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.

• Dr. Denis Hanovs about intolerance towards others in Latvia
• International conference ‘Identity Changes: Latvian Society in the European Context took place in Riga
• Discussions about the unification of all national forces before elections launched
• Russian organisations in Latvia protestagainst claims of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia to speak on the behalf of all Russians
• United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia will open its offices in Moscow and Strasbourg
• Founder of a new party of entrepreneurs concerned about consolidation of Latvian society
• Ventspils Administrative Committee imposes fines on parents whose children participated in unapproved meeting during classes
• Latvijas Avize comments on the forthcoming visit of the OSCE HCNM

Dr. Denis Hanovs publishes an article about intolerance towards others in Latvia. He was motivated to write the article by the response of mass media towards the results of studies, which indicate that the level of intolerance in Latvian society towards others grows. Majority of newspapers expressed incomprehension about the need of such studies, because ‘intolerance is a part of human being.’ First, the author looks into the possible causes of intolerance and after summarising the market of ideas in Latvia concludes that tolerance, equality and intercultural dialogue do not have hopes for mass support in Latvia now. The author warns about the possible consequences of intolerance – unstable society, escalation of violence, etc. Hanovs admits that sometimes intolerance may seem the fastest way to reach one’s goals, however, it has never worked in a long-run. All members of society need tolerance. Denis Hanovs reminds that EU directives provide that legislation of new EU countries should ensure a minimum of tolerance and anti-discrimination. And it is an obligation of Latvian legislators to introduce these norms. He stresses that specific intolerance in Latvia is observable towards memories, historic events of other groups. In conclusion he suggests to 1) develop societal legal activities, for instance court cases dealing with expressions of intolerance; 2) tolerance should be taught at schools, however, first of all teachers and 3) it should be one of the tasks of mass media to develop tolerance.

Dr. Denis Hanovs publishes an article about intolerance towards others in Latvia. He was motivated to write the article by the response of mass media towards the results of studies, which indicate that the level of intolerance in Latvian society towards others grows. Majority of newspapers expressed incomprehension about the need of such studies, because ‘intolerance is a part of human being. First, the author looks into the possible causes of intolerance and after summarising the market of ideas in Latvia concludes that tolerance, equality and intercultural dialogue do not have hopes for mass support in Latvia now. The author warns about the possible consequences of intolerance – unstable society, escalation of violence, etc. Hanovs admits that sometimes intolerance may seem the fastest way to reach ones goals, however, it has never worked in a long-run. All members of society need tolerance. Denis Hanovs reminds that EU directives provide that legislation of new EU countries should ensure a minimum of tolerance and anti-discrimination. And it is an obligation of Latvian legislators to introduce these norms. He stresses that specific intolerance in Latvia is observable towards memories, historic events of other groups. In conclusion he suggests to 1) develop societal legal activities, for instance court cases dealing with expressions of intolerance; 2) tolerance should be taught at schools, however, first of all teachers and 3) it should be one of the tasks of mass media to develop tolerance. Diena

Chas reports about the international conference ‘Identity Changes: Latvian Society in the European Context organised by the University of Latvia and the Institute of Political and Sociological Studies. Among prominent speakers was the Professor of Stanford University David Laitin who gave the presentation of his research on Russian identities in Briton Beach New York.

The Board of the New Era will meet one of the founders of the Latvian National Independence Movement (LNIM) Eduards Berklavs to discuss his idea to unite all national forces and parties for the next Saeima elections. The member of the New Era Krisjanis Karins believes that the idea is good, however, it is not very clear how to realise the idea.

The Board of the New Era will meet one of the founders of the Latvian National Independence Movement (LNIM) Eduards Berklavs to discuss his idea to unite all national forces and parties for the next Saeima elections. The member of the New Era Krisjanis Karins believes that the idea is good, however, it is not very clear how to realise the idea. Diena, Chas

The Association of Russian Organisations in Latvia has issued a statement saying that FHRUL and the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools use Russian education issues with the only goal – to advertise the party before municipal elections. The statement stresses that the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia does not have the right to speak on the behalf of all Russians in Latvia. 

The Association of Russian Organisations in Latvia has issued a statement saying that FHRUL and the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools use Russian education issues with the only goal – to advertise the party before municipal elections. The statement stresses that the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia does not have the right to speak on the behalf of all Russians in Latvia.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia will have to representative offices outside Latvia – one in Moscow and another in Strasbourg. The office in Moscow will be opened by the Advisor to the member of the Russian State Duma Aleksandr Kazakov who was recently deported from Latvia because of his active involvement in the protest actions against the education reform.

The United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia will have to representative offices outside Latvia – one in Moscow and another in Strasbourg. The office in Moscow will be opened by the Advisor to the member of the Russian State Duma Aleksandr Kazakov who was recently deported from Latvia because of his active involvement in the protest actions against the education reform. Diena

Chas talks to Juris Brivzemnieks who is forming a party of entrepreneurs. He states that none of Latvian governments had even attempted to consolidate Latvian society and accuses governments in being interested in having divided society. He believes that the number of state functions should be restricted.

The Administrative Committee of the Ventspils City reviewed the case of a number of students who were absent from classes because participated in an unapproved meeting in the support for Kazakov, the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools just recently expulsed from Latvia. The Committee ruled that parents are responsible that their children did not attend classes and were imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 10 (EUR 15). The member of the Headquarters commented that the Committee has misinterpreted the norm according to which it sentenced the parents and that the norm in fact deals with socially excluded families. The decision will be appealed with the District Court.

The Administrative Committee of the Ventspils City reviewed the case of a number of students who were absent from classes because participated in an unapproved meeting in the support for Kazakov, the activist of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools just recently expulsed from Latvia. The Committee ruled that parents are responsible that their children did not attend classes and were imposed a fine in the amount of LVL 10 (EUR 15). The member of the Headquarters commented that the Committee has misinterpreted the norm according to which it sentenced the parents and that the norm in fact deals with socially excluded families. The decision will be appealed with the District Court. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize comments on the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to Latvia. The columnist Aija Calite states that his visits always bring some negativism, because they make Latvia justify her decisions and actions. The columnist reports that the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told her that the visit will be an ordinary working visit and Latvia does not have to consider whether she has committed any violations and look for possible excuses.