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 relationship of Latvian political enemies number 1 A.Skele, People’s Party chairman, and A.Lembergs, Ventspils City Mayor, has suddenly improved and they even have common views on some issues, such as, Commercial Law. The change in the relation has forced Latvian Way to mobilise its work, as People’s Party, which is the biggest political power represented at the Saeima, if receives support of Social Democrats and FHRUL, which sympathise A.Lembergs, is able to achieve adoption of such laws which are against the principles of Latvia’s Way, but for which LW would have to take responsibility as it is the party of Prime Minister.

The relationship of Latvian political enemies number 1 A.Skele, Peoples Party chairman, and A.Lembergs, Ventspils City Mayor, has suddenly improved and they even have common views on some issues, such as, Commercial Law. The change in the relation has forced Latvian Way to mobilise its work, as Peoples Party, which is the biggest political power represented at the Saeima, if receives support of Social Democrats and FHRUL, which sympathise A.Lembergs, is able to achieve adoption of such laws which are against the principles of Latvias Way, but for which LW would have to take responsibility as it is the party of Prime Minister. Diena

Neatkariga

gives an article on the discussion regarding the establishment of ombudsman institution in Latvia. The necessity for such institution has been recognised by the State President and other high officials, local and foreign experts, the World Bank, UN, and OSCE. National Human Rights Office director O.Bruvers agrees with experts that ombudsman institution could be developed on the basis of NHRO but with the condition that NHRO is given a broader mandate, as well as additional funding and human resources. The current mandate allows to review only one third of the complaints received from residents. The member of Social Democrats party V.Lazo says Officials want to keep their standings and are not interested in having an additional control mechanism. Some politicians consider that several problems are going to be solved as the Administrative Violations Code has come into effect. A.Dravnieks, head of the working group, which developed the draft on Administrative Violation Code, says the main function of ombudsman institution is to review the complaints of small people, however, in most cases it is impossible to help them and these people are aware of that, but they want at least to have somebody who listens to them. J.Lagzdinsh, Peoples Party deputy, says that any deputy of the Saeima or municipality is an ombudsman, we deputies have very broad authorisation to help people. Dz.Rasnach, FF/LNNK deputy, says that NHRO has to be given broader mandate and easier access to information. gives an article on the discussion regarding the establishment of ombudsman institution in Latvia. The necessity for such institution has been recognised by the State President and other high officials, local and foreign experts, the World Bank, UN, and OSCE. National Human Rights Office director O.Bruvers agrees with experts that ombudsman institution could be developed on the basis of NHRO but with the condition that NHRO is given a broader mandate, as well as additional funding and human resources. The current mandate allows to review only one third of the complaints received from residents. The member of Social Democrats party V.Lazo says “Officials want to keep their standings and are not interested in having an additional control mechanism”. Some politicians consider that several problems are going to be solved as the Administrative Violations Code has come into effect. A.Dravnieks, head of the working group, which developed the draft on Administrative Violation Code, says “the main function of ombudsman institution is to review the complaints of “small people”, however, in most cases it is impossible to help them and these people are aware of that, but they want at least to have somebody who listens to them”. J.Lagzdinsh, People’s Party deputy, says that “any deputy of the Saeima or municipality is an ombudsman, we deputies have very broad authorisation to help people”. Dz.Rasnach, FF/LNNK deputy, says that NHRO has to be given broader mandate and easier access to information. NeatkarigaNeatkariga Today Latvian ambassador to Russia I.Daudish returns to Riga. The new ambassador will arrive in Moscow in September.

Today Latvian ambassador to Russia I.Daudish returns to Riga. The new ambassador will arrive in Moscow in September. Chas

The Russian State Duma Friday adopted an appeal to the Latvian parliament urging to promote release of former Soviet securities structures employee convicted in Latvia over involvement in Stalinist repressions against Latvian people. The Russian lawmakers said in the statement that Mikhail Farbtukh, age 84, had been fighting against Fascism for four years, currently has first category disability and is still in jail although his health condition is deteriorating daily. The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, called on the Latvian lawmakers to support the request of Latvian prison administration to release Farbtukh from jail for health reasons. Latvian Supreme Court May 2001 sentenced Farbtukh to eight years in jail and, the first instance court later rejected a request to release him for health reasons.

The Russian State Duma Friday adopted an appeal to the Latvian parliament urging to promote release of former Soviet securities structures employee convicted in Latvia over involvement in Stalinist repressions against Latvian people. The Russian lawmakers said in the statement that Mikhail Farbtukh, age 84, had been fighting against Fascism for four years, currently has first category disability and is still in jail although his health condition is deteriorating daily. The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, called on the Latvian lawmakers to support the request of Latvian prison administration to release Farbtukh from jail for health reasons. Latvian Supreme Court May 2001 sentenced Farbtukh to eight years in jail and, the first instance court later rejected a request to release him for health reasons. Chas

The Europarliament committee delegation on visit to Latvia was pleasantly surprised over Latvia's progress and said the Baltic state has a good chance to be admitted to the European Union in the first enlargement wave, said the committee chairman.

The Europarliament committee delegation on visit to Latvia was pleasantly surprised over Latvia's progress and said the Baltic state has a good chance to be admitted to the European Union in the first enlargement wave, said the committee chairman.

