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. 11, 2008
- Diena: working group on issues concerning restitution of Jewish properties in Latvia was formed in order to stop claims of the World Jewish Restitution Organisation
- Chas prints an article by the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs on 10 arguments why Latvian non-citizens should be granted voting rights in municipal elections
According to Diena, the Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis has issued on order to form a working group on issues concerning restitution of Jewish properties in Latvia in order to stop claims of the World Jewish Restitution Organisation. However, the working group is not likely to come up with a solution soon, allegedly because of disagreements among politicians who should decide whether to return the real estate lost by Jews during the Holocaust or to grant money compensation. The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins in an interview with Diena has stated that denationalisation process implemented in Latvia should not bet revised and it is very important to comply with principles of law and equality without any exceptions.
Chas prints an article by the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (For Human Rights in United Latvia) on 10 arguments why Latvian non-citizens should be granted voting rights in municipal elections. According to Mr. Buzajevs, non-citizens should have voting rights because: they had these rights until 1992; they were promised that their political rights will be preserved after return of Latvian independence; they are honest taxpayers; they have close ties with Latvia; it is recommended by the international institutions; this is international practice; non-citizenship in Latvia is a long-term problem; deprivation of rights has no historical justification; allegations concerning pro-Russian municipalities are groundless; such initiative would benefit those governing parties that would support the initiative as well as the whole society because it would help to overcome split between the state and Russian speakers.