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

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ( objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ("Saimnieks""Saimnieks") Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens () Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens ("Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai") told) told "DIENA" "DIENA" that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that "TB""TB" "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "TB""TB" could agree to Elmars Vebers' ( could agree to Elmars Vebers' (LNNKLNNK) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. ) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. DienaDiena Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts sees a compilation of laws and legal acts on human rights as an important tool for limiting the possibility of unlawful bureaucratic decisions. The compilation will become available soon in Latvian, Russian and English. The Human Rights Committee believes that the next step toward guaranteeing observance of human rights in Latvia should be the introduction of a special chapter to the Satversme. The Saeima discussed the introduction of a special chapter on human rights to the Satversme already in the twenties. Still, the parties failed agree on particular articles. The discussion halted after Karlis Ulmanis' military coup in 1934. Mr. Seiksts believes the human rights chapter to be of vital importance to Latvia with respect to its plans of joining the EU and ratification of the European Human Rights Convention. The Human Rights Committee supported adopting the Law on Refugees drafted and by the Cabinet of Ministers. Today the draft Law will be submitted to the Saeima Committees for consideration. Mr. Seiksts told the press that only 5% of all illegal immigrants can be granted the refugee status. SM, Neatkariga

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future.

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future. SM