Sep 07 2011

  • Sept. 7, 2011

    • Latvijas Avize highlights contradictions between the words of the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte and the actions of her party Unity
    • NGO: on-line opinion poll shows racial and ethnic prejudices are widespread among youth
    Editorial in

    Editorial in Latvijas Avize highlights the point raised by the Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte that the situation in Latvia is similar to schizophrenia: part of society sees this country differently. The editorial draws attention to the fact that Mrs Elertes political party (Unity) distributes pre-election advertisement newspapers also in Russian, calling to Vote for ours! For Latgalians!, implying that the notion of Unitys ours also includes those who have not learned Latvian language. The editorial compares this to de-facto legalisation of bilingualism which contradicts official goals of the party and Mrs Elertes statements.

    Latvian NGO Culture.Tolerance.Friendship (K.I.D.) together with partner NGOs in Estonia and Lithuania in April-May 2011 conducted on-line opinion poll of youth in the Baltic states. According to K.I.D. representative, the respondents tried to give “politically correct” answers to direct questions, yet prejudices surfaced in answers to more subtle questions. The least welcomed groups of potential immigrants are Romas, Caucasians and Arabs. In case of discrimination, 26% would not do anything to defend their rights, 10% would contact the Ombudsman’s Office, while others would approach human rights centre, newspapers and police.

    Latvian NGO Culture.Tolerance.Friendship (K.I.D.) together with partner NGOs in Estonia and Lithuania in April-May 2011 conducted on-line opinion poll of youth in the Baltic states. According to K.I.D. representative, the respondents tried to give politically correct answers to direct questions, yet prejudices surfaced in answers to more subtle questions. The least welcomed groups of potential immigrants are Romas, Caucasians and Arabs. In case of discrimination, 26% would not do anything to defend their rights, 10% would contact the Ombudsmans Office, while others would approach human rights centre, newspapers and police. Vesti Segodnya (06.09.2011)