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.

• Latvijas Avize: Russian youngsters give the official answer that Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union, but think differently
• NGO "Latgalian Parliament" suggests administrative changes and calls for support to Latgalian language
• Riga Council deputy Janis Martins Skuja (Democratic Patriots) referred to the Security Police the instance of reading a schoolbook issued in Russia
• Vesti Segodnya writes about a case of elderly non-citizen, who lost the plot of land she owned since 1986, ostensibly because of her status as a non-citizen

 

Latvijas Avize journalist attended the celebration of the end of the WWII or “Victory Day” on 9 May at the Monument to Liberators from Nazi Invaders, and interviewed local Russian youngsters, who attended the celebrations. According to the interviewees, the main reason why they participate in the event is that they would like to show their gratitude to the efforts made by the people during the war. The youngsters learned at school the official view that Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union, but disagree with it. When asked officially about occupation (such as during exams), they provide "correct" answer, because "we live in Latvia, therefore at school you should not speak what you think". It was also recommended to keep one's mouth shut, because for expressing the views, the youngsters could be put to jail. One of the youngsters stated that he does not oppose the occupation hypothesis, yet he is interested to learn various views. The interviewed also believe that those who celebrate 16 of March (unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires), should not be disturbed.

 

NGO "Latgales Saeima" (Latgalian Parliament) supports the regional unity of Latvia, and suggests the formation of "second-tier" municipalities, which would have more competences in economic, social, cultural and other issues, as well calls to reconsider recent territorial reform, whereby some Latgalian districts were included into Vidzeme and Zemgale regions. The "Latgales Saeima" calls to ensure that public funding on the permanent basis is also provided to Latgalian, including provision of education from kindergartens to universities and at least 2% of air time in the public media. Latvijas Avize

 

Riga city Council deputy Janis Martins Skuja (Democratic Patriots) referred to the Security Police the instance of using in school a book "Introduction to Political Science" issued in Russia. The director of the school pointed out that normally, the book is not used in the school, but an exception was made for two students, who have very weak Latvian language proficiency and were given to read one chapter of the book. Allegedly, the chapter explains the notion of ideologies and is similar in content with Latvian books. Latvijas Avize

 

Vesti Segodnya writes about a case of an elderly non-citizen, who lost the plot of land she owned since 1986, ostensibly because of her status as a non-citizen.