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

• After critique by President governing coalition MPs prepare new amendments to the Law on Education
• Alternative amendments to the Law on Education, prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia
• Investigation of police request to minority schools to supply information on students absent from school during protest meeting
• First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles about minority rights in Latvia
• Interview with the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin
• Spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils city students against education reform 2004
• Ex-State Secretary of the United States of America Madeleine Albright visits Latvia and comments on Latvias relations with Russia

Saeima governing coalition MPs have prepared new amendments to the Law on Education in third reading, which explicitly will include to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools, as accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last May. Yesterday Presidents of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga evaluated the amendments, adopted by the Saeima in the second reading, as “exceptionally awkwardly formulated” and promised to return the amendments for renewed review in the Saeima if accepted without change in a third reading. 

Saeima governing coalition MPs have prepared new amendments to the Law on Education in third reading, which explicitly will include to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and minority language use in minority schools, as accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers last May. Yesterday Presidents of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga evaluated the amendments, adopted by the Saeima in the second reading, as exceptionally awkwardly formulated and promised to return the amendments for renewed review in the Saeima if accepted without change in a third reading. Latvijas Avize features the statements of the Special Task Minister for the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks regarding the return to the ratio 60-40% of Latvian and Russian language use in minority schools as the most optimal solution. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Rigas Balss, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

An alternative proposal of amendments to the Law on Education has been prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner and Vladimir Buzajev. According to these MPs, five subjects including Latvian language and literature should be required to be taught in Latvian, but the determination of the ratio of Latvian and Russian language use should be in the competence of the school. The MPs also state that the right to choose the language of the examination should be granted.

An alternative proposal of amendments to the Law on Education has been prepared by the MPs of the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Jakov Pliner and Vladimir Buzajev. According to these MPs, five subjects including Latvian language and literature should be required to be taught in Latvian, but the determination of the ratio of Latvian and Russian language use should be in the competence of the school. The MPs also state that the right to choose the language of the examination should be granted. Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

State police has initiated an official investigation into the alleged police request to minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Although a copy of the letter sent to Riga Secondary School No. 22 was published, the Riga City Central Police Department claims that the police administration has not ordered to perform such actions. Latvian National Human Rights Office made a statement that such a police inquiry into schools is unfounded and could be seen as an infringement of freedom of speech and assembly.

State police has initiated an official investigation into the alleged police request to minority schools to supply information on all students who had been absent from classes during the protest meeting against the education reform 2004. Although a copy of the letter sent to Riga Secondary School No. 22 was published, the Riga City Central Police Department claims that the police administration has not ordered to perform such actions. Latvian National Human Rights Office made a statement that such a police inquiry into schools is unfounded and could be seen as an infringement of freedom of speech and assembly. Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf

First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the minority rights issues in Latvia are more complicated than in the other Baltic States. In interview to the Russian news agency “RIA Novosti” Alvaro Gil-Robles has pointed to the large number of non-citizens living in Latvia, stating that the national majority must ensure the smooth societal integration of minority instead of organizing “extraordinary exams of history and language”.  

First Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Alvaro Gil-Robles believes that the minority rights issues in Latvia are more complicated than in the other Baltic States. In interview to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti Alvaro Gil-Robles has pointed to the large number of non-citizens living in Latvia, stating that the national majority must ensure the smooth societal integration of minority instead of organizing extraordinary exams of history and language. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Russia State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin about the attitude of Russian officials to the latest amendments to the Law on Education. President of Russia Vladimir Putin, alleges Dmitry Rogozin, believes that the participation of minority students in the protest actions shows the rampant violation of minority rights in Latvia. According to the Dmitry Rogozin, Russia is preparing to once more bring the observation of minority rights in Latvia to the attention of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils students against the 2004 education reform.

Russian language newspapers feature articles about spontaneous protest actions of Ventspils students against the 2004 education reform. Chas, Vechernaya Riga, Telegraf

The ex-Secretary of State of the United States of America Madeleine Albright is visiting Latvia and

The ex-Secretary of State of the United States of America Madeleine Albright is visiting Latvia and Diena and Telegraf publish interviews with her. Among various issues, Ms Albright expressed agreement with the present Secretary of State Colin Powells recent critical remarks concerning the state of democracy in Russia. She also expressed the belief that relations between Latvia and Russia will improve after Latvia will join NATO. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Latvijas Avize