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

• Special Task Minister for Societal Integration about integration
• First study on the situation of Roma in Latvia
• Head of the Constitution Protection Office about NATO and non-citizens
• Competition of caricatures and slogans against the education reform

Diena features an article by Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration. The Minister reports about the cooperation between the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration and the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the education reform. Nils Muiznieks stresses the development of the dialogue between the government and national minorities through media round tables, creation of the advisory council and through participation at various minority NGOs events. He reports that he is an active participant in the discussions about the tax legislation related to philanthropy and the NGO sector. The Secretariat has elaborated a concept for the development of civil society and is allocating the funding for the activities of the national minority organisations. In order to strengthen anti-discrimination norms and to educate society and officials about the elimination of discrimination the Secretariat organised a conference and published an informative booklet about these issues. Muiznieks provides information about the reorganisation of the programme Livs in Latvia. After visiting Latvian settlements in Siberia the minister concludes that Latvia has to take greater responsibility regarding the development of Latvian culture and language abroad.

Neatkariga features an article about the first study on the situation of Roma in Latvia conducted by the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies. The newspaper informs about the principal conclusion presented in the study: the racism and discrimination against Roma are widespread in Latvian society, more than 40% of Roma have fourth grade or lower education, and many are illiterate, that the number of Roma who are involved in official employment does not exceed 5%. The newspaper informs that Normunds Rudevics, the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma, criticises that money allocated for the study should be used instead for the improvement of Roma living conditions.

Telegraf reports on statements of Janis Kazocins, the Head of the Constitution Protection Office, who points out that NATO officials are concerned about candidate countries security risks. He expresses concern regarding the large number of non-citizens living in Latvia and the potential risk of information leaks to third countries.

The Headquarter of the Opponents against the education reform organised a competition of caricatures and slogans against the education reform. 

The Headquarter of the Opponents against the education reform organised a competition of caricatures and slogans against the education reform. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya