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.

• Latvia asks the Russian Ambassador to Latvia to provide an official explanation about the statement of the Russia Minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov concerning Latvia
• Director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Assessments Sergei Oznobischev on relations between Latvia and Russia
• Leader of party Latvijas Cels Andris Berzins on societal integration in Latvia
• Discussion about a role of the Peoples Harmony Party in the political arena in Latvia
• Planned picket against the education reform in Strasbourg
• Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language schools is fined for illegitimate playback of two songs during the protest action against the education reform
• 86 repatriates have permanently moved to Latvia

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov to provide an official explanation on the statement made by the Russia Minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov. The Russia Minister of Defence announced that European countries, which do not observe the generally accepted norms of democracy and human rights, are the sources of threat to Russia. The Minister named Latvia and Estonia as examples of such countries. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry stressed that the ‘radical statements of the Russian Minister are completely unjustified’ and ‘do not promote good relations between neighbouring states.’ The Minister of Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks evaluated these expressions as dangerous because they are ‘balancing on the edge of the rhetoric used during the cold war.’

The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov to provide an official explanation on the statement made by the Russia Minister of Defence Sergey Ivanov. The Russia Minister of Defence announced that European countries, which do not observe the generally accepted norms of democracy and human rights, are the sources of threat to Russia. The Minister named Latvia and Estonia as examples of such countries. The Latvian Foreign Affairs Ministry stressed that the ‘radical statements of the Russian Minister are completely unjustified and ‘do not promote good relations between neighbouring states. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks evaluated these expressions as dangerous because they are ‘balancing on the edge of the rhetoric used during the cold war. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Chas features views of the director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Assessments Sergei Oznobischev on the further development of Latvian Russian relations if the former Russia Energetic Minister and the current deputy of the Russia Foreign Affairs Minister Victor Kaluznij is confirmed to the post of the Russia Ambassador to Latvia. Sergei Oznobischev believes that politicised discussions on a number of issues concerning Russian Latvian relations could be closed, however, some of the issues will always remain sacred and in the focus of Russias attention, in particular, protection of Russian-speakers rights

Chas features an interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia and the chairperson of the party Latvijas Cels Andris Berzins about the future of the party and societal integration process in Latvia. When asked about the possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Andris Berzins believes that the present Saeima would not ratify the Convention because ‘politicians do not want to admit that, in fact, in relations among people there is no nationalism in Latvia and that the Convention in no way sets restrictions on the usage and promotion of the Latvian language.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features a discussion about the role of the Peoples Harmony Party in the political arena and societal integration in Latvia. The political scientist Janis Ikstens, the PHPs leader Janis Jurkans and the member of the partys council Vladlens Dozorcevs took part in the discussion.

Approximately 40 young people from the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and some representatives from the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party youth organization plan to organise a picket against the Latvia’s education reform in Strasbourg. Meetings with members of several parliamentary groups of the European Parliament and participation at the press conference together with the recently elected EP deputy Tatjana Zdanoka are on their agenda as well. The main goal of activists is to inform about the ‘destruction of minority school system in Latvia.’

Approximately 40 young people from the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools and some representatives from the Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party youth organization plan to organise a picket against the Latvias education reform in Strasbourg. Meetings with members of several parliamentary groups of the European Parliament and participation at the press conference together with the recently elected EP deputy Tatjana Zdanoka are on their agenda as well. The main goal of activists is to inform about the ‘destruction of minority school system in Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Riga Vidzeme Court has satisfied a claim of the Latvian Copyrights Agency AKKA/LAA and imposed a 600 lats fine on the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language schools for illegitimate playback of two songs during the protest action against the education reform.

Riga Vidzeme Court has satisfied a claim of the Latvian Copyrights Agency AKKA/LAA and imposed a 600 lats fine on the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language schools for illegitimate playback of two songs during the protest action against the education reform. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

In the first six months this year 86 repatriates have permanently moved to Latvia.  52% of repatriates have emigrated from Western, but 48% from Eastern countries.

In the first six months this year 86 repatriates have permanently moved to Latvia. 52% of repatriates have emigrated from Western, but 48% from Eastern countries. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize