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

TB/LNNK is not ready to terminate the coalition agreement in Riga City Council, it rather wants to persuade the representatives of Latvia’s Way about the need to extend the coalition with participation of Social Democrats. Riga Mayor Andris Berzins allowed the beginning of negotiations about the changes in coalition only if some of the current partners leave the coalition.

TB/LNNK is not ready to terminate the coalition agreement in Riga City Council, it rather wants to persuade the representatives of Latvias Way about the need to extend the coalition with participation of Social Democrats. Riga Mayor Andris Berzins allowed the beginning of negotiations about the changes in coalition only if some of the current partners leave the coalition. Diena, Neatkariga

In February, compared to January, TB/LNNK popularity rating increased by 3.7% thus placing the party as the third most popular after People’s Party and Social Democrats.

In February, compared to January, TB/LNNK popularity rating increased by 3.7% thus placing the party as the third most popular after Peoples Party and Social Democrats. Diena, Chas

Chairman of the Supreme Court Andris Gulans has picked the new candidate for the position of the Prosecutor General to be offered to the Saeima for approval.

Chairman of the Supreme Court Andris Gulans has picked the new candidate for the position of the Prosecutor General to be offered to the Saeima for approval. Diena

Russian Foreign Ministry yesterday harshly criticized Latvia from trying the former KGB investigator Yevgeny Savenko. Savenko is accused of taking part in genocide against the residents of Latvia who were recognized as enemies to the communist regime. Savenko has allegedly signed fictitious testimonies and other procedural papers that lead to false sentences for more than 60 residents of Latvia. At the court session Savenko apologized “in the name of the Russian people for the pain caused” to two victims. Savenko’s supporter from the Socialist party reproached for that.

Russian Foreign Ministry yesterday harshly criticized Latvia from trying the former KGB investigator Yevgeny Savenko. Savenko is accused of taking part in genocide against the residents of Latvia who were recognized as enemies to the communist regime. Savenko has allegedly signed fictitious testimonies and other procedural papers that lead to false sentences for more than 60 residents of Latvia. At the court session Savenko apologized in the name of the Russian people for the pain caused to two victims. Savenkos supporter from the Socialist party reproached for that. Diena, Chas, Jauna Avize

As a response to Russia’s request to the OSCE Mission to Latvia to take Kononov’s case under its control, Latvian Foreign Ministry has called it interference into the judiciary procedure. OSCE spokesperson in Vienna told BNS on the phone that the mission does not deal with individual cases, its mandate is limited to participation in addressing the issues of citizenship and integration. In order to expand the mandate, a request from the Latvian government and a decision of the OSCE Permanent Council would be needed.

As a response to Russias request to the OSCE Mission to Latvia to take Kononovs case under its control, Latvian Foreign Ministry has called it interference into the judiciary procedure. OSCE spokesperson in Vienna told BNS on the phone that the mission does not deal with individual cases, its mandate is limited to participation in addressing the issues of citizenship and integration. In order to expand the mandate, a request from the Latvian government and a decision of the OSCE Permanent Council would be needed. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize

Commenting on the part of the report by US State Department on human rights situation pointing out Russia’s violence in Chechnya, Russian Foreign Ministry once again accuses Latvia and Estonia of violation the rights of Russian speakers.

Commenting on the part of the report by US State Department on human rights situation pointing out Russias violence in Chechnya, Russian Foreign Ministry once again accuses Latvia and Estonia of violation the rights of Russian speakers. Neatkariga

In an interview to

In an interview to Vesti Alexander Pereligin, advisor to the mayor of Moscow, assures the readers that the mayor will defend Kononov till the end. In case the Supreme Court will leave the previous sentence in force, they promise to turn to the European Court in Strasbourg. Pereligin mentions that the statement released by Vladimir Putin about Kononov was a signal to all executive bodies, to all subjects of the Federation what should be the reaction to events taking place in Latvia.

Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii publish announcements inviting to a meeting with the MPs from For Human Rights in United Latvia on March 3 at 17:00 in Esplanade. March 3 is the anniversary of the referendum for independence of Latvia that took place in 1991 when the future non-citizens used their right of vote for the last time. In 1998 pensioners rallied at by the Riga City council to protest the rates of utility payments and police force was used to free the way for traffic. The rally will be in support to municipal election rights for non-citizens, against liquidation of Russian schools and against the language terror. The slogan of the rally is “ We demand the responsibility of the state power before the people”. The different mentioned organizers are the Latvian Committee for Human Rights, movement Equality, Saeima’s faction For Human Rights in United Latvia.

Chas, Vesti, Panorama Latvii publish announcements inviting to a meeting with the MPs from For Human Rights in United Latvia on March 3 at 17:00 in Esplanade. March 3 is the anniversary of the referendum for independence of Latvia that took place in 1991 when the future non-citizens used their right of vote for the last time. In 1998 pensioners rallied at by the Riga City council to protest the rates of utility payments and police force was used to free the way for traffic. The rally will be in support to municipal election rights for non-citizens, against liquidation of Russian schools and against the language terror. The slogan of the rally is We demand the responsibility of the state power before the people. The different mentioned organizers are the Latvian Committee for Human Rights, movement Equality, Saeimas faction For Human Rights in United Latvia.