considers that any positive vote could be interpreted as a pressure on the European Human Rights Court concerning I.Podkolzinas case. A similar opinion had expressed also Prime Minister A.Berzins and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga. Nevertheless the OSCE Mission holds an opinion that any person, who does not know the state language on the highest level, may work as a deputy. Diena

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told journalists that if the European Human Rights Court found that taking off the list of deputy candidates for the Saeima election the member of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia I.Podkolzina had been illegal, Latvia would have to amend the election law. The President added that Latvia was not the only state in Europe where deputies had to know the state language and where deputies had to be citizens.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga told journalists that if the European Human Rights Court found that taking off the list of deputy candidates for the Saeima election the member of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia I.Podkolzina had been illegal, Latvia would have to amend the election law. The President added that Latvia was not the only state in Europe where deputies had to know the state language and where deputies had to be citizens. LETA, Chas

The order of the Latvian economics minister to suspend the right of Latvian Privatisation Agency (LPA) chief to sign documents will not affect the government stability, the prime minister said. Andris Berzins expressed the opinion to reporters answering to a question about the possible government crisis that occurred on a previous occasion when the right of Janis Naglis to sign the documents on behalf of the LPA was suspended.

BNS, Neatkariga

Leader of the ruling coalition member People's Party A.Skele rejected accusations by an MP from the coalition partner Latvia's Way that People's Party by its actions wants to trigger the government collapse, saying the Cabinet, headed by member of Latvia's Way, still has support of the People's Party.

BNS

Chairman of Saeima faction of the Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP) Egils Baldzens is not planning to vie for the LSDSP deputy chairman post if he is not elected as LSDSP chairman in the party's 33rd congress. LETA

The government adopted the list of Society Integration Foundation Council members where are included 16 representatives from different state, local government organisations and NGOs.

The government adopted the list of Society Integration Foundation Council members where are included 16 representatives from different state, local government organisations and NGOs. Diena

Dr.hist. I.Mezs comments the decision of FF/LNNK not to ratify the Framework convention on national minorities. Ratification is not set as any special prerequisite for Latvia for joining EU. But the ability of Latvia to solve the problems of peaceful coexistence of the society split during the Soviet era will be seen as such a prerequisite. And fulfilment of this prerequisite is not furthered by the flanks of Latvian political spectre – FF/LNNK and For Human Rights in United Latvia. Diena

Dr.hist. I.Mezs comments the decision of FF/LNNK not to ratify the Framework convention on national minorities. Ratification is not set as any special prerequisite for Latvia for joining EU. But the ability of Latvia to solve the problems of peaceful coexistence of the society split during the Soviet era will be seen as such a prerequisite. And fulfilment of this prerequisite is not furthered by the flanks of Latvian political spectre – FF/LNNK and For Human Rights in United Latvia. Diena

The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans informed press representatives that the Union had submitted to the LSDP a draft co-operation agreement. The agreement would be made public when Social Democrats studied it.

The leader of the Union For Human Rights in United Latvia J.Jurkans informed press representatives that the Union had submitted to the LSDP a draft co-operation agreement. The agreement would be made public when Social Democrats studied it. Diena, Neatkariga

"According to unofficial information, the Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas reached an agreement with his colleague Andris Berzins when visiting Latvia that Lithuania will sign an agreement to authorise Latvians to fish in a territory which will go to the Lithuanians after the sea border treaty takes effect," the Lithuanian newspaper "Respublika" reported Wednesday. It was planned that Lithuanian officials would visit Riga in order to meet with leaders of the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Association in order to discuss the treaty's conditions.

"According to unofficial information, the Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas reached an agreement with his colleague Andris Berzins when visiting Latvia that Lithuania will sign an agreement to authorise Latvians to fish in a territory which will go to the Lithuanians after the sea border treaty takes effect," the Lithuanian newspaper "Respublika" reported Wednesday. It was planned that Lithuanian officials would visit Riga in order to meet with leaders of the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Association in order to discuss the treaty's conditions. LETA

The leader of Latvian Social Democratic Party J.Bojars published his comments on observation of international human rights standards in the new draft constitution he had presented to his party for consideration.

The leader of Latvian Social Democratic Party J.Bojars published his comments on observation of international human rights standards in the new draft constitution he had presented to his party for consideration. Neatkariga

Latvian newspaper

Latvian newspaper Lauku Avize interviewed its readers about the proposal of For Human Rights in United Latvia to amend the election law. One person sees this proposal as a provocation, other is worried that these pro-Russian do not get any opposition; the third thinks that it is not permissible.

Latvijas Vestnesis

published an unofficial translation of the UN Human Rights Committees opinion about the complain of Latvian citizen A.Ignatane concerning her human rights violation. published an unofficial translation of the UN Human Rights Committee’s opinion about the complain of Latvian citizen A.Ignatane concerning her human rights violation. Russian-speaking newspaper

Russian-speaking newspaper Vesti Segodnya comments the statement made by the NATO Secretary General G.Robertson that the process of joining NATO would assist Latvia to solve problems that face its Russian-speaking minority. The Secretary General acknowledged that Russian-speakers have problems here.

The leader of the youth organisation Solidarnost I.Stalnoy plans another action – a free of charge concert to support students of Russian-speaking schools. He had received information about 12 Russian students, who following the call of Latvian Minister of Education and Science K.Grieskalns to join Latvian schools, started to study there and got beaten up. The concert will take place on Friday.

The leader of the youth organisation Solidarnost I.Stalnoy plans another action – a free of charge concert to support students of Russian-speaking schools. He had received information about 12 Russian students, who following the call of Latvian Minister of Education and Science K.Grieskalns to join Latvian schools, started to study there and got beaten up. The concert will take place on Friday. Vesti Segodnya, Chas