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.

• Saeima rejects opposition party proposal to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities
• Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools foresees a turn to aggressive protest actions against the education reform
• About extend welcome to 70 new citizens of Latvia
• Increasing inquiries to the Naturalization Board about possibilities to register non-citizen children after ministers invitation
• Professor of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministrys Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova suggests a moratorium on education reform
• State Security Police points to the connection of the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language schools with the National Democratic Party
• Police carries out a search in the apartment of the activist of Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools
• Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies annual human rights report criticized
• Four students from Preilu Secondary Schools Nr.9 about education reform
• Interview with writer Ludmila Azarova-Vaciete
• Planned appeal of national extremist organization Visu Latvijai!

Yesterday the Saeima majority rejected the opposition party proposal to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Only 20 MPs form People’s Harmony Party, For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) and Latvia’s Socialist Party) voted to submit the proposed law for review to the Saeima commissions. MPs from Latvia’s First Party and Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre (union of Greens and Farmers) abstained. All other deputies voted against.  Right-wing deputies allegedly believe that submission of the convention to Saeima is a roundabout attempt to try to achieve the cancellation of the education reform. Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks said that the ratification of the convention cannot affect the education reform as the latter conforms to the requirements of the convention, but it is another question of how reporm opponents may try to use the convention in their political rhetoric.

Yesterday the Saeima majority rejected the opposition party proposal to ratify the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Only 20 MPs form Peoples Harmony Party, For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL) and Latvias Socialist Party) voted to submit the proposed law for review to the Saeima commissions. MPs from Latvias First Party and Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre (union of Greens and Farmers) abstained. All other deputies voted against. Right-wing deputies allegedly believe that submission of the convention to Saeima is a roundabout attempt to try to achieve the cancellation of the education reform. Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks said that the ratification of the convention cannot affect the education reform as the latter conforms to the requirements of the convention, but it is another question of how reporm opponents may try to use the convention in their political rhetoric. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas, Telegraf

Peaceful protest actions against the education reform will turn aggressive because Russian-speaking residents of Latvia allegedly want vindication for the disregard of Russian-speakers’ rights and interests during last 13 years, threatens the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools.  According to the representative of the Headquarters Genadijs Kotovs, the main emphasis is still on mass actions, the next of which will take place on 1 June, the Child Protection Day, and on 12 June, the day of the European Parliament election.

Peaceful protest actions against the education reform will turn aggressive because Russian-speaking residents of Latvia allegedly want vindication for the disregard of Russian-speakers rights and interests during last 13 years, threatens the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools. According to the representative of the Headquarters Genadijs Kotovs, the main emphasis is still on mass actions, the next of which will take place on 1 June, the Child Protection Day, and on 12 June, the day of the European Parliament election. Diena, Rigas Balss, Neatkariga Rita Aviz, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Today President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars and chairman of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane will participate in a ceremony for 70 new citizens of Latvia.

Today President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Riga Mayor Gundars Bojars and chairman of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane will participate in a ceremony for 70 new citizens of Latvia. Latvijas Avize, Latvijas Vestnesis

During the last two days approximately 150 non-citizens have turned to the Naturalization Board in order to clarify the possibilities to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens. The Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane states that the number of non-citizens interested in their children’s registration has increased remarkably. Eizenija Aldermane believes that it is due to the letters of invitation to register their children as citizens which the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks have sent to families with eligible children. The Naturalization Board head also indicates that there are delays in registering the children due to lines forming, but promises that if the heightened interest continues, there will a an especially assigned person in each Naturalization Board department to deal only with the registration of these children.

During the last two days approximately 150 non-citizens have turned to the Naturalization Board in order to clarify the possibilities to register their children born in Latvia after 21 August 1991 as Latvian citizens. The Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane states that the number of non-citizens interested in their childrens registration has increased remarkably. Eizenija Aldermane believes that it is due to the letters of invitation to register their children as citizens which the Special Task Minister for Society Integration Nils Muiznieks and the Special Task Minister for Children and Family Affairs Ainars Bastiks have sent to families with eligible children. The Naturalization Board head also indicates that there are delays in registering the children due to lines forming, but promises that if the heightened interest continues, there will a an especially assigned person in each Naturalization Board department to deal only with the registration of these children. Diena

Professor and expert on minority issues of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova suggested a moratorium on the minority education reform for at least one year and proposes that Latvian officials should consult Russian experts as well about the implementation of the reform.

