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.

• Saeima parliamentary groups demands resignation of the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the all government
• Newspapers continue discussion on implementation of the education reform
• Officials of the Ministry of Education and Science seek possibilities to adjust process of the education reform within the framework of the Law on Education
• Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee gives consent to incrimination of administrative charges against two FHRUL deputies
• Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks is planning to initiate elaboration of the nationally coordinated approach to providing information about the Russian-speakers situation in Latvia
• Article about the youth essays competition

Saeima parliamentary groups New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM have submitted a draft decision to the Saeima presidium, expressing mistrust to the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. The Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to submit a note demanding resignation of the whole government, on the grounds of unresolved problem of minorities’ education.

Saeima parliamentary groups New Era and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM have submitted a draft decision to the Saeima presidium, expressing mistrust to the Special Tasks Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks. The Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia is planning to submit a note demanding resignation of the whole government, on the grounds of unresolved problem of minorities education. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss

Newspapers continue discussion on implementation of the education reform. Yesterday during the meeting of the governing coalition’s representatives and People’s Harmony Party (PHP) it was decided to include PHP representatives in the working group evaluating implementation of the education reform. According to

Newspapers continue discussion on implementation of the education reform. Yesterday during the meeting of the governing coalitions representatives and Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) it was decided to include PHP representatives in the working group evaluating implementation of the education reform. According to Latvijas Avize, PHP representative will be included in the working group chaired by the prime minister, which deals not only with the education reform, but also with national security issues. Prime Minister Indulis Emsis states the Law on Education will not be opened, but dialogue with the PHP, Russian-language schools and parents should be developed instead. PHP leader Janis Jurkans agrees it is possible to improve situation in the area of the education reform without amendments to the Law on Education. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize

Officials of the Ministry of the Education and Science are looking for possibilities to change the process of the education reform within the framework of the Law on Education, in order to prevent action ‘empty schools’, to ensure that all children attend school, that the main language of instruction is Latvian, and that in no case education quality suffers. According to the press secretary of the Minister of Education and Science Edgars Vaikulis, schools’ directors, teachers and parents have proposed various steps in improving the implementation process, as, for example, increasing the number of Latvian language lessons in 10th grade, and dividing classes into smaller groups.

Officials of the Ministry of the Education and Science are looking for possibilities to change the process of the education reform within the framework of the Law on Education, in order to prevent action ‘empty schools, to ensure that all children attend school, that the main language of instruction is Latvian, and that in no case education quality suffers. According to the press secretary of the Minister of Education and Science Edgars Vaikulis, schools directors, teachers and parents have proposed various steps in improving the implementation process, as, for example, increasing the number of Latvian language lessons in 10th grade, and dividing classes into smaller groups. Latvijas Avize features statements of the minority schools directors about readiness of their schools to the reform implementation. Telegraf, referring to the unofficial information, writes that the ministry could ask for additional financing of several million lats for the implementation of the education reform. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has prepared a draft decision on authorizing incrimination of administrative charges against two MPs  Â– Jakovs Pliners and Vladimirs Buzajevs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) parliamentary group). A similar decision may be made regarding other FHRUL deputy Andris Tolmacovs this week. Riga Central Police Department has previously appealed to the Saeima to authorize incrimination of administrative charges against MPs for participation in organizing unapproved protest meetings and processions against the education reform.

Saeima Mandate and Submissions Committee has prepared a draft decision on authorizing incrimination of administrative charges against two MPs – Jakovs Pliners and Vladimirs Buzajevs (For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) parliamentary group). A similar decision may be made regarding other FHRUL deputy Andris Tolmacovs this week. Riga Central Police Department has previously appealed to the Saeima to authorize incrimination of administrative charges against MPs for participation in organizing unapproved protest meetings and processions against the education reform. Latvijas Avize

Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks is initiating elaboration of the nationally coordinated approach to providing information about the Russian-speakers’ situation in Latvia to the international community. According to the minister, while Russia is using all available international forums to press the issue of the Russian-speakers’ situation in Latvia, it is important for Latvia to express a clear stand on the issue.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Rihards Piks is initiating elaboration of the nationally coordinated approach to providing information about the Russian-speakers situation in Latvia to the international community. According to the minister, while Russia is using all available international forums to press the issue of the Russian-speakers situation in Latvia, it is important for Latvia to express a clear stand on the issue. Latvijas Avize

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article about the youth essays competition, organized by the Russian-language newspapers Subbota (Latvia), Den za Dnom (Estonia) and Litovskij Kuryer (Lithuania) within the framework of the pan-Baltic project I – Russian?.