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.

Press Report

Press Report

“OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis requested from the Latvian top national security agency a statement about controversial youth essay contest held by Vieda publishing company and the book of selected essays published thereafter, whose international assessment has been requested by Russia. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy chief Uldis Dzenitis told BNS he provided on the phone information to prosecutor general about the probe done by the office in Vieda essay contest and book. He said as far as he knows this information has been forwarded to OSCE President Mircea Geoana. Dzenitis said the OSCE official's attitude was favourable towards Latvia and no reproaches were expressed. He also said that in the wake of Russia's appeal to do international assessment of Vieda's contest the CPO has provided statement to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis and criminal justice department head prosecutor Eriks Zvejnieks. The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier in the week called on international organisation to assess the contest and the book published thereafter saying the contest themes were "openly chauvinistic" and "russophobic" while the book was full of racist and fascist statements laying grounds for ethnic cleansing. Russia also voiced concerns over authorities making no obstacles to propagation of racism and national intolerance. The Latvian Foreign Ministry meanwhile regards the contest as "a wish of small groups to attract attention at the time when Latvia's integration into the European Union and trans-Atlantic structures is becoming ever closer and, such efforts don't win support in Latvia's society. Therefore it is non-understandable why other countries should make any comments in this connection".

OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis requested from the Latvian top national security agency a statement about controversial youth essay contest held by Vieda publishing company and the book of selected essays published thereafter, whose international assessment has been requested by Russia. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy chief Uldis Dzenitis told BNS he provided on the phone information to prosecutor general about the probe done by the office in Vieda essay contest and book. He said as far as he knows this information has been forwarded to OSCE President Mircea Geoana. Dzenitis said the OSCE official's attitude was favourable towards Latvia and no reproaches were expressed. He also said that in the wake of Russia's appeal to do international assessment of Vieda's contest the CPO has provided statement to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, Prosecutor General Janis Maizitis and criminal justice department head prosecutor Eriks Zvejnieks. The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier in the week called on international organisation to assess the contest and the book published thereafter saying the contest themes were "openly chauvinistic" and "russophobic" while the book was full of racist and fascist statements laying grounds for ethnic cleansing. Russia also voiced concerns over authorities making no obstacles to propagation of racism and national intolerance. The Latvian Foreign Ministry meanwhile regards the contest as "a wish of small groups to attract attention at the time when Latvia's integration into the European Union and trans-Atlantic structures is becoming ever closer and, such efforts don't win support in Latvia's society. Therefore it is non-understandable why other countries should make any comments in this connection". BNS, Delfi, Chas, Vesti Segodnja

Early this week, Latvian police found a bottle of fuel mixture on the stairs of the Cabinet of Ministers, reported the State Police. The bottle was found at 4 am Monday morning. The police are carrying out an investigation. It is not yet known as to who or why the bottle was placed by the government building.

Early this week, Latvian police found a bottle of fuel mixture on the stairs of the Cabinet of Ministers, reported the State Police. The bottle was found at 4 am Monday morning. The police are carrying out an investigation. It is not yet known as to who or why the bottle was placed by the government building. Neatkariga, Jauna, Respublika

The number of naturalisation applications has dropped in June almost for a half in comparison to June last year. The Naturalisation Board explains that besides the fact that naturalisation slows down in summer time, another factor is that new regulations on the reduced state fee came into effect 23 June this year.

The number of naturalisation applications has dropped in June almost for a half in comparison to June last year. The Naturalisation Board explains that besides the fact that naturalisation slows down in summer time, another factor is that new regulations on the reduced state fee came into effect 23 June this year. Diena

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia hold reception for the winners of Russian language Olympics – three Latvian high school students. The Olympics takes place already for 10 years in Moscow, however, Latvia took part in the competition for the second time.

Yesterday Russian ambassador to Latvia hold reception for the winners of Russian language Olympics – three Latvian high school students. The Olympics takes place already for 10 years in Moscow, however, Latvia took part in the competition for the second time. Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii

Respublika

writes about ethnopolicy in Latvia. The newspaper states there are two possibilities – either the state has continuous, carefully considered ethnopolicy or it does not have it at all as it is in case with Latvia. writes about ethnopolicy in Latvia. The newspaper states “there are two possibilities – either the state has continuous, carefully considered ethnopolicy or it does not have it at all as it is in case with Latvia”. Nils Muizhnieks comments on the situation of Russians in Latvia. First, he talks about situation regarding education. “That is true that Russian students succeed in learning Latvian at schools, however, I would like to look into the issue more deeper. Sometimes I receive information that there are two types of curriculum and study books effective. At some schools, the situation is good for real, however, for some schools it is only façade. Integration is very slow in Latvia and is implemented rather unwillingly. In my opinion Latvian radio and TV are not utilised to their full capacity. About press in Russian – these newspapers remind me weak exile newspapers where journalism is mixed with politics. Our politicians should reserve stupid promises, which provides ground for reproaches from Russia. For example, Vieda contest”.

Nils Muizhnieks comments on the situation of Russians in Latvia. First, he talks about situation regarding education. That is true that Russian students succeed in learning Latvian at schools, however, I would like to look into the issue more deeper. Sometimes I receive information that there are two types of curriculum and study books effective. At some schools, the situation is good for real, however, for some schools it is only fa̤ade. Integration is very slow in Latvia and is implemented rather unwillingly. In my opinion Latvian radio and TV are not utilised to their full capacity. About press in Russian Рthese newspapers remind me weak exile newspapers where journalism is mixed with politics. Our politicians should reserve stupid promises, which provides ground for reproaches from Russia. For example, Vieda contest.

Chas

columnist L.Fedoseyev gives his comments on the review Ethnopolicy in Latvia. He writes, the review is an indicator that something is wrong, but it is not the cure. It does not give the information how Latvian society should look like to be considered healthy. Whats the sense to criticise the government for lackadaisical attitude towards ethnopolicy if actually it is not defined what exactly the government has not done and what it has to do. Till the moment when it is not clearly defined what is integration and integrated society, we are not going to have a positive attitude toward that. columnist L.Fedoseyev gives his comments on the review “Ethnopolicy in Latvia”. He writes, “the review is “an indicator” that something is wrong, but it is not the cure. It does not give the information how Latvian society should look like to be considered healthy. What’s the sense to criticise the government for lackadaisical attitude towards ethnopolicy if actually it is not defined what exactly the government has not done and what it has to do. Till the moment when it is not clearly defined what is integration and integrated society, we are not going to have a positive attitude toward that”.