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 Latvian education reform in Moscow
• Statement of the Russian MFA on the education reform in Latvia
• Activities of the Integration Minister
• Lauku Avize
talks to the Integration Minister
• Interview with Prime Minister Einars Repse
• Public policy portal discusses education reform

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party “Unified Russia.” Today a second part of the rally will take place.

Yesterday about 60 people protested against the education reform outside the building of the Latvian embassy in Moscow. The meeting was organised by the party Unified Russia. Today a second part of the rally will take place. Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense.

Yesterday the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the Latvian education reform violates the rights of Russian youth and is imposed assimilation. When asked to comment the statement, Prime Minister Einars Repse told that he does not pay attention to such nonsense. Neatkariga, Chas, BNS

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities.

It has been already 6 month since the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks started his work. Yesterday the Saeima Human Rights Committee invited the Integration Minister to its session and asked to report on his activities. Vesti Segodnya states that it was not easy to do a lot during 6 months as the Integration Minister is not a member of any party and, second, integration issues have never been the top priority in Latvia. The newspaper notes that the Integration Minister devotes the majority of his time to building dialogue, lately especially with people protesting against the education reform.

Lauku Avize

talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word only from the Education Law this summer. talks to Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks. He says that he will not go to the meeting against the education reform on 2 June, however, he believes that the dialogue should be continued. He notes that the Government will probably exclude the word “only” from the Education Law this summer.

Lauku Avize

interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvias enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of interviews Prime Minister Einars Repse. He states that Latvia’s enemies, who are to be found more likely outside and not inside the country, want to see two communities in Latvia, however, the Latvian government knows who those people are and follows their activities. To the comment of Lauku AvizeLauku Avize that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement that the owner of the Parex bank Kargin supports activities aimed at the formation of two-community society in Latvia, the Prime Minster notes that he has had several political confrontations with the owner of the Parex bank, however, it is time to realise that Latvian policy cannot be bought. Regarding the statement of Lauku Avize’s of Lauku Avizes journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. journalist that the Education Minister Karlis Sadurskis and the Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks yield too much regarding state language issues, the Prime Minister says that it is always better to discuss and to look for a compromise. The public policy portal

The public policy portal www.politika.lv continues the discussion about the education reform. Public policy fellow Deniss Hanovs looks into the issue concerning the development of Russian identity in Latvia. He notes that in media and peoples minds protest activities were starting to develop long before the protest meeting took place. He also states that the local Russian culture is not able to find its niche and functions in Latvia. According to Deniss Hanovs, the street protest is the only way to raise Russian interest about their culture and it shows that Russian identity in Latvia is in a miserable state.

The head of the Human Rights Institute

The head of the Human Rights Institute Gita Feldhune provides her opinion about the education reform. She stresses that it is not a shame that there are thousand or ten thousand people in the country whose opinion does not comply with the governments stance and that they want to voice their opinion in the moment when they can reach a broader audience.