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

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus calls for dialogue on education reform
• Interview with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins
• State Security Police examines allegations of Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools activist physical training
• Possible denial of entry into Latvia for the Vice Speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin
• NGO prepares information on naturalization for persons with special needs
• Discussion Role of Education, Dialogue and Participation in the Promotion of Society Integration
• Riga City Council deputy Aleksandr Gilman about education reform
• Planned protest action against education reform

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus is in Latvia on an official visit. The High Commissioner called for more focus on the quality of minority education and pointed to the continued need for dialogue in society about this issue. Rolf Ekeus also calls on Latvia to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible and to try speed up the process of naturalization. The High Commissioner met with minority students.

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus is in Latvia on an official visit. The High Commissioner called for more focus on the quality of minority education and pointed to the continued need for dialogue in society about this issue. Rolf Ekeus also calls on Latvia to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible and to try speed up the process of naturalization. The High Commissioner met with minority students. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf

Chas prints an interview with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maris Riekstins about the oncoming visit of the Russia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Chizov to Latvia and the state of Latvian-Russian relations. Maris Riekstins believes that the initiative of some MPs of the Russia State Council to establish economic sanctions against Latvia show only their desire to make political gains. The state official also allows for the possibility of some kind of economic sanctions against Russia in the area of the production export to the EU, if the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union will not be applied to the new member states of the EU.

State Security Police examines the information about possible workouts of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools activists at the sports complex of the Ministry of the Interior. The Secretary of the Saeima National Security Committee Linda Murniece and the former Minister of the Interior Mareks Seglins believe that such activities should cause serious concern for the police.

State Security Police examines the information about possible workouts of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools activists at the sports complex of the Ministry of the Interior. The Secretary of the Saeima National Security Committee Linda Murniece and the former Minister of the Interior Mareks Seglins believe that such activities should cause serious concern for the police. Diena

Latvijas Avize commentator Maris Antonevics writes about the possible decision to deny entry into Latvia to the Vice Speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin. The author believes that denying an entry visa to the Latvia for a Russian state official would only involve Latvia in an international scandal.

Organisation of Humans with Special Needs “Sustento” has prepared a brochure explaining the procedure of the naturalization to persons with special needs.

Organisation of Humans with Special Needs Sustento has prepared a brochure explaining the procedure of the naturalization to persons with special needs. Diena

Diena features an article about discussion Role of Education, Dialogue and Participation in the Promotion of Society Integration, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Centre for Political Education. The upcoming education reform will not create any great difficulties for minority schools of the Latgale region because those have already accumulated experience in the area of bilingual education, stated the directors of this regions minority schools.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article by the deputy of the Riga City Council Aleksandr Gilman about the education reform.

Latvijas Avize informs about a protest action against education reform planned for 27 February and organized by the union For Human Rights in United Latvia.