• A strategy for implementation of the Society Integration Programme has been developed
• An interview with the MP of the European Parliament Tatjana Zdanoka

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration has developed a strategy for the implementation of the Society Integration Programme. According to the Head of the Secretariat Kristine Vagnere, the Secretariat should, on priority basis, rework the national programme ‘Society Integration in Latvia’ by the end of the year. The Secretariat is also planning to work in the area of the promotion of the tolerance as well as to foster a debate about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.

The Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration has developed a strategy for the implementation of the Society Integration Programme. According to the Head of the Secretariat Kristine Vagnere, the Secretariat should, on priority basis, rework the national programme ‘Society Integration in Latvia by the end of the year. The Secretariat is also planning to work in the area of the promotion of the tolerance as well as to foster a debate about the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with Tatjana Zdanoka about her activities as the Member of the European Parliament from Latvia. Zdanoka mentions increasing discussion about the need to grant non-citizens living in the EU the right to travel inside the territory of the Union without visas as the main achievement of the first year.

• Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis meets the UK ambassador to the OSCE Colin Munro
• Interview with the chairman of the Latvian Council of the Jewish Parishes and Communities Arkadijs Suharenko

The Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis met the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Colin Munro. Issues concerning the activities of the Special Assignments Minister’s for Society Integration Secretariat in the areas of the promotion of tolerance in society, naturalisation and collaboration with minority organisations as well as the activities of radical organisations in Latvia were discussed during the meeting there.

The Special Assignments Minister for Society Integration Ainars Latkovskis met the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Colin Munro. Issues concerning the activities of the Special Assignments Ministers for Society Integration Secretariat in the areas of the promotion of tolerance in society, naturalisation and collaboration with minority organisations as well as the activities of radical organisations in Latvia were discussed during the meeting there. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the chairman of the Latvian Council of the Jewish Parishes and Communities Arkadijs Suharenko about the situation of the Jewish community in Latvia and possible manifestations of anti-Semitism in Latvia. Speaking about anti-Semitism, Suharenko admits that there is no anti-Semitism on state level. At the same time the chairman believes, that the activities of certain politicians (for example, their support for the rehabilitation of the notorious Herberts Cukurs as a Latvian hero and famous pilot, although it has been documented that he participated in the Holocaust during World War II) could led to confrontation in society. Meanwhile, according to Suharenko, it is very important for the Jewish community to be integrated in the Latvian society. There are approximately 10,600 – 10,700 Jews living in Latvia.

• Diena discusses possible changes regarding the legal status of the Society Integration Foundation
• Results of the study ‘Creation of the Civil Society in Largest Cities and Ethnically Heterogeneous Regions of Latvia by the Latvian Institute of Social Sciences

Diena discusses possible changes regarding the legal status of the Society Integration Foundation (SIF). Four years ago the Society Integration Foundation was established as unique institution whichs main task is to administrate funding for integration and civil society development issues. However, the deputy head of the Policy Coordination Department of the State Chancellery Baiba Petersone argues that the legal status of the SIF (public establishment) does not comply with the Law on State Administration Structure therefore the SIF should be re-arranged into the state agency. Resultantly, non-governmental organisations and municipal institutions may have no say in distribution of funding. Currently the Board of the Society Integration Foundation is in charge of distribution of funding. Representatives of NGOs and municipal institutions are among the members of the Board. The annual budget of the Society Integration Foundation is about Ls5,000,000 (approximately EUR7,114,359) and only 0,8 million come from the state.

Vesti Segodnya reports on the results of the study ‘Formation of Civil Society in the Largest Cities and Ethnically Heterogeneous Regions of Latvia by the Latvian Institute of Social Sciences. According to the study, Latvians have more confidence in government, Saeima, state administration and municipalities than Russians do. Latvians also are bigger supporters of NATO - 61% Latvians and only 22 – 25% Russians trust in NATO. The results of the study also show that 88% non-citizens in Riga, 94% in Kraslava district and 90% non-citizens in Ludza district would participate in municipal election if they were granted the right to participate in municipal elections.

• Author of the brochure The Role of Education, Dialogue and Civic Participation in Promotion of Integration of Society Denis Hanovs talks about ethnic integration
• Days of Romani Art will take place in Sabile on 28 – 31 July
• Latvijas Avize prints an interview with Ilze Krastina, lawyer of the two journalists charged with incitement to ethnic hatred

Diena features an interview with Denis Hanovs, the author of the brochure The Role of Education, Dialogue and Civic Participation in Promotion of Integration of Society. Denis Hanovs believes that the main division exists between two linguistic communities – Latvians and Russians. However, he notes that intolerance towards homosexuals, clearly expressed during the Gay Pride last Saturday in Riga, indicates that there is a so-called negative integration: among protesters against homosexuals there were both Latvians and Russians. Denis Hanovs stresses that discussions on ethnic integration and state policies in this field, as well as diversity of opinions should be promoted.

The Days of Romani Art will take place in Sabile on 28 – 31 July. The culmination of the festival is planned on Saturday, when the visitors of the festival will learn the Romani traditions in the performance ‘Romani Bride.’

The Days of Romani Art will take place in Sabile on 28 – 31 July. The culmination of the festival is planned on Saturday, when the visitors of the festival will learn the Romani traditions in the performance ‘Romani Bride. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with Ilze Krastina, the lawyer of the two journalists of the national radical newspaper DDD. The two journalists are charged with incitement to ethnic hatred. The lawyer believes that by using the terms ‘occupant and ‘žids (derogatory name of Jews in Latvian) in their articles journalists have not incited to ethnic hatred. According to Ilze Krastina, the fact of Latvias occupation has been internationally acknowledged, therefore the journalists can not be charged with criminal charges for expression of their views on possible ways of elimination of consequences of the occupation, in particular decolonisation and de-occupation. The lawyer also refers to the conclusion of the researcher of the Baltic languages Janis Kuskis who argues that the word ‘žids was not a derogative name in the first independent Latvia.

• Government supports Nils Muiznieks for the post of director of the Latvian National Human Rights Office

Despite objections of the ministers of the New Era, the government expressed its support for the candidacy of Nils Muiznieks for the post of director of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. As reported, the New Era argued that Nils Muiznieks does not qualify for the post because he lacks expertise in human rights and was a member of a party. The leader of the New Era Einars Repse believes that Nils Muiznieks will manage to take the post only if his candidacy is supported by the opposition parties. 

Despite objections of the ministers of the New Era, the government expressed its support for the candidacy of Nils Muiznieks for the post of director of the Latvian National Human Rights Office. As reported, the New Era argued that Nils Muiznieks does not qualify for the post because he lacks expertise in human rights and was a member of a party. The leader of the New Era Einars Repse believes that Nils Muiznieks will manage to take the post only if his candidacy is supported by the opposition parties. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf