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.

• Reasons of current lack of activism of Latvia’s Russians 

Vesti Segodnya interviewed experts and activists about the reasons of the current lack of activism among Latvia’s Russians. The Head of NGO "Russian Community of Latvia" former MP Valerijs Kravcovs believes the people are tired of the constant pressure applied against them since independence, which intensified following events in Ukraine, as a result, the people are like snails hiding inside their shells. There is also disappointment with the notions of democracy and Europe, and the last hopes were destroyed by the events in Ukraine. Russian population was also reduced demographically. Finally, politicians also share responsibility, because they chose not to organise regular protests, which is the only way to influence policies in Latvia. The Head of NGO "Russian Community in Latvia" Tatjana Favorska highlights the lack of coordination, and the fact that most people are not able to be active, because their everyday life is a struggle for survival. Also, Russian entrepreneurs do not support the community: the little businesses do not have money, the middle enterprises are scared, while the big companies with Russian capital are arrogant. Other members of the NGO highlight that current political system does not bring concrete results and most people lost any hope to change anything in the country – Russians and Latvians alike, and, while the Soviet generation is still willing to participate, the new generation is mercantile. Another activist highlighted that during the Soviet era, Russian culture was cut down: Russian organisations and traditions were banned and the Soviet Latvia only supported organisations and cultural activities of ethnic Latvians. Activists consider Russian Federation (RF) does not have a clear system of support to Russian rights defenders and cultural activities, while "professional grant writers" receive their share of funding for conferences, where RF officials would make a speech and then leave, with no practical results except for publication of speeches, which no one reads. The editor of online discussion portal www.IMHOclub.lv Jurijs Alekseevs believes the lack of activism of Russian population is integral part of decline of activism in Latvia in general: the slogan "if you dont like it here, then leave" results in emigration of active, independent people regardless of ethnicity. There is also certain complacency among many voters who prefer to "sit on the coach and delegate the thinking" to politicians.