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 Review

"Saimnieks"

leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that leader Cevers told the press yesterday that his party would not insist on restructuring the Cabinet after it was joined by six deputies from other factions. Mr. Cevers also said that "Saimnieks""Saimnieks" supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. supported Robert Zile's candidature for Minister of Finance. Tomorrow Zile's candidature will be on the agenda of the meeting of the Council for Co-operation between the Governing Factions. Diena, NeatkarigaDiena, Neatkariga Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told

Yesterday Chairman of the Unity Party Alberts Kauls told "DIENA" that the party conference scheduled for mid-March will discuss possible merging of "Unity" ("Vieniba") with "Saimnieks". The "Unity" faction ceased to exist after four of its members left for "Saimnieks" and one -- for the Farmers' Union. Diena

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats (

Six Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed by Monday, February 24. Four Parliamentary secretaries have retained their offices. Former Minister of Education and Science Grinblats ("Tevzemei un Brivibai") was appointed Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Robert Jurdzs ("TB") took the post of Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Welfare. Diena

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death.

Council of Europe Secretary General Daniel Tarschys believes that capital punishment cannot facilitate the decrease of crime rate. Twenty-nine European countries have abolished capital punishment in time of peace. Eight countries have excluded death sentences from their court practice, while some of these eight European nations have declared a moratorium on capital punishment. Latvia and Lithuania also have declared a moratorium on death penalty, and no death penalties have been executed in Estonia since 1991. Among other examples, Daniel Tarschys points at the decrease of crime rate in Canada after the country abolished capital punishment in 1976. Just on the opposite, the number of serious offenses increased in the USA after the country re-introduced capital punishment in 1977. Mr. Tarschys points at the fact that most capital offenses, especially murders, are committed in the state of an extreme agitation or under the effect of drugs. In these cases a criminal very often cannot assess the risk of facing capital punishment. Another argument used by Daniel Tarschys is a risk of a mistake during investigation and court proceedings leading to an innocent person being sentenced to death. Neatkariga