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

• Report on Latvias preparedness to join the European Union
• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus is planning to draw up recommendations for the improvement of Russian speaking minoritys situation in Latvia and Estonia
• Procession on Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion is not authorized
• Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics and the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks on education reform
• Plans of the Special Task Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat
• Russian Party and Association of Russian societies do not support the decisions of the Headquarters for the Support of Russian-language Schools
• Interview with the Chairperson of the Moscow Helsinki Group Ludmila Alexeeva
• Sociologist Evija Klave about causes of the strain in the area of education reform
• Chairman of the Russias State Council Committee on International AffairsKonstantin Kosachov about the new Latvian government

Today the European Parliament (EP) is planning to approve the report on Latvia’s preparedness to join the European Union, submitted by the German Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter. Elisabeth Schroedter states that the policy of education, language and citizenship of Latvia complies with the international standards, but requires flexibility in the area of implementation of the education reform. The EP deputy also calls on Latvian government to grant voting rights to the non-citizens, who are permanent residents of the country, at municipal elections and EP elections, as well as to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible. The report, referring to the recent attempt of the Saeima to recall Martijans Bekasovs from the status of the EP observer, also stipulates that Latvia should insure the freedom of speech for all citizens and Parliament MPs.

Today the European Parliament (EP) is planning to approve the report on Latvias preparedness to join the European Union, submitted by the German Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter. Elisabeth Schroedter states that the policy of education, language and citizenship of Latvia complies with the international standards, but requires flexibility in the area of implementation of the education reform. The EP deputy also calls on Latvian government to grant voting rights to the non-citizens, who are permanent residents of the country, at municipal elections and EP elections, as well as to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as soon as possible. The report, referring to the recent attempt of the Saeima to recall Martijans Bekasovs from the status of the EP observer, also stipulates that Latvia should insure the freedom of speech for all citizens and Parliament MPs. Neatkariga Rita Avize, Diena, Chas

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus during the visit to Russia has informed about his plans to draw up recommendations for the improvement of Russian speaking minority’s situation in Latvia and Estonia.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus during the visit to Russia has informed about his plans to draw up recommendations for the improvement of Russian speaking minoritys situation in Latvia and Estonia. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks, following the recommendations of the State Security Police, has not authorized the organization of the procession on 16 March, the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, planned by the nationalist youth organization “Klubs 415” (“Club 415”).

Executive director of the Riga City Council Maris Tralmaks, following the recommendations of the State Security Police, has not authorized the organization of the procession on 16 March, the Commemoration day for the Latvian Legion, planned by the nationalist youth organization Klubs 415 (Club 415). Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Newspapers feature statements of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igors Pimenovs about future activities in the area of education reform. Both ministers do not see the possibility for moratorium on the education reform. Juris Radzevics has stated that he fully supports the transition to Latvian as the main language of instruction in minority schools. According to him, the main reason of confrontation is not reluctance to learn Latvian, but the lack of dialogue.  

Newspapers feature statements of the Minister of Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the head of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-Language Schools Igors Pimenovs about future activities in the area of education reform. Both ministers do not see the possibility for moratorium on the education reform. Juris Radzevics has stated that he fully supports the transition to Latvian as the main language of instruction in minority schools. According to him, the main reason of confrontation is not reluctance to learn Latvian, but the lack of dialogue. Rigas Balss writes that Igors Pimenovs believes Juris Radzevicss planned visits to all minority schools in order to explain the goals of the reform to minority students, parents and teachers are overdue, and predicts further protest actions in case the Law on Education will not be amended in line with the demands of reforms opponents. Rigas Balss, Telegraf

Vesti Segodnya features an interview with the Special Task Minister for Society integration Nils Muiznieks about the plans of his Secretariat. According to Nils Muiznieks, the main task is to develop a dialogue with the minority NGOs, students and their parents about the education reform. The Special Task Minister has also pointed to the urgent necessity of incorporating paragraphs, prohibiting any form of racial discrimination, into many Latvian laws.

Russian Party and Association of Russian societies have made a statement that the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools do not have the right to speak for all Russians of Latvia. The leader of the party Mihails Gavrilovs has expressed support to the idea of Russian language as the second state language in Latvia, as well as for the automatic alternative of citizenship, at the same time stressing that it is too early to postulate such demands. According to him, the most important now is to renew a dialogue with the Latvian community, which was deranged by the Headquarters’ activities.

Russian Party and Association of Russian societies have made a statement that the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools do not have the right to speak for all Russians of Latvia. The leader of the party Mihails Gavrilovs has expressed support to the idea of Russian language as the second state language in Latvia, as well as for the automatic alternative of citizenship, at the same time stressing that it is too early to postulate such demands. According to him, the most important now is to renew a dialogue with the Latvian community, which was deranged by the Headquarters activities. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Chairperson of the Moscow Helsinki Group Ludmila Alexeeva about the observation of Russian minoritys rights in Latvia. Ludmila Alexeeva points to the necessity to take into account the interests of the Russian students and their parents in the process of implementation of education reform. The Chairperson also believes that the attitude towards Russians in Latvia is better than the attitude towards the representatives of other nationalities or races in Russia.

Official newspaper

Official newspaper Latvijas Vestnesis features an article by the project leader of the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences, sociologist Evija Klave about the conflict between two languages, Russian and Latvian, as a cause of strain in the area of education reform. According to Evija Klave, this conflict of languages, based on competition in the public sphere, in more or less latent form has lasted for many years, and now the education reform made it more pronounced.

Chairman of the Russia’s State Council Committee on International AffairsKonstantin Kosachov regards the new government of Latvia as a new possibility for the solution of the problems of education reform in Latvia. He believes that the new government will be more flexible and responsive towards the needs of Russian speaking minority.

Chairman of the Russias State Council Committee on International AffairsKonstantin Kosachov regards the new government of Latvia as a new possibility for the solution of the problems of education reform in Latvia. He believes that the new government will be more flexible and responsive towards the needs of Russian speaking minority. Diena