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.

• Future of the Law on Minority Schools unclear
• FF/LNIM asks the government to follow the implementation of the education reform more strictly
• Local and Russias response to the hunger strike against the education reform in Latvia
• Court closes the case of the Vesti Segodnyas photographer accused in causing public disorder during the protest actions against the education reform
• Former Russian school director claims that the Ministry of Education and Science ‘forced minority school directors to state that their schools are ready to implement the education reform
• Language courses for about 200 minority school teachers
• Newspapers continue to introduce with goals of the new Russian organisation
• Russian ambassador held the reception for children who spent their summer holidays in Russia
• Russian Drama Theatre in Latvia has staged a play in two languages for the first time
• Parties ratings

During the Friday's meeting members of the working group charged with drafting the Law on Minority Schools were not able to come to an agreement whether the Law is needed at all. The final decision about the necessity of the Law has been postponed to next Thursday as the working group decided to look at experiences of other European countries. Two main groups of opponents are the People’s Party that announced that there is no need for such law in Latvia, and the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis who has repeatedly announced that “I will insist on this law till I have the power.”

During the Friday's meeting members of the working group charged with drafting the Law on Minority Schools were not able to come to an agreement whether the Law is needed at all. The final decision about the necessity of the Law has been postponed to next Thursday as the working group decided to look at experiences of other European countries. Two main groups of opponents are the Peoples Party that announced that there is no need for such law in Latvia,and the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis who has repeatedly announced that I will insist on this law till I have the power. Diena, NRA, Chas

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has sent a letter to the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis asking to explain why the Ministry of Education and Science accepts violations concerning the Law on Education at minority schools. FF/LNIM notes that after September 1 many schools ignore the provision, which stipulates that 60% of subjects should be taught in Latvian, and teach these subjects in Latvian and in Russian.

For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM has sent a letter to the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis asking to explain why the Ministry of Education and Science accepts violations concerning the Law on Education at minority schools. FF/LNIM notes that after September 1 many schools ignore the provision, which stipulates that 60% of subjects should be taught in Latvian, and teach these subjects in Latvian and in Russian. Diena, Chas

The member of the Latvian Parliament Vladimirs Buzajevs has called participants of the hunger strike to stop the strike. The MP stated that although he totally agrees with the demands set by the participants, however, he is concerned about health conditions of the opponents of the education reform. One of the hunger strike’s participants, nevertheless, announced that they would continue the strike. While the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding the hunger strike in Latvia. Moscow is concerned that the OSCE and the Council of Europe do not pay attention to the situation and calls on international organisations to “get involved in solving the issue concerning minority education in Latvia.”

The member of the Latvian Parliament Vladimirs Buzajevs has called participants of the hunger strike to stop the strike. The MP stated that although he totally agrees with the demands set by the participants, however, he is concerned about health conditions of the opponents of the education reform. One of the hunger strikes participants, nevertheless, announced that they would continue the strike. While the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding the hunger strike in Latvia. Moscow is concerned that the OSCE and the Council of Europe do not pay attention to the situation and calls on international organisations to get involved in solving the issue concerning minority education in Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya reports about the court proceeding reviewing the case of the Vesti Segodnyas photograph who was accused in causing public disorder and incrimination of a policeman during the protest actions against the education reform. The newspaper believes that the court was minded against the photograph and names as evidence the facts that the judge announced the court session closed and that she did not allow a pupil to give his testimony stating that he is a minor although he has reached the age of 16. According to the newspaper the court closed the case because of the lack of evidence.

Chas talks to a former director of the Malta secondary school located in the Eastern part of Latvia. The school provides all levels of education, including secondary, in Russian. The former director Igors Sorokins reveals how last year the Ministry of Education and Science surveyed school directors about the readiness of their schools to implement the education reform. The director claims that the Ministry of Education has a number of methods, for instance, determine shorter school accreditation period, to influence those school directors who said that there schools were not ready to implement the education reform.

About 200 minority teachers have an opportunity to improve their Latvian language skills after summer holidays. The opportunity is offered by the National Programme on Latvian Language Training with the financial support of the Parex bank.

About 200 minority teachers have an opportunity to improve their Latvian language skills after summer holidays. The opportunity is offered by the National Programme on Latvian Language Training with the financial support of the Parex bank. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about the forthcoming congress of Russians residing in Latvia organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia. The congress will take place on Sunday. The goal of the Congress is to “unite all Russians residing in Latvia and fight for their rights to education in the native tongue, grant Russian the status of the second state language and adopt the zero citizenship.” To achieve these goals the Headquarters has developed the economic programme which foresees providing support for Russian entrepreneurs who in their turn would help to accomplish political goals of the Congress.  Political scientists, however, do not believe that the Congress will manage to implement their claims to unite all Russians of Latvia and form a closed, isolated community of Russians in Latvia.

Newspapers report about the forthcoming congress of Russians residing in Latvia organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian Language Schools in Latvia. The congresswill take place on Sunday. The goal of the Congress is to unite all Russians residing in Latvia and fight for their rights to education in the native tongue, grant Russian the status of the second state language and adopt the zero citizenship. To achieve these goals the Headquarters has developed the economic programme which foresees providing support for Russian entrepreneurs who in their turn would help to accomplish political goals of the Congress. Political scientists, however, do not believe that the Congress will manage to implement their claims to unite all Russians of Latvia and form a closed, isolated community of Russians in Latvia. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

On Friday the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov held a reception for Latvian children who with the support of the Russian government spent summer holidays in Russia.

On Friday the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Igor Studennikov held a reception for Latvian children who with the support of the Russian government spent summer holidays in Russia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

For the first time the Russian Drama Theatre will open the season with the play in two languages ‘Who Is Afraid of Virginia Wolfe.’ One night the play will be performed in Latvian, but next – in Russian.

For the first time the Russian Drama Theatre will open the season with the play in two languages ‘Who Is Afraid of Virginia Wolfe. One night the play will be performed in Latvian, but next – in Russian. Latvijas Avize

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS the New Era remains the most popular party among Latvian citizens in August. For Fartherland and Freedom/LNIM is the second most popular party, followed the People’s Party, union For Human Rights in United Latvia, the Union of Farmers and Greens.

According to the opinion poll conducted by the company SKDS the New Era remains the most popular party among Latvian citizens in August. For Fartherland and Freedom/LNIM is the second most popular party, followed the Peoples Party, union For Human Rights in United Latvia, the Union of Farmers and Greens. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya