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.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the MFA of Latvia and the co-chairperson of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission
• The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the RigaCity Council has received action plans for 2004 education reform from 50 schools
• An article by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration about civic participation
• Latvia will present a report on the implementation of the International Pact on Civic and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee
• Discussion on education reform at the press-conference in the Saeima
• Parents` meeting in a Russian school in Cesis
• Telegraf about complaints against Latvia submitted to the European Court for Human Rights
• Lauku Avize criticises the newly established association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba
• Interview with the chairman of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians

Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis and the co-chairman of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission Aleksandr Pocinok, which was planned for 27 October. According to Russia, the meeting cannot be held at this time because of the recent events. Andris Teikmanis does not comprehend Russia’s decision, and the grounds it was taken on. He says Latvia has always expressed willingness to talk constructively to Russia.

Russia has postponed a meeting of the deputy secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Andris Teikmanis and the co-chairman of the Russian-Latvian Intergovernment Commission Aleksandr Pocinok, which was planned for 27 October. According to Russia, the meeting cannot be held at this time because of the recent events. Andris Teikmanis does not comprehend Russias decision, and the grounds it was taken on. He says Latvia has always expressed willingness to talk constructively to Russia. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Lauku Avize, Chas

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has received 50 out of the expected 60 school action plans for the switch to the Latvian language of instruction from 1 September 2004. These plans have been required by the Department in order to elaborate support strategies for each school. According to the Department’s expert Modra Jansone, schools are planning to get ready for the reform. However, many Russian schools still need Latvian language courses for the teachers, methodology courses and teaching materials. Most schools are planning to avoid teaching exact subjects in Latvian as much as possible. According to

The Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Riga City Council has received 50 out of the expected 60 school action plans for the switch to the Latvian language of instruction from 1 September 2004. These plans have been required by the Department in order to elaborate support strategies for each school. According to the Departments expert Modra Jansone, schools are planning to get ready for the reform. However, many Russian schools still need Latvian language courses for the teachers, methodology courses and teaching materials. Most schools are planning to avoid teaching exact subjects in Latvian as much as possible. According to Diena, some school plans include three-four exact subjects in the native language while the government officials state that no more then one-two exact subjects should be taught in a minority language. The Department is planning to examine to what extent the proportions between languages of instruction proposed by the schools conform with the proportions approved by the government. Diena

Diena features an article by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks who considers the promotion of state identity and democratic values as the main goal for social integration. The minister discusses the issues of public participation in decision making processes and NGOs activities as the means of facilitating social integration.

The UN Human Rights Committee has invited the Latvian delegation to present a report on the implementation of the International pact on civic and political rights. The NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee has sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Committee pointing to the disparity between Latvian laws and several articles of the Pact.

The UN Human Rights Committee has invited the Latvian delegation to present a report on the implementation of the International pact on civic and political rights. The NGO Latvian Human Rights Committee has sent a letter to the UN Human Rights Committee pointing to the disparity between Latvian laws and several articles of the Pact. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday, on a press-conference in the Saeima, a Russian school student has presented a letter addressed to the Saeima, the Minister of Education and Science and to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, which was signed by 27 students. The students are asking for an opportunity for mother tongue education at secondary school. The head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner has informed about the pickets planned by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools on 29 October.

Yesterday, on a press-conference in the Saeima, a Russian school student has presented a letter addressed to the Saeima, the Minister of Education and Science and to the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, which was signed by 27 students. The students are asking for an opportunity for mother tongue education at secondary school. The head of the FHRUL Jakov Pliner has informed about the pickets planned by the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian Schools on 29 October. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Yesterday a parents` meeting was held in a Russian school in Cesis, with representatives of the MPs from the FHRUL and the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools participating. No first grade has been formed in the school for the last three years, and no Russian language primary education has been offered over the last 5 years. The newspaper reports about the activities of the parents and the Headquaters to secure opportunities for Russian language education. The parents have also sent a letter  to the mayor of Moscow, asking for financial support to open a preparatory class.

Yesterday a parents` meeting was held in a Russian school in Cesis, with representatives of the MPs from the FHRUL and the Headquarters for the defense of Russian schools participating. No first grade has been formed in the school for the last three years, and no Russian language primary education has been offered over the last 5 years. The newspaper reports about the activities of the parents and the Headquaters to secure opportunities for Russian language education. The parents have also sent a letter to the mayor of Moscow, asking for financial support to open a preparatory class. Vesti Segodnya.

Telegraf provides information about complaints against Latvia submitted to the European Court for Human Rights. There are around 30 such complaints to be examined by the ECHR.

Lauku Avize criticises the new association of minority NGOs Sadraudziba accusing its members of disloyalty to the Latvian state, and claiming that associations establishment has been politically motivated. The columnist criticises the Secretariat the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration for the promised support to the association.

Lauku Avize interviews the chairman of the board of the World Federation of Free Latvians Janis Kukainis. He is concerned about the disloyalty of some MPs to the Latvian state. With regards to the education reform, the chairman is convinced that in the schools funded from the state budget all subjects except native language should be taught in Latvian.