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.

• Concord Centre has appealed to the General Prosecutors Office asking to evaluate whether statements by a well-know Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups are inciting to ethnic hatred
• Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee: positions of state language worsened during last years
• Study State Language Law: History and Current Events: majority of Latvian residents consider that Latvian language should be used in public sphere
• Prosecutors Office has submitted cassation protest to the Supreme Court on the decision to upheld acquittal ruling in the case of national radicals
• Latvijas Avize prints article about influx of guest workers to Latvia

Political union the Concord Centre has appealed to the General Prosecutor’s Office asking to evaluate whether statements  by a well-know Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups in an interview with Latvijas Avize (on 22 May) are inciting to ethnic hatred. The Concord Centre considers that Andris Grutups made several insulting statements towards Russian residents of Latvia, for example, by labelling as “fifths column” those Russians, who came to the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders

Political union the Concord Centre has appealed to the General Prosecutors Office asking to evaluate whether statements by a well-know Latvian lawyer Andris Grutups in an interview with Latvijas Avize (on 22 May) are inciting to ethnic hatred. The Concord Centre considers that Andris Grutups made several insulting statements towards Russian residents of Latvia, for example, by labelling as fifths column those Russians, who came to the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders to celebrate the Victory Day on 9 May. The interview also contained open call for discrimination against Russians in Latvia. Similar appeal to General Prosecutors Office was also prepared by the MPs from the political party For Human Rights in United Latvia. Chas

Yesterday, members of the Saeima’s Citizenship Law Implementation Committee at a meeting with the head of State Language Commission have concluded that positions of state language worsened during last years, while Russian language aspires to dominate in all areas of life.

Yesterday, members of the Saeimas Citizenship Law Implementation Committee at a meeting with the head of State Language Commission have concluded that positions of state language worsened during last years, while Russian language aspires to dominate in all areas of life. Chas, Latvijas Avize

According to a study “State Language Law: History and Current Events” conducted by the State Language Agency, researchers of Latvian Language Institute and public opinion research centre “SKDS”, majority of Latvian residents consider that Latvian language should be used in public sphere. 80% of respondents believe that usage of Latvian language should be insured receiving services in state and municipal institutions, courts, police, health care institutions, drugstores, stores, hairdressing saloons, cosmetic saloons, public-utility establishments, cafes and restaurants.

According to a study State Language Law: History and Current Events conducted by the State Language Agency, researchers of Latvian Language Institute and public opinion research centre SKDS, majority of Latvian residents consider that Latvian language should be used in public sphere. 80% of respondents believe that usage of Latvian language should be insured receiving services in state and municipal institutions, courts, police, health care institutions, drugstores, stores, hairdressing saloons, cosmetic saloons, public-utility establishments, cafes and restaurants. Latvijas Avize

The Prosecutor’s Office has submitted cassation protest to the Supreme Court on the decision of the Supreme Court’s Chamber of Criminal Cases to upheld ruling of first instance court acquitting the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisation’s members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper

The Prosecutors Office has submitted cassation protest to the Supreme Court on the decision of the Supreme Courts Chamber of Criminal Cases to upheld ruling of first instance court acquitting the leader of the extreme right-wing organisation Latvian National Front Aivars Garda and the organisations members Liga Muzikante and Ilze Liepa. As reported, the national radicals were charged for statements inciting to ethnic hatred in several articles published in their national radical newspaper DDD in 2004 and 2005. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints article about influx of guest workers to Latvia. According to representative of the State Employment Agency, 2,237 working permits were issued in 2007, while, 531 working permits were issued during the first quarter of 2008. The State Employment Inspection found 2,846 illegally employed guest workers in 2007, and 307 in 2008. Representative of the Citizenship and Migrations Affairs Board states that all restrictive measures held by Latvia are sufficient to limit influx of guest workers. The political union of Latvias Way and Latvias First Party considers that fee for employment of foreigners should be decreased due to lack of domestic labour force in Latvia. The party New Era considers that state should concentrate its attention on return of Latvian residents back to Latvia from other countries to compensate shortage of labour force. While, the political union Concord Centre considers that Latvia urgently should elaborate program on guest workers because their number will continue to grow.