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.

• Members of the National Union propose to switch education in national minority schools into Latvian language only
• Vesti Segodnya: Latvian government uses the fact of Russian minority as an argument for not accepting refugees

The MPs, members of the National Union (NU), at a meeting with the Minister of Education Marite Seile proposed to switch education in national minority schools to Latvian language only. Leader of the NU Raivis Dzintars said that it is possible to discuss terms and methods of the transition but it is important to make it done. R. Dzintars argued the bilingual education system is not effective, does not promote united nation, and is too expensive. The Minister of Education, in her turn, reminded that the coalition’s declaration and other basic documents do not foresee liquidation of bilingual education system. The Minister said that the discussions about the education quality in bilingual schools will continue in January 2016 after the completion of a research on education quality. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya stresses that in order to justify its position against the mandatory accommodation of refugees the government uses the argument that there is already a large Russian minority in Latvia. As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the state’s position regarding the migration programme proposed by the European Commission, according to which Latvia does not support mandatory refugee quota system because of historical aspects, ethnic divisions, and the fact that Latvia technically is not ready to accept several hundreds of refugees.