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

On October 31 the Integration Foundation will announce the winners of the Social Harmony Awards – one for promoting a harmonised society and the other for bringing together diverse groups of society.

On October 31 the Integration Foundation will announce the winners of the Social Harmony Awards – one for promoting a harmonised society and the other for bringing together diverse groups of society. Diena lists the 9 nominees for the award, among whom is Nils Muiznieks, director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies.

Political scientist Nikolay Neiland comments on the candidacy of the New Era for the post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete. Nikolays Neilands believes that Sandra Kalniete will have difficulties with building relations with Russia. He notes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should change their policy towards Russian-speakers in general, as previously the Ministry paid too much attention to the nationalistic views of the majority of the parliament. He concludes that the new government does not show any serious signs of readiness to have a dialogue with Moscow.

Political scientist Nikolay Neiland comments on the candidacy of the New Era for the post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete. Nikolays Neilands believes that Sandra Kalniete will have difficulties with building relations with Russia. He notes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should change their policy towards Russian-speakers in general, as previously the Ministry paid too much attention to the nationalistic views of the majority of the parliament. He concludes that the new government does not show any serious signs of readiness to have a dialogue with Moscow. Vesti Segodnya

On Sunday priest Aleksandr sanctified a new Orthodox Church in Salaspils, a town about 30 km from Riga where a half of the population – about 10,000 people - are Russians.

On Sunday priest Aleksandr sanctified a new Orthodox Church in Salaspils, a town about 30 km from Riga where a half of the population – about 10,000 people - are Russians. Vesti Segodnya notes that during the last decade the activities of the Orthodox church in Latvia have increased.