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.

• Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be submitted to Saeimas revision after municipal elections
• Constitutional Court of Latvia will review compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia in April
• Defence of Russian-language schools and their students will be a priority of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia after municipal elections
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga expresses her stance towards the outcomes of World War II for Latvia in her visit to the Netherlands
• Interview with the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis
• Luxembourg will launch discussions on the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States during its EU presidency
• Latvian poet and translator Knuts Skujenieks comments on the implementation of the minority education reform
• Monument to the liberators of Riga from Hitler's military troops desecrated

‘The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be submitted to Saeima for its revision after the municipal elections, which will take place in March 2005,’ stated the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis yesterday.  According to the Prime Minister subjects of the Convention will be only those minority members who were Latvian citizens until 17 June 1940 or their descendants, but not immigrants, who arrived to Latvia during the Soviet occupation. According to the Prime Minister, there will be reservations concerning the usage of minority languages in communications with municipalities and street signs.

‘The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities could be submitted to Saeima for its revision after the municipal elections, which will take place in March 2005, stated the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis yesterday. According to the Prime Minister subjects of the Convention will be only those minority members who were Latvian citizens until 17 June 1940 or their descendants, but not immigrants, who arrived to Latvia during the Soviet occupation. According to the Prime Minister, there will be reservations concerning the usage of minority languages in communications with municipalities and street signs. Chas

The Constitutional Court will review compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia in April 2005. The claim was submitted to the court by 20 MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, the People’s Harmony Party and the Latvian Socialist Party. Yesterday representative of FHRUL Genadijs Kotovs submitted to the Constitutional Court an open letter signed by 1726 residents of Latvia calling the court to ensure a public hearing in this case.

The Constitutional Court will review compliance of the minority education reform with the Constitution of Latvia in April 2005. The claim was submitted to the court by 20 MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, the Peoples Harmony Party and the Latvian Socialist Party. Yesterday representative of FHRUL Genadijs Kotovs submitted to the Constitutional Court an open letter signed by 1726 residents of Latvia calling the court to ensure a public hearing in this case. Diena, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

‘Defence of Russian-language schools and their students will be a priority of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) in Riga City Council,’ yesterday announced the party. Although the primary tasks of Riga City Council are management of city’s overall development, FHRUL hopes to influence implementation of the education reform and control appointment of minority schools principles. Eight activists of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools will run for municipal elections in Riga. They are included in FHRUL’s candidates list.

‘Defence of Russian-language schools and their students will be a priority of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) in Riga City Council, yesterday announced the party. Although the primary tasks of Riga City Council are management of citys overall development, FHRUL hopes to influence implementation of the education reform and control appointment of minority schools principles. Eight activists of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools will run for municipal elections in Riga. They are included in FHRULs candidates list. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

The Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her stance towards outcomes of the World War II in her visit to the Netherlands. The Latvian President stated that democratic states have a historical chance to condemn officially the Molotov-Ribentrop pact and political crimes of the Stalin’s totalitarian regime. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende approves the decision of the Latvian President to take part in the celebration of the victory of the World War II in Moscow and adds that it will be an opportunity to explain the particular situation of the Baltic States. While the leader of the People’s Harmony Party in interview with the Russian-language newspaper

The Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga expressed her stance towards outcomes of the World War II in her visit to the Netherlands. The Latvian President stated that democratic states have a historical chance to condemn officially the Molotov-Ribentrop pact and political crimes of the Stalins totalitarian regime. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende approves the decision of the Latvian President to take part in the celebration of the victory of the World War II in Moscow and adds that it will be an opportunity to explain the particular situation of the Baltic States. While the leader of the Peoples Harmony Party in interview with the Russian-language newspaper Vesti Segodnya criticised the Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga for the lack of public discussions on her declaration. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis. The Latvian Prime Minister stated that ‘Latvia will not sign any declarations during the planned celebrations of the anniversary of the victory in the World War II. He believes that signing of the border agreement should take place at another time as well.

‘Luxemburg will launch discussions on the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States during its EU presidency,’ announced the Ambassador of Luxemburg to Russia Carlo Krieger.

‘Luxemburg will launch discussions on the situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States during its EU presidency, announced the Ambassador of Luxemburg to Russia Carlo Krieger. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the Latvian poet and translator Knuts Skujenieks about the implementation of the minority education reform. Knuts Skujenieks believes that Latvian education officials and educators in collaboration with their Russian colleagues should develop an optimal model, which would ensure minorities a possibility to maintain their identity, while being integrated. Nevertheless, Knuts Skujenieks believes that sooner or later Russian students will study only in Latvian because, according to poet, bilingualism will divide society and it should not be accepted.

Yesterday unidentified persons desecrated the monument to the liberators of Riga from Hitler’s military troops.

Yesterday unidentified persons desecrated the monument to the liberators of Riga from Hitlers military troops. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf