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.

• Latvian Press Association concerned over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas
• Security Police examine statements of MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins
• PACE forwards 2 resolutions on the situation of minorities in Latvia for their review at the Legal Committee
• Interview with professor Leo Dribin
• Latvijas Avize comments on ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Russia pays growing attention to its policy on compatriots

The Latvian Press Association has expressed its concern over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper

The Latvian Press Association has expressed its concern over initiation of a criminal case against the Russian-language newspaper Chas. The newspaper is alleged for printing articles calling to national hatred. The authors of the statement are concerned that the attempts of the state to restrict media will result in restrictions on the freedom of expression. While Chas prints the views of members of political parties the New Era and FF/LNIM. Maris Grinblats (FF/LNIM) says that he welcomes the initiation of a criminal case against Chas and hopes that other cases will follow. While Edgars Jaunups (the New Era) believes that up till now the Security Police did not pay a sufficient attention towards publications that call to national hatred. Diena

Yesterday the newspaper

Yesterday the newspaper Chas received a response from the State Security Police to its application. The newspaper questioned whether a number of statements of MP Aleksandrs Kirsteins (the Peoples Party) call to national hatred. The Security Police replied that currently the Security Policeare conducting examination of these statements.

Chas reports that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe forwarded 2 resolutions on the situation of minorities in Latvia to the Legal Committee. The Legal Committee has to develop a report on these resolutions. As reported, the resolutions were drafted by 20 members from different countries and called attention to the minority education reform and the situation of Latvian non-citizens. Boris Tsilevich comments that the decision to forward resolutions to the Legal Committee is the best decision possible. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya talks to minority expert Leo Dribin. The Professor stresses that inter-ethnic relations is a complicated and sensitive issue in all countries and refers to experiences of several countries, such as France, Northern Ireland, Macedonia and others. Leo Dribins states that the attitude of a state towards minority education shows states level of tolerance towards minorities in general. He admits that some oppositions and tensions on ethnic grounds will remain forever, however, he believes that it is possible to minimise them and it is a responsibility of the state to do it.

Latvijas Avize comments on the news that the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities will be ratified till July. The author of the article believes that in Latvia only Livs and Roma should be the subjects of the Convention because ‘they speak Latvian and their loyalty to Latvia is not under doubts.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Russian State Duma focuses on the development of its policy on compatriots. The newspaper notes that also the Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russias policy on compatriots should be given a priority in the states domestic policy.

Latvijas Avize holds a discussion with Latvias Russian writers Marina Kostenecka and Arturs Punte about the role of intelligentsia in promotion societal integration. Both writers agree that literature and writers have lost their social role in the modern society. Arturs Punte admits that there is the lack of Russian intelligentsia in Latvia, however, he hopes the situation will change in the future.