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

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee voted against abolishing the "window mechanism". The abolishment of the naturalization "window mechanism" was supported only by two Committee members (independent MP Viktors Kalnberzs and Vladlen Dozortsev of "People's Harmony"). President Ulmanis has not made any suggestions on amending the Citizenship Law although he is known to support the canceling of "the window mechanism". The President's non-involvement in the discussion is explained by his concern about a possible government crisis that may be caused by amending the Citizenship Law. "Saimnieks" Deputy-Chairman Viesturs Boka told "DIENA" that the party could not accept the situation when one faction (ATB@/LNNK) did allow the governing coalition to discuss the issue. Still, "Saimnieks" would not like the discussion to impede the adoption of the state budget. "Latvijas Cels" admits the necessity of amending the "Citizenship Law" but does not believe it to be possible at the present moment due to a possible government crisis.

Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee voted against abolishing the "window mechanism". The abolishment of the naturalization "window mechanism" was supported only by two Committee members (independent MP Viktors Kalnberzs and Vladlen Dozortsev of "People's Harmony"). President Ulmanis has not made any suggestions on amending the Citizenship Law although he is known to support the canceling of "the window mechanism". The President's non-involvement in the discussion is explained by his concern about a possible government crisis that may be caused by amending the Citizenship Law. "Saimnieks" Deputy-Chairman Viesturs Boka told "DIENA" that the party could not accept the situation when one faction (ATB@/LNNK) did allow the governing coalition to discuss the issue. Still, "Saimnieks" would not like the discussion to impede the adoption of the state budget. "Latvijas Cels" admits the necessity of amending the "Citizenship Law" but does not believe it to be possible at the present moment due to a possible government crisis. Diena

Yesterday the Consultative Council on Nationalities discussed the alternative draft Law on the State Language. The Saeima has adopted the first reading of the draft. According to Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis, the draft Law is more liberal that the similar draft by the Cabinet of Ministers. The basic difference between the two documents lies in their approach to the application of the Latvian language in school education. The draft by the Cabinet of Ministers provides for a full transition to education in the Latvian language by 2005. The draft Law by the Committee requires that only half of the courses in the Russian language schools are read in Latvian by that date. Apart from education, the most disputed points of the Law are the use of the state language at public gatherings and the mandatory notarized translation of all documents submitted to state institutions.

Yesterday the Consultative Council on Nationalities discussed the alternative draft Law on the State Language. The Saeima has adopted the first reading of the draft. According to Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education and Science Dzintars Abikis, the draft Law is more liberal that the similar draft by the Cabinet of Ministers. The basic difference between the two documents lies in their approach to the application of the Latvian language in school education. The draft by the Cabinet of Ministers provides for a full transition to education in the Latvian language by 2005. The draft Law by the Committee requires that only half of the courses in the Russian language schools are read in Latvian by that date. Apart from education, the most disputed points of the Law are the use of the state language at public gatherings and the mandatory notarized translation of all documents submitted to state institutions. Diena

Deputy-Director of the Human Rights Institute under the Latvian State University Martins Mits criticizes the Law on the Constitutional ("Satversme") Court for restricting the authority of the Court. The Satversme Court can resolve conflicts arising between higher State institutions. Even the Human Rights Bureau cannot appeal to the Satversme Court and can only request the Court to analyze the compliance of legal acts with the Satversme. Mr. Mits believes that all individuals should be given the right to apply to the Satversme Court, observance of human rights being a priority in a democratic state.

Deputy-Director of the Human Rights Institute under the Latvian State University Martins Mits criticizes the Law on the Constitutional ("Satversme") Court for restricting the authority of the Court. The Satversme Court can resolve conflicts arising between higher State institutions. Even the Human Rights Bureau cannot appeal to the Satversme Court and can only request the Court to analyze the compliance of legal acts with the Satversme. Mr. Mits believes that all individuals should be given the right to apply to the Satversme Court, observance of human rights being a priority in a democratic state. Diena

The Latvian Human Rights Committee circulated a statement on recent provocations against the Committee. Unknown burglars have broken into the Committee office, members of the Committee are harassed over the phone and one of its members was attacked in the street by two unidentified individuals. The Committee will inform international human rights organizations about the provocations.

The Latvian Human Rights Committee circulated a statement on recent provocations against the Committee. Unknown burglars have broken into the Committee office, members of the Committee are harassed over the phone and one of its members was attacked in the street by two unidentified individuals. The Committee will inform international human rights organizations about the provocations. SM