Press Report

"Tevzemei un Brivibai"

objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ( objects to appointing Olafs Bruveris ("Saimnieks""Saimnieks") Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens () Director of the Human Rights Bureau. Aigars Jirgens ("Tevzemei un Brivibai""Tevzemei un Brivibai") told) told "DIENA" "DIENA" that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that that Mr. Bruveris proved "to lobby the interests of non-citizens" while holding the post of State Minister for Human Rights and that "TB""TB" "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "would not like him to head the Bureau". According to Mr. Jirgens, "TB""TB" could agree to Elmars Vebers' ( could agree to Elmars Vebers' (LNNKLNNK) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. ) candidature for the post or will suggest nominating another candidate. DienaDiena Chairman of the

Chairman of the Saeima Human Rights Committee Antons Seiksts sees a compilation of laws and legal acts on human rights as an important tool for limiting the possibility of unlawful bureaucratic decisions. The compilation will become available soon in Latvian, Russian and English. The Human Rights Committee believes that the next step toward guaranteeing observance of human rights in Latvia should be the introduction of a special chapter to the Satversme. The Saeima discussed the introduction of a special chapter on human rights to the Satversme already in the twenties. Still, the parties failed agree on particular articles. The discussion halted after Karlis Ulmanis' military coup in 1934. Mr. Seiksts believes the human rights chapter to be of vital importance to Latvia with respect to its plans of joining the EU and ratification of the European Human Rights Convention. The Human Rights Committee supported adopting the Law on Refugees drafted and by the Cabinet of Ministers. Today the draft Law will be submitted to the Saeima Committees for consideration. Mr. Seiksts told the press that only 5% of all illegal immigrants can be granted the refugee status. SM, Neatkariga

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future.

According to Boris Tsilevich, Latvian politicians are not aware of the real human rights situation in the country and do not pay sufficient interest to its development. Members of the Latvia delegation to Moscow could name the exact number of differences between the rights of citizens and non-citizens. Tsilevich notes that several differences were canceled. Among those are the rights to work as customs officers, to establish religious organizations (still, non-citizens cannot be elected heads of such organizations), the right to work as firemen and some other rights previously enjoyed by citizens only. Still, a restriction on non-citizens' access to confidential information was introduced recently. It will seriously complicate the work of the police. The Human Rights Bureau does not believe it to be necessary to include restrictions set by local self-governments into the general list explaining that decisions made by self-government bodies can be appealed in court. Tsilevich believes that the governing parties will support giving non-citizens the right to work as public servants and to carry fire-arms. Liberal politicians do not exclude the possibility of lifting the ban on non-citizens' participation in local elections, although corresponding changes in the legislation are not likely to be made in the nearest future. SM

Press Report

During his yesterday's meeting with Dutch Prime-Minister Wim Kock (currently, EU Chairman) and Head of the European Committee Jean Saunter President Yeltsin called upon EU politicians to pay closer attention to protection of the rights of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. According to

During his yesterday's meeting with Dutch Prime-Minister Wim Kock (currently, EU Chairman) and Head of the European Committee Jean Saunter President Yeltsin called upon EU politicians to pay closer attention to protection of the rights of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states. According to "NEATKARIGA", the two Western politicians did not agree to connect the consideration of human rights issues to other problems. The agenda of the meeting included stability in Europe and NATO enlargement. Neatkariga

Alexander Vidavsky (the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party), currently Mayor of Daugavpils, will run for the post in the upcoming elections. Vidavsky was accused in taking part in the plenary meeting of the Latvian Communist Party in January 1991. The fact, if proved by the court, would make his participation in the elections impossible. The court session scheduled for March 3 was canceled due to the judge's sickness allowing Vidavsky to run for Mayor's office on March 9.

Alexander Vidavsky (the Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party), currently Mayor of Daugavpils, will run for the post in the upcoming elections. Vidavsky was accused in taking part in the plenary meeting of the Latvian Communist Party in January 1991. The fact, if proved by the court, would make his participation in the elections impossible. The court session scheduled for March 3 was canceled due to the judge's sickness allowing Vidavsky to run for Mayor's office on March 9. B&B

The three major parties competing for the post of Mayor of Riga are

The three major parties competing for the post of Mayor of Riga are "Tevzemei un Brivibai" (Andris Argalis, Head of the Vidzeme District Council), "Saimnieks" (Juris Ritins, Riga City Council deputy) and "Latvijas Cels" (Abdris Berzins). The elections will be held on March 9. SM

Press Report

Estonian diplomats told

Estonian diplomats told "DIENA", that the country would not accept Russia's attempts to connect Estonia's policy toward the joining of NATO with the forming of relations between the two countries. Officials at the Estonian Embassy stressed that OSCE principles allow Estonia to choose a security system suiting its needs. According to a statement by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Estonia does not see any necessity in discussing its legislation with Russia. The country's legislation has been already accepted by the OSCE and the UN, says the statement. A spokesman for the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told "DIENA" that Lithuania would not accept any alternative to NATO membership. Western countries, according to "DIENA" journalists, are working on a security model that would allow the three Baltic states "to feel safe" if they were not admitted to NATO at the first stage of its enlargement. The US Department of State in its statement stressed that it saw no reasons for Russia to link border delimitation issues to the situation of ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers. The Department of State believes that Latvia and Estonia have achieved progress in integrating national minorities and will work on their legislation in co-operation with the OSCE. Diena

