Integration monitor
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.
Sept. 9, 2003
Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies
Rating of New Era party drops
Opinion polls show that he rating of party New Era in August has fallen by 4%, but is still the most popular party, having the support of 19% of voters. The Union of Greens and Farmers rate 10,6%, Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK 6,1% and the First Party 5,2%. Opposition parties ratings are: Peoples Party 11,9%, For Human Rights in United Latvia 7%, Equality 3,3% Socialist Party 1,1%. The extra-parliamentary LSDSP shows a rating just above the barrier for entering parliament: 5,1%. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segondya, Chas, Telegraf
Discussion about the September 4th meeting against education reform continues. Lauku Avize asserts that politicians and the police did not react adequately against the protestors, who the newspaper holds to be guilty of libel against the state and the Latvian people.Russian-language newspaperscriticise the submission to the Saeima by party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK, which proposes to not allow such meetings with deputies in parks or other public spaces. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segondya, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga
Chas
reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has expressed the opinion that the EU recently more frequently responds to Russian concerns about the observance of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia.Vechernaya Riga
reports on the prospective expulsion of a citizen of Belorussia from Latvia. The man was born in Latvia and his family are also Latvian residents, but in 1993 he automatically acquired the citizenship of Belorussia, because at the time he was a military in Belorussia. According to Genadij Kotov, politician and human rights activist, in this case the decision of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will be in breech of both Latvian and international law.Valerij Kargin, the president of Parekss Banka, denies Janis Jurkans allegations that he is connected to the foundation of the new party BITE. Vesti Segondya informs that the new party could be registered until September 22nd. Lauku Avize, Vesti Segondya