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

Press Review

The Ministry of Justice is investigating the refusal of judges in Daugavpils to consider Vidavsky's case. Two judges of the Daugavpils City Court are suspected in deliberately postponing the hearing of Mayor Vidavsky's case. Mr. Vidavsky was accused of unlawfully running for a second term in office being a former active Communist party member. He is suspected in taking part in the Plenary Session of the Latvian communist Party on January 14, 1991. According to the law, individuals who were Communist Party members after January 13, 1991, do not have the right to run for posts in self-governments. Mr. Vidavsky believes the law to be absurd and claims that he participated in the Plenary Session on January 13 and not on January 14. Vidavsky's case should have been considered by the court before the start of local elections. Still, one of the judges fell ill while the other one said that being Vidavsky's supporter he could not take the case.

The Ministry of Justice is investigating the refusal of judges in Daugavpils to consider Vidavsky's case. Two judges of the Daugavpils City Court are suspected in deliberately postponing the hearing of Mayor Vidavsky's case. Mr. Vidavsky was accused of unlawfully running for a second term in office being a former active Communist party member. He is suspected in taking part in the Plenary Session of the Latvian communist Party on January 14, 1991. According to the law, individuals who were Communist Party members after January 13, 1991, do not have the right to run for posts in self-governments. Mr. Vidavsky believes the law to be absurd and claims that he participated in the Plenary Session on January 13 and not on January 14. Vidavsky's case should have been considered by the court before the start of local elections. Still, one of the judges fell ill while the other one said that being Vidavsky's supporter he could not take the case. Diena

Prime-Minister Skele, several Cabinet members and Ministry of the Interior officials will discuss the reinforcement of Latvia's Eastern border today at the Ministry. Yesterday the Government supported Minister of the Interior Turlais' plan of reinforcing Latvia's border that would require around 15 million Lats for its implementation. According to Turlais, considerable improvement was required since the Eastern border of the country will become the European Union border as well.

Prime-Minister Skele, several Cabinet members and Ministry of the Interior officials will discuss the reinforcement of Latvia's Eastern border today at the Ministry. Yesterday the Government supported Minister of the Interior Turlais' plan of reinforcing Latvia's border that would require around 15 million Lats for its implementation. According to Turlais, considerable improvement was required since the Eastern border of the country will become the European Union border as well. Neatkariga

SIPRI (a Swedish international research institute) experts believe that Russia could agree to former Warsaw Pact countries joining NATO. Still, Russia will never agree to the Baltic states and other former USSR republics joining the bloc.

SIPRI (a Swedish international research institute) experts believe that Russia could agree to former Warsaw Pact countries joining NATO. Still, Russia will never agree to the Baltic states and other former USSR republics joining the bloc. Diena