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.

Press Report

Press Report

On Wednesday Australia accepted extradition agreement with Latvia and is ready to sign it next week, but the Latvian Government is still lingering with adopting the draft law, but politicians are worried about the consequences of Kalejs’s extradition because there are not enough evidences to sentence him.

On Wednesday Australia accepted extradition agreement with Latvia and is ready to sign it next week, but the Latvian Government is still lingering with adopting the draft law, but politicians are worried about the consequences of Kalejss extradition because there are not enough evidences to sentence him. Diena, Neatkariga, Respublika,

Chas writes that Latvian Prosecutor General has sent the evidences against Kalejs to Australia. These documents have been handed over to Kalejs let he could study them and prepare for defence.

Chas writes that Latvian Prosecutor General has sent the evidences against Kalejs to Australia. These documents have been handed over to Kalejs let he could study them and prepare for defence.

Despite of the Prime Minister’s call to stop blocking borders and sit next week at the negotiation table, farmers plan to spend also the night at the border cross points. They think that they have not been listened to and no solution was found for their problems.

Despite of the Prime Ministers call to stop blocking borders and sit next week at the negotiation table, farmers plan to spend also the night at the border cross points. They think that they have not been listened to and no solution was found for their problems. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Respublika, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii

Diena published the popularity rating of Latvian political parties in June. Social Democrats have increased their popularity and occupy the first place with 13.4%. The second is Latvijas Cels with 12.8%. The most decrease suffered TB/LNNK - 4%. Now it has 9.4% and runs only the fourth after People’s Party – 10.4%.

Diena published the popularity rating of Latvian political parties in June. Social Democrats have increased their popularity and occupy the first place with 13.4%. The second is Latvijas Cels with 12.8%. The most decrease suffered TB/LNNK - 4%. Now it has 9.4% and runs only the fourth after Peoples Party – 10.4%. Diena

The New Party called the Prime Minister to start negotiations on the future of Latvenergo and reach a common position in the coalition, or to organise the referendum, proposed by people, as soon as possible. Also the President calls to move from emotional discussions to economic evaluations, the lack of which prevented her form having a clear personal opinion on this issue.

The New Party called the Prime Minister to start negotiations on the future of Latvenergo and reach a common position in the coalition, or to organise the referendum, proposed by people, as soon as possible. Also the President calls to move from emotional discussions to economic evaluations, the lack of which prevented her form having a clear personal opinion on this issue. Diena

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins during his visit to Georgia voiced his indignation with the Russian press that had circulated information citing the Minister who had as if said that Latvia had no “special interests” in Russia because 76% of all Latvian trade was with EU countries. He pointed out that Latvia was ready for good relations with Russia and expressed a hope that the relations would improve because Russia had no other strategic way as EU, but Latvia had already started talks on joining EU.

Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Berzins during his visit to Georgia voiced his indignation with the Russian press that had circulated information citing the Minister who had as if said that Latvia had no special interests in Russia because 76% of all Latvian trade was with EU countries. He pointed out that Latvia was ready for good relations with Russia and expressed a hope that the relations would improve because Russia had no other strategic way as EU, but Latvia had already started talks on joining EU. Neatkariga, Respublika

Jauna Avize

repeats the information about the Government meeting where it could not find an agreement on the institution that would manage the integration process in Latvia. The Minister of Justice I.Labucka told journalists that this issue would be discussed the next week and the coalition partners would try to find a compromise. repeats the information about the Government meeting where it could not find an agreement on the institution that would manage the integration process in Latvia. The Minister of Justice I.Labucka told journalists that this issue would be discussed the next week and the coalition partners would try to find a compromise. Jauna AvizeJauna Avize writes also about the planned establishing of Social Integration Council that would manage the large foreign financing (CoE alone had promised are more than 1 million Euro) that could be one of the reasons for the discord. Due to all this was not adopted the short version of the national program and was delayed the requested state financing – about 16 000 Ls, so none of the experts, involved in elaboration of this program, has received remuneration from November. writes also about the planned establishing of Social Integration Council that would manage the large foreign financing (CoE alone had promised are more than 1 million Euro) that could be one of the reasons for the discord. Due to all this was not adopted the short version of the national program and was delayed the requested state financing – about 16 000 Ls, so none of the experts, involved in elaboration of this program, has received remuneration from November. The Head of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa in her interview to

The Head of the State Language Centre Dz.Hirsa in her interview to Lauku Avize speaks about the regulations on the State Language Law and the statements published in the Russian speaking press and made by the Saeima faction For Human Rights in United Latvia where they speak about the possible spontaneous unrest among the population. Dz.Hirsa says that from the publications of the Russian speaking journalists one can see that they have not even read the text of the regulations. She personally thinks that the new law is more liberal towards non-Latvians that the previous one. And the State Language Centre has not received any proposal either from the Russian speaking journalists or the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia. The Head also explains the new system of grading the state language proficiency. Lauku Avize

By the proposal of the MP J.Urbanovics one of the veterans of Peoples Harmony Party S.Dolgopolov started to run for the post of Riga Mayor for the next municipal election. As Mr. Dolgopolov is Russian, many people doubt that he could get this post but the candidate is optimistic and thinks that his party has enough strength to fight for this post.

By the proposal of the MP J.Urbanovics one of the veterans of Peoples Harmony Party S.Dolgopolov started to run for the post of Riga Mayor for the next municipal election. As Mr. Dolgopolov is Russian, many people doubt that he could get this post but the candidate is optimistic and thinks that his party has enough strength to fight for this post. Vesti Segodnya

Panorama Latvii

published a letter received by the Russian Community in Latvia where the author of this letter A.Saule calls all Russians in Latvia to realise their ethnic origin and return to their fatherland to help it. The Council Chairman of Russian Community in Latvia T.Favorskaya writes about her understanding of the current ethnic situation in Latvia. She is a psychologist and writes that now in Latvia are used so called communicative technologies to manipulate with public opinion. Analysing the situation, she states that there is an ethnic conflict in Latvia but only as a form of a social conflict. Now the society is in the phase of alienation that could be followed by violence. T.Favorskaya also tells how to solve this problem.

The Council Chairman of Russian Community in Latvia T.Favorskaya writes about her understanding of the current ethnic situation in Latvia. She is a psychologist and writes that now in Latvia are used so called communicative technologies to manipulate with public opinion. Analysing the situation, she states that there is an ethnic conflict in Latvia but only as a form of a social conflict. Now the society is in the phase of alienation that could be followed by violence. T.Favorskaya also tells how to solve this problem. Panorama Latvii