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.

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

LATVIAN MEDIA REVIEW

Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Monday presented survey of its annual research on human rights situation in Latvia in 2001 finding as the most soaring human rights problem in Latvia are the still high number of cases pending court hearing and related prolonged terms of pre-trial detentions. "The prolonged investigation is promoted by groundless division of one case in several case, slow reform within the judiciary which on its turn is due to insufficient funding," said Muiznieks. He noted that Latvia last year faced "new and dangerous challenges" to press freedom and judiciary -- murders of a journalist and a judge. During the last year concerns also were caused by state language policy and its consequences in the sphere of minorities rights as well as right to private life and freedom of speech. Muiznieks said the biggest success last year was adoption of the new Labor Law by Latvia and implementation of several measures to promote naturalization of the country's sizeable non-citizen population. "The state last year for the first time allocated money for implementation of society integration program. But the goals of the program are not comparable with the allocated financing -- the sum is too scant," he said. Legal mechanisms for the protection of human rights gained importance last year as the European Court of Human Rights began considering claims filed by Latvia's residents and Latvia's Constitutional Court began considering claims filed by individuals. "These legal mechanisms are becoming increasingly important and everybody has to learn to use these opportunities," said Muiznieks. The survey is published in Latvian and English languages in 1,000 copies. A part of the survey will be included also in the year book of International Helsinki Federation of Human Rights (IHF).

Latvian Center for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Monday presented survey of its annual research on human rights situation in Latvia in 2001 finding as the most soaring human rights problem in Latvia are the still high number of cases pending court hearing and related prolonged terms of pre-trial detentions. "The prolonged investigation is promoted by groundless division of one case in several case, slow reform within the judiciary which on its turn is due to insufficient funding," said Muiznieks. He noted that Latvia last year faced "new and dangerous challenges" to press freedom and judiciary -- murders of a journalist and a judge. During the last year concerns also were caused by state language policy and its consequences in the sphere of minorities rights as well as right to private life and freedom of speech. Muiznieks said the biggest success last year was adoption of the new Labor Law by Latvia and implementation of several measures to promote naturalization of the country's sizeable non-citizen population. "The state last year for the first time allocated money for implementation of society integration program. But the goals of the program are not comparable with the allocated financing -- the sum is too scant," he said. Legal mechanisms for the protection of human rights gained importance last year as the European Court of Human Rights began considering claims filed by Latvia's residents and Latvia's Constitutional Court began considering claims filed by individuals. "These legal mechanisms are becoming increasingly important and everybody has to learn to use these opportunities," said Muiznieks. The survey is published in Latvian and English languages in 1,000 copies. A part of the survey will be included also in the year book of International Helsinki Federation of Human Rights (IHF). Diena, Lauku Avize, Vecernaya Riga, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Amendments to the Election Law is the most important political criteria which is of significance for Latvia to be met already before NATO foreign ministers meeting May 14-15 in Reykjavik -- such insinuation was heard by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins from several NATO member countries Monday in the last meeting of the North Atlantic Council ahead of Prague summit.

Amendments to the Election Law is the most important political criteria which is of significance for Latvia to be met already before NATO foreign ministers meeting May 14-15 in Reykjavik -- such insinuation was heard by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins from several NATO member countries Monday in the last meeting of the North Atlantic Council ahead of Prague summit. Diena, Lauku Avize

Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry criticizes the decision of the National TV and Radio Council not to renew the license of radio station B&B; and considers the decision as the violation of the rights of national minorities. In its turn, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the “Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs again attempts to politicize the issues which in fact have completely content and form”.

Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry criticizes the decision of the National TV and Radio Council not to renew the license of radio station B&B and considers the decision as the violation of the rights of national minorities. In its turn, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs again attempts to politicize the issues which in fact have completely content and form. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize

inquires its readers in Daugavpils about the language situation in Daugavpils. The majority said that it is very difficult to use only Latvian when communicating with people working in public spheres, for instance, sales persons speak very bad Latvian or even do not speak the language at all. inquires its readers in Daugavpils about the language situation in Daugavpils. The majority said that it is very difficult to use only Latvian when communicating with people working in public spheres, for instance, sales persons speak very bad Latvian or even do not speak the language at all.

Vesti Segodnja

claims that at the 2-ond reading of the Law on the Passports and ID cards the majority of Latvian MPs wanted to keep the record of persons nationality in the passport. claims that at the 2-ond reading of the Law on the Passports and ID cards the majority of Latvian MPs wanted to keep the record of person’s nationality in the passport. Daugavpils City Council Education Department believes that the City needs at least 2,5 million lats to secure the positions of the Latvian language in Daugavpils.

Daugavpils City Council Education Department believes that the City needs at least 2,5 million lats to secure the positions of the Latvian language in Daugavpils. Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Vecernaya Riga

informs about international conference Education for Integration organized by the Soros Foundation. The conference discussed bilingual education issues in Latvia. informs about international conference “Education for Integration” organized by the Soros Foundation. The conference discussed bilingual education issues in Latvia.