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

Opposite to the coalition agreement part of FF/LNNK deputies are going to support the amendments to the draft law on real property tax of religious organizations, proposed by Social Democrats. As voting for this opposition proposal that could cause some economic consequences is a violation of coalition agreement, Prime Minister A.Berzins called for a Coalition Council’s extraordinary meeting on Thursday.

Opposite to the coalition agreement part of FF/LNNK deputies are going to support the amendments to the draft law on real property tax of religious organizations, proposed by Social Democrats. As voting for this opposition proposal that could cause some economic consequences is a violation of coalition agreement, Prime Minister A.Berzins called for a Coalition Councils extraordinary meeting on Thursday. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Panorama Latvii

Already eight political forces are ready to fight for positions in the Riga City Council because on Wednesday the Riga City Election Commission received 4 more lists from the left wing union For Human Rights in United Latvia, Social Democrats, People’s Party and Russians’ Party.

Already eight political forces are ready to fight for positions in the Riga City Council because on Wednesday the Riga City Election Commission received 4 more lists from the left wing union For Human Rights in United Latvia, Social Democrats, Peoples Party and Russians Party. Diena

The call of teachers’ trade union to vote for those parties that would sign co-operation agreement with it may seem as an indirect intention to support Social Democrats. So far the only party which promised to promote formation of trade unions and sign co-operation agreements with trade unions was Social Democrats.

The call of teachers trade union to vote for those parties that would sign co-operation agreement with it may seem as an indirect intention to support Social Democrats. So far the only party which promised to promote formation of trade unions and sign co-operation agreements with trade unions was Social Democrats. Diena

On Wednesday Latvian Way Council called all political forces running for the local government election to use politically proper methods avoiding slandering and circulating compromises.

On Wednesday Latvian Way Council called all political forces running for the local government election to use politically proper methods avoiding slandering and circulating compromises. Diena

Yesterday Russian President V.Putin said during his meeting with Finish Prime Minister P.Lipponen that Russia was interested in good relations with the Baltic States and hoped for the same position in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. In his turn Finnish Prime Minister evaluated this position as a positive one and expressed an opinion that this Russia’s wish would be positively received in those countries.

Yesterday Russian President V.Putin said during his meeting with Finish Prime Minister P.Lipponen that Russia was interested in good relations with the Baltic States and hoped for the same position in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. In his turn Finnish Prime Minister evaluated this position as a positive one and expressed an opinion that this Russias wish would be positively received in those countries. Neatkariga

Court of Melbourne will start today considering the extradition case of K.Kalejs, accused of wartime crimes, but the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission decided that due to the great stir about Latvian – Australian extradition agreement the future of it should be decided by the Saeima factions.

Court of Melbourne will start today considering the extradition case of K.Kalejs, accused of wartime crimes, but the Saeima Foreign Affairs Commission decided that due to the great stir about Latvian – Australian extradition agreement the future of it should be decided by the Saeima factions. Neatkariga

Z.Katc from

Z.Katc from Respublika writes about the PACE decision to stop monitoring of Latvia although it has not ratified the Framework Convention. He tells about he situation with ratification of this convention and states that while in the ruling coalition there are FF/LNNK and Peoples Party, ratification is unreal. He also asked to comment this situation several people standing linked with politics.

At the PACE meeting Russian former Prime Minister V.Chernomirdin called to continue monitoring human rights situation in Latvia. V.Chernomirdin thinks that naturalization in Latvia if the present speed remained would continue for 100 years, it means that the majority of present non-citizens would not live long enough to receive a citizen’s passport.

At the PACE meeting Russian former Prime Minister V.Chernomirdin called to continue monitoring human rights situation in Latvia. V.Chernomirdin thinks that naturalization in Latvia if the present speed remained would continue for 100 years, it means that the majority of present non-citizens would not live long enough to receive a citizens passport. Vesti Segodnya

Russian National Council demanded Latvian authorities to stop any attempts to revive Fascism and close so-called case of WWII veteran V.Kononov.

Russian National Council demanded Latvian authorities to stop any attempts to revive Fascism and close so-called case of WWII veteran V.Kononov. Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins said to the newspaper Vesti Segodnya that the PCE most likely support returning the right of vote to the Russian delegation. That would also be his recommendation to the PACE. Another Latvian representative to PACE B.Cilevich from For Human Rights in United Latvia faction will vote for this proposal.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins said to the newspaper Vesti Segodnya that the PCE most likely support returning the right of vote to the Russian delegation. That would also be his recommendation to the PACE. Another Latvian representative to PACE B.Cilevich from For Human Rights in United Latvia faction will vote for this proposal. Vesti Segodnya

The Head of Russian delegation to PACE and National Council’s Foreign Affairs Committee Head D.Rogozin sent an invitation to the representative s of Latvian opposition faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to visit Moscow to discuss the coming local government election.

The Head of Russian delegation to PACE and National Councils Foreign Affairs Committee Head D.Rogozin sent an invitation to the representative s of Latvian opposition faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to visit Moscow to discuss the coming local government election. Chas

Some time ago co-chairman of Latvian Human Rights Committee L.Raihman and V.Buzayev called people to fight for their right to use the Russian language. Now A.Stroy interviewed them about the campaign of public disobedience and the information center on language issues. V.B answered that the center was not established yet, but the Committee received visitors and registered their complaints about language situation in Latvia.

Some time ago co-chairman of Latvian Human Rights Committee L.Raihman and V.Buzayev called people to fight for their right to use the Russian language. Now A.Stroy interviewed them about the campaign of public disobedience and the information center on language issues. V.B answered that the center was not established yet, but the Committee received visitors and registered their complaints about language situation in Latvia. Chas

Today in Riga at the Baltic Russian Institute is celebrated the day of Russian education. As a present for this event was the draft decree of the Riga City Council Committee on Education, Youth and Sport Affairs to close Russian speaking schools No 17 and Brekshi Elementary School.

Today in Riga at the Baltic Russian Institute is celebrated the day of Russian education. As a present for this event was the draft decree of the Riga City Council Committee on Education, Youth and Sport Affairs to close Russian speaking schools No 17 and Brekshi Elementary School. Panorama Latvii

Latvian government decided that graduates from Russian speaking schools after passing the centralized Latvian language test would not need to pass another test to become naturalized. This exam is also made equal to the one for receiving state language proficiency level certificate.

Latvian government decided that graduates from Russian speaking schools after passing the centralized Latvian language test would not need to pass another test to become naturalized. This exam is also made equal to the one for receiving state language proficiency level certificate. Panorama Latvii (24.01.)