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

On November 31 the plenary session of the Supreme Court declared the decree by the Ministry of Justice on supervision over the Supreme Court to contradict the legislation and the UN conventions. The decree by the Ministry of Justice was adopted on August 23, 1994. According to the decree the Minister of Justice and the State Secretary of the Ministry is in the position to issue instructions to be implemented by the Supreme Court. Before the plenary session the heads of the Supreme Court had consultations with Minister of Justice Romans Apsitis. According to Chairman of the Supreme Court Mr.Guljans the Minister of Justice "understands the situation".

On November 31 the plenary session of the Supreme Court declared the decree by the Ministry of Justice on supervision over the Supreme Court to contradict the legislation and the UN conventions. The decree by the Ministry of Justice was adopted on August 23, 1994. According to the decree the Minister of Justice and the State Secretary of the Ministry is in the position to issue instructions to be implemented by the Supreme Court. Before the plenary session the heads of the Supreme Court had consultations with Minister of Justice Romans Apsitis. According to Chairman of the Supreme Court Mr.Guljans the Minister of Justice "understands the situation". Diena, Neatkariga

Yesterday Prime-Minister Gailis informed the Ministry of Interior executives that he had suggested Mr.Janis Adamsons who is the Commander of the border guard brigade. The candidature may be discussed by the Saeima tomorrow though it is possible that the Prime-Minister will ask the Saeima to review the issue later. According to Mr.Gailis the Economists, the People's Harmony, and the Democratic Party have already approved of Mr.Adamsons' candidature.

Yesterday Prime-Minister Gailis informed the Ministry of Interior executives that he had suggested Mr.Janis Adamsons who is the Commander of the border guard brigade. The candidature may be discussed by the Saeima tomorrow though it is possible that the Prime-Minister will ask the Saeima to review the issue later. According to Mr.Gailis the Economists, the People's Harmony, and the Democratic Party have already approved of Mr.Adamsons' candidature. Diena The Government decided to establish the post of the State Minister for Social Affairs at the Ministry of Welfare. The Plenary Meeting of the Saeima will discuss the candidature of Mr.Vladimir Makarov on Thursday. The State Minister will be responsible for the State Social Insurance Department. Diena

State Minister for Human Rights Mr.Tupesis continues the series of articles for

State Minister for Human Rights Mr.Tupesis continues the series of articles for "DIENA" on human rights-related issues. He gives a survey of the UNDP High level Mission on the human right situation in Latvia. Among the drawbacks the report mentions a bureaucratic approach to human rights, certain violations by the CID, and the lack of professional experts on human rights in the government. The report also points at the necessity of including clear references to human rights instruments joined by Latvia into the Satversme and the Constitutional Law on the Rights and Obligations of the Citizen and the Individual. The report also contains several recommendations on the improvement of human rights-related institutions, development of the national human rights program, improvement of the understanding of the essence of the notion of "human rights". Mr.Tupesis believes that the report should not be perceived by the Latvian government as a dogma. He admits that the document points at certain serious problems that require a fast solution. He pays special attention to the establishment of an independent commission on human rights. Diena