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

• Prime minister on the recent protest actions against the education reform
• Dmitry Rogozin comments on the statements of Latvian officials
• New protest activities planned
• State Agency for Work with Diaspora can be created soon in Russia
• Janis Urbanovics about the goals of the education reform
• An article about the Russian-language portals in Latvia
• Conference about Latvias future at the Liepaja school
• Article of the extreme right-wing organization All for Latvia!

According to the prime-minister Indulis Emsis, the recent protest actions against the education reform will not change the government’s stance on this issue. He stresses the need for the continued dialog with the teachers, principles, students and their parents.

According to the prime-minister Indulis Emsis, the recent protest actions against the education reform will not change the governments stance on this issue. He stresses the need for the continued dialog with the teachers, principles, students and their parents. Vesti Segodnya

The Russia’s State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin has commented on the statements of Latvian officials accusing Russia in the support of the protest activities against the education reform. Rogozin has denied the possibility that Russia, as any other foreign state, is able to organize manifestations with the participation of thousands of students. He believes that after 1 May the EU will make Latvia to observe minority rights.

The Russias State Council deputy speaker Dmitry Rogozin has commented on the statements of Latvian officials accusing Russia in the support of the protest activities against the education reform. Rogozin has denied the possibility that Russia, as any other foreign state, is able to organize manifestations with the participation of thousands of students. He believes that after 1 May the EU will make Latvia to observe minority rights. Vesty Segodnya

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have decided to submit application to the Riga City Council for permit on organizing manifestation near the Freedom’s Monument on 1 May.

Yesterday the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools have decided to submit application to the Riga City Council for permit on organizing manifestation near the Freedoms Monument on 1 May. Chas

The director of the Russian Institute of Union of Independent States Konstantin Zatulin has informed about the possible creation of the State Agency for Work with Diaspora. Judicial and political protection of the Russian-speaking population outside Russia is one of the possible functions of the agency.

The director of the Russian Institute of Union of Independent States Konstantin Zatulin has informed about the possible creation of the State Agency for Work with Diaspora. Judicial and political protection of the Russian-speaking population outside Russia is one of the possible functions of the agency. Telegraf

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an article of the chairman of the Peoples Harmony Party Janis Urbanovics, who argues that the true objective of the education reform is political revenge of Latvian officials for the necessity to learn Russian during the period of Soviet occupation.

Diena prints an article about the Latvian Russian-language Internet portals, which display Russias flag and slogans like Russian Latvia, Russian Schools are our Stalingrad!, and who popularize views opposing the Latvian official national policies. Most of the websites are anonymous.

Latvijas Avize reports on the conference Latvian society in 10 years organized by Liepaja Secondary School No.8 and the Liepaja Centre for Social and National Integration. The optimistic prognoses have been made by the Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muiznieks, and by the head of the Integration Department of the Ministry on Education and Science Evija Papule. Evija Papule, for example, believes that in 10 years Europeans will study Latvias positive experience in the area of minority education reform.

Latvijas Avize features an article of the head of extreme right-wing organization All for Latvia! about pro-Russian political forces in Latvia, stressing the need for the victory of the nationalistic parties in the next Saeima elections.