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

Latvia lacks all-embracing anti-discrimination norms and amendments are needed to the Criminal Law in order to fight against racial and intolerant statements, says the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance’s latest report on Latvia. The report says that the activities concerning social integration should be actively continued as well. The report praises Latvia’s success in the field of naturalisation, the implementation of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and the formation of the Integration Foundation. The ECRI notes that the disproportional positions in state institutions of Russians and Latvians may deepen alienation between these two communities and foment social tension. The ECRI concludes that Latvia has not developed general normative acts aimed against discrimination. The ECRI also suggests reviewing the timetable for the transition to Latvian as language of instruction in secondary schools scheduled for 2004.

Latvia lacks all-embracing anti-discrimination norms and amendments are needed to the Criminal Law in order to fight against racial and intolerant statements, says the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerances latest report on Latvia. The report says that the activities concerning social integration should be actively continued as well. The report praises Latvias success in the field of naturalisation, the implementation of the National Programme for Latvian Language Training and the formation of the Integration Foundation. The ECRI notes that the disproportional positions in state institutions of Russians and Latvians may deepen alienation between these two communities and foment social tension. The ECRI concludes that Latvia has not developed general normative acts aimed against discrimination. The ECRI also suggests reviewing the timetable for the transition to Latvian as language of instruction in secondary schools scheduled for 2004. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Diena comments on the Russian government’s annoucement of the formation of a department to deal with compatriot issues abroad. Columnist Askolds Rodins writes that Russia assumes the right to make judgements on all issues and that this tendency has emerged since the collapse of the USSR. However, the tendency has become more pronounced during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. The columnist concludes that if the new department does a good job its activities could hinder social integration in Latvia.

Diena comments on the Russian governments annoucement of the formation of a department to deal with compatriot issues abroad. Columnist Askolds Rodins writes that Russia assumes the right to make judgements on all issues and that this tendency has emerged since the collapse of the USSR. However, the tendency has become more pronounced during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. The columnist concludes that if the new department does a good job its activities could hinder social integration in Latvia.

The homepage of the Riga City Council is now available in the Russian language as well.

The homepage of the Riga City Council is now available in the Russian language as well. Diena, Chas