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

• Discussion on possible economic sanctions against Latvia in Moscow
• Latvia will grant entry visa to the Russia State Councils deputy Konstantin Zatulin
• Amendments to the law On meetings, walks and pickets
• Information campaign about amendments to the Law on Education
• Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies supports the education reform
• Newspapers write about the oncoming Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools
• Interview with the two activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-Language Schools
• Latvia Socialist Party does not support engagement of children in political actions
• Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee supports the organization of the legionnaires procession
• Interview with the Latvian observer to the European Parliament Liene Liepina
• Another view on the possible causes of opposition against the education reform

The possible establishment of economic sanctions against Latvia was discussed at the round-table discussion yesterday in Moscow. Most participants, especially the representatives of Russia’s government and municipalities, have rejected sanctions as ineffective because of Latvia’s accession to the unified economic space of the European Union. Discussion participants have also pointed to the possible negative influence of the sanctions on the Russian-speakers in Latvia. Many participants have supported the necessity to discuss the situation of minorities in Latvia with the international institutions as frequently as possible.

The possible establishment of economic sanctions against Latvia was discussed at the round-table discussion yesterday in Moscow. Most participants, especially the representatives of Russias government and municipalities, have rejected sanctions as ineffective because of Latvias accession to the unified economic space of the European Union. Discussion participants have also pointed to the possible negative influence of the sanctions on the Russian-speakers in Latvia. Many participants have supported the necessity to discuss the situation of minorities in Latvia with the international institutions as frequently as possible. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Latvia has decided to grant the Latvian entry visa to the Russia State Council’s deputy Konstantin Zatulin. The Russia’s MP is planning to participate at the Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools. Previously MFA denied entry visa to the vice speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin, motivating this decision with the lack of specific goal of his visit in his application.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Latvia has decided to grant the Latvian entry visa to the Russia State Councils deputy Konstantin Zatulin. The Russias MP is planning to participate at the Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools. Previously MFA denied entry visa to the vice speaker of the Russia State Council Dmitry Rogozin, motivating this decision with the lack of specific goal of his visit in his application. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has accepted and relegated for review in Saeima the amendments to the law “On meetings, walks and pickets”, stipulating that meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates, which take place outdoors, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks must be coordinated with the municipality.

Saeima Legal Affairs Committee has accepted and relegated for review in Saeima the amendments to the law On meetings, walks and pickets, stipulating that meetings of Saeima and municipality deputies and deputy candidates, which take place outdoors, as well as organized and publicly announced pickets and walks must be coordinated with the municipality. Diena , Chas

Riga City Council’s Education, Youth and Sports department is planning an information campaign in minority schools with the aim to promote better understanding of the amendments to the Law on Education. According to the chairman of Department Elmars Vebers, the negative attitude of the minorities towards the education reform is based upon the intentional disinformation campaign, organized by several politicians.

Riga City Councils Education, Youth and Sports department is planning an information campaign in minority schools with the aim to promote better understanding of the amendments to the Law on Education. According to the chairman of Department Elmars Vebers, the negative attitude of the minorities towards the education reform is based upon the intentional disinformation campaign, organized by several politicians. Diena, Rigas Balss, Chas, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga

Latvijas Avize prints announcement of the Latvian Association of National Cultural Societies, expressing support to the education reform. The Association also calls to inform society about the goals of the reform more actively, to examine the positive experience of minority schools, which are well-prepared for the reform, and to spread this experience to other minority schools.

Newspapers write about the oncoming Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools.

Newspapers write about the oncoming Congress of the Defenders of Russian language schools. Diena refers to the representatives of the Saeima parties, stating thatnone of the potential governing parties is able to withdraw or postpone the education reform, while union For Human Rights in the United Latvia has promised the opposite to the congress delegates. The newspaper also features an opinion of the sociologist Aivars Freimanis, who believes that the withdrawal of the education reform as a result of the pressure is unlikely, especially considering the methods used by the opponents of the reform. Russian language newspapers forecast the number of participants of the congress up to 3,000 – 4,000. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Chas prints an interview with the activists of the Headquarters for the Defense of the Russian-Language Schools Jurijs Petropavlovskis and Aleksandrs Kazakovs. They are denying any participation of Russia in organizing the Headquarters activities. According to Jurijs Petropavlovskis, the Headquarters have always believed that there are two communities in Latvia, and that the recognition of the fact is the only way to normalize relationship between Russian-speakers and Latvian-speakers. Chas

Riga City Council’s Security and Order Committee has supported organization of the legionnaires’ procession on 16 March, the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, and suggested to the executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to approve of  this event.

Riga City Councils Security and Order Committee has supported organization of the legionnaires procession on 16 March, the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, and suggested to the executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks to approve of this event. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Latvia Socialist Party and its leader Alfreds Rubiks do not support the engagement of children in political actions, including in the protest actions against the education reform. At the same time, the party leader has stated that socialists support the moratorium on the reform’s implementation.

Latvia Socialist Party and its leader Alfreds Rubiks do not support the engagement of children in political actions, including in the protest actions against the education reform. At the same time, the party leader has stated that socialists support the moratorium on the reforms implementation. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Latvian observer to the European Parliament Liene Liepina about the resolution which condemns the totalitarian regime of communism, adopted during the congress of the European Peoples Party.

Vesti Segodnya features an article by the translator Tamara Nikitina, who believes that the ‘narrow Latvian language vocabulary and its ‘limited application possibilities are the main causes of reluctance to learn Latvian and opposition to the education reform. According to the author, the methods of the Latvian language instruction in minority schools are archaic, and the topics are not linked to the everyday life.