Press Review

Press Review

Latvian human rights experts say that there are more human rights violations than mentioned in the US State Department report. They name violence against children, unprotected socially challenged people, rights of the mentally ill.

Latvian human rights experts say that there are more human rights violations than mentioned in the US State Department report. They name violence against children, unprotected socially challenged people, rights of the mentally ill. Diena

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK faction in the Riga City Council yesterday started negotiations with politicians from Social Democrats and Latvia's Way on securing political and economic stability in the City Council. Chairman of the faction Aigars Kimenis did not want to admit that actually the negotiations are about creating a new coalition.

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK faction in the Riga City Council yesterday started negotiations with politicians from Social Democrats and Latvia's Way on securing political and economic stability in the City Council. Chairman of the faction Aigars Kimenis did not want to admit that actually the negotiations are about creating a new coalition. Diena, Neatkariga

After meeting Latvian officials during the last week's visit to Latvia with a goal to prepare a report to the European Commission about Latvia the EU Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schroedter announced that she saw no problems for Latvia's integration into EU.

After meeting Latvian officials during the last week's visit to Latvia with a goal to prepare a report to the European Commission about Latvia the EU Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schroedter announced that she saw no problems for Latvia's integration into EU. Neatkariga

Kurzeme District Court in Liepaja yesterday started hearing of the case of the former KGB investigator Yevgeny Savenko. The court-room was crowded with his supporters from Liepaja branch of the Socialist Party.

Kurzeme District Court in Liepaja yesterday started hearing of the case of the former KGB investigator Yevgeny Savenko. The court-room was crowded with his supporters from Liepaja branch of the Socialist Party. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

Due to disagreement between the EU and Austria, EU candidate countries, including Latvia, may see problems if Austria uses its veto rights in the vote on EU enlargement.

Due to disagreement between the EU and Austria, EU candidate countries, including Latvia, may see problems if Austria uses its veto rights in the vote on EU enlargement. Vesti, Chas, Neatkariga

Chas

writes about "an openly Nazi-oriented monthly magazine" "Patriots" printed "underground" in Liepaja. writes about "an openly Nazi-oriented monthly magazine" "Patriots" printed "underground" in Liepaja.

Press Report

US State Department in its annual report of the human rights situation admits that in Latvia human rights in general are being observed, criticism was expressed concerning the conditions in prisons, violence in families and discrmination of women, week judiciary, the tendency of the law enforcement officers to abuse their power by using excessive force against citizens. Diena,

US State Department in its annual report of the human rights situation admits that in Latvia human rights in general are being observed, criticism was expressed concerning the conditions in prisons, violence in families and discrmination of women, week judiciary, the tendency of the law enforcement officers to abuse their power by using excessive force against citizens. Diena, Neatkariga

The former president of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis does not support dismissal of the Saeima but in his opinion confidence of the public in the government has never been so low.

The former president of Latvia Guntis Ulmanis does not support dismissal of the Saeima but in his opinion confidence of the public in the government has never been so low. Diena

The Saeima's Commission of State Administration and municipalities supported the suggestion to amend the law on municipal elections allowing people who have been elected in the elections of 1994 and have woked a full term to stand for the coming elections even if they have been active in forbidden organizations after 1991. The new amendment will allow the current mayor of Daugavpils to stand for elecetions.

The Saeima's Commission of State Administration and municipalities supported the suggestion to amend the law on municipal elections allowing people who have been elected in the elections of 1994 and have woked a full term to stand for the coming elections even if they have been active in forbidden organizations after 1991. The new amendment will allow the current mayor of Daugavpils to stand for elecetions. Diena

Respublika runs an interview with Silvija Dreimane from the New Party. It stresses that this party was the one who managed to convince President Freiberga that the language law should not stay as passed last July 8, also, New Party supports grantive the passive municipal election rights to non-citizens. Dreimane expresses her view on what is integration.

The case of Shishkin family against DCMA concerning spelling of their family name in passports has been going on for 7 years. Last week the Supreme Court decided the case in the favor of the Department

The case of Shishkin family against DCMA concerning spelling of their family name in passports has been going on for 7 years. Last week the Supreme Court decided the case in the favor of the Department. Chas

Vesti writes that the last weeks visit of the Pskov region governor in Latvia became a beam of light in the dark space of the relations between Latvia and Russia.

Trade unions of the Belgorod oblast of Russia wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin demanding that Russia introduces economic sanctions against Latvia to protest prosecution of Russian speakers and antifascists in Latvia.

