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 Speaker Ingrida Udre on the possible ratification of the Framework Convention
• Constitutional Court will review the amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State
• Riga Central Court fines the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform
• Roma from Latvia leave for Great Britain
• Visit of representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools to Strasbourg has been planned
• Chas writes about possible effects of the implementation of the education reform on health of students

Latvijas Avize features an interview with the Saeima Speaker Ingrida Udre. She states that the Baltic States should have more active and united stance regarding their policies on societal integration issues at international organisations, so to be able to rebut reproaches regarding violation of minorities rights in these countries. Regarding the possible ratification of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Latvia, Ingrida Udre is convinced that Latvia should not follow the experience of Estonia, that is, ratify the Convention and grant the right to vote to non-citizens at municipal elections, because it could lead to of unpredictable consequences in the case of Latvia. ‘Non-citizens of Estonia do not vote according to the ethnic principle, but evaluate parties programmes in overall terms, which is not the case in Latvia noted the official. Ingrida Udre also stresses that ratification of the Convention most probably will not stop accusations regarding violations of minority rights in Latvia.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia has accepted a claim submitted by 20 left-wing MPs. The claim challenges the amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. MPs believe that the amendments, which stipulates that persons, who have received a residence permit of another country after 1 May 2004, may be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia, do not comply with the Constitution of Latvia and international standards.

The Constitutional Court of Latvia has accepted a claim submitted by 20 left-wing MPs. The claim challenges the amendments to the law On the Status of Former USSR Citizens Who are not Citizens of Latvia or Any Other State. MPs believe that the amendments, which stipulates that persons, who have received a residence permit of another country after 1 May 2004, may be deprived of their non-citizen status in Latvia, do not comply with the Constitution of Latvia and international standards. Telegraf

Riga Central Court has imposed a 100 lats fine on the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (union For Human Rights in the United Latvia) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform, while the co-chairperson of FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka received the warning. 

Riga Central Court has imposed a 100 lats fine on the MP Vladimirs Buzajevs (union For Human Rights in the United Latvia) for organising an unapproved protest action against the education reform, while the co-chairperson of FHRUL Tatjana Zdanoka received the warning. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Approximately 100 Roma have left Latvia’s Western town Talsi for Great Britain within a year. Roma go to Great Britain due to a number of reasons: to visit their relatives, find a job or ask for asylum. Vilis Sirmanis, the owner of the security company in Talsi and Roma himself, is convinced that Roma want to leave Latvia because that they are not able to find a job in Latvia.

Approximately 100 Roma have left Latvias Western town Talsi for Great Britain within a year. Roma go to Great Britain due to a number of reasons: to visit their relatives, find a job or ask for asylum. Vilis Sirmanis, the owner of the security company in Talsi and Roma himself, is convinced that Roma want to leave Latvia because that they are not able to find a job in Latvia. Latvijas Avize

Russian language newspapers write about a planned visit of representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools to Strasbourg. The delegation wants to report international community about their stance towards the implementation of the education reform in Latvia.

Russian language newspapers write about a planned visit of representatives of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools to Strasbourg. The delegation wants to report international community about their stance towards the implementation of the education reform in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Chas features an interview with the paediatrician Svetlana Ivanova–Loshkanova about possible effects of the implementation of the education reform on health of students. The paediatrician points to the fact that the educational programmes, stipulated by the government in the framework of the education reform, are not evaluated from the perspective of possible physiological effects on students. Svetlana Ivanova–Loshkanova also believes that the education reform, first of all, should be started at the level of kindergarten and not at the level of secondary education.