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.

• Security Police has asked the Prosecutors Office to start a criminal prosecution against two young people for violation of ethnic and racial equality
• Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs: Russia will continue to insist on the implementation of all recommendations in the area on minority rights
• Chas reports on an advertisement of a judicial service bureau providing 50% discount for Russian speakers
• One-third of Latvian residents have stated that ethnic groups make feel them insecure

Diena reports that the Security Police has asked the Prosecutors Office to start a criminal prosecution against two young people under Section 78 of the Criminal Law for violation of ethnic and racial equality. As reported, in December 2006, a young girl, citizen of Brazil, accompanied by two locals, was attacked by a group of skinheads in the centre of Riga. The group of skinheads blocked girls and her companions way and made racist statements. Afterwards one member of the group threw a bottle of beer at the girl. Fortunately, the girl avoided the bottle, however, she got some injuries in her leg. The girl and her companions managed to escape. Two of the skinheads were detained shortly after the incident.

Yesterday, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia will continue monitoring the situation of Russian speaking residents in Latvia and will insist on the implementation of all recommendations made by the United Nations, European Council and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the area of minority rights. Sergey Lavrov has stated that the rights of non-citizens, minority education reform, and the slow naturalisation rate are the core issues of Russia’s concern.

Yesterday, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia will continue monitoring the situation of Russian speaking residents in Latvia and will insist on the implementation of all recommendations made by the United Nations, European Council and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in the area of minority rights. Sergey Lavrov has stated that the rights of non-citizens, minority education reform, and the slow naturalisation rate are the core issues of Russias concern. Vesti Segodnya

Chas reports on an advertisement placed in one of the newspapers in Daugavpils (city in the Eastern part of Latvia) of a judicial service bureau providing 50% discount for Russian speakers. According to the advertisement, the bureau also does not provide the judicial service to representatives of sexual minorities. The person who has placed the advertisement has stated that the bureau applies the principle of positive discrimination by means of providing a discount for a particular part of residents because of discrimination of Russian speaking residents in various spheres during the last 15 years.

According to a study by “Eurobarometer”, a third of Latvian residents agree with the statement that ethnic groups in Latvia make feel them insecure. 56% of respondents have disagreed with this position.

According to a study by Eurobarometer, a third of Latvian residents agree with the statement that ethnic groups in Latvia make feel them insecure. 56% of respondents have disagreed with this position. Latvijas Avize