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.
March 23, 2015
- Political Party "Latvia’s Russian Union" conducted its congress
- State Language Commission: Latvian language is the only state and integration language
- Number of Russian speaking residents in Latvia who do not see justification for Russia’s military involvement in the conflict in Ukraine has grown
- Women detained during the procession of Latvian legionnaires on 16 March might be punished for singing WWII era song
Newspapers report about a congress of the political party "Latvia’s Russian Union". According to one of the party’s leaders, MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka, "Latvia’s Russian Union" is the only party in Latvia, which protects the rights of ethnic non-Latvians. The party members approved its resolution which has three main directions: defending the interests of Russian speaking residents of Latvia in the areas of education, citizenship and protection from discrimination; pressuring European governments with an aim to stop military confrontation between the West and Russia; and establishing a wide oppositional coalition which would be able to protect people’s interests at the national and local level. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize, Diena
The State Language Commission came with a statement criticising the MP’s Regina Locmele-Lunova’s (Concord), who criticised the fact that the Advisor of the Minister of Culture Martins Kaprans gave an interview in Latvian language to a local Russian language TV channel. According to the Commission, Latvian language is the only state and integration language in Latvia, therefore, in order to promote it, state officials should use it in communication with journalists. Usage of Latvian language by state officials helps non-Latvian to integrate, believes the Commission. It also supports the call of the State Language Centre to use more frequently Latvian language at work. Latvijas Avize
According to a data based on a public opinion survey conducted by a company SKDS and distributed by the MEP from Latvia Sandra Kalniete, the number of Russian speaking residents in Latvia who do not see justification for Russia’s military involvement in the conflict in Ukraine has grown comparing with spring 2014. In April 2014, 35,7% of Russian speakers did not see justification for Russia’s involvement. In August 2014, the number grown up to 37,1%, but in February 2015 up to 42,1%. In April 2014, 43,1% of Russian speakers believed that Russia’s involvement is justified. In August 2014 the number dropped down to 28,6%, but in February 2015 down to 28,9%. Latvijas Avize
Vesti Segodnya reports that a women detained during the procession of Latvian legionnaires on 16 March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires) for singing WWII song "The Sacred War" might be punished for administrative violation. In an interview with Vesti Segodnya, the women explained that she is a convinced anti-fascist and such procession is shameful forLatvia.