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 Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Police investigations of minority school attendance after the unapproved meeting against Education Law amendments
• Leading Latvian-language newspaper commentators criticize the amendments to the Law on Education
• Russian students celebrate Tatjana Day

Newspapers write about unapproved meeting against the education reform 2004 last Friday and the counter-actions from the side of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Police. Karlis Sadurskis believes that minority school teachers should have acted to preclude the latest demonstrations and strikes of students and these who could not do it “should look for an easier job”. On Friday directors of minority schools were reportedly requested in writing by the police to supply information on all students who had been absent that day. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that the action of the police represents interference in the private lives of the minority students is a violation of basic rights and cause for serious concern.

Newspapers write about unapproved meeting against the education reform 2004 last Friday and the counter-actions from the side of the Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis and the Police. Karlis Sadurskis believes that minority school teachers should have acted to preclude the latest demonstrations and strikes of students and these who could not do it should look for an easier job. On Friday directors of minority schools were reportedly requested in writing by the police to supply information on all students who had been absent that day. The director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies Ilze Brands Kehre believes that the action of the police represents interference in the private lives of the minority students is a violation of basic rights and cause for serious concern. Chas and Vesti Segodnya also feature the statement of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools, stating that the threats addressed to the schools directors, students and their parents are not enforceable and that protest actions from the side of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-Language Schools will follow instantaneously after any attempt to develop any repressive measures. Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers feature critical commentaries about the amendments to the Law on Education.

Newspapers feature critical commentaries about the amendments to the Law on Education. Diena commentator Askolds Rodins states that the latest amendments to the Law on Education serves only the interests of the extremists, stating that every mistake made in this area will be used by persons who want to hinder social integration. Neatkariga Rita Avize commentator Dainis Lemesonoks believes that both opponents as well as supporters of the reform are only realizing their political goals, which are not the integration of society but increasing support from their respective electorate. Both commentators hope that the President of Latvia would return this law to Saeima for repeated review, if the Saeima will not reject these amendments on the third reading. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize

Newspapers print articles about the celebration of Russian culture - Tatyana Day - in Riga.

Newspapers print articles about the celebration of Russian culture - Tatyana Day - in Riga. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf, Chas, Vesti Segodnya