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

• Integration Foundation grants Phare Funding
• Ministry of Justice plans to reduce funding for the Integration Foundation
• The Riga Regional Court ruled that the Freedom Party's election campaign video was defamatory

• Conference about integration tendencies in Ukrainian community in Latvia
• Re-organisation of National TV channel TV2, which aired programmes in Russian
• Panorama Latvii
reports about a number of minority cultural events.

For the first time,

For the first time, the Integration Foundation granted funding for 5 Phare integration projects aimed at fostering societal integration in Latvia. Director of the Integration Foundation Nils Sakss said that there had been some concern regarding the quality of NGOs in Latvia and their ability to meet the strict criteria of the EU, however, now he is convinced that Latvia will be able to manage the increased amount of money which will be allotted within the framework of the Phare programme next year (EUR 1,000,000). This year only so-called Latvian NGOs received the grant, as according to Nils Sakss, some Phare requirements, such as the project application should be in English and an NGO should have experience in managing grants in the amount of at least EUR 10,000, were the key obstacles for many minority NGOs. The following 5 projects were supported: study of the Roma situation in Latvia (implementer the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies); discussion clubs where 225 applicants for naturalisation will study the history of Latvia and the Constitution (the Folk School); documentary Dear Jasha about a Russian actor in Latvia (European Symposium of Documentaries); civic education on the regional level – the project will provide civic education to non-Latvians older than 50 years in 4 regions of Latvia (Latvian Adult Education Association); the fifth project is aimed at facilitation of capacities of minority NGOs (Centre for NGOs). Diena, Neatkariga, Chas

Panorama Latvii comments that most probably these projects will have no effect on the broader public, although the total amount of funding is quite substantial.

Panorama Latvii comments that most probably these projects will have no effect on the broader public, although the total amount of funding is quite substantial.

To save money in the state budget the

To save money in the state budget the Ministry of Justice plans to close the Commission on the Revision of Consequences of Totalitarian Regime and reduce funding for the Integration Foundation. Diena

The Riga Regional Court ruled that the Freedom Party's election campaign video, that featured black musicians Peter Mensah and Christopher Ejugo from the band "Los Amigos",

The Riga Regional Court ruled that the Freedom Party's election campaign video, that featured black musicians Peter Mensah and Christopher Ejugo from the band "Los Amigos", was defamatory. According to the court's ruling, the party must turn to the Latvian National Television (LTV) and ask to broadcast partys apology (funded by the party) one time before the LTV evening news program "Panorama." The party must apologise that its video was unethical, did not promote tolerance and bordered on kindling of ethnical and racial hatred. The party must also apologise to both musicians, and send such statements to 180,000 residents that received the party's advertisements. The FP is to pay each musician LVL 3,000 and LVL 150 for costs and expenditures. Mensah and Ejugo filed petitions in Riga Regional Court against the party, because its video depicted black people and warned about an influx of refugees from Asian countries. LETA, Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

The administration of the National TV announced about re-organisation of the channel TV 2 which until now has aired programmes also in the Russian language, as well as cultural, educational, children and sport shows and programmes. Representative of the administration Dariya Juskevica avoided the question what will happen with programmes in Russian.

The administration of the National TV announced about re-organisation of the channel TV 2 which until now has aired programmes also in the Russian language, as well as cultural, educational, children and sport shows and programmes. Representative of the administration Dariya Juskevica avoided the question what will happen with programmes in Russian. Telegraf

The organisation Ukraine – Latvia with the support of the Institution of Philosophy and Sociology, the Embassy of Ukraine, Riga Ukrainian Secondary School and the Society Integration Foundation held

The organisation Ukraine – Latvia with the support of the Institution of Philosophy and Sociology, the Embassy of Ukraine, Riga Ukrainian Secondary School and the Society Integration Foundation held a conference about integration tendencies in the Ukrainian community in Latvia. Panorama Latvii

Panorama Latvii

reports about a number of minority cultural events. The international festival of folk art We Love This Country was held in Liepaja. The Integration Foundation, branch of the Naturalisation Board in Liepaja and Centre for Slavic Culture provided their support to the festival. Another event took place in Riga and was devoted to national celebrations of Belorussians. The international festival of folk art “We Love This Country” was held in Liepaja. The Integration Foundation, branch of the Naturalisation Board in Liepaja and Centre for Slavic Culture provided their support to the festival. Another event took place in Riga and was devoted to national celebrations of Belorussians.