Trade unions of the Belgorod oblast of Russia wrote a letter to Vladimir Putin demanding that Russia introduces economic sanctions against Latvia to protest prosecution of Russian speakers and antifascists in Latvia. Vesti

Latvian Committee for Protection of Human Rights is organizing a rights protection rally on March 3 in Riga. Representative of the Committee Genady Kotov presents his view on the situation of non-citizens.

Latvian Committee for Protection of Human Rights is organizing a rights protection rally on March 3 in Riga. Representative of the Committee Genady Kotov presents his view on the situation of non-citizens. Vesti

Panorama Latvii looks at the hsitory of the March 3, 1998 pensioner rally by the Riga City Council.

Press Review

Press Review

Russian politicians over the last days have expressed different opinions about the need to introduce economic sanctions against Latvia. The attitude is also connected with the trial of the former red partisan Vasily Kononov. Governor of the Pskov region who was just visiting Latvia announced that Pskov is interested to develop eceonomic cooperation with Latvia. Governor of Kemerovo district, a candidate for the president's position, harshly crticized trial against a veteran of the WW2.

Russian politicians over the last days have expressed different opinions about the need to introduce economic sanctions against Latvia. The attitude is also connected with the trial of the former red partisan Vasily Kononov. Governor of the Pskov region who was just visiting Latvia announced that Pskov is interested to develop eceonomic cooperation with Latvia. Governor of Kemerovo district, a candidate for the president's position, harshly crticized trial against a veteran of the WW2. Neatkariga

Chairman of the parliamentary investigation commission in the case of pedophilia Janis Adamsons last Friday refused the Prosecutor's Office to reveal the sources who provided information about the officials involved in the case.

Chairman of the parliamentary investigation commission in the case of pedophilia Janis Adamsons last Friday refused the Prosecutor's Office to reveal the sources who provided information about the officials involved in the case. Diena

Following the argument between the editor of magazine Klubs and State Secretary of the Interior Minsitry Andris Staris the journalist has turned to the prosecutor's office with a claim that his rights to obtain information were not observed.

Following the argument between the editor of magazine Klubs and State Secretary of the Interior Minsitry Andris Staris the journalist has turned to the prosecutor's office with a claim that his rights to obtain information were not observed. Diena, Neatkariga

Last Friday Liepaja's City Council congratulated the 25,000th resident of Latvia who has obtained citizenship through naturalization.

Last Friday Liepaja's City Council congratulated the 25,000th resident of Latvia who has obtained citizenship through naturalization. Vesti

Press Review

Yesterday, the Foreign Commission of the European Parliament, in its resolution on fighting against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in EU candidate countries, stated that EU from its budget should allot enough resources to support observing human rights and minority rights in the candidate countries. In the resolution, the European Commission is advised to help also Latvia and Estonia “to continue taking care of integration of the Russian minority and ensuring equal attitude”. Several Central European countries are reproached of discriminating Gypsies.

Yesterday, the Foreign Commission of the European Parliament, in its resolution on fighting against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in EU candidate countries, stated that EU from its budget should allot enough resources to support observing human rights and minority rights in the candidate countries. In the resolution, the European Commission is advised to help also Latvia and Estonia to continue taking care of integration of the Russian minority and ensuring equal attitude. Several Central European countries are reproached of discriminating Gypsies. Diena

After the materials obtained by the investigation commission in pedophilia case were passed over to the Constitution Defense Office for investigation, Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs stopped his hunger strike.

After the materials obtained by the investigation commission in pedophilia case were passed over to the Constitution Defense Office for investigation, Justice Minister Valdis Birkavs stopped his hunger strike.

In yesterday’s Saeima session the term for the activities of the commission was extended till April 13. The Saeima agreed to look at the draft amendments to the law on Prosecutor’s Office submitted by the commission.

In yesterdays Saeima session the term for the activities of the commission was extended till April 13. The Saeima agreed to look at the draft amendments to the law on Prosecutors Office submitted by the commission. Diena, Vesti, Neatkariga

Several Russian politicians on Thursday came forward with threatening statements in the direction of Latvia expressing support for introducing economic sanctions. They stressed that the federal authorities should develop a united program against the Baltic countries and repeat reproaches regarding discrimination of Russian speakers in Estonia and Latvia. Chairman of the State Duma Foreign Commission Sergey Rogozin noted that the sanctions should be adopted by Duma only after being approved by the executive bodies, like the Security Council and Foreign Ministry. Rogozin has informed BNS that the State Duma will develop and submit to OSCE its own report on the human rights situation in Estonia and Latvia. This has been agreed during Rogozin’s meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel.

