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

Lauku Avize

interviews OSCE Mission to Latvia Head P.Semneby. The ambassador was asked about the current activities of the OSCE Mission to Latvia, what problems Latvia faces in the field of society integration, as well as Missions opinion about the latest activities organised by Russian young people. Latvian publishing company Vieda, which became notorious over a youth essay contest seen by many as openly Russophobic, again sprang into focus of public attention by announcing one more controversial contest. This time the publisher has asked lawyers and other interested persons to submit proposals for a bill about Latvia's decolonization and amendments to the criminal law introducing liability for refusing decolonization. The press release also contained some suggestions about likely proposals for the contest. For example, the article to be added to the criminal law could read as follows: "The punishment for genocide, i.e., intentional action aimed at full or partial rejection of Latvia's decolonization, thus creating conditions for full or partial extermination of the Latvian people, purposefully... leading to gradual extinction of Latvian culture and language, subsequently deteriorating the living conditions of Latvians, by promoting 'integration' in mass media, shall be imprisonment from 3 to 20 years or a life sentence." The deadline for submitting proposals in the latest contest is set at Oct. 15. The winner of the contest will be awarded the prize of 300 lats (USD 480). Vieda may again publish a collection of the essays. "It is a happy coincidence that Russia and Latvia have the same interests as regards repatriation of colonists. ... Russia needs at least 700,000 compatriots returning to it annually to ensure its normal development as a nation, the publisher said in its statement. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy chief Uldis Dzenitis told BNS that Vieda "is good at balancing on the edge between expressing one's opinion and committing a criminal offence. He said for now neither the CPO nor the prosecutor's office had any reason to "rush in with decisions." Nevertheless, Vieda remains in the focus of our attention, and they know it, added Dzenitis.

Latvian publishing company Vieda, which became notorious over a youth essay contest seen by many as openly Russophobic, again sprang into focus of public attention by announcing one more controversial contest. This time the publisher has asked lawyers and other interested persons to submit proposals for a bill about Latvia's decolonization and amendments to the criminal law introducing liability for refusing decolonization. The press release also contained some suggestions about likely proposals for the contest. For example, the article to be added to the criminal law could read as follows: "The punishment for genocide, i.e., intentional action aimed at full or partial rejection of Latvia's decolonization, thus creating conditions for full or partial extermination of the Latvian people, purposefully... leading to gradual extinction of Latvian culture and language, subsequently deteriorating the living conditions of Latvians, by promoting 'integration' in mass media, shall be imprisonment from 3 to 20 years or a life sentence." The deadline for submitting proposals in the latest contest is set at Oct. 15. The winner of the contest will be awarded the prize of 300 lats (USD 480). Vieda may again publish a collection of the essays. "It is a happy coincidence that Russia and Latvia have the same interests as regards repatriation of colonists. ... Russia needs at least 700,000 compatriots returning to it annually to ensure its normal development as a nation, the publisher said in its statement. Constitution Protection Office (CPO) deputy chief Uldis Dzenitis told BNS that Vieda "is good at balancing on the edge between expressing one's opinion and committing a criminal offence. He said for now neither the CPO nor the prosecutor's office had any reason to "rush in with decisions." Nevertheless, Vieda remains in the focus of our attention, and they know it, added Dzenitis. BNS, Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Panorama Latvii, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

The Prime Minister believes that it is regretful that there are people in Latvia who "do not realise what is going on in the world and in what century they live”. According to Berzins, it will become clear in the near future whether "Vieda's" announcing another competition was a coincidence, or perhaps it is an instigation announced ahead of the United Nation's World Conference Against Racism in Durban, and directed toward President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who will take part in the conference.

The Prime Minister believes that it is regretful that there are people in Latvia who "do not realise what is going on in the world and in what century they live. According to Berzins, it will become clear in the near future whether "Vieda's" announcing another competition was a coincidence, or perhaps it is an instigation announced ahead of the United Nation's World Conference Against Racism in Durban, and directed toward President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who will take part in the conference. LETA, Chas

Latvian president believes the publishing company Vieda has announced its new controversial contest one day ahead of anti-racism and anti-prejudice conference in South Africa purposefully to create impression to the conference about Latvia as a country full of prejudices. "It sounds like rather extremist opinion," said Vike-Freiberga noting that "this statement one day prior [to the conference] looks like coordinated with Russia's statements," she said.