Elmar Brok, who chairs the Europarliament committee for foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defence, made this statement at a news conference in Riga on Friday. "This is my first visit to Latvia and the first visit by the committee to any candidate state, and I am positively surprised about Latvia's progress. Your country has great chances to make it to the first EU enlargement wave," said Brok. The work by the government and parliament indicated understanding of issues and problems to be handled, he noted. As regards economic development, Latvia could be at the top of the list among candidate countries as it has sufficiently high GDP growth and low inflation. This September Europarliament has to submit full report about Latvia's progress on its way to the EU. He noted that the Latvian lawmakers had not been afraid to discuss sensitive issues such as integration of non-Latvians, the area were Latvia had achieved progress in recent years.

Elmar Brok, who chairs the Europarliament committee for foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defence, made this statement at a news conference in Riga on Friday. "This is my first visit to Latvia and the first visit by the committee to any candidate state, and I am positively surprised about Latvia's progress. Your country has great chances to make it to the first EU enlargement wave," said Brok. The work by the government and parliament indicated understanding of issues and problems to be handled, he noted. As regards economic development, Latvia could be at the top of the list among candidate countries as it has sufficiently high GDP growth and low inflation. This September Europarliament has to submit full report about Latvia's progress on its way to the EU. He noted that the Latvian lawmakers had not been afraid to discuss sensitive issues such as integration of non-Latvians, the area were Latvia had achieved progress in recent years. BNS, Chas

Vesti Segodnja gives another view on the visit. The newspaper writes about the meeting of the delegation with FHRUL, where FHRUL deputy M.Mitrafanov stated that the party does not support Latvia’s integration into NATO and that the relations with Russia are still more in the form of intentions than real actions.

Vesti Segodnja gives another view on the visit. The newspaper writes about the meeting of the delegation with FHRUL, where FHRUL deputy M.Mitrafanov stated that the party does not support Latvias integration into NATO and that the relations with Russia are still more in the form of intentions than real actions. Vesti Segodnja

The State Language Centre has issued a reprimand to I.Grigule, the head of the Office, which organised Hansa Days Activities and violated the State Language Law (the names of the cities were in the original languages and the language on the uniforms of the customer serving personnel was a foreign language without translation). I.Grigule does not find herself guilty.

The State Language Centre has issued a reprimand to I.Grigule, the head of the Office, which organised Hansa Days Activities and violated the State Language Law (the names of the cities were in the original languages and the language on the uniforms of the customer serving personnel was a foreign language without translation). I.Grigule does not find herself guilty. Respublika

Chas provides the views of some participants of the conference “Influence of Baltic States’ Membership in the EU to Northern Europe”. A.Avetisyan, head of European Co-operation Department of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says “the issue concerning rights of Russian speakers residing in the Baltic Countries turns into the problem concerning Russia and the EU and not anymore Latvia and Russia, and it has to be solved before EU enlargement”.

Chas provides the views of some participants of the conference Influence of Baltic States Membership in the EU to Northern Europe. A.Avetisyan, head of European Co-operation Department of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the issue concerning rights of Russian speakers residing in the Baltic Countries turns into the problem concerning Russia and the EU and not anymore Latvia and Russia, and it has to be solved before EU enlargement.

Russian State Duma deputy V.Zhirinovsky gives an interview to Chas, where he forecasts future for Latvia. He says that if the Russian language does not receive an official status and the border with Russia is not open, Latvia is going to experience economic pressure from Russia. The observance of Russian-speaking people rights will be the main card at the election of Russian President in 2004.

Russian State Duma deputy V.Zhirinovsky gives an interview to Chas, where he forecasts future for Latvia. He says that if the Russian language does not receive an official status and the border with Russia is not open, Latvia is going to experience economic pressure from Russia. The observance of Russian-speaking people rights will be the main card at the election of Russian President in 2004. Chas

One sixth of draftees (141 people) do not speak Latvian. An intensive language course is organised for these soldiers in Aluksne where all draftees receive first training.

One sixth of draftees (141 people) do not speak Latvian. An intensive language course is organised for these soldiers in Aluksne where all draftees receive first training. Vesti Segodnja

The Latvian Company Register has declined to register local branch of Russian radical organisation Russian National Unity, called also Barkhashovtsi after the name of Russian organisation’s leader. The registration was declined because the local Barkhashovtsi wanted to register their organisation under the name Russian National Unity in Latvia but it coincides with the name of the radical extremist organisation in Russia whose activities are aimed against Latvia's sovereignty, the Company Register said in a statement. Under the law on public organisations and their unions, names of organisations coinciding with names, abbreviations or symbols of foreign organisations acting against Latvia's independence and security are banned.

The Latvian Company Register has declined to register local branch of Russian radical organisation Russian National Unity, called also Barkhashovtsi after the name of Russian organisations leader. The registration was declined because the local Barkhashovtsi wanted to register their organisation under the name Russian National Unity in Latvia but it coincides with the name of the radical extremist organisation in Russia whose activities are aimed against Latvia's sovereignty, the Company Register said in a statement. Under the law on public organisations and their unions, names of organisations coinciding with names, abbreviations or symbols of foreign organisations acting against Latvia's independence and security are banned. Respublika, Panorama Latvii

According to the data provided by DCMA about 8000 or less than 1% Latvian citizens have not exchanged their old USSR passports for Latvian ones and 20 000 non-citizens still hold USSR passports.

According to the data provided by DCMA about 8000 or less than 1% Latvian citizens have not exchanged their old USSR passports for Latvian ones and 20 000 non-citizens still hold USSR passports. Respublika