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 did not provide its response to the Constitutional Court about legitimacy of the education reform
• Member of nationalistic NGO continues her activities within NGO although she has been employed in the Saeima
• Attitudes towards people with dark skin in Latvia
• Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia
• Chas: Security Police are very interested in activities of Russian community
• Russian school director advises students to chose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction
• Interview with a member of FF/LNIM
• Columnist of the Russian language press claims that authorities are not very helpful in providing information to the Russian language media

Yesterday the Saeima had to present the Constitutional Court the written response to the claim submitted by the People’s Harmony Party challenging the legitimacy of the education reform. However, the Saeima could not meet the deadline and the reply time is postponed to 29 September.

Yesterday the Saeima had to present the Constitutional Court the written response to the claim submitted by the Peoples Harmony Party challenging the legitimacy of the education reform. However, the Saeima could not meet the deadline and the reply time is postponed to 29 September. Chas, Telegraf

Liene Apine, member of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda, continues to be actively involved in activities of the LNF, which contradicts the state policy on ethnic integration, and advocates for decolonisation of Latvia. Nevertheless, from the beginning of September she is working as a secretary of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. The Security Police have classified the LNF as an organisation of ‘higher risk.’ The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that Liene Apine may not combine the two positions:  ‘maybe it is legitimate legally, however, the issue is about the person who hired her.’ Neither Aleksandrs Kirsteins, who employed Liene Apine, nor  Liene Apine herself believe that she should stop her activities related with LNF.  

Liene Apine, member of the radical nationalistic organisation Latvian National Front headed by Aivars Garda, continues to be actively involved in activities of the LNF, which contradicts the state policy on ethnic integration, and advocates for decolonisation of Latvia. Nevertheless, from the beginning of September she is working as a secretary of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee. The Security Police have classified the LNF as an organisation of ‘higher risk. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that Liene Apine may not combine the two positions: ‘maybe it is legitimate legally, however, the issue is about the person who hired her. Neither Aleksandrs Kirsteins, who employed Liene Apine, nor Liene Apine herself believe that she should stop her activities related with LNF.

Latvijas Avize re-prints excerpts from the recent study ‘Integration of Minority Youth in the Society of Latvia in the Context of the Education Reform conducted by the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences. The newspaper focuses on the data how foreigners and people with dark skin feel in Latvia. Almost all persons with dark skin who were interviewed had experienced real physical threats or violence. However, they did not think that threats and violence should be related to racism, but rather to their skin colour, which attracts attention of young people who are aggressive. The persons surveyed stated that it was not difficult to make friends in Latvia and establish families. They evaluated the attitude of state authorities and police towards them as overall positive.

According to students and parents, the director of the only school with the language of instruction in Russian in Cesis, suggests first grade and secondary s school students choose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction stating that her school does not have any future. The director did not show any initiative in the formation of the first grade where children could study in Russian. Only thanks to parents the sufficient number of students was collected and the first grade at Russian school was formed.

According to students and parents, the director of the only school with the language of instruction in Russian in Cesis, suggests first grade and secondary s school students choose schools with Latvian as the language of instruction stating that her school does not have any future. The director did not show any initiative in the formation of the first grade where children could study in Russian. Only thanks to parents the sufficient number of students was collected and the first grade at Russian school was formed. Chas

Vesti Segodnya interviews one of the ideologists of the FF/Latvian National Independent Movement and member of the Riga City Cuncil Vilnis Zarins. He states ‘I have never supported forceful deportation of Russians, however, they should realise that Latvia will become more and more Latvian each year. He believes that due to recent issues concerning the education reform the popularity of FF/LNNK will grow because Latvians realise that they need a national conservative party.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia with a working visit.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the decision of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ralf Ekeus to come to Latvia with a working visit. Chas, Telegraf

Chas claims that recently more and more activists of Russian community in Latvia are called to the Security Police.

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The Telegrafs columnist Tatjana Mazane claims that lately it is becoming more and more difficult for the Russian language press to obtain information from state authorities, in particular, from the Ministry of Education and Science.