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.

• OSCE HCNM on education reform, naturalization and municipal elections
• Former KGB staff prohibition to stand as candidates for elections extended
• Riga Russian-language schools readiness for education reform
• European Parliament deputy points to weakness in Latvian state administrative apparatus, problems of social integration and illegal migrants camp
• Russian politicians in Moscow call for support for Russian-speakers in Latvia
• Representatives of Secretariat of Special Task Minister for Societal Integration in Liepaja
• Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies celebrates 15th anniversary

Rolf Ekeus, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, reportedly said in a meeting with Latvia’s foreign minister Sandra Kalniete that he agrees that the 2004 education reform in Latvia is necessary. The High Commissioner also positively valued the increase in the pace of naturalization and supported the necessity to know Latvian language for naturalization, while expressing understanding of the Latvian official argument that non-citizens should not be allowed to participate in municipal election because a priority should be given to increasing the rate of naturalization and integration.

Rolf Ekeus, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, reportedly said in a meeting with Latvias foreign minister Sandra Kalniete that he agrees that the 2004 education reform in Latvia is necessary. The High Commissioner also positively valued the increase in the pace of naturalization and supported the necessity to know Latvian language for naturalization, while expressing understanding of the Latvian official argument that non-citizens should not be allowed to participate in municipal election because a priority should be given to increasing the rate of naturalization and integration. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee supports the proposal to extend the period for establishing an individual’s connection to the Soviet State Security Committee for another tend years, thereby prolonging the prohibition for ex-staff of the State Security Committee to stand as candidate for elections and to be employed in state institutions.

The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee supports the proposal to extend the period for establishing an individuals connection to the Soviet State Security Committee for another tend years, thereby prolonging the prohibition for ex-staff of the State Security Committee to stand as candidate for elections and to be employed in state institutions. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Vechernaya Riga features an article about schools readiness for the education reform 2004. The article argues that the Ministry of Education information that most schools in Riga plan to include more disciplines in Latvian than the required minimum of 5, which is planned only by one school in Riga. Based on her own interviews, the author of the article questions the accuracy of these data, also pointing out that the school directors interviewed had very different understandings of the requirements.

European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schroedter, who is preparing a report on Latvia to be included in an overview of the ten accession countries, is concerned about the weakness of state administrative capacity, social integration and alck of political will to integrate Russian-speakers as well as individual problems at the illegal migrants’ camp in Olaine.  She also criticized Latvia’s parliament for overreacting by recalling opposition deputy Bekasov from the European Parliament, where he had observer status and sees this as symptomatic.

European Parliament deputy Elisabeth Schroedter, who is preparing a report on Latvia to be included in an overview of the ten accession countries, is concerned about the weakness of state administrative capacity, social integration and alck of political will to integrate Russian-speakers as well as individual problems at the illegal migrants camp in Olaine. She also criticized Latvias parliament for overreacting by recalling opposition deputy Bekasov from the European Parliament, where he had observer status and sees this as symptomatic. Diena

At a press conference in Moscow the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs of the State Duma Vyacheslav Igrunov and Yabloko party member Andrey Babuschin critically commented on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia, calling on the Russian state to provide financial support for various activities to support culture and education in Russian in Latvia and arguing that international monitoring should continue.

At a press conference in Moscow the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs of the State Duma Vyacheslav Igrunov and Yabloko party member Andrey Babuschin critically commented on the situation of Russian-speakers in Latvia, calling on the Russian state to provide financial support for various activities to support culture and education in Russian in Latvia and arguing that international monitoring should continue. Chas, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize

Chas reports about the meeting of representatives of the Secretariat of the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration and residents of Liepaja.

The Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (ANKOL), which includes organizations of various ethnic groups and is headed by Raffi Haradjanan, celebrated its 15-year anniversary with a concert, which was attended by representatives of the Minsitry of Culture and the Minister of Education Karlis Sadurskis.

The Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies (ANKOL), which includes organizations of various ethnic groups and is headed by Raffi Haradjanan, celebrated its 15-year anniversary with a concert, which was attended by representatives of the Minsitry of Culture and the Minister of Education Karlis Sadurskis. Latvijas avize, Vesti segodnya