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

The ruling coalition council decided on Monday not to impose any punishment on their coalition partner Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party over violating a coalition agreement while voting on amendments to the pension law proposed by the opposition, because FF/LNNK pledged to stick by the coalition agreement in the future. Prime Minister Andris Berzins told BNS the coalition's task is not to punish anybody but find out "what's going on". Explaining why the New faction was kicked out of the government for a similar violations, the premier said the New faction violated the coalition agreement over 20 times in two months while the violations by FF/LNNK "has incidental nature".

The ruling coalition council decided on Monday not to impose any punishment on their coalition partner Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party over violating a coalition agreement while voting on amendments to the pension law proposed by the opposition, because FF/LNNK pledged to stick by the coalition agreement in the future. Prime Minister Andris Berzins told BNS the coalition's task is not to punish anybody but find out "what's going on". Explaining why the New faction was kicked out of the government for a similar violations, the premier said the New faction violated the coalition agreement over 20 times in two months while the violations by FF/LNNK "has incidental nature". BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize

Latvia's top officials Monday joined opening of the Jewish community library, presentation of Elie Wiesel's book "Night" and opening of the third reunion of Jews residing outside Latvia but having links to this Baltic country. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said in one of her addresses that it is great honor for her to join opening of the Jewish library and voiced a hope the library will provide deeper understanding in Judaism, the dramatic fate of the Jewish people and simultaneously the beautiful history so people become more understanding, wiser and humane.

Latvia's top officials Monday joined opening of the Jewish community library, presentation of Elie Wiesel's book "Night" and opening of the third reunion of Jews residing outside Latvia but having links to this Baltic country. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga said in one of her addresses that it is great honor for her to join opening of the Jewish library and voiced a hope the library will provide deeper understanding in Judaism, the dramatic fate of the Jewish people and simultaneously the beautiful history so people become more understanding, wiser and humane. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Latvijas Vestnesis

The Latvian security police decided not to open a criminal case over reaction and remarks by National Bolsheviks after a court passed judgement in Russia's National Bolshevik case, sending them to jail for 5-15 years for terrorism, the security police reported to

The Latvian security police decided not to open a criminal case over reaction and remarks by National Bolsheviks after a court passed judgement in Russia's National Bolshevik case, sending them to jail for 5-15 years for terrorism, the security police reported to BNS, Neatkariga, Chas

Latvia's top security agency, the Constitution Protection Office (CPO), Monday declined, due to the lack of corpus delicti, opening of a criminal case over youth essay contest held by Vieda publishing house which was sharply criticized by Russian Foreign Ministry and was not unequivocally valued in Latvia as well. The CPO said that under the Latvian constitution every one in Latvia is entitled to freedom of speech although the opinions voiced may be disliked by a part of society.

Latvia's top security agency, the Constitution Protection Office (CPO), Monday declined, due to the lack of corpus delicti, opening of a criminal case over youth essay contest held by Vieda publishing house which was sharply criticized by Russian Foreign Ministry and was not unequivocally valued in Latvia as well. The CPO said that under the Latvian constitution every one in Latvia is entitled to freedom of speech although the opinions voiced may be disliked by a part of society. BNS

The vote on the candidate for the post of the second deputy of the Riga Mayor I.Vaidere will be a test to the coalition strength in the Riga City Council. The FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats said that if this vote would be unsuccessful then one might start doubting the future of the existing coalition.

The vote on the candidate for the post of the second deputy of the Riga Mayor I.Vaidere will be a test to the coalition strength in the Riga City Council. The FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats said that if this vote would be unsuccessful then one might start doubting the future of the existing coalition. Diena

The official exchange of Latvian Ambassador to Moscow I.Daudiss could take place in September, now both ambassadors the present and the future one, plan to return to Latvia at the beginning of summer for some rest.

The official exchange of Latvian Ambassador to Moscow I.Daudiss could take place in September, now both ambassadors the present and the future one, plan to return to Latvia at the beginning of summer for some rest. Diena, Rigas Balss

A group of experts will start working on a project allowing borders crossings among the Baltic States with an ID card. This was agreed upon at the meeting of Interior Ministers of the three Baltic States that took place in Riga on Monday. Latvian Minister of Interior M.Seglins reminded at a briefing that Latvia had not adopted the very concept of ID. Issuance of IDs in Latvia should be started from 2002 and completed by 2005 but the government, depending from the financial possibilities, may change the terms of preparation and issuance.

A group of experts will start working on a project allowing borders crossings among the Baltic States with an ID card. This was agreed upon at the meeting of Interior Ministers of the three Baltic States that took place in Riga on Monday. Latvian Minister of Interior M.Seglins reminded at a briefing that Latvia had not adopted the very concept of ID. Issuance of IDs in Latvia should be started from 2002 and completed by 2005 but the government, depending from the financial possibilities, may change the terms of preparation and issuance. Diena

The newspaper

The newspaper Latvijas Vestnesis continues publishing materials of the conference On the Road to a Civic Society. This time there are published the speeches of President V.Vike-Freiberga and Presidents Office Amnesty Service Head R.Aksenoka.

Some time ago the newspaper

Some time ago the newspaper Vesti Segodnya started a discussion on the future of the domicile registration or propiska system because the responsible Saeima Commission planed to exchange the existing one for something else. The newspaper published letters of its readers where they wondered why there was a need for any system at all. They find this system ridiculous.

At the beginning of this year the deputies from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia filed a case with the Constitutional Court on noncompliance of the “Law on Pensions” with the Latvian constitution and international standards. The deputies considered that the law contained a norm discriminating Latvian non-citizens, i.e. when calculating retirement pensions were not taken into account the years that those people had worked outside the territory of Latvia. But for Latvian citizens there is no such limitation. Now the deputies received an answer that the hearing was planned for June 10.

At the beginning of this year the deputies from the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia filed a case with the Constitutional Court on noncompliance of the Law on Pensions with the Latvian constitution and international standards. The deputies considered that the law contained a norm discriminating Latvian non-citizens, i.e. when calculating retirement pensions were not taken into account the years that those people had worked outside the territory of Latvia. But for Latvian citizens there is no such limitation. Now the deputies received an answer that the hearing was planned for June 10. Panorama Latvii