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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

All newspapers report that yesterday the first 5 residents of Riga received a new type of Latvian passport. The interest in receiving new passports is very high. Since July 1 the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has received already 3560 applications for new passports, out of which 998 are applications for non-citizen passports.

All newspapers report that yesterday the first 5 residents of Riga received a new type of Latvian passport. The interest in receiving new passports is very high. Since July 1 the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has received already 3560 applications for new passports, out of which 998 are applications for non-citizen passports.

July 4 is Holocaust memorial day in Latvia. The commemoration of the Holocaust will take place at the Wall of Tears in Riga at noon. An exhibition devoted to the Holocaust is opened in the Central Library of Riga.

July 4 is Holocaust memorial day in Latvia. The commemoration of the Holocaust will take place at the Wall of Tears in Riga at noon. An exhibition devoted to the Holocaust is opened in the Central Library of Riga. Diena, Neatkariga, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Diena analyses the decline in the popularity ratings of FF/LNNK. According to a number of experts, the decline is linked to troubles in the Ministry of Welfare which has been led by FF/LNNK ministers, the strike of medical workers, and to the departure from FF/LNNK of several well known and popular party members. However, one of the major reasons for the slide in popularity dip could be that the party’s declared ethnic policy goals have not been implemented in practice.

Diena analyses the decline in the popularity ratings of FF/LNNK. According to a number of experts, the decline is linked to troubles in the Ministry of Welfare which has been led by FF/LNNK ministers, the strike of medical workers, and to the departure from FF/LNNK of several well known and popular party members. However, one of the major reasons for the slide in popularity dip could be that the partys declared ethnic policy goals have not been implemented in practice.

Yesterday two dark skinned musicians of the pop band “Los Amigos” filed a claim in court against the authors of the pre-election ad of the Freedom Party for defamation of character, racism and other crimes.

Yesterday two dark skinned musicians of the pop band Los Amigos filed a claim in court against the authors of the pre-election ad of the Freedom Party for defamation of character, racism and other crimes. Neatkariga talks to Peter Mensaha – one of the Los Amigos musicians. He says that before the filming, nobody told them that this would be a pre-election ad of the party and that it would be against EU membership. When asked whether he has experienced racism in Latvia before, he says that in their concerts there is no expression of racism. He believes that there is only passive racism in Latvia.

Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks believes that the ad does not contain incitement for discrimination or violation, but it does portray racism - “it is a typical approach of extreme right wing parties.” According to Muiznieks, the ad is “the attempt by a bankrupt politician to resuscitate his fortunes using racism.”

Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Nils Muiznieks believes that the ad does not contain incitement for discrimination or violation, but it does portray racism - it is a typical approach of extreme right wing parties. According to Muiznieks, the ad is the attempt by a bankrupt politician to resuscitate his fortunes using racism. Chas, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Today a presentation of a book on bilingual education translated and compiled by language professor Ina Druviete will take place in Riga. The Soros Foundation in Latvia in co-operation with the publishing house Nordika has published 500 copies of the book.

Today a presentation of a book on bilingual education translated and compiled by language professor Ina Druviete will take place in Riga. The Soros Foundation in Latvia in co-operation with the publishing house Nordika has published 500 copies of the book. Neatkariga

Neatkariga

interviews history professor Aivars Stranga about the holocaust and Jews in Latvia. He states that Latvia should formulate its definition of a national minority in Latvia. According to Stranga, a national minority is a minority which is loyal towards its country of residence and second, it does not dictate rules and regulations for its homeland - the problem of many Russians is that they are not able to accept that they are not the dominant nation in a free country. When they accept that, the problem disappears. He is convinced that the status of non-citizens should be preserved in the given circumstances in Latvia. interviews history professor Aivars Stranga about the holocaust and Jews in Latvia. He states that Latvia should formulate its definition of “a national minority” in Latvia. According to Stranga, a national minority is a minority which is loyal towards its country of residence and second, it does not dictate rules and regulations for its homeland - “the problem of many Russians is that they are not able to accept that they are not the dominant nation in a free country. When they accept that, the problem disappears.” He is convinced that the status of non-citizens should be preserved in the given circumstances in Latvia.

BNS

reports that the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies will organise a seminar on the Council of Europes l Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities in Daugavpils. The discussion topics will be the possible ratification of the Convention and its consequences. The seminar is organised with the financial support of the embassy of Great Britain. reports that the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies will organise a seminar on the Council of Europe’s l Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities in Daugavpils. The discussion topics will be the possible ratification of the Convention and its consequences. The seminar is organised with the financial support of the embassy of Great Britain.

Dienas

editorial is about the summit of NATO aspirant countries in Riga. Columnist Laila Pakalnina refers to the criticism and negativism voiced by the Russian language press that expenses affiliated with Latvias NATO membership and troubles caused for public is already getting on the nerves. The columnist argues that these troubles are a small price to pay for the countrys security and being an open city for both guests and residents. editorial is about the summit of NATO aspirant countries in Riga. Columnist Laila Pakalnina refers to the criticism and negativism voiced by the Russian language press that expenses affiliated with Latvia’s NATO membership and troubles caused for public is already “getting on the nerves.” The columnist argues that these “troubles” are a small price to pay for the country’s security and being an open city for both guests and residents.