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

Press Report

Latvia this year has climbed by 13 ranks in the United Nations human development index from the previous year and is 50th among 162 countries, the United Nations Development Program in Latvia reported. Last year Latvia was 63rd among 174 countries immediately after Russia, Malaysia and Bulgaria. Still a year earlier Latvia was 74th and three years ago 92nd.

Latvia this year has climbed by 13 ranks in the United Nations human development index from the previous year and is 50th among 162 countries, the United Nations Development Program in Latvia reported. Last year Latvia was 63rd among 174 countries immediately after Russia, Malaysia and Bulgaria. Still a year earlier Latvia was 74th and three years ago 92nd. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Latvian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers Tuesday in Baku signed agreement on co-operation between foreign ministries of the two countries and truck transportation as well as discussed opening of Azerbaijani embassy in Riga. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins said following the document signing ceremony that apart of the already signed documents currently work is under way on three others, namely, agreement on co-operation in the area of air space, avoiding of double taxation and co-operation between customs services.

Latvian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers Tuesday in Baku signed agreement on co-operation between foreign ministries of the two countries and truck transportation as well as discussed opening of Azerbaijani embassy in Riga. Latvian Foreign Minister Indulis Berzins said following the document signing ceremony that apart of the already signed documents currently work is under way on three others, namely, agreement on co-operation in the area of air space, avoiding of double taxation and co-operation between customs services. Neatkariga, Vesti Segodnja

Russia's Foreign Ministry believes that a recent controversial Latvian publishing house essay contest resulting in a book of selected essays should be assessed by international organisations. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the essay contest is in need of a "clearly stated assessment from aside, first of all from European scale organisations." The Russian Foreign Ministry deems the essay topics as "openly chauvinistic" and "russophobic." "The compilation is overfilled with openly racist and fascist expressions, putting the basis for the next ethnic cleansing into young souls," announced the Russian Foreign Ministry. Authors of the essays published in the book "forbid the Russian speaking population the right to integrate into the Latvian society with equality, according to standards and regulations accepted in modern-day Europe," emphasises the Russian Foreign Ministry. The announcement also states that "we're talking about an open human hatred, russophobic campaign, spread in a country which already has enough problems in the field of human rights and ethnic minority [rights]." "The fact that official institutions did nothing to create barriers for yet another preaching of racism and national hatred is reason for concern. The Latvian Constitutional protection office did not see anything criminal in the campaign," stated the Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the fact that youths were involved in the contest was "cause for special concern." "Russia has on numerous accounts drawn the attention of international organisations towards the dangerous trends in the social life of Latvia. Nevertheless, on every account, an answer followed in stating that everything is fine. The result of such a stance is that at the beginning of the third millennium, a campaign rather smelling of Goebbels could be organised in the very centre of Europe," the Ministry announced. "Latvia's extreme chauvinistic attacks must not remain without reaction form the international society," emphasized Russia. Latvian politicians Latvia’s Way member K.Libane and People’s Party A.Skele think that in Vieda’s case the clear line should be drawn between freedom of speech and kindling of national hatred and that “right protection authorities should have Vieda under direct monitoring”. Meanwhile teenager newspaper “Mana” has announced “The Contest for the Patriots of Latvia” where invites teenagers to hand in essays on the theme “What does It Mean for Me to be Latvian”. The winners will be awarded with Vieda books.

Russia's Foreign Ministry believes that a recent controversial Latvian publishing house essay contest resulting in a book of selected essays should be assessed by international organisations. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that the essay contest is in need of a "clearly stated assessment from aside, first of all from European scale organisations." The Russian Foreign Ministry deems the essay topics as "openly chauvinistic" and "russophobic." "The compilation is overfilled with openly racist and fascist expressions, putting the basis for the next ethnic cleansing into young souls," announced the Russian Foreign Ministry. Authors of the essays published in the book "forbid the Russian speaking population the right to integrate into the Latvian society with equality, according to standards and regulations accepted in modern-day Europe," emphasises the Russian Foreign Ministry. The announcement also states that "we're talking about an open human hatred, russophobic campaign, spread in a country which already has enough problems in the field of human rights and ethnic minority [rights]." "The fact that official institutions did nothing to create barriers for yet another preaching of racism and national hatred is reason for concern. The Latvian Constitutional protection office did not see anything criminal in the campaign," stated the Ministry. The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that the fact that youths were involved in the contest was "cause for special concern." "Russia has on numerous accounts drawn the attention of international organisations towards the dangerous trends in the social life of Latvia. Nevertheless, on every account, an answer followed in stating that everything is fine. The result of such a stance is that at the beginning of the third millennium, a campaign rather smelling of Goebbels could be organised in the very centre of Europe," the Ministry announced. "Latvia's extreme chauvinistic attacks must not remain without reaction form the international society," emphasized Russia. Latvian politicians Latvias Way member K.Libane and Peoples Party A.Skele think that in Viedas case the clear line should be drawn between freedom of speech and kindling of national hatred and that right protection authorities should have Vieda under direct monitoring. Meanwhile teenager newspaper Mana has announced The Contest for the Patriots of Latvia where invites teenagers to hand in essays on the theme What does It Mean for Me to be Latvian. The winners will be awarded with Vieda books. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Vesti Segodnja.

Vesti Segodnja publishes full version of the press release of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Vieda book.

Vesti Segodnja publishes full version of the press release of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Vieda book.

Chas

gives the stance of the welfare minister A.Pozharnovs in the issue regarding recalculation of non-citizens pensions. The minister has come up with the following proposal – before signing the bilateral agreement with Russia on social security, the general agreement on financial issues, covering economical re-evaluation of the historical period, should be signed first. Actually, the minister calls Russia to admit its guilt and pay for the past. In the view of the minister, Russia should pay the residents of Latvia subjected to repression of Soviet regime. gives the stance of the welfare minister A.Pozharnovs in the issue regarding recalculation of non-citizens’ pensions. The minister has come up with the following proposal – before signing the bilateral agreement with Russia on social security, the general agreement on financial issues, covering economical re-evaluation of the historical period, should be signed first. “Actually, the minister calls Russia to admit its guilt and pay for the past. In the view of the minister, Russia should pay the residents of Latvia subjected to repression of Soviet regime”.