Integration monitor
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.
Sept. 3, 2003
Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies
Meeting against the education reform and its political consequences
Latvian media reports that 106,157 signatures have been collected in a protest against the education reform organised by the Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS). The meeting against the education reform on September 4th is announced as MPs meeting with their voters. LASRS has announced that it will not participate, after Riga City Council repeatedly denied their request for permission to hold the meeting. Diena and Telegraf also discuss political aspects of the struggle against the education reform, claiming that it has cleaved the left-wing politicians. While the Peoples Solidarity party is seeking compromises with the government, the new political party Free Choice in Peoples Europe demands repeal of the education reform. Lauku Avize reports that a large shareof inhabitants letters that the Saeima received over the last two months concerned the education reform. Diena, Lauku Avize, Rigas Balss,Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf,Vechernaya Riga
Vechernaya Riga
prints an interview with Genadij Kotov, the leader of Headquarter for Defence of Russian Schools and deputy of Riga City Council about the meeting against the education reform and disagreements with Latvian Association for the Support for Russian Schools.Diena
features an article by Aldis Rozentals about ethnic integration process and the role of language in it. He stresses that the discussion in Latvia needs another focus, considering that the process of integration first and foremost concerns the individual and not groups, such as non-citizens or Russians. Secondly, it is essential to speak about integration as a set of rights and not ethnic questions alone.Lauku Avize
continues discussion about the work of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, responding to the article of the Minister about integration. The newspaper presents the critical standpoint of its readers, most of who regards the work of Muiznieks as unsuccessful and not conducive of ethnical tolerance.On September 5th the conference The culturally historical problems of Liv locality in Western Vidzeme will take place. Neatkariga Rita Avize