Professor and expert on minority issues of Russia Foreign Affairs Ministrys Diplomatic Academy Tatyana Poloskova suggested a moratorium on the minority education reform for at least one year and proposes that Latvian officials should consult Russian experts as well about the implementation of the reform. Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday Court of Liepaja decided to keep National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jevgenijs Osipovs in detention for the next two months. J.Osipovs is accused of attacking a policeman in organized group during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja. State Security Police has concluded that the NDP is connected with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, which ‘involves organizations with extremist tendencies in its activities and thus raising the risk of provocations during the public events. The compliance of the NDP to the law On Civic Organizations and Their Unions will also be evaluated.

Yesterday Court of Liepaja decided to keep National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jevgenijs Osipovs in detention for the next two months. J.Osipovs is accused of attacking a policeman in organized group during the unapproved protest action against the education reform in Liepaja. State Security Police has concluded that the NDP is connected with the Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-language Schools, which ‘involves organizations with extremist tendencies in its activities and thus raising the risk of provocations during the public events. The compliance of the NDP to the law On Civic Organizations and Their Unions will also be evaluated. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Chas

A search has been carried out in the apartment of the activist of Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools Aleksandrs Samrovs, suspected of connection to the blowing up of rails at one of Riga’s railway station. Russian-language newspapers refers to one of the leaders of the Headquarters Jurijs Petropavlovskis, evaluated this incident, as well as the statement of the State Security Police about the Headquarters’ connection with National Democratic Party and the illegitimate functioning of the Headquarters due to the fact that the organization is not registered, as a campaign against this grouping. According to the leader, in case the Headquarters would be registered as a social organization, it would be very easy for authorities to find excuses to prohibit it.

A search has been carried out in the apartment of the activist of Headquarters for the Defense of Russian-Language Schools Aleksandrs Samrovs, suspected of connection to the blowing up of rails at one of Rigas railway station. Russian-language newspapers refers to one of the leaders of the Headquarters Jurijs Petropavlovskis, evaluated this incident, as well as the statement of the State Security Police about the Headquarters connection with National Democratic Party and the illegitimate functioning of the Headquarters due to the fact that the organization is not registered, as a campaign against this grouping. According to the leader, in case the Headquarters would be registered as a social organization, it would be very easy for authorities to find excuses to prohibit it. Diena, Chas, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features a critical article by commentator Maris Antonevics about the Annual human rights report of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies (available on-line at www.humanrights.org.lv). The journalist draws attention to the fact that the LCHRES report criticizes the non-ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention, and only a few days later ratification was proposed in parliament by opposition parliamentarians. The commentator also compares other aspects of the report with expressions of MPs from Peoples Harmony Party (PHP) and For Human Rights in the United Latvia (FHRUL), stating that there are almost no differences among these views. The commentator also draws attention to the possible role of the multimillionaire George Soros in this coincidence of opinions.

Latvijas Avize features an article about the violence of 10 Russian youth against 20-year-old Aleksandrs Vaganovs. The fight allegedly ended with the phrase form the side of violators ‘Now you will respect Russians!. Aleksandrss mother believes that the youth were inspired by the protest meetings of education reforms opponents. State Security Police has promised to not leave this incident unnoticed.

Diena features an article about the attitude of four students from Preilu Secondary Schools Nr.9 towards education reform. The girls stated that the education reform is not frightening them as there are two programs in their school offering opportunities to learn either bilingually and only in Latvian. Students believe that its necessary to know Latvian, while at the same time maintaining the native language and culture. Hence the students, together with their teacher, have for already four years been studying the traditions of Old Believers in Latgale, the Eastern part of Latvia.

Latvijas Avize features an interview with writer Ludmila Azarova-Vaciete about protest actions against the education reform. The writer believes that the education reform is only the ostensive motive for making noise, while the real meaning of the hostile protests is a desire to create political pressure, and that children who participate at protest actions are only ‘unthinking marionettes. According to Ludmila Azarova-Vaciete, lessons in Latvian in minority schools must be taught by Latvian teachers.

National extremist organization “Visu Latvijai!” is preparing to collect residents’ signatures for an appeal to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and all governments of western countries in order to achieve the repatriation of non-citizens from Latvia. According to the deputy chairman of the organization Aksels Sadovskis, “it’s necessary to start the discussion with Russia immediately about voluntary and civilized repatriation of Russians to their native country’. Aksels Sadovskis also states that the state of Latvia should ensure support for the repatriation.

National extremist organization Visu Latvijai! is preparing to collect residents signatures for an appeal to the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and all governments of western countries in order to achieve the repatriation of non-citizens from Latvia. According to the deputy chairman of the organization Aksels Sadovskis, its necessary to start the discussion with Russia immediately about voluntary and civilized repatriation of Russians to their native country. Aksels Sadovskis also states that the state of Latvia should ensure support for the repatriation.