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

• Ministry of Education develops amendments to the Education Law
• Vechernaya Riga: New Era wants a new City Council in Riga
• Visit of members of social democratic parties from other countries
• Latvian student wins Russian essay contest

Amendments to the Education Law developed by the Ministry of Education foresee a new wording about the education reform at minority schools in 2004. The amendments foresee not only to abolish the word only (in the phrase that classes are held only in the state language) but also include a broader explanation about the governments policy, that is, 40% of classes shall be held in a minority language and 60% in the state language. Diena states that amendments will concern not only minority schools but also Latvian schools. The new amendments also propose to abolish the linkage between teachers salaries and the minimal salary.

Vechernaya Riga

reports that the New Era seriously considers holding extraordinary elections of the Riga City Council. Proposals of the New Era to establish a barrier of 5% of cast votes for parties to be elected the Riga City Council and to reduce the number of deputies are cited as evidence of this presumption. Chas, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya

reports about the visit to Riga of a delegation of European left-wing parties: MPs of the European Parliament and members of social democratic parties from different countries. Members of the delegation were surprised about the high level of nationalism in the Latvian political environment, especially in social democratic parties.

Vechernaya Riga

reports on the essay contest organised by the Association of Russian Language Teachers. The newspaper notes that this year many Latvians took part in the essay contest and also the first prize was awarded a Latvian student.