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

• Most right-wing political parties do not support withdrawal of the prohibition to candidate for municipal elections for former State Security Committees staff and Communist Partys members after 13 January 1991
• New government regulations on permanent residents Latvian language proficiency
• Three ministers meet to discuss the education reform
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia mutual agreement on education reform should be achieved
• FHRUL representatives about protest activities against the education reform planned in May
• Deputy chairperson of the Russias State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee about Russian-speakers situation in Latvia

Most right-wing political parties do not support the draft law on municipal elections that stipulate withdrawing the prohibition to candidate for elections for former State Security Committee’s staff and Communist Party’s members after January 13 1991. The draft law has been elaborated by the working group under the People’s party leadership. Member of the working group Artis Kampars (New Era) suggested to evaluate whether keeping the prohibition in place may cause any legal consequences, like, for example, complaint

Most right-wing political parties do not support the draft law on municipal elections that stipulate withdrawing the prohibition to candidate for elections for former State Security Committees staff and Communist Partys members after January 13 1991. The draft law has been elaborated by the working group under the Peoples party leadership. Member of the working group Artis Kampars (New Era) suggested to evaluate whether keeping the prohibition in place may cause any legal consequences, like, for example, complaint to the European Court for Human Rights. Diena

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulation stipulating Latvian language proficiency requirement for all persons applying for permanent residence in Latvia. According to the regulation, every applicant will have to pass state language exam demonstrating Latvian language proficiency at least at the lower (B) level. The regulation has been adopted in compliance with the new Immigration Law, and it will not be apply to the persons who have obtained primary, secondary or highest education in the state language. Foreigners, who do not speak Latvian, will be able to apply for temporary residence.

Yesterday the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted regulation stipulating Latvian language proficiency requirement for all persons applying for permanent residence in Latvia. According to the regulation, every applicant will have to pass state language exam demonstrating Latvian language proficiency at least at the lower (B) level. The regulation has been adopted in compliance with the new Immigration Law, and it will not be apply to the persons who have obtained primary, secondary or highest education in the state language. Foreigners, who do not speak Latvian, will be able to apply for temporary residence. Latvijas Avize

The Minister on Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Special Task Minister on Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muizinieks, and the Minister of Finance Oskars Spurdzins have started regular meetings in order to discuss the education reform and other issues, requiring additional state financial support. The Ministry on Education and Science is planning to establish Communication Department to inform the society about the ministry’s work and implementation of the education reform.

The Minister on Education and Science Juris Radzevics, the Special Task Minister on Societal Integration Affairs Nils Muizinieks, and the Minister of Finance Oskars Spurdzins have started regular meetings in order to discuss the education reform and other issues, requiring additional state financial support. The Ministry on Education and Science is planning to establish Communication Department to inform the society about the ministrys work and implementation of the education reform. Latvijas Avize

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has distributed a statement on education reform in Latvia. According to the statement, there is a need to achieve full agreement of all parties on the further implementation of education reform.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has distributed a statement on education reform in Latvia. According to the statement, there is a need to achieve full agreement of all parties on the further implementation of education reform. Latvijas Avize

The Riga City Council’s deputy Aleksandrs Gilmans has stated that the protest action against education reform on 1 May will be held even if the permission to organize the event will be refused by the municipality. According to Gilman, police will not be able to interfere, as many foreign journalists will be accredited in Latvia on the occasion of Latvia’s accession the EU. Manifestation is planned for the 1 May, on 2 May the FHRUL representatives are planning to meet with Daugavpils residents, and on 9 May an event nearby the Monument to Riga’s Liberators from Nazi Invaders will be organized.

The Riga City Councils deputy Aleksandrs Gilmans has stated that the protest action against education reform on 1 May will be held even if the permission to organize the event will be refused by the municipality. According to Gilman, police will not be able to interfere, as many foreign journalists will be accredited in Latvia on the occasion of Latvias accession the EU. Manifestation is planned for the 1 May, on 2 May the FHRUL representatives are planning to meet with Daugavpils residents, and on 9 May an event nearby the Monument to Rigas Liberators from Nazi Invaders will be organized. Telegraf, Chas

Vesti Segodnya interviews deputy chairperson of the Russias State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Natalya Narochnitskaya, who recalls her meeting with the minister on Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, during which protest actions against the education reform in Latvia was one of the discussion points. Narochnitskaya believes the Russia has made a mistake acknowledging the concept of renewal instead of establishment of Latvias independence. According to Narochnitskaya, Russia will not abandon its stance regarding Russian-speakers rights in Latvia, and new initiatives aimed at improvement of their situation are planned.