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

Five Latvian lawmakers have left for Belarus to act as observers in presidential elections to be held in the neighboring state on Sept. 9. Initially it was planned that only one Latvian MP will join the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission of observers in Belarus. A representative of Latvia's Way party from the ruling coalition and the chairman of the parliamentary human rights and social issues committee, Antons Seiksts, was selected for the purpose. As it turned out, Juris Vidins, a representative from another ruling coalition party, Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, and Alexander Golubev from the opposition left-wing alliance also decided to take the parliament service car to Belarus to monitor the presidential elections, Vidins told

Five Latvian lawmakers have left for Belarus to act as observers in presidential elections to be held in the neighboring state on Sept. 9. Initially it was planned that only one Latvian MP will join the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission of observers in Belarus. A representative of Latvia's Way party from the ruling coalition and the chairman of the parliamentary human rights and social issues committee, Antons Seiksts, was selected for the purpose. As it turned out, Juris Vidins, a representative from another ruling coalition party, Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK, and Alexander Golubev from the opposition left-wing alliance also decided to take the parliament service car to Belarus to monitor the presidential elections, Vidins told BNS.

One more criminal case over crimes against humanity and genocide committed by former Soviet officials has reached the court in Latvia. The Latvian Prosecutor General's Office on Thursday sent to the court the case against Russian citizen Nikolai Tess, a former Soviet state security official, who took part in deportations of Latvian people in 1949, reported a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. Tess, 80, is charged with crimes against humanity and genocide for his participation in deportation of Latvian people on March 25, 1949. At the time Tess was an official at the Soviet Latvian State security ministry.

One more criminal case over crimes against humanity and genocide committed by former Soviet officials has reached the court in Latvia. The Latvian Prosecutor General's Office on Thursday sent to the court the case against Russian citizen Nikolai Tess, a former Soviet state security official, who took part in deportations of Latvian people in 1949, reported a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office. Tess, 80, is charged with crimes against humanity and genocide for his participation in deportation of Latvian people on March 25, 1949. At the time Tess was an official at the Soviet Latvian State security ministry. BNS

The Russian delegation's report about allegedly violated rights of Russian-speaking population in Latvia and Estonia failed to draw the intended response at the UN anti-racism conference in South Africa said the Latvian president upon her return from Durban. She told reporters Thursday that Russia did not get the intended response to its report because it was presented late at night in a near-empty conference hall.

The Russian delegation's report about allegedly violated rights of Russian-speaking population in Latvia and Estonia failed to draw the intended response at the UN anti-racism conference in South Africa said the Latvian president upon her return from Durban. She told reporters Thursday that Russia did not get the intended response to its report because it was presented late at night in a near-empty conference hall. BNS

Today Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs J.Manley is arriving on an official visit to Latvia. He will have meetings with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Saeima Speaker J.Straume and Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins.

Today Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs J.Manley is arriving on an official visit to Latvia. He will have meetings with Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Saeima Speaker J.Straume and Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins. Latvijas Vestnesis

In his interview to Latvian Radio Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins commented the statements made by Russian President V.Putin in Finland. I.Berzins was not surprised about Russia’s position concerning Baltic States joining NATO. When asked about Russia’s possible counter steps Minister said that Russia would of course speak openly against this and Latvia would present its arguments. I.Berzins agreed to the newspaper

In his interview to Latvian Radio Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins commented the statements made by Russian President V.Putin in Finland. I.Berzins was not surprised about Russias position concerning Baltic States joining NATO. When asked about Russias possible counter steps Minister said that Russia would of course speak openly against this and Latvia would present its arguments. I.Berzins agreed to the newspaper Diena commentator Ozolins who had said that V.Putin comparing Latvia to Macedonia at the same time had spoken about Albanian and Kosovian terrorists, who acted in this republic and did everything to maintain the conflict. Concerning Putins statement about granting the Russian language status of the second state language, I.Berzins said that important was Latvias position. It is important that it corresponds to the position of OSCE countries and it is so. Latvijas Vestnesis

During a TV show one of the most important people in Latvia Mayor of Venspils A.Lembergs, answering to the question about the V.Putins statements on rights of national minorities violations in Latvia, said that according to him those rights, in general, were observed but there was one thing he was very concerned about. And it was the article in the state language law stipulating transition the tuition in the Latvian language in Russian-speaking schools. A.Lembergs did not like fixing any certain deadline; everything should proceed in process.

Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii, Respublika