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

Saeima Chairman Janis Straume informed the press that delaying the proclaiming of the amendments to the Pension Law for two months will be announced August 12 if all 35 MPs keep their signatures under the petition. Latvian lawyers when asked to comment whether the Pension Law falls under the category of laws that can be decided on in a referendum say that the term “budget” mentioned in the Article 73 of the Constitution means only the law or amendments to the law on state budget.

Saeima Chairman Janis Straume informed the press that delaying the proclaiming of the amendments to the Pension Law for two months will be announced August 12 if all 35 MPs keep their signatures under the petition. Latvian lawyers when asked to comment whether the Pension Law falls under the category of laws that can be decided on in a referendum say that the term budget mentioned in the Article 73 of the Constitution means only the law or amendments to the law on state budget. Diena

None of the four officials named by the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins admit to having applied pressure concerning two cases considered by the Constitutional court. Instead, Endzins is said to have spread this information in fear of loosing his job after the discussion has started about the possible liquidation of the Court. In an interview to Neatkariga Endzins stresses that the only problem with the court is that currently it cannot initiate cases. They have developed amendments to the law on Constitutional Court allowing courts of all levels, Human Rights Office and individuals to turn to the Constitutional Court. There is another interview with Endzins in the Vesti Segodna where he expresses a hope that the move to close down the Court is not a sign to a tendency of creating a totalitarian regime in Latvia.

None of the four officials named by the Chairman of the Constitutional Court Aivars Endzins admit to having applied pressure concerning two cases considered by the Constitutional court. Instead, Endzins is said to have spread this information in fear of loosing his job after the discussion has started about the possible liquidation of the Court. In an interview to Neatkariga Endzins stresses that the only problem with the court is that currently it cannot initiate cases. They have developed amendments to the law on Constitutional Court allowing courts of all levels, Human Rights Office and individuals to turn to the Constitutional Court. There is another interview with Endzins in the Vesti Segodna where he expresses a hope that the move to close down the Court is not a sign to a tendency of creating a totalitarian regime in Latvia. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, BB, PL, Vesti Segodna

The Latvian Embassy in Washington has started preparing for the visit of the Latvian President to the US in September to take part in the opening of the UN General Assembly session.

The Latvian Embassy in Washington has started preparing for the visit of the Latvian President to the US in September to take part in the opening of the UN General Assembly session. Neatkariga after LETA

The Cabinet of Ministers appointed Valdis Trubacs, the former head of the Saeima’s and the State President’s Security Service Headquarters, as the head of the Armed Forces Military Counter-Intelligence Service.

The Cabinet of Ministers appointed Valdis Trubacs, the former head of the Saeimas and the State Presidents Security Service Headquarters, as the head of the Armed Forces Military Counter-Intelligence Service. Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Diena