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

• Protest activities on 15 and 16 April gathered less participants than was promised
• Courts decision in Aleksandrs Gilmanss case
• Latvian authorities accuse Russia of supporting protest actions against the education reform
• Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks doubts possibility of a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools
• Riga City Councils officials propose harsher penalties for organizers of the non-sanctioned mass events
• Situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic states is being discussed at the negotiations between Russia and the EU
• An article about relations between the Headquarters and schools supporting the education reform
• Interview with Dzintra Hirsa, former director of the State Language Centre

Diena writes that around 2, 000 of students (4% of the total number of minority students) missed lessons on Tuesday in protest against the education reform, but on Friday – 10-20 students from each school, supporting the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-language Schools. According to the Russian language newspapers, on Friday 5,000-10,000 people participated in the protest activities. Diena reminds that the Headquarters leaders earlier promised to gather up to 50,000 participants. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

On Friday, hundreds of students (according to

On Friday, hundreds of students (according to Chas – 2,000 persons) gathered near the Court building where the case of the Riga City Councils deputy from FHRUL Aleksandrs Gilman was examined. Gilman was accused of the administrative violation of the rules of mass events organization (disturbing transport movement), while organizing protest actions against the education reform on 5 February. The court ruled to impose a fine of 80 lats, while Gilman is planning to appeal. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report on the statements of the Latvian authorities about the role of Russia in organizing protest activities against the education reform. During her visit to China, the President of Latvia has stated to the media agency

Newspapers report on the statements of the Latvian authorities about the role of Russia in organizing protest activities against the education reform. During her visit to China, the President of Latvia has stated to the media agency ITAR-TASS that these activities are mostly inspired by Moscows politicians. The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis has stated to the Latvian radio that people trained in the organization of mass activities have come to Latvia from Russia. The head of Saeimas Foreign Affairs Committee Artis Pabriks has accused Russia in supporting of the opponents of the education reform. Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Latvijas Avize

The Special Task Minister on Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks doubts a possibility of establishing a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, as this is an unregistered organization. According to the minister, the dialog should be made with students and teachers since they are willing to discuss the issue. He believes that the government, society and media should provide all possible support to the schools supporting the education reform.

The Special Task Minister on Society Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks doubts a possibility of establishing a dialog with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, as this is an unregistered organization. According to the minister, the dialog should be made with students and teachers since they are willing to discuss the issue. He believes that the government, society and media should provide all possible support to the schools supporting the education reform. Latvijas Avize

Representatives of the Riga City Council have proposed amendments to the Criminal Law and the Code of Administrative Violations, which stipulate harsher penalties for repeated organization of  the non-sanctioned mass events. Regarding the Criminal Law, proposals stipulate an increase of the maximum term of imprisonment from 6 to 10 years. In its turn, Code of Administrative Violations, if amended, would stipulate fine up to 10 000 lats. According to the head of the Riga City Council’s Security and Order Committee , the police is deciding on whether to persecute the organizers of the protest events last Thursday. The official is also planning to ask the Department on Education, Youth and sports to deprive teachers, who have participated in the protest activities, of annual Riga City Council’s extra payments to the teachers.

Representatives of the Riga City Council have proposed amendments to the Criminal Law and the Code of Administrative Violations, which stipulate harsher penalties for repeated organization of the non-sanctioned mass events. Regarding the Criminal Law, proposals stipulate an increase of the maximum term of imprisonment from 6 to 10 years. In its turn, Code of Administrative Violations, if amended, would stipulate fine up to 10 000 lats. According to the head of the Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee , the police is deciding on whether to persecute the organizers of the protest events last Thursday. The official is also planning to ask the Department on Education, Youth and sports to deprive teachers, who have participated in the protest activities, of annual Riga City Councils extra payments to the teachers. Latvijas Avize, Chas

The situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States is being discussed between EU and Russia for possible inclusion into the mutual agreement, which Russia has requested as a condition for signing the supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it to all new EU member states. According to the representatives of the European Commission, this request of Russia is ungrounded since the Baltic States have fulfilled all political criteria of the EU.

The situation of Russian-speakers in the Baltic States is being discussed between EU and Russia for possible inclusion into the mutual agreement, which Russia has requested as a condition for signing the supplementary protocol of the treaty on collaboration between Russia and the European Union, applying it to all new EU member states. According to the representatives of the European Commission, this request of Russia is ungrounded since the Baltic States have fulfilled all political criteria of the EU. Diena, Chas

Diena prints an article by Aleksandrs Sabanovs, who refers to the information provided by the directors of the Russian-language schools supporting the education reform. The directors report the cases when they had been strictly criticized for supporting the education reform by the Russian-language press. Some directors also report on the cases when representatives of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have threatened the school administration for not supporting the Headquarters activities and supporting the education reform.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with Dzintra Hirsa, the former director of the State Language Centre. Dzintra Hirsa is concerned about preservation of the Latvian language under the conditions of growing English languages use.