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

Commentator A.Brauna in the newspaper

Commentator A.Brauna in the newspaper Diena editorial writes that politicians have lingered for so long with abolishing the existing domicile registration system that about 6% of all electorate will not be able to realise their election right. According to the present local government election law residents may vote only at the territory of the local government where they have been registered or they have a real property. But about 80 000 people live without a domicile registration. According to the Residents Register data every 5th or 6th persons real place of residence differs from his domicile registration and it means that about 200 000 or 15% of electorate have no influence on the local government where they live or work. They may vote only at the local government where they have neither logical wish or need to influence the status quo nor they know local candidates. And it is likely that this part of population will not take part in this election.

Prime Minister A.Berzins agrees to the opinion of President V.Vike-Freiberga that Latvia should abolish the domicile registration system, but he thinks the state should not rush with this process. A.Berzins thinks that instead of this old system should be created a new, more up-to-day system.

Prime Minister A.Berzins agrees to the opinion of President V.Vike-Freiberga that Latvia should abolish the domicile registration system, but he thinks the state should not rush with this process. A.Berzins thinks that instead of this old system should be created a new, more up-to-day system. Vesti Segodnya

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will visit Cyprus from March 7 – 9. He plans to meet with the highest officials and sign three agreements.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins will visit Cyprus from March 7 – 9. He plans to meet with the highest officials and sign three agreements. Neatkariga

Yesterday Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with the President of European Human Rights Court L.Wildhaber, who had arrived to Riga to participate in a seminar “European Human Rights Convention and it Juridical Practice: Application in National Court Institutions and State Administration”. During the discussion both officials spoke about the input of the European Human Rights Court into the development of human rights protection mechanism. On the same day the seminar took place at the Riga Graduate School of Law. K.Malinovska from the Cabinet of Ministers pointed out the necessity to observe the European Human Rights Convention not only in court but also in the state administration. M.Mits from Human Rights Institute of Latvian University Juridical Department spoke about the practice of Latvian courts in observing this Convention. European Human Rights Court judge E.Levits pointed out the necessity for every official to know and observe the demands of European Human Rights Convention in his everyday work.

Yesterday Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins met with the President of European Human Rights Court L.Wildhaber, who had arrived to Riga to participate in a seminar European Human Rights Convention and it Juridical Practice: Application in National Court Institutions and State Administration. During the discussion both officials spoke about the input of the European Human Rights Court into the development of human rights protection mechanism. On the same day the seminar took place at the Riga Graduate School of Law. K.Malinovska from the Cabinet of Ministers pointed out the necessity to observe the European Human Rights Convention not only in court but also in the state administration. M.Mits from Human Rights Institute of Latvian University Juridical Department spoke about the practice of Latvian courts in observing this Convention. European Human Rights Court judge E.Levits pointed out the necessity for every official to know and observe the demands of European Human Rights Convention in his everyday work. Latvijas Vestnesis

The newspaper

Chas published a letter of a reader where he told about his experience at the Employment Bureau. Having lost his job, the person applied to the local employment bureau where he was advised to change his profession and attend free of charge computer courses. But the tuition language turned to be Latvian. The person was not able to understand it. Similar courses in the Russian language were for fee. And he asks - where an unemployed person could get money to pay for this training?

Yesterday two Saeima Commissions – Human rights and Education and Science in principle agreed to grant the National Radio and TV Council authority to impose fines to broadcasting organisations for violating Latvian legislation. Members of those two commissions intend to ask the Saeima Juridical Commission to develop amendments to the Administrative Violations Code. In these amendments should be established the fines for violating the language law, advertisement regulations, misuse of erotic materials and pornography. The punishments would vary from a warning to a fine of 5 000 Ls. Chas

In 1994 was established Latvian – Russian intergovernmental commission that still works on the text of agreement on social welfare. At the beginning of May Latvian party will visit Moscow where it will try for the 6th time to reach an agreement on this matter with Russians.

In 1994 was established Latvian – Russian intergovernmental commission that still works on the text of agreement on social welfare. At the beginning of May Latvian party will visit Moscow where it will try for the 6th time to reach an agreement on this matter with Russians. Respublika