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

Latvia has less than a month to prepare the response to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of A.Lavents against the State. According to experts’ conclusions this is the most serious case for Latvia, which will require Latvia to prove that the European Convention of Human Rights is observed in Latvia. The experts do not exclude the possibility that Latvia can lose the case. Although the inhabitants of Latvia can turn to the European Court for more than a year, till this moment no case has had a public hearing. Up to now more than 140 applications have been received.

Latvia has less than a month to prepare the response to the European Court of Human Rights on the case of A.Lavents against the State. According to experts conclusions this is the most serious case for Latvia, which will require Latvia to prove that the European Convention of Human Rights is observed in Latvia. The experts do not exclude the possibility that Latvia can lose the case. Although the inhabitants of Latvia can turn to the European Court for more than a year, till this moment no case has had a public hearing. Up to now more than 140 applications have been received. Diena

The social pool shows that the number of people who believe in the stability of the Government of A.Berzins is decreasing. Less than 50% (46,3%) think that the Government will continue its work till the 7th Saeima elections. Non-citizens are more sceptic. What regards social institutions, people first of all trust in the radio, then – the church, then – the television. The most negative image has the Privatization Agency.

The social pool shows that the number of people who believe in the stability of the Government of A.Berzins is decreasing. Less than 50% (46,3%) think that the Government will continue its work till the 7th Saeima elections. Non-citizens are more sceptic. What regards social institutions, people first of all trust in the radio, then – the church, then – the television. The most negative image has the Privatization Agency. Diena, Rigas Balss, Chas, Panorama Latvii

FF/LNNK confirmed that they will not support the opposition in voting of non-confidence to the Minister of Economy. However, the faction wants to hear public evaluation of the Minister of Economy from the Prime Minister, as the Minister of Economy himself admitted that he had not observed all legal norms when he approved A.Ozolnieku as a board member of the Privatization Agency.

FF/LNNK confirmed that they will not support the opposition in voting of non-confidence to the Minister of Economy. However, the faction wants to hear public evaluation of the Minister of Economy from the Prime Minister, as the Minister of Economy himself admitted that he had not observed all legal norms when he approved A.Ozolnieku as a board member of the Privatization Agency. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Chas, Panorama Latvii

This year Latvia probably will receive a positive progress report from the Council of Europe, says the Deputy of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Council of Europe has given its positive response to the State Language Law and has not commented the protest activities against it. The Council of Europe has also mentioned that Latvia has to finally join the Framework Convention on the Minorities Rights.

This year Latvia probably will receive a positive progress report from the Council of Europe, says the Deputy of the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Council of Europe has given its positive response to the State Language Law and has not commented the protest activities against it. The Council of Europe has also mentioned that Latvia has to finally join the Framework Convention on the Minorities Rights. Diena, Neatkariga

The people of Latvia will be presented a new TV program “1="1”." It is a result of co-operation between the Ministry of Justice, the European Integration Bureau, Soros Foundation Latvia and TV agency “Labvakar”. The main topics of this TV program will be human rights and the compliance of the Latvia’s legislation with the EU legislation. People will have a possibility to watch the program in both languages Latvian and Russian.

The people of Latvia will be presented a new TV program 1="1." It is a result of co-operation between the Ministry of Justice, the European Integration Bureau, Soros Foundation Latvia and TV agency Labvakar. The main topics of this TV program will be human rights and the compliance of the Latvias legislation with the EU legislation. People will have a possibility to watch the program in both languages Latvian and Russian. Diena, Rigas Balss

As there is only half a year left to the municipal elections political parties are considering their chances in the biggest municipalities, particularly in the Council of Riga. The forecast seems rather interesting as this year the left wing could collect the majority of votes. The social democrats headed by D.Ivans (the leader of the Awakening) could be the ruling power in the Council of Riga.

As there is only half a year left to the municipal elections political parties are considering their chances in the biggest municipalities, particularly in the Council of Riga. The forecast seems rather interesting as this year the left wing could collect the majority of votes. The social democrats headed by D.Ivans (the leader of the Awakening) could be the ruling power in the Council of Riga. Neatkariga

In the conference “Security in the Northern Europe” the Minister of Defense G.V.Kristovskis in his speech said that at certain circumstances in the future the co-operation between Latvia and Russia in the sphere of military defense is possible. “The co-operation will be possible when Russia forgets its old ambitions, historical nostalgia and be a really democratic country”.

In the conference Security in the Northern Europe the Minister of Defense G.V.Kristovskis in his speech said that at certain circumstances in the future the co-operation between Latvia and Russia in the sphere of military defense is possible. The co-operation will be possible when Russia forgets its old ambitions, historical nostalgia and be a really democratic country. Panorama Latvii

The chairman of the Saeima has turned down the request of 3 left-wing deputies to go to Byelorussia as observers for the elections of the representatives for the National Assembly of Byelorussia.

The chairman of the Saeima has turned down the request of 3 left-wing deputies to go to Byelorussia as observers for the elections of the representatives for the National Assembly of Byelorussia. Jauna, Panorama Latvii

The conference “Russia – the Baltic states. The way to Europe” will take place in St. Petersburg on October 6. The aim of the conference is to develop a dialogue between the politicians of Latvia and Russia. The deputies of the Saeima, the members of the Government, scientists and businessmen will represent Latvia.

The conference Russia – the Baltic states. The way to Europe will take place in St. Petersburg on October 6. The aim of the conference is to develop a dialogue between the politicians of Latvia and Russia. The deputies of the Saeima, the members of the Government, scientists and businessmen will represent Latvia. Respublika, Vesti Segodnja

The forum of NGOs will take place in Riga on October 20-21.

The forum of NGOs will take place in Riga on October 20-21. Respublika

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview for the National radio on September 25. When asked about the stability of the Government, the President replied “I am very surprised when talks about the stability of the Government are related to the approval of some individuals to high posts. I cannot really understand why these issues are connected with the stability of the Cabinet”. The President was asked also about the establishing the alternative service to the military service, about the necessity to carry out the reforms in prosecutor’s office as well as about the Olympics.

The President Vaira Vike-Freiberga gave an interview for the National radio on September 25. When asked about the stability of the Government, the President replied I am very surprised when talks about the stability of the Government are related to the approval of some individuals to high posts. I cannot really understand why these issues are connected with the stability of the Cabinet. The President was asked also about the establishing the alternative service to the military service, about the necessity to carry out the reforms in prosecutors office as well as about the Olympics. Latvijas Vestnesis.