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

• Adoption of amendments to Law on Education could be linked to stability of Cabinet of Ministers
• RussiaState Council issues call to reject amendments to the Law on Education
• European Commission response to Russian dissatisfaction with minority policy of Latvia
• The meeting of Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the head of LASHOR Igor Pimenov
• Article by MP Jakov Pliner
• Interview with political scientist Valts Kalnins
• Russian State Duma vice-speaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky on Latvia
• State Police promises to clarify who ordered the request of information on students from Riga minority schools

Saeima parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) would support the present government and not demand the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis only if the education reform will be implemented in a manner acceptable to their voters. According to FHRUL, only three subjects in should be taught in Latvian in secondary schools, in addition to the Latvian language and literature, with the school choosing which three subjects. Some New Era politicians believe that the Prime Minister Einars Repse might relate the adoption of the education law amendments in the third reading to a vote of confidence in the government.  

Saeima parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) would support the present government and not demand the resignation of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis only if the education reform will be implemented in a manner acceptable to their voters. According to FHRUL, only three subjects in should be taught in Latvian in secondary schools, in addition to the Latvian language and literature, with the school choosing which three subjects. Some New Era politicians believe that the Prime Minister Einars Repse might relate the adoption of the education law amendments in the third reading to a vote of confidence in the government. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

The Russia State Council is reported to prepare a call to Latvia to reject amendments to the Law on Education, which stipulate the transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all schools of Latvia.

The Russia State Council is reported to prepare a call to Latvia to reject amendments to the Law on Education, which stipulate the transition to Latvian as a language of instruction in all schools of Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Russia has expressed concern to the European Commission about issues connected with the enlargement of the European Union, including the issue of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia. Russia has issued a set of recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia.  The European Commission on Monday responded by expressing its readiness to discuss matters of economy with Russia, but reiterates that the EC believes that minority rights are observed in Latvia and Estonia, and that Russia should not use the situation of the Russian minority in the Baltic countries as a bargaining chip.

Russia has expressed concern to the European Commission about issues connected with the enlargement of the European Union, including the issue of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia. Russia has issued a set of recommendations on naturalization and language use in Latvia. The European Commission on Monday responded by expressing its readiness to discuss matters of economy with Russia, but reiterates that the EC believes that minority rights are observed in Latvia and Estonia, and that Russia should not use the situation of the Russian minority in the Baltic countries as a bargaining chip. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov. The head of LASHOR believes that amendments to the Law on Education as proposed now should not be adopted in the third reading and calls for a continuation of dialogue on this issue. The Minister of Education and Science believes that the amendments prepared for the third reading are the only possible alternative. He predicts the return to the initial stage of the law, stipulating a transition in minority schools to the instruction only in Latvian language if the amendments guaranteeing 2/5 of instruction in a minority language will not be adopted.

Russian language newspapers report on the meeting of Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools (LASHOR) Igor Pimenov. The head of LASHOR believes that amendments to the Law on Education as proposed now should not be adopted in the third reading and calls for a continuation of dialogue on this issue. The Minister of Education and Science believes that the amendments prepared for the third reading are the only possible alternative. He predicts the return to the initial stage of the law, stipulating a transition in minority schools to the instruction only in Latvian language if the amendments guaranteeing 2/5 of instruction in a minority language will not be adopted. Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an article by the head of Saeima parliamentary group For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner about education reform.

Chas features aninterview with political scientist Valts Kalnins, in which he discusses the lack of dialogue in the area of society integration.

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with vice-speaker of the Russia State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky believing that Russia ought to use economic sanctions in order to respond the events in the area of education reform in Latvia. He also states that Russia will require the cancellation of the education reform and the revoking of non-citizen status.

State Police have promised to clarify who the officials are that made the decision to request information from Riga minority schools on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004 and why such a request was made. The State Police is for the time being not commenting on the possible connection of its officials to this incident.

State Police have promised to clarify who the officials are that made the decision to request information from Riga minority schools on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004 and why such a request was made. The State Police is for the time being not commenting on the possible connection of its officials to this incident. Diena