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

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

• Protest meeting against the education reform
• Polish school in Riga
• Baltic Forum takes place in Latvia
• Interview with a Russian businessman, participant of the Baltic Forum
• New Eras remains most popular political party

Friday the protest meeting against the education reform took place in Riga. About 6,000 people attended the meeting. No violent incidents were reported. The organizers say that if the education reform is not abolished a broader protest activity “Empty schools” will take place in the fall. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia announced that it has collected 57,000 signatures against the reform.

Friday the protest meeting against the education reform took place in Riga. About 6,000 people attended the meeting. No violent incidents were reported. The organizers say that if the education reform is not abolished a broader protest activity Empty schools will take place in the fall. The Association for the Support for Russian Schools in Latvia announced that it has collected 57,000 signatures against the reform. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vesti segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Diena comments that the meeting shows that there has been lack of information about the reform.

Diena comments that the meeting shows that there has been lack of information about the reform.

Diena

features an article about a Polish school in Riga, which is one of the minority schools that already implement a curriculum with 60% of classes taught in Latvian. features an article about a Polish school in Riga, which is one of the minority schools that already implement a curriculum with 60% of classes taught in Latvian. DienaDiena talks to students and teachers of the Polish schools. The newspaper notes that students and teachers of this school speak all 3 languages - Latvian, Russian and Polish - fluently. Students and teachers are aware of the importance of Latvian language skills, while taking care to preserve their national identity. talks to students and teachers of the Polish schools. The newspaper notes that students and teachers of this school speak all 3 languages - Latvian, Russian and Polish - fluently. Students and teachers are aware of the importance of Latvian language skills, while taking care to preserve their national identity.

Chas

and and Vesti SegodnyaVesti Segodnya report that the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks attended the economic conference Baltic Forum. The Integration Minister advocated for Latvias membership in the EU and stated that the EU will bring positive effects for minorities as well. report that the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks attended the economic conference “Baltic Forum.” The Integration Minister advocated for Latvia’s membership in the EU and stated that the EU will bring positive effects for minorities as well.

Lauku Avize

interviews one of participants of the Baltic Forum, Vice President of Russias Business and Industry Chamber Igor Jurgen. He believes that there will be good relations between Latvia and Russia as the period of self-identification of Latvians is over and 40% of population being Russian-speaking is not considered an obstacle for Latvias EU membership any more, adding also that Russians who live in Latvia do not want to return to Russia. He notes that the Russian government sometimes has an impression that the Latvian government does not trust its Russian population, however, the Russian government will not use any intervention methods except for work through international organisations. Igor Jurgen says that the situation of Russians should not be exaggerated in the Baltic States and that Latvia should just observe international norms. interviews one of participants of the “Baltic Forum,” Vice President of Russia’s Business and Industry Chamber Igor Jurgen. He believes that there will be good relations between Latvia and Russia as the period of self-identification of Latvians is over and 40% of population being Russian-speaking is not considered an obstacle for Latvia’s EU membership any more, adding also that Russians who live in Latvia do not want to return to Russia. He notes that the Russian government sometimes has an impression that the Latvian government does not trust its Russian population, however, the Russian government will not use any intervention methods except for work through international organisations. Igor Jurgen says that the situation of Russians should not be exaggerated in the Baltic States and that Latvia should just observe international norms. According to an opinion poll the most popular party in May remains the New Era, followed by FHRUL, the People’s Party, the Union of Farmers and Greens and People’s Harmony Party. FF/LNNK and the Latvian First Party did not overcome the 5% barrier.

According to an opinion poll the most popular party in May remains the New Era, followed by FHRUL, the Peoples Party, the Union of Farmers and Greens and Peoples Harmony Party. FF/LNNK and the Latvian First Party did not overcome the 5% barrier. Diena