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

Director of the European Commission on Multilateral Issues Anhel Vinhas participated in a conference on democratic security and human rights held in Riga last week. At a press-conference Mr. Vinhas said that the large number of non-citizens is a problem to be resolved by the Latvian Government. He stressed that the European Union was aware of the country's history. Still, Latvia had to "pay political and economic charges" to enter the EU, said Mr. Vinhas. In his report at the conference Mr. Vinhas said that the existence of the large number of non-citizens did not comply with EU principles. He referred to EU Commissioner van den Broek's recommendations for Latvia on human rights issues. The recommendations suggested focusing efforts on citizenship-related issues, accelerating naturalization and abolishing restrictions of non-citizens' rights. Head of the European Committee Delegation to Latvia Gunter Weiss noted that although no flagrant human rights violations were encountered in Latvia, the country still had not abolished capital punishment. He also stressed the importance of the citizenship issue. Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen highly evaluated the work of the Human Rights Bureau focusing on its report on employment restrictions for non-citizens. He admitted that the restrictions formally could not be regarded as a violation of human rights in terms of the Human Rights Convention. Still, the only restriction allowed by EU standards is applied to posts in governments and parliaments.

Director of the European Commission on Multilateral Issues Anhel Vinhas participated in a conference on democratic security and human rights held in Riga last week. At a press-conference Mr. Vinhas said that the large number of non-citizens is a problem to be resolved by the Latvian Government. He stressed that the European Union was aware of the country's history. Still, Latvia had to "pay political and economic charges" to enter the EU, said Mr. Vinhas. In his report at the conference Mr. Vinhas said that the existence of the large number of non-citizens did not comply with EU principles. He referred to EU Commissioner van den Broek's recommendations for Latvia on human rights issues. The recommendations suggested focusing efforts on citizenship-related issues, accelerating naturalization and abolishing restrictions of non-citizens' rights. Head of the European Committee Delegation to Latvia Gunter Weiss noted that although no flagrant human rights violations were encountered in Latvia, the country still had not abolished capital punishment. He also stressed the importance of the citizenship issue. Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen highly evaluated the work of the Human Rights Bureau focusing on its report on employment restrictions for non-citizens. He admitted that the restrictions formally could not be regarded as a violation of human rights in terms of the Human Rights Convention. Still, the only restriction allowed by EU standards is applied to posts in governments and parliaments. Diena

The US Congress Committee on Security and Co-operation in Europe circulated a statement calling for involving Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in the process of NATO enlargement. Head of the Committee D`Amato said that NATO should start talks with the three countries during the Madrid Summit.

The US Congress Committee on Security and Co-operation in Europe circulated a statement calling for involving Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania in the process of NATO enlargement. Head of the Committee D`Amato said that NATO should start talks with the three countries during the Madrid Summit. Diena

Last Friday Prime-Minister Skele demanded the resignation of Minister of Health Juris Vinkelis. Mr. Vinkelis ignored the requirements of the Anti-Corruption Law and stayed on the boards of three companies. The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs had not violated the Anti-Corruption Law. The Office discovered that Deputy Prime-Minister Juris Kaksitis has not mentioned his share in a non-profit company in his annual declaration. The violation is not subject to criminal proceedings.

Last Friday Prime-Minister Skele demanded the resignation of Minister of Health Juris Vinkelis. Mr. Vinkelis ignored the requirements of the Anti-Corruption Law and stayed on the boards of three companies. The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs had not violated the Anti-Corruption Law. The Office discovered that Deputy Prime-Minister Juris Kaksitis has not mentioned his share in a non-profit company in his annual declaration. The violation is not subject to criminal proceedings. Diena

Last Saturday

Last Saturday "Tevzemei un Brivibai" and the LNNK officially merged into "a national conservative political organization". The founding congress of the organization elected Maris Grinblats Chairman of the new party. Juris Dobelis was elected Deputy-Chairman. After accomplishing a registration procedure the new political party will establish a faction. The "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK faction will have seventeen seats, fourteen seats being held by "TB" members. LNNK members Juris Dobelis, Peteris Tabuns and Anna Seile will take remaining three seats. Former head of the LNNK faction Aleksandrs Kirsteins has established the National Party for Reforms. Speakers at the founding congress of the "TB"/LNNK party criticized Kirsteins' party for "forsaking the principles of nationalism." The program of the new party provides for safeguarding the Citizenship Law in its current reading, encouraging repatriation of non-citizens and supporting businesses owned by ethnic Latvians. Diena, B&B