Press Review

Press Review

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima supported Robert Zile's ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") candidature for Minister of Finance and Aija Poca's ("Latvijas Cels") candidature for State Minister for State Revenues. Sixty-eight deputies voted for the candidates with four (two socialists and two Zigerist's party members) voting against Zile and Poca. Roberts Zile held the post of Chairman of the Saeima Budget Committee in the previous Cabinet. Diena, B&B

Russian Deputy Prime-Minister Valery Serov arrived yesterday to Latvia to discuss the work and the prospects of the Latvian-Russian Government Committee. Its aim is to resolve problems of vital importance to both countries. Mr. Serov heads the Russian side in the Committee while the Latvian side is headed by Deputy Prime-Minister Gorbunovs. Mr. Serov will also meet Prime-Minister Skele, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and President Ulmanis. Valery Serov is Head of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad (for detailed information on the recent meeting of the Committee see the press-report of February 26). According to

Russian Deputy Prime-Minister Valery Serov arrived yesterday to Latvia to discuss the work and the prospects of the Latvian-Russian Government Committee. Its aim is to resolve problems of vital importance to both countries. Mr. Serov heads the Russian side in the Committee while the Latvian side is headed by Deputy Prime-Minister Gorbunovs. Mr. Serov will also meet Prime-Minister Skele, Minister of Foreign Affairs Birkavs and President Ulmanis. Valery Serov is Head of the Government Committee for the Affairs of Compatriots Abroad (for detailed information on the recent meeting of the Committee see the press-report of February 26). According to "BIZNES I BALTIYA", the agenda of the meeting of Prime-Minister Skele with Deputy Prime-Minister Serov included the exchange of opinions on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The Russian side focused on social and humanitarian issues. Yesterday Mr. Serov had a meeting with representatives of Russian-speakers' organizations. Diena, B&B

Yesterday the

Yesterday the Saeima voted against passing draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to the Committees. The amendments were submitted by "Saimnieks" and by Socialist and "People's Harmony" deputies. "Saimnieks" suggested granting the right for extraordinary naturalization to ethnic Poles. Draft amendments by Socialists and "People's Harmony" cancel the "window mechanism" and give all Latvia's residents the right to undergo naturalization irrespective of their age. According to V.Dozortsev ("People's Harmony"), President Ulmanis also spoke in favor of canceling the "window mechanism." SM, B&B

Press Review

Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem.

Latvia agreed to recognize its current border with Russia. According to Head of the Latvian Delegation to the border talks Aivars Vovers, Latvia would not demand a reference to the 1920 Riga Peace Treaty in the border agreement. Mr. Vovers told the press that the delegation would not discuss the property rights of former inhabitants of the Abrene district. The next round of the talks will be held on March 20-21 in Riga. Minister for European Union Affairs Aleksandrs Kirstens said the outcome of the talks was the only possible solution to the border problem. "Tevzemei un Brivibai" representatives told the press that the party would further insist on considering Abrene a part of Latvia's territory. Diena, Neatkariga

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment,

Today the governing factions are to vote on Roberts Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. All governing factions support the candidate. After Zile's appointment, "Tevzemei un Brivibai" will have the largest number of seats in the Cabinet (four Ministers and one State Minister). Diena

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles.

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted amendments to the regulations for determining the procedure of naturalization tests. The amendments give applicants the right to chose between a verbal test and a multiple choice test in Latvian history and constitutional principles. PL

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia

Kotov, Buzayev and Raihman of the Latvian Human Rights Committee in their survey of the human rights situation in Latvia in 1996 point at the indifference displayed by the Latvian authorities to the problem of illegal residents. Most of these people have lost their "propiska" after temporary absence from Latvia or, even, without leaving the country. The human rights activists criticize amendments to the Law "On Foreigners' and Stateless Persons' Entrance to and Stay in the Republic of Latvia" adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers last August. The amendments require that all foreign citizens permanently residing in Latvia should apply for permanent residence permits. The requirement is a threat to foreigners' status in Latvia, since it does not set any difference between a temporary residence permit and a permanent residence permit as for the possibility of annulling. Both types of residence permits can be annulled in fifteen cases, including the loss of a legal source of income. The Latvian Human Rights Committee members point at misinterpretation of the Law "On the Status of Former USSR Citizens who are not Citizens of Latvia or of any other State". Courts and the Procurator's Office still insist that only individuals who had "propiska" in Latvia ON July 1, 1992, can be included in the Register of Inhabitants. Still, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, according to the authors of the article, insist on using "BEFORE July 1, 1992" when defining the category of residents entitled to registration.SM