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

Last Saturday (June 28) the Union of Christian Democrats and the Christian People's party (former People's Front) merged into the Christian-Democratic Union. The founding congress of the new party elected Minister of Defense Talavs Jundzis its Chairman. The party will have six seats in the

Last Saturday (June 28) the Union of Christian Democrats and the Christian People's party (former People's Front) merged into the Christian-Democratic Union. The founding congress of the new party elected Minister of Defense Talavs Jundzis its Chairman. The party will have six seats in the Saeima and will remain in a coalition with the Farmers' Union. Diena

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) will decide on his resignation next week. Prime-Minister Skele did not require Dilba's resignation and expects the Minister to make an independent decision. Mr. Dilba was accused of violating the Anti-Corruption Law by not mentioning his shares in private businesses in his annual income declarations.

Minister of Agriculture Roberts Dilba (the Farmers' Union) will decide on his resignation next week. Prime-Minister Skele did not require Dilba's resignation and expects the Minister to make an independent decision. Mr. Dilba was accused of violating the Anti-Corruption Law by not mentioning his shares in private businesses in his annual income declarations. Diena

A group of prominent American politicians and analysts addressed President Clinton with an open letter calling upon the President to suspend the enlargement of NATO. The letter points at the complications that may be caused by the Baltic states joining the bloc. Admitting the three countries to NATO would damage the relations between the West and Russia. The letter also mentions "serious border and ethnic minority problems" in some of the countries willing to enter NATO.

A group of prominent American politicians and analysts addressed President Clinton with an open letter calling upon the President to suspend the enlargement of NATO. The letter points at the complications that may be caused by the Baltic states joining the bloc. Admitting the three countries to NATO would damage the relations between the West and Russia. The letter also mentions "serious border and ethnic minority problems" in some of the countries willing to enter NATO. Diena

Forty-one countries have recognized the new Latvian alien passports. Still, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not recognized the document yet and claims it to contradict the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. The issue is likely to be included in the agenda of the consultations between the two countries this July. According to

Forty-one countries have recognized the new Latvian alien passports. Still, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not recognized the document yet and claims it to contradict the UN Convention on Reduction of Statelessness. The issue is likely to be included in the agenda of the consultations between the two countries this July. According to "SM", Latvian non-citizens currently can have five types of travel documents, many of them having serious problems while traveling abroad. Diena, SM

Director of the European Commission of Multilateral Issues Mr. Vinhas in an interview for

Director of the European Commission of Multilateral Issues Mr. Vinhas in an interview for "DIENA" said that although the issue of non-citizens was thoroughly analyzed by Latvian authorities and politicians, nationalistic tendencies still dominated their approach to the problem. He stressed that a country with a large number of its resident shaving no citizenship could not become an EU member. The European Commission will accomplish the evaluation of potential new EU members this July. Diena

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen suggests establishing the post of European Commissioner on Human Rights. In an interview for

Baltic Council Commissioner Ole Espersen suggests establishing the post of European Commissioner on Human Rights. In an interview for "DIENA" Mr. Espersen explained that the Commissioner would provide recommendations on minority issues and observance of human rights. The Commissioner's tasks would be similar to those of a national ombudsman and would comprise the entire spectrum of human rights issues. As examples of such issues Mr. Espersen mentioned the draft law restricting the right of newly formed political parties to participate in elections and a suggested provision of the Language Law demanding a mandatory use of the Latvian language during all public events. Mr. Espersen believes that an Ombudsman should be elected by the Parliament but not appointed by the Cabinet, as suggested by the Latvian Government. He also pointed at the importance of abolishing capital punishment for bringing the Latvian legislation into compliance with EU norms. Mr. Espersen spoke in favor of simplifying the naturalization procedure and called upon Latvia to display a more pragmatic approach in resolving the problem of its large number of non-citizens. Diena

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on President Yeltsin's criticism of Latvia during the Denver Summit. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia was paying close attention to human rights issues and referred to Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen who admitted that flagrant human rights violations were not observed in Latvia.

Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press-Secretary Pildegovics commented on President Yeltsin's criticism of Latvia during the Denver Summit. Mr. Pildegovics said that Latvia was paying close attention to human rights issues and referred to Baltic Council Commissioner Espersen who admitted that flagrant human rights violations were not observed in Latvia. SM