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

Latvian president in her address to the United Nations anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa spoke of Latvia's experience in solving society integration problems, studying history and eliminating consequences of totalitarian regimes, a spokeswoman reported. Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her address briefly outlined Latvia's history in the 20th century, spoke of crimes committed by the Soviet power against Latvian people, including deportations, discrimination against people because of their antecedents and relatives who had emigrated to the West as well as the planned Russification. Vike-Freiberga also reported about regaining of Latvia's independence and democratization process during the last ten years.

Latvian president in her address to the United Nations anti-racism conference in Durban, South Africa spoke of Latvia's experience in solving society integration problems, studying history and eliminating consequences of totalitarian regimes, a spokeswoman reported. Vaira Vike-Freiberga in her address briefly outlined Latvia's history in the 20th century, spoke of crimes committed by the Soviet power against Latvian people, including deportations, discrimination against people because of their antecedents and relatives who had emigrated to the West as well as the planned Russification. Vike-Freiberga also reported about regaining of Latvia's independence and democratization process during the last ten years. BNS

Russia wishes that its relationship with the Baltic countries is natural and mutually-advantageous, but unfortunately, anti-Russian rhetoric still remains high there, Russian President Vladimir Putin says in an interview to the Finnish newspaper "Helsingin Sanomat". Russia's work will not be aimed at forcing the Baltic States into a tough position, said the Russian President. To his mind, the dialog between Moscow and the Baltic States must be constructive. In commenting on the situation with Russian-speakers in the Baltics, Putin said that Russia only wants that generally-accepted human rights standards are effective there. This is why common standards on ethnic minorities' rights should be worked out for the entire Europe, regardless of whether these minorities live in Europe's south, north, east or west.

LETA, Neatkariga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya

cites Putins question, when he compared the language situation in Macedonia where the Albanian language got the status of the state language with the one in Baltic, Why Russian speaking population in the Baltic States doe not have the right to ask the same? … Why are they worse? In Latvia, to my mind for it stand 30% of Russian speaking population. cites Putin’s question, when he compared the language situation in Macedonia where the Albanian language got the status of the state language with the one in Baltic, “Why Russian speaking population in the Baltic States doe not have the right to ask the same? … “Why are they worse? In Latvia, to my mind for it stand 30% of Russian speaking population.” Next to this article

Next to this article Vesti Segodnya published the reaction of Latvian politicians to this Putins statement. J.Leja (LSDP) was not surprised about it. It is a long time dream of Russia. What concerns equality – all Latvians speak both Latvian and Russian, when Russians will speak both those languages, i.e. also the state language – it will be equality. V.Birkavs (Latvian Way) – this is not anti-Russian rhetoric but anti-Latvian rhetoric, and it is directed not so much against Latvia but against its joining NATO, to slow down this process. And of course, it is favorable for Russia to make Russian the official language of Latvia – in such a case it will soon become also an official language of EU. M.Mitrofanov (FHRUL) feels ashamed in front of Russian President – Russia that has so many internal problems is forced to deal also with things that Russian speakers themselves should do. He points out the small number of people who attend events organized by human rights activists – tens, at the best – hundreds.