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.

• Biggest Latvian internet portals and NGOs have signed a Declaration on the Respect, Tolerance and Cooperation on the Internet
• Working group will develop amendments to legal norms to ease legal migration of guest workers to Latvia
• Court ruling in the first ethnic discrimination case in employment will be appealed
• MP Peteris Tabuns received a written warning for the offensive towards Russians statements
• Presidents Chancellery held a discussion on the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks: it is planned to open a museum of ethnic minorities in Latvia

Yesterday, representatives of the biggest Latvian Internet portals and NGOs signed a Declaration on the Respect, Tolerance and Cooperation on the Internet. The Declaration states “Our aim is to eliminate and combat intolerance and manifestations of hatred on the Internet, without imposing limitations on the freedom of speech. We stand for an open and honest and argumentative discussion.” The Declaration stipulates that intolerance is a call for violence, discrimination, threat, accusations which are addressed towards a person or a group of people on their racial or ethnic lines, religious belonging, language, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age, and health condition.

Yesterday, representatives of the biggest Latvian Internet portals and NGOs signed a Declaration on the Respect, Tolerance and Cooperation on the Internet. The Declaration states Our aim is to eliminate and combat intolerance and manifestations of hatred on the Internet, without imposing limitations on the freedom of speech. We stand for an open and honest and argumentative discussion. The Declaration stipulates that intolerance is a call for violence, discrimination, threat, accusations which are addressed towards a person or a group of people on their racial or ethnic lines, religious belonging, language, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, age, and health condition. Chas, Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

Diena features an article about Suzette Bronkhorst an expert from the Netherlands who was invited to Latvia to share with an experience on the combating of intolerance and hatred on the internet.

More about the Declaration in Latvian and Russian:

More about the Declaration in Latvian and Russian: http://www.dialogi.lv/article.php?s=393&id=2488&lang=1

The government supported formation of a working group, which will examine possible impacts of legal migration of the labour force to Latvia to solve increasing shortage of the local labour force. The working group will elaborate the draft amendments to legal norms providing easements concerning issuance visas, working and residency permits to foreigners.

The government supported formation of a working group, which will examine possible impacts of legal migration of the labour force to Latvia to solve increasing shortage of the local labour force. The working group will elaborate the draft amendments to legal norms providing easements concerning issuance visas, working and residency permits to foreigners. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis

An enterprise PALSO is planning to appeal the ruling of the Jelgava Administrative Court. As reported, a Romani woman sued PALSO for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EURO 1,422). However, PALSO denies that a woman was not hired because of her ethnicity.

An enterprise PALSO is planning to appeal the ruling of the Jelgava Administrative Court. As reported, a Romani woman sued PALSO for refusal to hire her allegedly because of her ethnicity. The Court ruled in favour of the plaintiff and fined an enterprise PALSO with LVL 1,000 (EURO 1,422). However, PALSO denies that a woman was not hired because of her ethnicity. NRA

The Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee issued MP  Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) a written warning for making offensive statements regarding Russians during the parliamentarian session.

The Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee issued MP Peteris Tabuns (FF/LNIM) a written warning for making offensive statements regarding Russians during the parliamentarian session. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Yesterday, the President’s Chancellery and the representatives of various ministries, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the National Human Rights Office and the MPs Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) and Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL) held a discussion on the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, the Law, which was adopted by Saeima, provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. However, the parties “the Concord Centre” and “For Human Rights in United Latvia” have appealed the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law.

Yesterday, the Presidents Chancellery and the representatives of various ministries, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the National Human Rights Office and the MPs Boriss Cilevics (the Concord Centre) and Jurijs Sokolovskis (FHRUL) held a discussion on the Law on the EU Permanent Resident Status. As reported, the Law, which was adopted by Saeima, provides that applicants for the status have to demonstrate Latvian language skills and pay the state fee. However, the parties the Concord Centre and For Human Rights in United Latvia have appealed the President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga not to proclaim the Law. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday, during the conference “The Role of Ethnic Minorities in the History of Latvia” the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that it is planned to open a museum of ethnic minorities in Latvia.

Yesterday, during the conference The Role of Ethnic Minorities in the History of Latvia the Minister of Foreign Affairs Artis Pabriks stated that it is planned to open a museum of ethnic minorities in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya