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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Diena devotes a page to articles about extremism in the Eastern Europe and Latvia. Compared to other countries, extremism is rather weak in Latvia, as noextremist parties are represented in Parliament or local governments and Latvia is the only country in the Central and Eastern Europe where no case of racially motivated violence has been registered. Russian National Unity (the followers of Barkashov) should be considered one of the most dangerous groups of extremists in Latvia. According to political scientist Nils Muiznieks in total there are about 100 extremists in Latvia. He stresses that the attitude of political parties towards groups of extremists should be evaluated very thoroughly. Nils Muiznieks notes that some FF/LNNK members have demonstrated open support to Latvian nationalist extremist publisher Aivars Garda, but the party itself has not evaluated such activities by its members. The Union of Social Democrats has also not evaluated the co-operation of one of its members with Gardas group as well. Diena provides information about extremism in other East European countries as well.

On 7 June the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a statement On the Discriminatory Policy of the Latvian Authorities towards Russian-speakers in Latvia. The paper was developed in response to amendments to the Constitution adopted recently by the Saeima. The amendments are aimed at securing the status of the state language. The Russian State Duma calls president Vladimir Putin to adopt legislative measures against Latvia.

On 7 June the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a statement On the Discriminatory Policy of the Latvian Authorities towards Russian-speakers in Latvia. The paper was developed in response to amendments to the Constitution adopted recently by the Saeima. The amendments are aimed at securing the status of the state language. The Russian State Duma calls president Vladimir Putin to adopt legislative measures against Latvia. Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja

Neatkariga

looks at the ratings of political parties in May. According to the data provided by the company SKDS, the ratings of all political parties represented in the Saeima except for FF/LNNK have increased. The rating of FF/LLNK has decreased and is very close to the critical 5% barrier. looks at the ratings of political parties in May. According to the data provided by the company SKDS, the ratings of all political parties represented in the Saeima except for FF/LNNK have increased. The rating of FF/LLNK has decreased and is very close to the critical 5% barrier. On Monday the session of the Council of Baltic Sea States will be launched in St.Petersburg. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mihail Kasyanov will take part in the session.

On Monday the session of the Council of Baltic Sea States will be launched in St.Petersburg. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mihail Kasyanov will take part in the session. Chas

Recently People’s Party deputy Dzintars Abikis, who heads the Saeima Committee on Education and supports introduction of stricter language requirements and the switch of secondary school to the Latvian language, received a letter with white powder.

Recently Peoples Party deputy Dzintars Abikis, who heads the Saeima Committee on Education and supports introduction of stricter language requirements and the switch of secondary school to the Latvian language, received a letter with white powder. Chas columnist Leonid Fedoseyev believes that officially announced integration has failed and now people start considering and applying non-constitutional methods.

Chas

talks to Russian political scientist Tatyana Poloskova. Her main interest is about the Russian diaspora in the international context. Tatyana Poloskova agrees that the new Russian citizenship law is rather strict because none of the political forces in the Russian State Duma lobbies for the Russian diaspora. However, she believes that Russia is interested in using the potential of the Russian diaspora for Russias sake. talks to Russian political scientist Tatyana Poloskova. Her main interest is about the Russian diaspora in the international context. Tatyana Poloskova agrees that the new Russian citizenship law is rather strict because none of the political forces in the Russian State Duma lobbies for the Russian diaspora. However, she believes that Russia is interested in using the potential of the Russian diaspora for Russia’s sake.

Vesti Segodnja

reports that American organisation Freedom House has launched a new project in Latvia. The aim of the project is to bring journalists of the leading mass media of the Russian Federation to Latvia and convince them that Latvia is an example of tolerance in respecting and observing the rights of national minorities. reports that American organisation “Freedom House” has launched a new project in Latvia. The aim of the project is to bring journalists of the leading mass media of the Russian Federation to Latvia and “convince them that Latvia is an example of tolerance in respecting and observing the rights of national minorities.” According to the latest social opinion polls the popularity rating of FHRUL is constantly increasing.

According to the latest social opinion polls the popularity rating of FHRUL is constantly increasing. Panorama Latvii interviews FHRUL deputy Boriss Tsilevitch and asks questions what would happen if FHRUL wins in the 8th Saeima elections. Boriss Tsilevitch stresses that his party is not only the party of Russian-speakers in Latvia. The party believes that economic priorities come first and only then political issues should be considered.

The Committee of the Government will review the National Programme for EU Integration. Regarding human rights and minority issues the National Programme focuses on long pre-trial detention and the implementation of the State Language Law in accordance with the principle of proportionality, international standards and European agreements. The Programme foresees continuing activities which foster integration of non-citizens, in particular, language courses and public awareness campaigns. The programme states that funding for these activities should be provided from the state budget.

The Committee of the Government will review the National Programme for EU Integration. Regarding human rights and minority issues the National Programme focuses on long pre-trial detention and the implementation of the State Language Law in accordance with the principle of proportionality, international standards and European agreements. The Programme foresees continuing activities which foster integration of non-citizens, in particular, language courses and public awareness campaigns. The programme states that funding for these activities should be provided from the state budget. BNS

Lauku Avize

interviews professor of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Sergey Shakray. The key topics of discussion are the observance of the rights of Russians residing outside Russia. interviews professor of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry Sergey Shakray. The key topics of discussion are the observance of the rights of Russians residing outside Russia.