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

Today the social integration management group in co-operation with the Soros Fund - Latvia organises the round table discussion on the draft framework document of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia.

Today the social integration management group in co-operation with the Soros Fund - Latvia organises the round table discussion on the draft framework document of the State Program on the Social Integration in Latvia. Jauna Avize

Yesterday the Russian MFA official representative A. Rachmanin called the decision to declare the 16th of March the national celebration day as “the desecration of those who fought against the fascism.” The Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA T. Baumanis assessed this statement as inaccurate because it does not take into consideration the public discussion about the 16th of March, as well as the State President’s and the governmental stand concerning this issue.”

Yesterday the Russian MFA official representative A. Rachmanin called the decision to declare the 16th of March the national celebration day as the desecration of those who fought against the fascism. The Press Secretary of the Latvian MFA T. Baumanis assessed this statement as inaccurate because it does not take into consideration the public discussion about the 16th of March, as well as the State Presidents and the governmental stand concerning this issue. Diena, Jauna Avize, B&B

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Amendments to the Law on the Granting of the Status of the Politically Repressed Person according to which this status may be granted also to the citizens of Lithuania and Estonia.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Amendments to the Law on the Granting of the Status of the Politically Repressed Person according to which this status may be granted also to the citizens of Lithuania and Estonia. Jauna Avize

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Amendments to the Law on Repatriation providing that the right to enter Latvia together with the repatriate is granted to his/her spouse, minor children or dependants, as well as parents who are in his/her care. The amendments also provide that the right to material assistance is granted only to those repatriates who had left Latvia by 4 May 1990.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted the Amendments to the Law on Repatriation providing that the right to enter Latvia together with the repatriate is granted to his/her spouse, minor children or dependants, as well as parents who are in his/her care. The amendments also provide that the right to material assistance is granted only to those repatriates who had left Latvia by 4 May 1990. Jauna Avize

The Saeima rejected the draft amendments to the Constitution submitted by the social democrats which provided for guaranteeing the right to sufficient food, clothing and housing.

The Saeima rejected the draft amendments to the Constitution submitted by the social democrats which provided for guaranteeing the right to sufficient food, clothing and housing. Jauna Avize

The Social Democrats will submit the petition to the Constitutional Court requesting to assess the restrictions on the nomination of the former KGB, Communist Party members and members of other banned organisations for the elections. The Social Democrats believe that these restrictions violate the Constitution.

The Social Democrats will submit the petition to the Constitutional Court requesting to assess the restrictions on the nomination of the former KGB, Communist Party members and members of other banned organisations for the elections. The Social Democrats believe that these restrictions violate the Constitution. Diena

The fraction

The fraction For Human Rights believes that during the first 100 days of its work the Latvian government has not managed move from the good intentions to the real deeds in improving the relations with Russia. In the statement distributed yesterday, the fraction argues that even though Russia is not always an easy partner, it is unacceptable to see it as an enemy or the source of potential threat. Diena

Diena publishes an article about the Latvias prospects in relation with the NATO enlargement. According to the Director of the Security Police and International Organisations Department at the Latvian MFA I. Pundurs it is uncertain whether during the Washington summit Latvia will be named among the countries which will be included into the NATO Membership action law. The Director of the Latvian Foreign Affairs Institute A. Lejins, on countrary, is absolutely sure that the Baltic States will be asked to prepare the action plan for the integration into the allience. Speaking about the Russias influence on the NATO enlargement process, Mr. Lejins argues that the Russias recession might either speed up the accession of the Baltic States to the NATO or slow down the process. At the same time, he acknowledges that Russia has lost the influence on the NATO enlargement issue. Mr. Pundurs believes that although Russia objects the NATO enlargement eastwards, Russias opinion will not play a decisive role in the case of the Baltic States. Diena

After several attempts to receive a permission to organise a protest picketing on the 16th of March, the Russian Society in Latvia was finally been granted it. So,

After several attempts to receive a permission to organise a protest picketing on the 16th of March, the Russian Society in Latvia was finally been granted it. So, Panorama Latvii informs that everybody who wants to express the protest against the marching of the ex-legionnaires in the capital city of Latvia, is invited to take part in the picketing.