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

Yesterday talks between the

Yesterday talks between the Poeples Party and the For Fatherland and Freedom brought no results concerning formation of a coalition, since the Fatherland and Freedom did not provide a clear answer whether it is ready to participate in formation of a rightist coalition or it will participate in a government directly or indirectly supported by the social democrats. At the same time, the board of the Peoples Party named Andris Skele as a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. Now there are two candidates for the post of a Prime Minister since right after the elections the Latvian Way named its candidate - Vilis Kristopans. Politicians speculate that if there is a possibility to reach an agreement between three biggest parties, most likely it will happen during their talks with the State President on 3 November. Diena

Dienain Latvian publishes an article by Nellija Locmele about the new Chapter of the Satversme (Constitution) on human rights. Many lawyers who were interviewed by Diena admitted that incorporation of human rights in the constitution shows that the state recognizes them as important. It will make persons who apply legal norms, to be more aware that the human rights should be taken into account when passing a decision. Furthermore, it will hopefully encourage each individual to be more aware of his/her own rights. Martins Mits, deputy director of the Human Rights Institute at the Latvian University, believes that along with growing of educational level of population, the Satversme might become a powerful legal instrument in protection of human rights. According to Egils Levits, a justice of a European Human Rights Court, the main problem in Latvia is not a lack of laws but a lack of experience in proper their application. Several lawyers admitted that determination of human rights in the Constitution might require to revise some of currently existing laws.

Diena in Russian publishes an interview with Baiba Petersone, a director of the Educational Strategy Department of the Ministry of Education, in which she informs readers about provisions of new Education Law. According to Ms. Petersone, the main idea of the law is to structurize education of Latvia in accordance with European standards. Among the novelties of the law there is a transition to a bilingual education. Ms. Petersone believes that majority of schools with other language of instruction than Latvian will choose to become state or municipal schools of national minorities. Referring to proposals of Russian Society in Latvia concerning education in the native language, Baiba Petersone said that educational program in Russian schools should not only provide preservation of national identity, but also a mechanism for integrating of a national minority in the Latvian society. According to Ms. Petersone, the project of the Russian Society in Latvia lacked such mechanism.

Diena in Russian also publishes a joint statement signed by the representatives of associations of Russian language teachers, Russian cultural society, Russian Society in Latvia and Committee of Human Rights supporting Russian schools. The draft Education Law and draft Language Law do not correspond with the international human rights norms, therefore law makers are asked to include into the aforementioned laws provisions which would guarantee acquiring of education on all education levels in languages of national minorities. Diena

Russian military pensioners residing in Latvia who have not been paid their pensions since the summer, decided not to attack the Russian Embassy in Riga. Such a resolution was passed after a meeting of representatives of Russian military pensioners with officials of the embassy who informed that money will be transferred this week, and the pensions will be paid on Monday or Tuesday.

Russian military pensioners residing in Latvia who have not been paid their pensions since the summer, decided not to attack the Russian Embassy in Riga. Such a resolution was passed after a meeting of representatives of Russian military pensioners with officials of the embassy who informed that money will be transferred this week, and the pensions will be paid on Monday or Tuesday. Chas

In an interview for the Russian newspaper “Izvestiya”, the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivanov said that Russian MFA which has recently taken serious steps to improve the human rights situation in Russia, has moral right to require protection of such rights in the Baltic States.

In an interview for the Russian newspaper Izvestiya, the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivanov said that Russian MFA which has recently taken serious steps to improve the human rights situation in Russia, has moral right to require protection of such rights in the Baltic States. Panorama Latvii, Neatkariga

Panorama Latvii publishes a story of a non-citizen Tatjana Shishkin whose non-citizen passport contains distorted English spelling of her last name- Siskin. Ms. Shishkin has submitted a complaint to a court.

Validity term of former USSR foreign passports for departure for CIS countries will not be prolonged, director of the passport department of the DCMA Dzintra Peneze informed. After 31 October 1998 the former USSR foreign passports will not be valid for travelling to a CIS country. Those passport holders who will leave the country before 31 October, will be able to return to Latvia by 31 December of this year.

Validity term of former USSR foreign passports for departure for CIS countries will not be prolonged, director of the passport department of the DCMA Dzintra Peneze informed. After 31 October 1998 the former USSR foreign passports will not be valid for travelling to a CIS country. Those passport holders who will leave the country before 31 October, will be able to return to Latvia by 31 December of this year. SM