Latvian president believes the publishing company Vieda has announced its new controversial contest one day ahead of anti-racism and anti-prejudice conference in South Africa purposefully to create impression to the conference about Latvia as a country full of prejudices. "It sounds like rather extremist opinion," said Vike-Freiberga noting that "this statement one day prior [to the conference] looks like coordinated with Russia's statements," she said. Chas

Nomination of T.Zdanok, a former pro-Soviet activist as the executive director for one of municipal districts in the Latvian capital Riga has raised discussions and speculations about the general political situation in the country. When Latvia embarked on its independence drive, Zhdanok was very active in the pro-Soviet Interfront movement seeking to crush Latvia's hopes for seceding from the Soviet Union. Because of her Communist past, Zhdanok cannot take any elected office as a lawmaker or a city council member under the effective Latvian law but there's no law prohibiting former Communists from holding executive offices. Leftists were given the opportunity to nominate own candidate as the Vidzeme District executive director after nationalist Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party from the central government coalition broke the coalition it had formed on the Riga city council with the Social Democrats. Dainis Ivans, the pro-independence Popular Front leader, is one of the most popular Social Democrat members on the Riga city council, told BNS Wednesday there's no way Zhdanok could become the Vidzeme District executive director. Social Democrat J.Dinevich said that “Social Democrats should respect FHRUL nomination, but we are not able to guarantee that all faction deputies will vote for her”.

Nomination of T.Zdanok, a former pro-Soviet activist as the executive director for one of municipal districts in the Latvian capital Riga has raised discussions and speculations about the general political situation in the country. When Latvia embarked on its independence drive, Zhdanok was very active in the pro-Soviet Interfront movement seeking to crush Latvia's hopes for seceding from the Soviet Union. Because of her Communist past, Zhdanok cannot take any elected office as a lawmaker or a city council member under the effective Latvian law but there's no law prohibiting former Communists from holding executive offices. Leftists were given the opportunity to nominate own candidate as the Vidzeme District executive director after nationalist Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party from the central government coalition broke the coalition it had formed on the Riga city council with the Social Democrats. Dainis Ivans, the pro-independence Popular Front leader, is one of the most popular Social Democrat members on the Riga city council, told BNS Wednesday there's no way Zhdanok could become the Vidzeme District executive director. Social Democrat J.Dinevich said that Social Democrats should respect FHRUL nomination, but we are not able to guarantee that all faction deputies will vote for her. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize,Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Respublika

Social Democrat MP Janis Leja has extended financial support to yet another Russian family willing to leave Latvia and move to live in Russia. Leja granted 300 US dollars to family which will leave for Russia as soon as on Thursday.

Social Democrat MP Janis Leja has extended financial support to yet another Russian family willing to leave Latvia and move to live in Russia. Leja granted 300 US dollars to family which will leave for Russia as soon as on Thursday. Panorama Latvii

Chas

talks to Latvian language teacher in Russian school I.Sizova. She admits that lately Latvian language skills of Russians have improved rather drastically and that in no way Russians should be considered untalented in learning languages. The teacher is against abolishment of education in Russian – in her opinion it is psychological murder. When asked about the transfer in 2004, she states that in her school 80% of students of the class that majors in mathematics would be capable to study in the state language, however, only 20-30% of students of regular classes are prepared for the transfer to the studies in the state language, however, responsible officials prefer not to see this problem. talks to Latvian language teacher in Russian school I.Sizova. She admits that lately Latvian language skills of Russians have improved rather drastically and that in no way Russians should be considered untalented in learning languages. The teacher is against abolishment of education in Russian – in her opinion it is “psychological murder”. When asked about the transfer in 2004, she states that in her school “80% of students of the class that majors in mathematics would be capable to study in the state language, however, only 20-30% of students of “regular” classes are prepared for the transfer to the studies in the state language, however, responsible officials prefer not to see this problem”.