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.

 

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration will have to cut its budget
• Party Ratings
• Igor Pimenov will continue to work as a member of the Advisory Council of Integration
• The Association for the Support for Russians Schools is preparing protest activities
• Interview with the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma Normunds Rudevics
• Lauku Avize comments on Boris Tsilevichs statements

Diena reports that according to the decision to reduce the state budget for the next year the budget the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration have to cut its budget by 30,000 LVL. The Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks informed that the amount of expenses to reduce is small, because the total budget of the Secretariat is only 2,9 million LVL. He explained that the budget consists of three categories: Society Integration Foundation, grants for minority organisations and the Secretariat. Nils Muiznieks is not intending to reduce the co-funding part of the EU funding for the Society Integration Foundations projects, because in that case the financial memorandums will have to be changed. The Minister announced that he is not willing to analyse the budgets of other ministries because his main interest is to consolidate the Secretariat.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts the support by voters for the People’s Harmony Party increased from 4% in June to 6% in July, but voters’ support for the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia has decreasing from 10,2% to 8,1%. The popularity of the FF/LNNK decreased from 7% in June to 4,5% in July. First three most popular political parties in July were New Era (19,5%), People’s Party (10,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (8,2%).

According to an opinion poll conducted by the company Latvian Facts the support by voters for the Peoples Harmony Party increased from 4% in June to 6% in July, but voters support for the Union for Human Rights in United Latvia has decreasing from 10,2% to 8,1%. The popularity of the FF/LNNK decreased from 7% in June to 4,5% in July. First three most popular political parties in July were New Era (19,5%), Peoples Party (10,4%) and Union of Greens and Farmers (8,2%). Diena, Telegraf

Lauku Avizes journalist asked the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration whether he will keep Igor Pimenov, the Head of the Association for the Support for Russians Schools, as one of the members the Advisory Council of Integration. The press secretary of the Special Task Minister replied that it is necessary to have people with different opinions represented in the Advisory Council and that Igor Pimenov is also a member of the Minority Education Council organised by the Ministry of Education and Science.

Telegraf reports that the Association for the Support for Russians Schools prepared a questionnaire for parents willing to support the protest activity Empty Schools. The Association explained that information obtained from parents is necessary to report about the results of the protest campaign.

Rigas Balss features an interview with Normunds Rudevics, the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma. He reports about the activities of the Association – cooperation with international organisations, establishment of twelve regional centres, exhibitions and cultural events. Rudevics informs about his plans to organise Roma congress in August. He considers that in Latvian it is necessary to use the term Roma instead of Latvian word Chigans.

Lauku Avize comments that Boris Tsilevichs statements published in Chas amount to asking Russians speakers for revolt.