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

• The Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools submits signatures against education reform to the Minister of Education and Science
• The Enterprise Register postpones registration of the new party BITE
• The Cabinet of Ministers postpones the discussion about the establishment of the new State Language Agency
• Differing opinions of two Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia about the application of economic sanctions for ensuring the observance of human rights of compatriots in the Baltic States
• The Cabinet of Ministers allocates 10,000 Lats to the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies
• Interview with Michael Kuznyetsov, a Russian expert from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Committee
• Clarification of the opinion expressed by Nils Muiznieks, the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration, about granting of voting rights to non-citizens at municipal elections

Yesterday the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian Schools submitted to Karlis Sadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science, 107,000 signatures collected in protest against education reform as well as alternative proposals for the reform. The Minister has promised to study the documents. Nevertheless, as the signatures affixed to the petition have not been certified by a notary, the Minister maintains that he cannot consider them valid. He also asserted that the basic principles of the current education reform will not be changed.

Yesterday the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian Schools submitted to Karlis Sadurskis, the Minister of Education and Science, 107,000 signatures collected in protest against education reform as well as alternative proposals for the reform. The Minister has promised to study the documents. Nevertheless, as the signatures affixed to the petition have not been certified by a notary, the Minister maintains that he cannot consider them valid. He also asserted that the basic principles of the current education reform will not be changed. Diena, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

The Enterprise Register has postponed the registration of the new party BITE (Latvian acronym for “Free Choice in People’s Europe”) as the documents submitted by representatives of the party are not in compliance with the law.

The Enterprise Register has postponed the registration of the new party BITE (Latvian acronym for Free Choice in Peoples Europe) as the documents submitted by representatives of the party are not in compliance with the law. Diena

Two deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia have different opinions about the application of economic sanctions to other states as a means of ensuring the observance of human rights of compatriots. In contrast with Eleonora Mitrofanova, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Vladimir Chizov, another deputy minister of the same ministry has promised not to politicize economic relations between Russia and the Baltic States.

Two deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs of Russia have different opinions about the application of economic sanctions to other states as a means of ensuring the observance of human rights of compatriots. In contrast with Eleonora Mitrofanova, the first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Vladimir Chizov, another deputy minister of the same ministry has promised not to politicize economic relations between Russia and the Baltic States. Neatkariga Rita Avize

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has postponed the discussion about the framework document on the establishment of the new State Language Agency. In an interview with the representative of the State Language Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science

The Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers has postponed the discussion about the framework document on the establishment of the new State Language Agency. In an interview with the representative of the State Language Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science Lauku Avize reports about key functions of the new body. According to the framework document, the new agency will become a coordinating institution for the implementation of the state language policy. Lauku Avize

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant 10,000 lats to the Latvian Association of the National Cultural Societies.

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to grant 10,000 lats to the Latvian Association of the National Cultural Societies. Lauku Avize

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with Michael Kuznyetsov, a Russian expert from the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Committee, visiting Latvia this week and monitoring minority rights in Latvia.

The press secretary of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration clarifies the opinion expressed by the Special Task Minister in thebook “Agenda for Latvia-2004”. She stresses that the minister did not consider granting non-citizens the right to vote at municipal elections because the priority of the government is promotion of naturalization. An earlier article in the newspaper Vechernaya had suggested that, “Muiznieks considers it possible that Latvia will have to allow the non-citizens to vote in municipal elections.”

The press secretary of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration clarifies the opinion expressed by the Special Task Minister in thebook Agenda for Latvia-2004. She stresses that the minister did not consider granting non-citizens the right to vote at municipal elections because the priority of the government is promotion of naturalization. An earlier article in the newspaper Vechernaya had suggested that, Muiznieks considers it possible that Latvia will have to allow the non-citizens to vote in municipal elections. Vechernaya Riga