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

• Saeima approves the new government of Latvia
• Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics does not see a reason for postponing the education reform
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks: Latvia can not ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities yet
• NGOs Rietumu Krievi and Pilsoniskâ iniciativa XXI do not support the requirements of the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools
• Political scientist and professor of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds on the implementation of the education reform
• State Secretary of the MFA Maris Riekstins: Russia could agree to sign the treaty on collaboration with the European Union
• Russian language newspapers about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Russia
• About the Afro - Latvian Association

Yesterday Saeima approved the new government of Latvia with 56 votes in favor (coalition parties Union of Farmers and Greens, Latvia’s First Party and Peoples Party, and deputies from the People’s Harmony Party), 33 against (all New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM deputies) and 11 abstentions (by the Socialist Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia deputies). The two vacant positions in the new government – Minister for Health and Minister for Transport – are said to testify the determination of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to transform this minority government, supported by the left-wing deputies, into the right-wing majority government. The former Special Task Minister for Society integration Nils Muiznieks will hold the same post with the new government.

Yesterday Saeima approved the new government of Latvia with 56 votes in favor (coalition parties Union of Farmers and Greens, Latvias First Party and Peoples Party, and deputies from the Peoples Harmony Party), 33 against (all New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM deputies) and 11 abstentions (by the Socialist Party and For Human Rights in the United Latvia deputies). The two vacant positions in the new government – Minister for Health and Minister for Transport – are said to testify the determination of the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis to transform this minority government, supported by the left-wing deputies, into the right-wing majority government. The former Special Task Minister for Society integration Nils Muiznieks will hold the same post with the new government. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics does not see any reason for withdrawal of or moratorium on the education reform at present. Minister is planning to visit minority schools in order to evaluate their preparedness for education reform. One of the leaders of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools, Jurijs Petropavlovskis, hopes that the compromise with the new minister is achievable, and that the education reform could be postponed.

Minister for Education and Science Juris Radzevics does not see any reason for withdrawal of or moratorium on the education reform at present. Minister is planning to visit minority schools in order to evaluate their preparedness for education reform. One of the leaders of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools, Jurijs Petropavlovskis, hopes that the compromise with the new minister is achievable, and that the education reform could be postponed. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks has stated that Latvia cannot ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities within the nearest future, because many issues about the consequences of the soviet occupation are not resolved.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks has stated that Latvia cannot ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities within the nearest future, because many issues about the consequences of the soviet occupation are not resolved. Chas

Yesterday NGOs “Rietumu Krievi” (“Western Russians”) and “Pilsoniskâ iniciatîva XXI” (“Civic Initiative XXI”) have notified that they are separating themselves from the demands of the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools on granting the “zero” (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship, and recognition of the Russian language as the second state language of Latvia. During the meeting with the two NGOs, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Guntis Vasilevskis has stated that the ministry officials are not prepared for the dialogue with the work group representatives, which had been delegated by the congress to communicate with the government, because of their overly politicized demands. 

Yesterday NGOs Rietumu Krievi (Western Russians) and Pilsoniskâ iniciatîva XXI (Civic Initiative XXI) have notified that they are separating themselves from the demands of the Congress of the Defenders of Russian-language schools on granting the zero (i.e. automatic for all) alternative of citizenship, and recognition of the Russian language as the second state language of Latvia. During the meeting with the two NGOs, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science General Education Department Guntis Vasilevskis has stated that the ministry officials are not prepared for the dialogue with the work group representatives, which had been delegated by the congress to communicate with the government, because of their overly politicized demands. Diena, Latvijas Avize

Public policy site

Public policy site www.politika.lv publishes an article of the political scientist and professor of the University of Latvia Juris Rozenvalds about the education reform implementation. Juris Rozenvalds believes that the ill-prepared reform will not be implemented in its present model, because the EU will not permit formation of the ethnic conflict inside the EU. Political scientist regards the radicalization of the demands of the significant part of Russian society as a result of the prolonged inability of the governing elite to acknowledge the Russian community of Latvia as something more than the passive object of the decisions made by the Latvian politicians.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins believes that Russia could agree to sign the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it also to the new member states. According to the State Secretary, new demands from the Russia’s side can possibly emerge during the process of ratification.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins believes that Russia could agree to sign the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it also to the new member states. According to the State Secretary, new demands from the Russias side can possibly emerge during the process of ratification. Diena

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Russia, stressing that discussion on observation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia is also planned during this visit. According to the deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Jurij Fedotov, representatives of Russia are preparing to raise the issue about the overt discrimination of Russian-speaking people in Latvia and Estonia during the session of the UN Human Rights Committee. The first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Eleonora Mitrophanova has informed about the plans to organize a round table discussion with the participation of representatives of the European organizations, in order to discuss to discuss the situation of minorities in Latvia and to seek a quick solution.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about the visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Russia, stressing that discussion on observation of minority rights in Latvia and Estonia is also planned during this visit. According to the deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Jurij Fedotov, representatives of Russia are preparing to raise the issue about the overt discrimination of Russian-speaking people in Latvia and Estonia during the session of the UN Human Rights Committee. The first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Eleonora Mitrophanova has informed about the plans to organize a round table discussion with the participation of representatives of the European organizations, in order to discuss to discuss the situation of minorities in Latvia and to seek a quick solution. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Public policy site

Public policy site www.politika.lv writes about the upcoming presentation of the newly-founded Afro-Latvian Association (AFROLAT). AFROLAT is a registered NGO of Latvia, representing the interests of Latvian residents of African origin. There are approximately 30 people of African origin living in Latvia today.