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.

• Neatkariga prints an article about Roma classes in Ventspils
• Saeima’s Education and Science Committee refused the nationalists’ repeated proposal on transition of education in all municipal kindergartens into Latvian language
• 96 ethnic minority collectives take part in Latvian Nation-wide Song and Dance Celebration

Neatkariga prints an article about Roma classes in Ventspils (city in the north-western part of Latvia). The Ombudsman demands for closure of ethnic Roma segregating classes in Ventspils night secondary school as those hinder inclusion of Roma children in the society. However, the Education Board of Ventspils opposes closure of Roma classes and inclusion of Roma children in general classes arguing that thus Roma will not attend the school at all. Also parents of Roma children consider that it is easier for their children to attend special Roma classes because, thus, they do not get offended by other non-Roma children. According to a social worker from Sabile (town in the western part of Latvia which also has a high number of Roma residents), the town has closed Roma classes and now Roma children are studying together with ethnic Latvian children and there are no big problems. In total, 790 Roma children attended schools in 2012/2013, including 124 Roma in Ventspils.

The Saeima’s Education and Science Committee refused the repeated proposal of the nationalists’ union All for Latvia!-FF/LNIM on transition of education in all municipal kindergartens into Latvian language only starting with 1 September 2015. As reported, the Saeima recently refused the identical proposal of the nationalists with the only difference that the reform was planned to begin on 1 September 2014. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about ethnic minority collectives taking part in the Latvian Nation-wide Song and Dance Celebration. In total, 96 ethnic minority collectives are taking part in the Celebration and today (3 July) perform in one of the Riga central parks.