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

Riga District Court last Friday ruled that Vasily Kononov was guilty in war crimes committed in 1944 he was accused of and should be punished by 6 year inprisonment in a closed prison. The MP s interviewed by Neatkariga recognize that punishing Kononovs is a sign of a lawful state.

Riga District Court last Friday ruled that Vasily Kononov was guilty in war crimes committed in 1944 he was accused of and should be punished by 6 year inprisonment in a closed prison. The MP s interviewed by Neatkariga recognize that punishing Kononovs is a sign of a lawful state. Vesti Segodna says it is the first case in independent Latvia when a person is tried for war crimes.

Chairman of the New Party faction Silvija Dreimane confirmed to Neatkariga that last week the People's Party parliamentarians had intense negotiations offering cooperation in the new government. Gundars Berzins from People's Party said there have been no talks about changes in coalition.

Chairman of the New Party faction Silvija Dreimane confirmed to Neatkariga that last week the People's Party parliamentarians had intense negotiations offering cooperation in the new government. Gundars Berzins from People's Party said there have been no talks about changes in coalition. Neatkariga

People's Party will nominate its candidate for the position of the Director General of Privatization Agency. Minister of Economy Vladimirs Makarovs, on the contrary, thinks that the new director general should be a professional and not to represent some party.

People's Party will nominate its candidate for the position of the Director General of Privatization Agency. Minister of Economy Vladimirs Makarovs, on the contrary, thinks that the new director general should be a professional and not to represent some party. Neatkariga

Latvian DCMA has requested 3000 lats from the state budget to serve residents who due to illness cannot come to the office to exchange the USSR passports for new passports. The money is to cover transport expenses needed to visit at home old and sick people. Since extension of the deadline the activity of non-citizens willing to get the new passport has fallen (1000 per day in December/400-500 this month). It is expected that 6-7% will not manage to get the passports. The department plans to run announcements in Russian language media inviting to apply for passports.

Latvian DCMA has requested 3000 lats from the state budget to serve residents who due to illness cannot come to the office to exchange the USSR passports for new passports. The money is to cover transport expenses needed to visit at home old and sick people. Since extension of the deadline the activity of non-citizens willing to get the new passport has fallen (1000 per day in December/400-500 this month). It is expected that 6-7% will not manage to get the passports. The department plans to run announcements in Russian language media inviting to apply for passports. Diena

Six stateless persons are registered in Latvia. There is a special case when the status of a stateless person was given to a family – a mother and her two children. It is forecasted that the status could be granted to less than 50 persons.

Six stateless persons are registered in Latvia. There is a special case when the status of a stateless person was given to a family – a mother and her two children. It is forecasted that the status could be granted to less than 50 persons. Diena

This year for the Estonian DCMA has begun with huge lines of non-citizens queuing for resident permits. It is expected that in the coming months there will be much more visitors – permits expire for 7681 persons in January, 12,568 in February, 39,382 in March

This year for the Estonian DCMA has begun with huge lines of non-citizens queuing for resident permits. It is expected that in the coming months there will be much more visitors – permits expire for 7681 persons in January, 12,568 in February, 39,382 in March. Diena