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

On Monday the Saeima started considering the draft Criminal law in the third reading. Deputies decided to keep the death penalty. The

On Monday the Saeima started considering the draft Criminal law in the third reading. Deputies decided to keep the death penalty. The Latvijas Cels who supports the elimination of the death penalty, plans to ask the government to submit the 6th Protocol of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights eliminating the death penalty in peace time to the Saeima for ratification. Foreign Affairs Minister Valdis Birkavs expressed regret about the parliaments decision by saying that Latvia did not make a pragmatic step towards the European Union. Minister of Justice Dzintars Rasnacs believes that the society is not ready to eliminate the death penalty, it could be done gradually around the year of 2000. State President who has to promulgate the adopted laws, has many times expressed the support for the elimination of the death penalty. Press Secretary of the State President Vita Savicka said that the President would decide about the promulgation after the adoption of the Criminal law. The consideration of the draft Criminal law will continue next week. Diena

Saeima Presidium has included into this week agenda a proposal by opposition deputies to give a vote of no-confidence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs.

Saeima Presidium has included into this week agenda a proposal by opposition deputies to give a vote of no-confidence to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs. Diena

Christian Democratic Party Council believes that the granting of the citizenship to children born after the restoration of the independence can be done only by making simultaneous changes in the Education Law providing that the Latvian language is the language of instruction in all state financed schools.

Christian Democratic Party Council believes that the granting of the citizenship to children born after the restoration of the independence can be done only by making simultaneous changes in the Education Law providing that the Latvian language is the language of instruction in all state financed schools. Diena

Today the Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia meet in Riga to discuss the co-operation of three Baltic states as well as their relationship with Russia and NATO. 

Today the Presidents of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia meet in Riga to discuss the co-operation of three Baltic states as well as their relationship with Russia and NATO.B&B

According to unofficial information, during the meeting in Valka-Valga last week the Estonian President Lennart Meri has proposed Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis to sell the part of a street in Valka where the majority of population is Estonians. Press Service of the State President neither confirmed nor denied this information. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs, Valka is not Alaska which can be to be sold, and border crossing matters rather technical than political issue.

According to unofficial information, during the meeting in Valka-Valga last week the Estonian President Lennart Meri has proposed Latvian President Guntis Ulmanis to sell the part of a street in Valka where the majority of population is Estonians. Press Service of the State President neither confirmed nor denied this information. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Valdis Birkavs, Valka is not Alaska which can be to be sold, and border crossing matters rather technical than political issue. Chas, B&B

A group of 13 OSCE experts headed by Colonel of Swiss Air Force Jakob Meier arrived in Latvia for the inspection of the Skrunda Radar Station. According to Col. Meier, the Skrunda station is a serious object, therefore it is necessary to check the compliance of Russian armament and military equipment with the earlier provided information. During the inspection the commission will also check the implementation of lease regulations as well as the readiness for the dismantling of the Station.

A group of 13 OSCE experts headed by Colonel of Swiss Air Force Jakob Meier arrived in Latvia for the inspection of the Skrunda Radar Station. According to Col. Meier, the Skrunda station is a serious object, therefore it is necessary to check the compliance of Russian armament and military equipment with the earlier provided information. During the inspection the commission will also check the implementation of lease regulations as well as the readiness for the dismantling of the Station. Chas

National Harmony Party

has decided to unite with the has decided to unite with the Movement “Equality”Movement Equality and the and the Socialist PartySocialist Party in order to ally the Leftist forces before the elections. The in order to ally the Leftist forces before the elections. The Socialist PartySocialist Party and and the Equalitythe Equality have not expressed their opinion about this idea, yet. have not expressed their opinion about this idea, yet. SMSM SM publishes the statement of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Primakov concerning the letter of Max van der Stoel to the Latvian Prime Minister, at the summit of Foreign Affairs Minister of G8 countries in London.

SM publishes the statement of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevgeny Primakov concerning the letter of Max van der Stoel to the Latvian Prime Minister, at the summit of Foreign Affairs Minister of G8 countries in London. SM

Girts Kristovskis announced his decision to leave the

Girts Kristovskis announced his decision to leave the Latvijas Cels party and join the Tevzemei/Brivibai. He is already the third deputy who has recently left the Latvijas Cels. Jauna Avize

According to the Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers, during last year there were more than 5, 000 instances of violation of the administrative law done by the employees of the Ministry of the Interior system. An alarming fact is that one third of the violations are related with the relationship between the police and population. The reason is the unfamiliarity of policemen with the basic human rights norms.

According to the Director of the National Human Rights Office Olafs Bruvers, during last year there were more than 5, 000 instances of violation of the administrative law done by the employees of the Ministry of the Interior system. An alarming fact is that one third of the violations are related with the relationship between the police and population. The reason is the unfamiliarity of policemen with the basic human rights norms. Jauna Avize

Panorama Latvii publishes answers by the Russian Consul Alexander Rylov and the Belorussian Consul Vladimir Gromyko to the readers' questions related with the travelling to Russia and Belorus.

Neatkarigapublishes an article about the Medumi Secondary school in Daugavpils region which successfully implements the transition to a school with Latvian as the language of instruction, although 90 % of the population in Medumi administrative unit speak Russian. This year graduates of the secondary school will take the exams in the state language. Director of the Secondary School Janis Stikans names four major factors which promote the transition - the support from parents, teachers activities, students' attitude, and teaching materials.