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.

• Newspapers comment on the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia
• Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics talks about the development of the draft Law on Minority Schools
• Article about the results of the research Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice
• Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presents to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a Civic Education Programme 2004 – 2014
• Interview with the political scientist Juris Rozenvalds
• Diena journalist Aivars Ozolins criticises the desire of the New Eras board to discuss the possibility to develop a ‘Latvian list for the next Saeima elections

Newspapers continue to write about the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia featuring opinions of the state officials about goals of the visit. The Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry is convinced that the visit of the High Commissioner takes places thanks to the statements of the Russia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about the problems of Russian-speakers in the field of education in Latvia. While the Head of the Latvian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Krisjanis Peters believes that the visit of Rolf Ekeus could close international discussions about violations of minority rights in Latvia. The head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete notes that Latvia has considered the advice of the Commissioner to explain the content and goals of the education reform. ‘The OSCE has never asked to postpone the education reform,’ states Ina Druviete responding to the statement of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry that the Russian schools are gradually ‘Latvianised’ and that is against the recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE.

Newspapers continue to write about the forthcoming visit of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus to Latvia featuring opinions of the state officials about goals of the visit. The Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry is convinced that the visit of the High Commissioner takes places thanks to the statements of the Russia Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov about the problems of Russian-speakers in the field of education in Latvia. While the Head of the Latvian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Krisjanis Peters believes that the visit of Rolf Ekeus could close international discussions about violations of minority rights in Latvia. The head of Saeima Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Ina Druviete notes that Latvia has considered the advice of the Commissioner to explain the content and goals of the education reform. ‘The OSCE has never asked to postpone the education reform, states Ina Druviete responding to the statement of the Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry that the Russian schools are gradually ‘Latvianised and that is against the recommendations of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. Latvijas Avize, Telegraf

Telegraf prints an interview with the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics about the development of the draft Law on Minority Schools. The Minister points to the necessity of a sociological research which would evaluate the necessity in a law.

‘In Latvia ethnic minorities are guaranteed the right to acquire basic education and study their native language and cultural values’ concludes the research “Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe” conducted by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice.’ According to the research, the educational policy of ethnic minorities facilitates their integration into Latvian society, observes their rights and complies with the requirements of international agreements. At the same time the study notes that no additional resources are made available to schools or pre-school institutions to implement relevant support measures for immigrant children. Currently eight minority languages are used as languages of instruction – Lithuanian, Estonian, Romani, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Hebrew.

‘In Latvia ethnic minorities are guaranteed the right to acquire basic education and study their native language and cultural values concludes the research Integrating Immigrant Children into Schools in Europe conducted by the information network on education in Europe ‘Eurydice. According to the research, the educational policy of ethnic minorities facilitates their integration into Latvian society, observes their rights and complies with the requirements of international agreements. At the same time the study notes that no additional resources are made available to schools or pre-school institutions to implement relevant support measures for immigrant children. Currently eight minority languages are used as languages of instruction – Lithuanian, Estonian, Romani, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Hebrew. Latvijas Avize

Yesterday the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presented to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a civic education programme 2004 – 2014. According to the newspaper, the member of the committee Inara Ostrovska was concerned about the plans of the Special Tasks Minister’s Secretariat to organise a discussion ‘Islam and Youth’ stating that Latvia should not engage in the propaganda of the Islam. Special Task Minister replied that such discussions are necessary because according to the studies Muslims along with Roma are the groups which are most heavily subjected to stereotypes.

Yesterday the Special Tasks Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks presented to the Saeima Subcommittee on Social Integration a civic education programme 2004 – 2014. According to the newspaper, the member of the committee Inara Ostrovska was concerned about the plans of the Special Tasks Ministers Secretariat to organise a discussion ‘Islam and Youth stating that Latvia should not engage in the propaganda of the Islam. Special Task Minister replied that such discussions are necessary because according to the studies Muslims along with Roma are the groups which are most heavily subjected to stereotypes. Vesti Segodnya

Chas prints an interview with the political scientist Juris Rozenvalds about the relationships between Russians and Latvians and the formation of the Russian community in Latvia. Juris Rozenvalds believes that the negative vote of the Russian-speakers in the referendum about Latvias accession to the EU was not related to their affiliation with Russia. He believes that Russians voted against Latvias accession to the EU, because in their opinion the EU failed to solve issues concerning language and education. The political scientist also names the inability of some Latvian politicians and a part of Latvian society to see legitimate opponents in Russians as a very serious problem.

Diena features a commentary of the journalist Aivars Ozolins about the decision of the New Eras board to review a possibility to unite the ‘national forces in the ‘Latvian list for the next Saeima elections. The journalist believes that it is a naďve and dangerous idea. The New Era may turn into the subject of manipulations by those who want to see Latvia a two-community and divided society.