Several Russian politicians on Thursday came forward with threatening statements in the direction of Latvia expressing support for introducing economic sanctions. They stressed that the federal authorities should develop a united program against the Baltic countries and repeat reproaches regarding discrimination of Russian speakers in Estonia and Latvia. Chairman of the State Duma Foreign Commission Sergey Rogozin noted that the sanctions should be adopted by Duma only after being approved by the executive bodies, like the Security Council and Foreign Ministry. Rogozin has informed BNS that the State Duma will develop and submit to OSCE its own report on the human rights situation in Estonia and Latvia. This has been agreed during Rogozins meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Diena, Neatkariga, Vesti, Panorama Latvii

The protocol between Latvian and Russian governments regulating the process of resettling was extended for 5 more years. As it was told at the ceremony, 2000 persons leave Latvia for Russia and 800 come to Latvia from Russia.

The protocol between Latvian and Russian governments regulating the process of resettling was extended for 5 more years. As it was told at the ceremony, 2000 persons leave Latvia for Russia and 800 come to Latvia from Russia. Diena, Chas, Jauna Avize, Neatkariga

After the last week’s parliament vote when the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia did not support marking June 17 as a commemoration day of Latvia’s occupation, many MP s from this faction doubted the fact of occupation when speaking to press. Chairman of the faction Janis Jurkans recognized that Latvia was occupied and expressed pity for what his colleges had said.

After the last weeks parliament vote when the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia did not support marking June 17 as a commemoration day of Latvias occupation, many MP s from this faction doubted the fact of occupation when speaking to press. Chairman of the faction Janis Jurkans recognized that Latvia was occupied and expressed pity for what his colleges had said. Diena

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov said yesterday that Vasily Kononov could move to Russia if he agrees to take Russian citizenship. State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Maris Riekstins commented that it was to early to discuss the problem as Kononov has appealed the court decision

Russian Ambassador to Latvia Alexander Udaltsov said yesterday that Vasily Kononov could move to Russia if he agrees to take Russian citizenship. State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Maris Riekstins commented that it was to early to discuss the problem as Kononov has appealed the court decision. Neatkariga

The Society Integration Council has approved the short version of the Society Integration Program and decided to submit the document to the government.

The Society Integration Council has approved the short version of the Society Integration Program and decided to submit the document to the government. Panorama Latvii

Press Review

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has sent a response letter to the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin where Putin asked Freiberga to influence the developments in Vasily Kononov's case. Freiberga answered that Kononov was tried for killing civilians and not for his anti-fascist activities.

Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga has sent a response letter to the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin where Putin asked Freiberga to influence the developments in Vasily Kononov's case. Freiberga answered that Kononov was tried for killing civilians and not for his anti-fascist activities. Diena, Netakariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Along with celebration of the birthday of Red Army, now in Russia called the Day of Defense of the Fatherland, in Riga, by the monument of Liberators of Riga, speaches were announced in support to Kononov.

Along with celebration of the birthday of Red Army, now in Russia called the Day of Defense of the Fatherland, in Riga, by the monument of Liberators of Riga, speaches were announced in support to Kononov. Neatkariga, Vesti, Panorama Latvii,

As a follow-up to the results of the research released by the oragization Delna saying that in many state and municipal institutions people cannot find out information they need due to arrogant attitude from public officers,

As a follow-up to the results of the research released by the oragization Delna saying that in many state and municipal institutions people cannot find out information they need due to arrogant attitude from public officers, Diena heard opinions that currently only the good will of heads of institutions can improve the access of the public to information.

Head of the organization “Russian Self-government in Latvia” Dmitry Nikolayev came out with an appeal to Russian organizations to set up a register of Russian-speakers. There was also a suggestion to organize alternative elections so that Russian-speakers could realize national cultural autonomy.

Head of the organization Russian Self-government in Latvia Dmitry Nikolayev came out with an appeal to Russian organizations to set up a register of Russian-speakers. There was also a suggestion to organize alternative elections so that Russian-speakers could realize national cultural autonomy. Diena

As of 2002 Lithuania is planning to introduce person’s ID cards to replace the passports. Foreign passports will be issued to travel abroad.

