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.

• Right-wing party Everything for Latvia calls to ban the May 9th events
• Sadurskis proposes to ban individuals convicted of crimes against the state from standing in the European Parliament elections
• Movie premier Baltic States. History of one occupation will take place in Riga next week
• Hate speech perpetrator sentenced in Liepaja

Diena reports that NGO 9may.lv plans to celebrate the Day of Victory over Nazism in the Victory Park in Riga on 9 May. The Riga City Council will decide whether to allow the event after it receives an official opinion of the Security Police. The leader of party „Everything for Latvia Raivis Dzintars stated that since all March 16th events (the day of unofficial commemoration of Latvian Waffen SS legion) were officially banned, all May 9th events should be banned as well.

Chas reports that representative of political party Civic Union Karlis Sadurskis proposed to ban individuals convicted of crimes against the state from standing in the European Parliament elections. According to the article, representatives of the European Union once stated that these people do not pose a threat to Europe. Mr.Sadurskis justified his initiative by highlighting the case of Alfreds Rubiks, who, according to Mr.Sadurskis is a previously imprisoned criminal who tried to overthrow Latvian independence by using occupational forces of USSR.

Vesti Segodnya informs that a premiere of the movie Baltic countries. History of one occupation will take place in World Trade Centre in Riga next week. The movie already generated negative publicity, since the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins stated that the movie is pure propaganda against the Baltic countries and Latvia refused a visa to the movies director. The movie includes opinions and views of different politicians and economists from the Baltic countries about economic development before, during and after the Soviet Union. After the movie was released, most of the interviewees claimed that their views were cut of context or interpreted incorrectly.

Latvijas Avize reports that yesterday, Kurzeme Regional Court sentenced a 23 year old person to one year of probation for placing offensive comments against ethnic Latvians. The perpetrator placed the comments at the homepage of political party Everything for Latvia after he failed Latvian language naturalisation exam twice. The comments were classified as hate speech.

Dear subscribers!

Dear subscribers!

Because of official holidays, the next Integration Monitor will be issued on 14 April 2009.

Because ofofficial holidays, the next Integration Monitor will be issued on 14 April 2009.