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

• Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presents the first study on the situation of Roma in Latvia
• Riga City Council denied a permission to the opponents of the education reform organise the meeting
• Rigas Balss and Telegraf provide their opinion on the situation concerning the dissatisfaction of some MPs with the work of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs
• Jauna Avize interviews the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks
• Latvijas Vestnesis interviews the Saeima Vice Speaker Eriks Jekabsons about the situation in the government
• Political scientist Marina Golubeva about national identities

Yesterday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the study on the situation of Roma in Latvia. The study was financed by the Integration Foundation/European Community Phare and the Soros Foundatin and the UNDP. The study concludes that racism and discrimination against Roma are widespread in Latvian society. The study also reveals dramatic data – up to 60% of Latvian Roma education level is 4 classes or lower and only up to 5% of Roma are officially employed. The

Yesterday the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies presented the study on the situation of Roma in Latvia. The study was financed by the Integration Foundation/European Community Phare and the Soros Foundatin and the UNDP. The study concludes that racism and discrimination against Roma are widespread in Latvian society. The study also reveals dramatic data – up to 60% of Latvian Roma education level is 4 classes or lower and only up to 5% of Roma are officially employed. The report in Latvian is available hereDiena, Vesti Segodnya

On Thursday the representative of the Headquarter of the Opponents against the education reform, Riga City Council deputy agitated people to take part in the meeting of opponents scheduled for 4 September. The Riga City Council denied a permission to organise the meeting because the number of people who will take part in this meeting is hard to estimate as it was for a similar meeting on 23 May, 2003.

On Thursday the representative of the Headquarter of the Opponents against the education reform, Riga City Council deputy agitated people to take part in the meeting of opponents scheduled for 4 September. The Riga City Council denied a permission to organise the meeting because the number of people who will take part in this meeting is hard to estimate as it was for a similar meeting on 23 May, 2003. Diena, Neatkariga, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Rigas Balss and Telegraf provide their opinion on the situation concerning the dissatisfaction of some MPs with the work of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks.

Jauna Avize features an interview with the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks. According to Muiznieks integration implies two key principles: co-operation and involvement. He stresses that that his Secretariat deals not only with ethnic integration but also with integration of disabled persons and the poor. Muiznieks notes that Latvia has made a big progress in the field of integration during the last 10 years, however, there is a lot to do – still in some places in Latvia the Latvian language is not in strong positions, as well as the naturalisation tempo is still very slow. Regarding the ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, the Integration Minister states that he approves the ratification although after the EU referendum in Latvia. This is an agreement with some other ministers.

Latvijas Vestnesis interviews the Saeima Vice Speaker Eriks Jekabsons about the situation in the government. Regarding the dissatisfaction of individual MPs with the work of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks and possible liquidation of the post, Eriks Jekabsons says that he would not like to allow that as this ministry is very needed in Latvia. In his opinion accusations devoted to Muiznieks are not constructive recalls denunciation of the Soviet times.

Neatkariga talks to historian and politcal scientist Maria Golubeva who conducted a study about features of nationalism in the Latvian and Russian press. According to her nationalism is when priorities of nation are put above the individual rights. She believes that both the Latvian and Russian press are teaching or trying to teach their audiences to fear about losing their national identities. She admits that the quality of the Russian press in Latvia is lower than the quality of the Latvian press.