As of 2002 Lithuania is planning to introduce persons ID cards to replace the passports. Foreign passports will be issued to travel abroad. Diena

Russian ambassador to Latvia announced as absurd the statements of Latvian politicians about the involvement of the Russian special services in organizing of the pedophilia scandal.

Russian ambassador to Latvia announced as absurd the statements of Latvian politicians about the involvement of the Russian special services in organizing of the pedophilia scandal. Jauna Avize, Vesti

Latvian Foreign Ministry’s State Secretary Maris Riekstins expressed appreciation for the cooperation initiatives the between Latvian and Russian border regions during the meeting with the governor of Pskov district in Riga.

Latvian Foreign Ministrys State Secretary Maris Riekstins expressed appreciation for the cooperation initiatives the between Latvian and Russian border regions during the meeting with the governor of Pskov district in Riga. Neatkariga

Latgale’s TV in cooperation with the local offices of Naturalization board organize a TV quiz for families with non-citizens about history, politics, culture of Latvia. At the beginning of March the winners from different regions will compete in semi-finals.

Latgales TV in cooperation with the local offices of Naturalization board organize a TV quiz for families with non-citizens about history, politics, culture of Latvia. At the beginning of March the winners from different regions will compete in semi-finals. Neatkariga

Security Police Chief and Deputy Head of the Constitution Protection Office yesterday confirmed to the Saeima’s National Security Commission that Alexander Pereligin who visited Latvia last week was not a staff member of Russia’s Federal Security Service. Pereligin had been a staff member earlier. Head of the People’s Party faction Gundars Berzins mentioned Pereligin as one of the possible organizers of the pedophilia scandal.

Security Police Chief and Deputy Head of the Constitution Protection Office yesterday confirmed to the Saeimas National Security Commission that Alexander Pereligin who visited Latvia last week was not a staff member of Russias Federal Security Service. Pereligin had been a staff member earlier. Head of the Peoples Party faction Gundars Berzins mentioned Pereligin as one of the possible organizers of the pedophilia scandal. Neatkariga

Lauku Avîze

writes about the visit of Mr. Van der Stoel in Moscow. Yesterday he met the chairman of the State Duma Foreign Commission Dmitry Rogozin. Rogozin said they discussed Chechnya and the human rights situation in the Baltics. Rogozin had pointed out the attempts of Latvia and Estonia to revise the main provisions of Potsdam and Yalta agreements. writes about the visit of Mr. Van der Stoel in Moscow. Yesterday he met the chairman of the State Duma Foreign Commission Dmitry Rogozin. Rogozin said they discussed Chechnya and the human rights situation in the Baltics. Rogozin had pointed out the attempts of Latvia and Estonia to revise the main provisions of Potsdam and Yalta agreements. Representatives of the Saeima’s Foreign Commission in their meeting with the Europarliamnt Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter exchanged their views on the ability of the government to strengthen the situation of the state language in the society at the same time avoiding intervening into person’s private life.

Representatives of the Saeimas Foreign Commission in their meeting with the Europarliamnt Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter exchanged their views on the ability of the government to strengthen the situation of the state language in the society at the same time avoiding intervening into persons private life. Lauku Avize

Today in Riga Latvian and Russian government representatives will extend the term of the agreement on regulating the process of resettling and protection of the rights of resettlers.

Today in Riga Latvian and Russian government representatives will extend the term of the agreement on regulating the process of resettling and protection of the rights of resettlers. Lauku Avize, Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

refers to an article in Russias Nezavisimaya Gazeta by a political scientist and specialist in the issues of Russian community outside Russia who states that the political and economic pressure applied by Russia toward the Baltic countries under the slogan of protection of the Russian-speakers is actually harming the Russian community in these countries. refers to an article in Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta by a political scientist and specialist in the issues of Russian community outside Russia who states that the political and economic pressure applied by Russia toward the Baltic countries under the slogan of protection of the Russian-speakers is actually harming the Russian community in these countries.

Panorama Latvii

looks at the possibility that Russia adopts the law on economic sanctions against Latvia The issue of support for ethnic Russians is becoming a serious point in Vladimir Putins election campaign. Viktors Alksnis mentions that Russia is nor ready for overall sanctions but it is interested to become independent of the oil transit through Latvia. looks at the possibility that Russia adopts the law on economic sanctions against Latvia The issue of support for ethnic Russians is becoming a serious point in Vladimir Putin’s election campaign. Viktors Alksnis mentions that Russia is nor ready for overall sanctions but it is interested to become independent of the oil transit through Latvia.