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.

• Possible crisis in Emsiscabinet
• President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Prime Minister Indulis Emsis discuss the forthcoming protest actions against the education reform
• Interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis
• Vesti Segonya continues a discussion on the results of the latest opinion poll about ethnic cleavages in Latvia
• Response to the statement of the Commissioner Sandra Kalniete on the attitude of the EU towards the formation of the European Russian Party
• Secretary-general of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Terry Davis on minorities rights observation in the Baltic States
• Dismissal of Andrejs Klementjevs from the post of the secretary of Saeima National Security Committee on the basis of his statements on violation of Russian-speakers rights in Latvia is under discussion
• Minister of Culture Helena Demakova criticises the tolerant stance of the EU towards communist regime
• Procession against the education reform

People’s Harmony Party probably will not support the candidature of Artis Pabriks (People’s Party) for the post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to the head of the People’s Harmony Party parliamentary group Andrejs Klementjevs, the candidate has made scornful comments on national minorities in Latvia and Russia. Other opposition parties have stated that they would not support the candidature of Artis Pabriks, too. The member of the People’s Party board Gundars Berzins believes that the lack of Saiema’s majority support may lead to cabinet crisis.

Peoples Harmony Party probably will not support the candidature of Artis Pabriks (Peoples Party) for the post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to the head of the Peoples Harmony Party parliamentary group Andrejs Klementjevs, the candidate has made scornful comments on national minorities in Latvia and Russia. Other opposition parties have stated that they would not support the candidature of Artis Pabriks, too. The member of the Peoples Party board Gundars Berzins believes that the lack of Saiemas majority support may lead to cabinet crisis. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis discussed the forthcoming protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarter for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. After the meeting with the President, Indulis Emsis did not reveal what steps the government is planning to take, however, he stated that these will be “effective steps.” He explained that the steps will not be aimed against organisers of the protest actions, but rather focus on the explanatory work.

The President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis discussed the forthcoming protest actions against the education reform, planned by the Headquarter for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. After the meeting with the President, Indulis Emsis did not reveal what steps the government is planning to take, however, he stated that these will be effective steps. He explained that the steps will not be aimed against organisers of the protest actions, but rather focus on the explanatory work. Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis about the performance of his government in a number of spheres, including social integration. The Prime Minister stated that the education reform will be implemented and that the government will maintain the status of the Latvian language as the only state language in Latvia. Indulis Emsis gave his positive evaluation to formation of the working group, comprised of representatives of the Latvian Association for the Support of Russian-language Schools (LASHOR) and the Ministry of Education and Science. According to the Prime Minister, there is a necessity to build a dialogue between the state and registered non-governmental organisations which deal with education reform issues.

Vesti Segonya continues a discussion on the results of the latest opinion poll, conducted by the company SKDS, which induced that 52% of the residents of Latvia believe that two countrys biggest communities – Latvians and Russian-speakers – will remain distinct in the future. The Director of the Societal Integration department of the Special Tasks Ministers for Societal Integration Secretariat Reinis Aboltins believes that the results of this opinion poll reflects tension in the society caused by the implementation of the education reform. According to the official, the results ‘are not the indicators of the split in society, but rather reflect the freedom of speech, thought and opinion, granted by the Constitution of Latvia.

Vesti Segodnya, responding to the statement of the Commissioner Sandra Kalniete on the tolerant stance of the EU towards the formation of the European Russian Party, features an article about the party. According to one of partys initiators, the advisor to the Parliamentary faction of the Union For Human Rights in the United Latvia Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, the key goal of the party is to get involved those, who are educated about the Russian culture and are related to the Russian language. The main goals of the European Russian Party will be the development and promotion of the Russian language and culture in the EU, and the protection of Russian-speakers interests in EU member states.

Russian language newspapers feature statements of the Secretary- General of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Terry Davis (Socialist Group) on  the observation of minorities’ rights in the Baltic States. ‘I am concerned about the number of non-citizens in Latvia. (..) I believe that they should be granted Latvian citizenship and the right to vote,’ said the official in the interview printed in the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta (The Independent Newspaper).

Russian language newspapers feature statements of the Secretary- General of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Terry Davis (Socialist Group) on the observation of minorities rights in the Baltic States. ‘I am concerned about the number of non-citizens in Latvia. (..) I believe that they should be granted Latvian citizenship and the right to vote, said the official in the interview printed in the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta (The Independent Newspaper). Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Latvijas Avize features statements of Latvian MPs about a necessity to dismiss Andrejs Klementjevs (Peoples Harmony Party) from the post of the secretary of the Saeima National Security Committee on the basis of his statements about violation of Russian-speakers rights in Latvia, expressed in the session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. However, the majority of MPs, interviewed by the newspaper, do not support the dismissal of Andrejs Klementjevs.

In the conference of the European Cultural Foundation in Rotterdam the Latvian Minister of Culture Helena Demakova criticised a tolerant stance towards communist regime, still prevailing in many European countries. Helena Demakova believes that it is impossible to create a modern cultural environment if it is not admitted that communism was unlawful regime.

In the conference of the European Cultural Foundation in Rotterdam the Latvian Minister of Culture Helena Demakova criticised a tolerant stance towards communist regime, still prevailing in many European countries. Helena Demakova believes that it is impossible to create a modern cultural environment if it is not admitted that communism was unlawful regime. Latvijas Avize

Russian language newspapers write about the procession against the education reform, organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools.

Russian language newspapers write about the procession against the education reform, organised by the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools. Vesti Segodnya, Chas