Government 'Lacks Self-Criticism' on Integration, Report Finds
State powers lack self-criticism on integration issues, according to an annual report by the Human Rights Center published on May 27.
The reaction of the political elite toward international criticism over the treatment of local minorities indicates that the matters are dealt with on an emotional level and are highly political, according to Tatjana Evas, a researcher at the Jean Monnet Center of European Studies and the author of the report's chapter on minorities.
This kind of reaction could lead to long-term economic problems and social conflicts, wrote Evas, adding that minorities still show a lack of trust towards the local political institutions.
On a more positive note, Evas said that last year there were no major conflicts, and Estonian language proficiency is improving among minorities.
This year's report addressed Estonia's progress in most of the aspects found in the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ingrid Teesalu