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.

• Experts criticize the draft program on society integration presented by the Ministry of Culture
• Ultra radical Uldis Freimanis made anti-Semitic statements in an interview with TV5
• Shelter Safe House offers a free-of-charge Latvian language courses for third countries nationals
• Play about the annual procession of the Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires to be performed in Londons theatre
• Chas interviews the head of the Russian Community of Liepaja Genadijs Iljins

Experts interviewed by

Experts interviewed by Telegraf criticize the draft program on society integration presented by the Ministry of Culture. Representative of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Sigita Zankovska-Odina believes that it is wrong to build the program on desire to turn every resident into ethnic Latvian because it is not integration but assimilation. Mrs Zankovska-Odina criticises the fact that ethnic Latvianess and ethnic Latvian values are at the centre of integration, and believes that integration should be centred around individual personality and diversity of identities. Social scientist Viktors Makarovs also agrees that residents cannot be sorted and divided into separate groups. Mr Makarovs believes that integration is possible only on grounds of political equality which stipulates equal participation of all residents in establishment of civil and cultural identity.

One of the Latvian ultra radicals Uldis Freimanis in an interview with TV5’s program “Uncensored” broadcasted on 16 March stated that Jews disturb the procession of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and they all should be hanged and shot. Uldis Freimanis made also other insulting and anti-Semitic remarks. Reacting to the statements, the Anti-Defamation League sent appeal to the Latvian Prime Minister calling him to condemn those officially.

One of the Latvian ultra radicals Uldis Freimanis in an interview with TV5s program Uncensored broadcasted on 16 March stated that Jews disturb the procession of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires and they all should be hanged and shot. Uldis Freimanis made also other insulting and anti-Semitic remarks. Reacting to the statements, the Anti-Defamation League sent appeal to the Latvian Prime Minister calling him to condemn those officially. Vesti Segodnya

NGO “Shelter “Safe House”” offers a free-of-charge Latvian language courses for third countries nationals. The courses will be conducted in the framework of the European Integration Fund project and it is planned to provide training for 30 persons.

NGO Shelter Safe House offers a free-of-charge Latvian language courses for third countries nationals. The courses will be conducted in the framework of the European Integration Fund project and it is planned to provide training for 30 persons. Vesti Segodnya

British newspaper

British newspaper The Independent reports about a play about the annual procession of the Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires on 16 March in Riga to be performed in Londons theatre produced by a director from Latvia Aleksejs Serbaks. The play tell about the procession in the eyes of a Russian speaking family – young girl wants to go to protest against the procession while her father advises her not to do it. The author of the play believes that former legionnaires pass away but the young people use 16 March for their own political aims. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Chas interviews the head of the Russian Community of Liepaja Genadijs Iljins. Mr Iljins tells about the activities of the NGO and its main aims: preservation of Russian language, culture, education, belief and traditions; uniting citys Russian speaking residents for dialogue with authorities; integration of Russian speakers in legal and civil society. Presently, there are 3,200 active members of the NGO.