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

Evaluating the new change of the Government in Latvia,

Evaluating the new change of the Government in Latvia, The Economist writes that the Government of A.Berzins will not differ much from the previous one, but such frequent government changes do not favour stability in Latvia. Diena

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga told M.Albright during their telephone conversation that the new Government’s foreign policy priorities would remain the same – joining NATO and EU. Diena

Latvian President V.V.Freiberga told M.Albright during their telephone conversation that the new Governments foreign policy priorities would remain the same – joining NATO and EU. Diena

Russian Commission on Human Rights Affairs O.Mironovs plans to visit Latvia to get precise information on the situation with the rights of Russian citizens in Latvia. During this visit O.Mironov plans to meet with Latvian officials, representatives of public organisations and Russian citizens.

Russian Commission on Human Rights Affairs O.Mironovs plans to visit Latvia to get precise information on the situation with the rights of Russian citizens in Latvia. During this visit O.Mironov plans to meet with Latvian officials, representatives of public organisations and Russian citizens. Diena

Teikas Nami Ltd and some not named physical persons have undertaken to restore the monument to Peter the Great that was erected in Riga in 1910. They do not claim that the renovated monument should be erected at some certain place. Originally the monument was located at the place where now was the Freedom Monument. The restoration could cost 30 000 – 40 000 Ls. And the names of the sponsors are not known.

Teikas Nami Ltd and some not named physical persons have undertaken to restore the monument to Peter the Great that was erected in Riga in 1910. They do not claim that the renovated monument should be erected at some certain place. Originally the monument was located at the place where now was the Freedom Monument. The restoration could cost 30 000 – 40 000 Ls. And the names of the sponsors are not known. Diena

Yesterday the Head of S.Vizentahl Israel office E.Zuroff submitted in person documents on K.Kalejs and K.Ozols’s cases to the Latvian Prosecutor General Office. Some Office representative told newspapers that there was enough information but no proofs to accuse those two men.

Yesterday the Head of S.Vizentahl Israel office E.Zuroff submitted in person documents on K.Kalejs and K.Ozolss cases to the Latvian Prosecutor General Office. Some Office representative told newspapers that there was enough information but no proofs to accuse those two men. Neatkariga, Lauku Avize , Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnya

TB/LNNK Saeima faction now has a new Chairman. It is the former Minister of Environment and Regional Development V.Balodis. He replaced A.Pozarnovs, became the Minister of Well-being in the new Government.

TB/LNNK Saeima faction now has a new Chairman. It is the former Minister of Environment and Regional Development V.Balodis. He replaced A.Pozarnovs, became the Minister of Well-being in the new Government. Rigas Balss

Five years have passed since Latvia joined European Frame Convention on the Rights of National Minorities in 1995. And all this time both the Government and MFA under different excuses have not submitted to the Saeima the draft law on ratifying this Convention using. The faction For Human Rights in United Latvia bombarded periodically the MFA with requests why this document had not been ratified so far but always got formal answers. Then the deputies of this faction decided to get the Convention ratified with their own efforts. They submitted a draft law that was discussed at the last sitting of the Saeima and rejected unanimously. Against this ratification was also the human rights activist I.Birzniece from Latvijas Cels, who explained postponing of ratification by technical problems.

Five years have passed since Latvia joined European Frame Convention on the Rights of National Minorities in 1995. And all this time both the Government and MFA under different excuses have not submitted to the Saeima the draft law on ratifying this Convention using. The faction For Human Rights in United Latvia bombarded periodically the MFA with requests why this document had not been ratified so far but always got formal answers. Then the deputies of this faction decided to get the Convention ratified with their own efforts. They submitted a draft law that was discussed at the last sitting of the Saeima and rejected unanimously. Against this ratification was also the human rights activist I.Birzniece from Latvijas Cels, who explained postponing of ratification by technical problems. Vesti Segodnya

The Deputy Chairman of the Movement Equality S.Dimanins visited Moscow to discuss the effect of Russian sanctions against Latvia it such would be imposed. He met the Chairman of the Russian Duma Commission on CIS Countries and Compatriots B.Pastuhov. They discussed only the possible economical impact of sanctions on Latvian economy and Russian compatriots.

The Deputy Chairman of the Movement Equality S.Dimanins visited Moscow to discuss the effect of Russian sanctions against Latvia it such would be imposed. He met the Chairman of the Russian Duma Commission on CIS Countries and Compatriots B.Pastuhov. They discussed only the possible economical impact of sanctions on Latvian economy and Russian compatriots. Vesti Segodnya, Diena (15.05.)