Integration monitor
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.
Aug. 10, 2012
- Latvijas Avize interviews the Justice Minister Janis Bordans
- Society Integration Foundation approved funding for 17 projects
Latvijas Avize interviewed the Justice Minister Janis Bordans. The Ministry is planning to take concrete measures ensuring compliance with the state language legislation and supporting the State Language Centre (SLC). According to the Minister, one of the achievements of the SLC is that there are no foreign language signs on the streets. The functions of the SLC could be widened, to include the issues of culture. The Minister believes that the referendum on Russian as a state language did not receive sufficient condemnation from the politicians. The Minister also believes that despite the many good laws in Latvia, people like Aleksandrs Gilmans say whatever they like and feel they can go unpunished, because the politicians and judges do not take responsibility for implementing these laws. As reported, the Security Police evaluates whether the publication by politician Aleksandrs Gilmans “The Myths of 14 June”, which brings personal perspective of his family, violates Section 78 (incitement to ethnic, national and racial hatred) and Section 74.1 (Denial of genocide, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace and justification of war crimes) of the Criminal Law.
The Society Integration Foundation approved 17 projects aimed at consolidation of society. The funding provided to two programs: “exchange of children between ethnic Latvian families and families of ethnic minorities” and “extra-curricular activities”. The total funding for the approved projects is LVL 95,000 (EUR 135,000). Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya