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

Latvian politicians in their interviews criticized Prime-Minister Skele's statement on political situation in the country.

Latvian politicians in their interviews criticized Prime-Minister Skele's statement on political situation in the country. Saeima deputies believe that Mr. Skele has disparaged the role of political parties and displayed disrespect to the Saeima. Prime-Minister Skele's statement made on the national TV on 17 June was focused on recently discovered violations of the Anti-Corruption Law pointing at the signs of moral decay among the "ruling elite." Diena

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted against an increase of Parliament members' salaries suggested by members of governing coalition factions. Diena

The Prosecutor General's Office will examine the contents of Mr. Juris Bojars' recent interview for the

The Prosecutor General's Office will examine the contents of Mr. Juris Bojars' recent interview for the "FOKUSS" weekly. Mr. Bojars, a leader of Latvian Social-Democrats, in his interview insisted on dismissing the Saeima calling its deputies "idiots". He also warned about possible violent protests of the country's populations against current policies of the Saeima and the Cabinet. SM The Russian Embassy handed over a note to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the recent attempted blow up of the Monument to the Liberators of Riga. Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gennady Tarasov at his recent press-briefing mentioned the act of terrorism against the monument and expressed hope that the Latvian authorities would take all necessary measures to discover "the inspirers and organizers of the provocation". According to "BIZNES & BALTIYA", the Bureau for Protection of the Satversme has already found out all the details on the terrorists who were killed by the explosion. Still, the Bureau is not likely to proceed with investigating the alleged involvement of the "Aizsargi" organization in organizing the terrorist attack on the Monument. SM

Member of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Tatyana Zhdanok has studied the Tamazyans' case. The Tamazyan family fled to Latvia from Armenia several years ago. Mrs. Tamazyan and her children have been placed to the Olaine refugee camp recently while Mr. Tamazyan is currently kept in custody by the Immigration Police. He has contracted TB and therefore is not allowed to join his family in the Olaine camp. T. Zhdanok believes that the Latvian legislation ignores the fact that all former USSR republics have gained their independence quite recently. The legislation should have provided for a certain transition period that would allow to eliminate many of the problems encountered by former USSR citizens today, says Mrs. Zhdanok.

Member of the Latvian Human Rights Committee Tatyana Zhdanok has studied the Tamazyans' case. The Tamazyan family fled to Latvia from Armenia several years ago. Mrs. Tamazyan and her children have been placed to the Olaine refugee camp recently while Mr. Tamazyan is currently kept in custody by the Immigration Police. He has contracted TB and therefore is not allowed to join his family in the Olaine camp. T. Zhdanok believes that the Latvian legislation ignores the fact that all former USSR republics have gained their independence quite recently. The legislation should have provided for a certain transition period that would allow to eliminate many of the problems encountered by former USSR citizens today, says Mrs. Zhdanok.