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

Latvijas vestnesis contains summaries of various meetings between Latvian officials and foreign dignitaries taking place in the context of the gathering of NATO candidate country presidents, including the full English-language text of the address of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga at the Riga Jewish Synagogue on Latvian Holocaust Memorial Day. At the meeting, which was attended by visiting US senators, the President states that We in newly freed, independent Latvia denounce the mass murders of the Shoah as particularly heinous crimes against humanity… We welcome any additional evidence that could help us to initiate criminal proceedings agaisnt any untried individual suspected of committing war crimes in Latvia.

Rigas Balss

talks to the president of the Radio Free Europe Tom Dine. In his opinion Latvia has to work actively to reduce the gap between Latvians and the Russian–speaking population. The process of integration is closely followed abroad and the participation of Latvia in international organisations will largely depend on progress in this area. talks to the president of the Radio Free Europe Tom Dine. In his opinion Latvia has to work actively to reduce the gap between Latvians and the Russian–speaking population. The process of integration is closely followed abroad and the participation of Latvia in international organisations will largely depend on progress in this area.

Ja

interviews FHRUL leader Janis Jurkans. He argues that citizenship should be granted to all persons born in Latvia who speak Latvian. He predicts that soon, some sort of zero option in citizenship will be adopted because of international imperatives and that non-citizens will have the right to vote in the next municipal elections. He also criticises the president for doing very little in the realm of societal integration. He claims that one of the reasons for the growth in the influence of FHRUL is that societal integration no longer scares anyone or evokes negative emotions. He predicts that FHRUL will have 20 seats in the next parliament. interviews FHRUL leader Janis Jurkans. He argues that citizenship should be granted to all persons born in Latvia who speak Latvian. He predicts that soon, some sort of zero option in citizenship will be adopted because of international imperatives and that non-citizens will have the right to vote in the next municipal elections. He also criticises the president for doing very little in the realm of societal integration. He claims that one of the reasons for the growth in the influence of FHRUL is that societal integration no longer scares anyone or evokes negative emotions. He predicts that FHRUL will have 20 seats in the next parliament. One of today’s topics in

One of todays topics in Chas is the controversial advertisement of the Freedom Party, a small, new party competing for seats in the next elections. The newspaper interviews the black musicians who were deceived and appeared in the racist ads. The newspaper also publishes an article about a mixed-race couple consisting of Julia (Russian) and Gilford Belfore (African-American). Belfore reports that he has faced intolerance from neighbours and others in Latvia.

Telegraf

interviews Tatyana Shlychkova, director of Russias Federal Migration Service office in Riga. The interview took place after a meeting between Russian officials and Russian residents of Ventspils who work in the old transit business but are concerned about losing their jobs due to Russias planned diversion of transit trade to Russian ports. Shlychkova states that each year 2500-2700 persons who wish to move from Latvia to Russia register in her office. The migration service based in Latvia has an agreement with those in Leningrad, Murmansk and Arhangelsk regarding provision of port workers, though medical doctors and nurses are in demand everywhere in Russia. interviews Tatyana Shlychkova, director of Russia’s Federal Migration Service office in Riga. The interview took place after a meeting between Russian officials and Russian residents of Ventspils who work in the old transit business but are concerned about losing their jobs due to Russia’s planned diversion of transit trade to Russian ports. Shlychkova states that each year 2500-2700 persons who wish to move from Latvia to Russia register in her office. The migration service based in Latvia has an agreement with those in Leningrad, Murmansk and Arhangelsk regarding provision of port workers, though medical doctors and nurses are in demand everywhere in Russia.