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

Yesterday Procurator General Skrastins told the press that rumors of his possible resignation "were not serious". Mr. Krastins had a meeting with members of the Saeima investigation commission on the loss of three million dollars by the

Yesterday Procurator General Skrastins told the press that rumors of his possible resignation "were not serious". Mr. Krastins had a meeting with members of the Saeima investigation commission on the loss of three million dollars by the "Latvenergo" state company. The commission called upon the procurator General not to yield to any pressure in connection with the case. Diena

According to

According to "NEATKARIGA", Prime-Minister Krasts had a meeting with the leaders of his party ("Tevzemei un Brivibai"/LNNK) on the Refugee Convention. "TB"/LNNK deputy-Chairmen told the newspaper that the party was open to a discussion on the problem. Still, Mr. Dobelis added that Latvia should not rush to fulfill all EU recommendations. Prime-Minister Krasts is trying to persuade his party colleagues to support the draft law on the ratification of the UN Refugee Convention that would allow to grant refugee status to all asylum seekers. "TB"/LNNK supports the option suggested by Saeima human Rights Committee that provides for applying the Convention to all refugees only after the year 2000. Neatkariga

Boris Tsilevich in an article for

Boris Tsilevich in an article for "SM" points to the lack of interest toward the cultural autonomy for ethnic minorities displayed by the Latvian authorities. Although the law guaranteeing the autonomy was adopted in 1991, no mechanisms for implementing the law have been developed. Cultural societies are constantly facing grave financial problems and are systematically deprived of their premises. Mr. Tsilevich advises activists of minority societies to inform the European Commission on the situation. SM