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.

• Saeimas Subcommittee on Social Integration discussed the implementation of the minority education reform
• Chas calls non-citizens to naturalise

Yesterday the Saeima’s Subcommittee on Social Integration discussed the implementation of the minority education reform. According to the information of the State Inspectorate over Education Issues, support for the minority education reform has increased this year. The Inspectorate also reported about state language proficiency of teachers working at Russian-language schools: 546 teachers (out of 802) evaluated their Latvian language skills as fluent, 203 teachers stated that they are able to communicate on education subjects, and 50 admitted that they are able to speak only about their subject.

Yesterday the Saeimas Subcommittee on Social Integration discussed the implementation of the minority education reform. According to the information of the State Inspectorate over Education Issues, support for the minority education reform has increased this year. The Inspectorate also reported about state language proficiency of teachers working at Russian-language schools: 546 teachers (out of 802) evaluated their Latvian language skills as fluent, 203 teachers stated that they are able to communicate on education subjects, and 50 admitted that they are able to speak only about their subject. Latvijas Avize

The Russian language newspaper

The Russian language newspaper Chas features an article about issues, which concern Latvian non-citizens. The author of the article stresses that ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has not solved the main problem, in particular, it does not provide Latvian non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. The newspaper foresees that the state will continue adopting decisions on minority issues without any consultations and dialogue with national minorities. The newspaper states that the implementation of the minority education reform will be continued despite ‘it contradicts the Convention. The newspaper stresses that in this situation naturalisation and more active involvement in Latvias political life are the only possibilities for non-citizens to influence minority policies.