Integration monitor
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.
Aug. 5, 2008
- Diena publishes article about the relations between Latvia and Livonians
Reinis Lazda writes about the relations between Latvia and Livonians (native population of Latvia). The author believes that during inter-war years Latvia viewed activities of Livonians with suspicion, probably out of fear of Livonian separatism, although there were only 1000 ethnic Livonians at that time. Now there are fewer then 200 ethnic Livonians and only few speak Livonian as native tongue. The author believes that current Latvias policy towards Livonians is superficial. He views positively the fact that a Livonian Affairs Division was established at the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (IUMSILS). However, Mr.Lazda is critical about its activities and expenditures, and suggests that some of the money could be used on development of online electronic resources, such as homepage with comprehensive information on Livonians, electronic books in Livonian, including study kits and dictionaries, as well as information about events devoted to Livonians. Diena