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.

• Peoples Harmony Party concerned about increased intolerance in programmes aired by the National Radio and TV
• Telegraf discusses difficulties concerning initiating cases for incitement of national hatred
• Internet users discuss ratification of the Framework Convention
• Members of nationalcultural organisation discuss integration issues
• Interview with the member of the European Parliament Tatyana Zdanoka
• Interview with one of the leaders of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL) Valerijs Kravcovs
• Two Romani festivals will take place this weekend
• Pro-minority organisations have announced the essay competition on the education reform for secondary school students

The People’s Harmony Party has sent a letter to the Chairperson of the National Radio and TV Council Imants Rakins. The party is concerned about increased ethnic intolerance in programmes produced by the National Television and National Radio, in particularly in live broadcast from the Saeima. Authors of the letter hope that Imants Rakins will take measures to stop incitement of national hatred.

The Peoples Harmony Party has sent a letter to the Chairperson of the National Radio and TV Council Imants Rakins. The party is concerned about increased ethnic intolerance in programmes produced by the National Television and National Radio, in particularly in live broadcast from the Saeima. Authors of the letter hope that Imants Rakins will take measures to stop incitement of national hatred. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

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The columnist of Telegraf is concerned that the claim of the Parliamentary Secretary of the Secretariat of the Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Aleksandrs Brandavs against the national radical newspaper DDD for publishing articles containing anti-semitic statements and calling to national hatred will not be properly examined by the General Prosecurtors Office. The Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks explains that in accordance with the effective legislation it is very difficult to prove that national hatred was incited intentionally. He also notes that many prosecutors offices in East Europe, including Latvia, are very cautious with initiating such cases because they are afraid to violate the freedom of speech. The Minister states that another issue is that there is the lack of common European standards towards nationalism and nationalists. Telegraf concludes that the future of the claim largely depends on the verdict of experts, however, according to the newspaper and the Minister, experts will not found the grounds for initiating the case.

Latvijas Avize reports on the discussion in the internet about ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to the newspaper none of discussions participants supports ratification. Some of them state that first, ‘old EU countries should ratify the Framework Convention, while others are convinced that the Convention in Latvias particular situation is not necessary and in fact dangerous.

Latvijas Avize holds a discussion on integration issues between the Chairperson of the Riga Latvian Association Valdis Rumnieks, the Chairperson of the Association of Russian Organisations in Latvia Mihails Gavrilovs and the member of the Byelorussian Organisation and director of the Riga Byelorussian Primary School Anna Ivane. Valdis Rumnieks believes that integration at a cultural level is successful, while it cannot be said about integration at a political level. Mihails Gavrilovs argues that Russians in Latvia lack national self-awareness and that hampers successful integration. The participants agree that integration is based on the following three main values: culture, language and tolerance.

Vesti Segodnya talks to the member of the European Parliament Tatyana Zdanoka. She states that Latvian authorities ignore the presence of national minorities in the country.

Chas talks to one of the leaders of the United Congress of the Russian Community in Latvia (OKROL) Valerijs Kravcovs. He states that new and new branches of the organisation are formed in the regions of Latvia and the number of the members of the OKROL reaches 50,000.

The third Romani children and youth song festival will take place in Sabile. The organiser of the festival Kaspars Arhipovs states that the goal of the festival is to unite, educate and raise self-awareness of Roma. While in another town – Tukums – Romani autumn festival will take place this weekend.

The third Romani children and youth song festival will take place in Sabile. The organiser of the festival Kaspars Arhipovs states that the goal of the festival is to unite, educate and raise self-awareness of Roma. While in another town – Tukums – Romani autumn festival will take place this weekend. Latvijas Avize

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia, FHRUL and Latvian Human Rights Committee have announced the essay competition for secondary school students. Students are called to write on such topics as ‘Education Reform: Springboard or Hellhole,’ ‘Me, School and Reform.’

The Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia, FHRUL and Latvian Human Rights Committee have announced the essay competition for secondary school students. Students are called to write on such topics as ‘Education Reform: Springboard or Hellhole, ‘Me, School and Reform. Vesti Segodnya