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.

• Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov visits Latvia
• Baltijas Forums participants from Russia criticize the education reform in Latvia
• Peoples Harmony Party plans to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee
• Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga
• Latvijas Avize commentator Maris Antonevics criticizes Latvian Social Democratic Labor Party youth organizations statement on the education reform

Newspapers write about the visit of the Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov to Riga. During the visit Jurij Luzhkov has spoken about relationship between Russia and Latvia, naming the problems of non-citizens in Latvia and implementation of the education reform as the main obstacles for good relationship between the two states. Yuri Luzhkov has also expressed a desire to meet the activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, although this meeting was not initially on the agenda of his visit.

Newspapers write about the visit of the Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov to Riga. During the visit Jurij Luzhkov has spoken about relationship between Russia and Latvia, naming the problems of non-citizens in Latvia and implementation of the education reform as the main obstacles for good relationship between the two states. Yuri Luzhkov has also expressed a desire to meet the activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, although this meeting was not initially on the agenda of his visit. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Most participants from Russia have criticized implementation of the education reform in Latvia at the conference organized by the NGO Baltijas Forums. The Russian presidential Human Rights commission chief Ella Panfilova called to listen to the legitimate requirements of the Russian-speaking students. Leader of the party Svobodnaya Rossiya (Free Russia) Irina Hakamada believes the reform should be more liberal, i.e., minority students and their parents should have an opportunity to choose subjects taught in Latvian. Irina Hakamada also thinks Latvia should consider possibility to grant voting rights to the non-citizens.

Most participants from Russia have criticized implementation of the education reform in Latvia at the conference organized by the NGO Baltijas Forums. The Russian presidential Human Rights commission chief Ella Panfilova called to listen to the legitimate requirements of the Russian-speaking students. Leader of the party Svobodnaya Rossiya (Free Russia) Irina Hakamada believes the reform should be more liberal, i.e., minority students and their parents should have an opportunity to choose subjects taught in Latvian. Irina Hakamada also thinks Latvia should consider possibility to grant voting rights to the non-citizens. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segdonya, Chas

People’s Harmony Party has started collecting signatures in order to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for Saeima and municipal elections for the next 10 years, in the Constitutional Court.

Peoples Harmony Party has started collecting signatures in order to challenge the Saeima decision to prolong prohibitions for the ex-staff of the State Security Committee of the Soviet Republic of Latvia to hold offices in the state security institutions, civil service and to stand for Saeima and municipal elections for the next 10 years, in the Constitutional Court. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga on 1 – 8 May.

The Fourth Reunion of World Latvian Jewry will take place in Riga on 1 – 8 May. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features a commentary by Maris Antonevics, criticizing position of the Latvian Social Democratic Labor Partys youth organization on moratorium on the education reform. Although the party has stood apart from the statements of its youth organization, the journalist believes that those could have not been spread without any support of the party.