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.

• Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer about implementation of the education reform in Latvia
• For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to initiate the resignation of the government
• Representatives of New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM will discuss their position regarding possible vote of confidence to the government
• Interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis
• Opinion poll: only 33,4% of Riga inhabitants feel well informed about the education reform
• Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry condemns the Saeimas refusal to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Approximately 150 education reforms opponents participated in the protest action in Liepaja
• Newspapers write about the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia about observation of minority rights in Latvia

Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer has stated in his interview to the radio station

Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer has stated in his interview to the radio station Eho Moskvi that Latvian authorities must take into account opinion of Russian-speaking inhabitants of Latvia while implementing the education reform. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas

During the congress of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) it was announced that the aggressive policy in the area of defense of Russian-language schools is planned to be continued, and that FHRUL is striving to become a third most influential party beside the New Era and People’s Party. Tatjana Zdanoka, repeatedly elected as one of the union’s leaders, has called to initiate the resignation of the government as it allegedly continues the destructive course of the previous government. Tatjana Zdanoka allows for the support of the People’s Harmony Party (PHP) for such move.

During the congress of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) it was announced that the aggressive policy in the area of defense of Russian-language schools is planned to be continued, and that FHRUL is striving to become a third most influential party beside the New Era and Peoples Party. Tatjana Zdanoka, repeatedly elected as one of the unions leaders, has called to initiate the resignation of the government as it allegedly continues the destructive course of the previous government. Tatjana Zdanoka allows for the support of the Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) for such move. Diena features statement of the prime ministers advisor Viesturs Silenieks, who believes that FHRUL decision to initiate the resignation of the government is not binding for the governing coalition as ‘its difficult to regard this political force [FHRUL] as constructive opposition. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Today representatives of the parties New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM will discuss their position regarding the possible vote of confidence to the government of Indulis Emsis, which may be initiated by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). The representatives of both parties state that decision demand for the resignation of the government cannot be supported if its purpose and motivation is establishing moratorium on the education reform.

Today representatives of the parties New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM will discuss their position regarding the possible vote of confidence to the government of Indulis Emsis, which may be initiated by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL). The representatives of both parties state that decision demand for the resignation of the government cannot be supported if its purpose and motivation is establishing moratorium on the education reform. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Chas

Telegraf prints an interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis about the education reform in Latvia and the future of his government.

The latest SKDS opinion poll indicates that only 33,4% of the inhabitants of Riga (mainly minorities’ representatives, young people and non-citizens) feel well informed about the planned changes in the area of the education reform. 40% have superficial knowledge about the reform, 19,3% have heard something about it, but do not feel competent, while 3,2% of inhabitants have not heard anything about the education reform.

The latest SKDS opinion poll indicates that only 33,4% of the inhabitants of Riga (mainly minorities representatives, young people and non-citizens) feel well informed about the planned changes in the area of the education reform. 40% have superficial knowledge about the reform, 19,3% have heard something about it, but do not feel competent, while 3,2% of inhabitants have not heard anything about the education reform. Vesti Segodnya

Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry has spread an official statement, condemning the decision of Saeima not to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to the ministry, refusal of Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention causes the ‘increasing protests in the Russian-speaking society comprised of almost 40% of the state residents’ and ‘further deteriorates the situation, which has already developed into continuous mass manifestations’.

Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry has spread an official statement, condemning the decision of Saeima not to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. According to the ministry, refusal of Latvia to ratify the Framework Convention causes the ‘increasing protests in the Russian-speaking society comprised of almost 40% of the state residents and ‘further deteriorates the situation, which has already developed into continuous mass manifestations. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Approximately 150 education reform’s opponents participated in the protest action in Liepaja last Saturday. All speakers expressed protest against both the education reform and the arrest of the National Democratic Party’s leader Jevgenijs Osipovs.

Approximately 150 education reforms opponents participated in the protest action in Liepaja last Saturday. All speakers expressed protest against both the education reform and the arrest of the National Democratic Partys leader Jevgenijs Osipovs. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegrafs

Newspapers write about the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia about observation of minority rights in Latvia, prepared in order to help Latvian diplomats to explain the situation in the area of minority rights to the international community in response to the regular attempts of Russia to draw attention to this issue.

Newspapers write about the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia about observation of minority rights in Latvia, prepared in order to help Latvian diplomats to explain the situation in the area of minority rights to the international community in response to the regular attempts of Russia to draw attention to this issue. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf