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

A blast occurred last night outside the office of a publishing company recently having organised a scandalous youth essay contest in Latvia, causing damage to the publisher's door, reported the publishing company's director. The blast occurred at around 1:30 a.m. with a force equal to around 100 grams of TNT. The police have filed a criminal case for hooliganism with damage or destruction of property. An essay contest organised by Vieda aroused controversy in Latvia and was criticised by Russia and Russian means of mass media in Latvia. On June 13 a book was published containing 75 selected essays in which youths urged to protect their Latvian rights and Latvian language. Chas newspaper, top Russian language newspaper in Latvia, asked law enforcement authorities to check out if the contest should not be regarded as inciting national hatred, while Latvia's top national security agency believed there are no grounds to open a criminal case because Latvia pursues freedom of speech. The book, printed in 3,000 copies, is expected to be presented to top Latvian officials and also expected to be available on sale.

A blast occurred last night outside the office of a publishing company recently having organised a scandalous youth essay contest in Latvia, causing damage to the publisher's door, reported the publishing company's director. The blast occurred at around 1:30 a.m. with a force equal to around 100 grams of TNT. The police have filed a criminal case for hooliganism with damage or destruction of property. An essay contest organised by Vieda aroused controversy in Latvia and was criticised by Russia and Russian means of mass media in Latvia. On June 13 a book was published containing 75 selected essays in which youths urged to protect their Latvian rights and Latvian language. Chas newspaper, top Russian language newspaper in Latvia, asked law enforcement authorities to check out if the contest should not be regarded as inciting national hatred, while Latvia's top national security agency believed there are no grounds to open a criminal case because Latvia pursues freedom of speech. The book, printed in 3,000 copies, is expected to be presented to top Latvian officials and also expected to be available on sale. Diena, Jauna, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

Diena quotes Tuesday’s British newspaper

Diena quotes Tuesdays British newspaper Financial Times, saying integration of the Baltic States into NATO is Russias main problem. The newspaper writes, it would be a national humiliation for Russia. NATO enlargement policy in general is not very well developed.

Daugavpils mayor’s party Latvia’s Light ceased the coalition agreement with FHRUL and Social Democrats. The decision was taken because FHRUL faction in Daugavpils without any agreement with coalition partners distributed to the local means of mass media a note stating that the residents of Daugavpils are not satisfied with the work of the present Council. However, Daugavpils’ mayor Eigims still has a majority at the Council.

Daugavpils mayors party Latvias Light ceased the coalition agreement with FHRUL and Social Democrats. The decision was taken because FHRUL faction in Daugavpils without any agreement with coalition partners distributed to the local means of mass media a note stating that the residents of Daugavpils are not satisfied with the work of the present Council. However, Daugavpils mayor Eigims still has a majority at the Council. Diena, Chas

Jekabpils City Council deputies have decided to merge two Russian schools and establish one primary school. Teaching staff of both Russian schools disagrees with the deputies and is ready to organise protest activities.

Jekabpils City Council deputies have decided to merge two Russian schools and establish one primary school. Teaching staff of both Russian schools disagrees with the deputies and is ready to organise protest activities. Diena

Tuesday Latvian MP from Social Democrat party who is member of the parliament group for support of repatriation of people of other nationalities to their ethnic homeland handed 1000 US dollars to an ethnic Russian family willing to move to live in St. Petersburg. Janis Leja called on families willing to return to their ethnic homeland to apply. Leja said in a news conference numerous people are willing to return to their ethnic homeland and, longing for homeland is "sublime longing". "Allocation of money is my internal protest against turning repatriation of people to their ethnic homeland into a source of slops because there is nothing bad in it that people want to leave," said Leja. Head of the group of deputies, Juris Vidins, voiced a hope there would be more wealthy people in Latvia ready to extend financial assistance to people of other nationalities.

Tuesday Latvian MP from Social Democrat party who is member of the parliament group for support of repatriation of people of other nationalities to their ethnic homeland handed 1000 US dollars to an ethnic Russian family willing to move to live in St. Petersburg. Janis Leja called on families willing to return to their ethnic homeland to apply. Leja said in a news conference numerous people are willing to return to their ethnic homeland and, longing for homeland is "sublime longing". "Allocation of money is my internal protest against turning repatriation of people to their ethnic homeland into a source of slops because there is nothing bad in it that people want to leave," said Leja. Head of the group of deputies, Juris Vidins, voiced a hope there would be more wealthy people in Latvia ready to extend financial assistance to people of other nationalities. Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii