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

• National Human Rights Office presents its annual report
• Interview with political scientist Juris Rozenvalds
• Russian journalist Irina Vinnika appointed director of the Minority Department at the Integration Ministry

The National Human Rights Office presented its annual report to the Saeima. Last year the Office received 1151 complaints from physical persons. People mostly complain about issues concerning living conditions, violations in courts, social guarantees and inhuman conditions in prisons. Regarding discrimination on national and ethnic grounds, the Office reviewed only few cases: violence of the employees of the security company Falks towards Roma in a café and pre-election clips of the Freedom Party where they reflected dark skinned men in a way which kindles national hatred. Vesti Segodnya

Vechernaya Riga talks to political scientist, associated professor of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds about the situation of Russians in Latvia. He believes that protest activities against the education reform is a result of the states integration policy which does not admit that people could have another point of view other than governments. He states that Latvia inherited two strong communities from the Soviet times and the government during 12 years of independence did not take the necessary measures to form a unified society in Latvia. He concludes that the formation of the post of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs is the first step of the Repses government in correcting mistakes concerning integration issues made by previous governments.

Diena

features an article about journalist Irina Vinnika who just recently started to work for the Ministry of Societal Integration as director of the Minority Department. Her key task will be strengthening of minority NGOs.