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.

Press Review

Press Review

News # 1 in all Latvian newspapers - the picket at the Riga City Council building on Tuesday and the reaction caused by the actions of Municipal police in Latvia and Russia.

News # 1 in all Latvian newspapers - the picket at the Riga City Council building on Tuesday and the reaction caused by the actions of Municipal police in Latvia and Russia.

On Tuesday, answering to the invitation made by the newspaper

On Tuesday, answering to the invitation made by the newspaper Panorama Latvii about fifteen hundred pensioners (mostly Russian speakers) gathered at the Riga City Council building to protest against their low living standard. The crowd blocked the nearest thoroughfare, thus creating a severe traffic problem. Municipal police came to clear the street and their attempts provoked conflicts, making policemen to use truncheons and brutal power. This incident caused sharp reaction in Moscow. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Y.Primakov described this as a gross human rights violation. The Council of Russia Deputy Kuznecov even asked to postpone the planned visit of the Council Chairman G.Seleznov to Latvia, but this proposal was declined. Latvian MFA published an announcement saying that Russian authorities tried intentionally to politicize this event and interpret it as it pleased them better. Local politicians condemn the actions of police and ask the guilty ones to be punished. At the same time, Municipal police has accused the newspaper Panorama Latvii to be guilty for organising this unsanctioned picket and brought it to the court.

SM

publishes an interview with Byelorussian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Antonovich. Answering to the question on the situation of Byelorussians in Latvia, he said that during the discussion with his Latvian partner he had learned that the administration of Latvia had an intention to make the status of all residents of Latvia united, but the Minister could not go into details. publishes an interview with Byelorussian Minister of Foreign Affairs I.Antonovich. Answering to the question on the situation of Byelorussians in Latvia, he said that during the discussion with his Latvian partner he had learned that the administration of Latvia had an intention to make the status of all residents of Latvia united, but the Minister could not go into details.

Panorama Latvii

comments on the draft law On the State Language. It finds this law to become the main weapon against the Russian language and a mean to oust the still remaining rights to use this language. comments on the draft law “On the State Language”. It finds this law to become the main weapon against the Russian language and a mean to oust the still remaining rights to use this language.