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.

• LASHOR presents proposals for the development of alternative minorities education programmes
• Different comments on the recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly to Latvia
• Commentator Viktors Avotins about lack of political will to avoid ethnic cleavage in the society
• Vesti Segodnya writes about the folklore festival in Vangazi

The proposals of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools (LASHOR) for the development of the alternative minorities’ educational programmes will be presented today during the meeting of a working group comprised of representatives of LASHOR and the Ministry of Education and Science. The journalist from

The proposals of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools (LASHOR) for the development of the alternative minorities educational programmes will be presented today during the meeting of a working group comprised of representatives of LASHOR and the Ministry of Education and Science. The journalist from Vesti Segodnya Elena Slusareva writes that Russian-speakers have repeatedly confirmed their serious intentions in defending the Russian-language schools, and that establishment of the moratorium on the education reform is the only possible compromise. Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

Telegraf prints different comments of the two members of the Latvian delegation to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), Krisjanis Peters (Latvias First Party) and Andrejs Klementjevs (Peoples Harmony Party), on the resolution adopted by the OSCE PA last week. The resolution includes recommendations for Latvia in the area of minorities rights observation. While Krisjanis Peters during the session of the OSCE PA has expressed concern that granting of voting rights to the non-citizens at the municipal elections could slow down the naturalisation process, Andrejs Klementjevs has pointed to the several, in his opinion, disadvantages of the naturalisation process as such. According to Klementjevs, naturalisation process is very slow, and some of the examination questions should be revised. ‘For example, the question about Latvias occupation is in contradiction with the beliefs of many Latvian citizenship applicants, says Andrejs Klementjevs.

Neatkariga Rita Avize features a critical commentary by Viktors Avotins about lack of political will to prevent deepening of the ethnic cleavage in society. According to the journalist, if one presumes that the voting at the European Parliament elections was ethnically motivated, one should also recognise that citizens simply chose from the available options. ‘This is why we have to talk about the failure of the state integration policy, and unsuitability of existing state practices to the formation of the unified civic society, concludes the journalist.

Vesti Segodnya writes about the folklore festival in Vangazi, in which Russian, Ukrainian and Belarussian folklore groups from all parts of Latvia have participated.