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.
Nov. 12, 2012
- Security Police: number of cases on incitement to ethnic hatred has significantly grown
- Latvijas Avize: granting residence permits to foreign investors is not profitable
According to the Security Police, number of cases on incitement to ethnic hatred has significantly grown since 2008. 15 criminal cases on incitement to ethnic hatred got initiated during the first half of 2012, comparing to 33 criminal cases initiated during the past 3 years. The most often incitement to ethnic hatred occurs in the Internet comments as insulting statements towards representatives of particular ethnic groups. Some comments contain threat of violence. There are very few registered cases of violent attacks motivated by ethnic animosity; however, it is possible that such attacks are not reported. The Security Police warns that if no measures are taken to limit hate speech, the number of such crimes will continue to grow. Vesti Segodnya
Latvijas Avize prints an article asserting that granting residence permits to foreign investors is not profitable. According to the newspaper, instead of making large investments in local enterprises, the majority of foreigners buy expensive real estate in Latvia. Thus, such investments do not develop Latvia’s economy, believes the Doctor of Economics Raita Karnite. The majority of investors are from Russia and eastern countries.