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.

Integration and Minority Information Servicea

Integration and Minority Information Servicea
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Support programme for minority schools developed by the Ministry of Education and Science approved
• Rally against the education reform was held outside the buildings of three embassies
• Security institutions keep continuos surveillance over opponents of the education reform
• Moscows delegation in Riga discusses education issues
• Roma demands dismissal of the President of the Latvian Roma Association

On Tuesday the support programme for minority schools developed by the Ministry of Education and Science was approved. The programme foresees discussions about the education reform with parents, allocation of resources for study literature, teaching aid and education of teachers. A part of funding is found in the this years state budget, a part could be funded by the Integration Foundation. However, the Head of the Association for the Support for Russians Schools in Latvia Igor Pimenov says that these activities will not be very effective if the MoE tries to impose only its views. Diena

Yesterday the protest rally against the education reform was held outside the buildings of three embassies – Italy, Germany and France. About 60 people took part in the meeting. Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

When meeting MPs of FF/LNNK the Director of the Constitution Protection Office Janis Kazocins admitted that opponents against the education reform are under continuos surveillance of security institutions. Diena, Chas, Telegraf

One of the members of the Moscows delegation voiced incomprehension why the education reform of minority schools will be implemented next year as schools are not ready for the reform. Representative of the Moscows delegation held meetings with Latvian politicians and officials. The decision was taken to organise mutual seminars about minorities in Latvia as the lack of information about the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia cultivates different myths in Russia. Diena, Chas

Vesti Segodnya

reports that about 30 Roma protested against ex-MP and the President of the Cultural Association of Latvian Roma Normunds Rudevics. Roma expressed their dissatisfaction with the activities of Normunds Rudevics as Rudevics has not presented any financial report about expenditures of funding allotted for the Association during several years (in total LVL 101,000).

Chas reports about the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus accounted for his last visit to Latvia and was satisfied with his co-operation with Latvian authorities. While British MP Andrew McKinley expressed his concern about the great number of non-citiezens and announced that he will inspect the situation of Russian speakers in Latvia. The visit will be organised till the end of the year.