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 Review

Press Review

Deputy-Secretary General of

Deputy-Secretary General of "Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK Ms. Palmira Lace commented on the recent article by "TB" member Aivars Slucis in "The International Herald Tribune". The article accusing the OSCE High Commissioner of being "an agent of the Russian imperialism" and calling Russian the worlds most brutal nation caused numerous protests from the Russian-language press in Latvia. Ms. Lace in a TV talk-show said that she shared Mr. Slucis' opinion. She promised that the "colonists" would be withdrawn from Latvia by 2002. According to P. Lace, the "colonists" will be pressed to leave the country by more strict Repatriation and Language Laws and by keeping the "naturalization windows" closed. Saeima member Juris Sinka ("TB") suggested that the repatriation of non-citizens could be supported by the Repatriation Foundation established in 1994. He referred to Russian Ambassador Udaltsov, who, according to Mr. Sinka, did not object to repatriation and was aware of the possibility to repatriate 3,000 Russians using the Foundation. The State Human Rights Bureau circulated a statement stressing that the ideas expressed by Ms. Lace contradicted the International Pact on Civil and Political Rights acceded by Latvia. The Pact guarantees the right to chose freely the place of residence to all legal inhabitants of a country. Diena, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the

Yesterday the "TB"/LNNK faction called upon the Saeima to hold the second reading of the draft Language Law during the autumn session. The "TB"/LNNK statement says that "organizations disloyal to Latvia" has become more active recently. These "organizations" demand the status of a state language for the Russian. Chairman of the Saeima Committee on Education, Science and Culture Dzintars Abikis told the press that the second reading of the draft Language Law will be held before Christmas. Diena, Chas