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.

• Interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis
• Indulis Emsis calls on municipalities to explain the goals of the education reform more actively
• Head of the New Era Parliamentary group Krisjanis Karins on social integration
• Interview with the Head of the Russia Science Academys Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Valery Tishkov
• Tatjana Zdanoka reproaches Latvia for doing nothing to solve minority problems in the country
• Visit of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools to Strasbourg
• Draft declaration condemning the communist regime in the former USSR
• Approximately 20 representatives of the National Democratic Party participated in the picket against the education reform in Liepaja

Neatkariga Rita Avize features an interview with the Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. When asked about the education reform, the Prime Minister states that postponement or abolishment of the education reform would only lead to the further requirements and demands from Russia, however, Latvia has to obserher national interests.

The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis called local governments to get more involved in explaining the goals of the education reform which would, in his opinion, consequently diminish protest actions against the reform.

The Prime Minister Indulis Emsis called local governments to get more involved in explaining the goals of the education reform which would, in his opinion, consequently diminish protest actions against the reform. Latvijas Avize

Chas features an interview with the head of the New Era Parliamentary group Krisjanis Karins about social integration and the role of Latvian language.

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Head of the Russia Science Academys Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology Valery Tishkov about social integration issues in Latvia. Valery Tishkov believes that Latvia has to grantthe Latviancitizenship to allits residents. In his view, categorizing people in citizens and non-citizens has only ‘poisoned relations between these two communities. The social scientist is convinced thatbilingualism should become a norm among Russians as well as Latvians, because it is a requirement of a modern society.

‘Latvia is not dealing with minority problems exisiting in Latvia,’ stated the European Parliament (EP) MP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka in an interview with the broadcaster BBC. The MP also announced that for the first time a Russian minority is directly represented in the EP.

‘Latviais not dealing withminority problems exisiting in Latvia, stated the European Parliament (EP) MP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka in an interview with the broadcaster BBC. The MP also announced that for the first timea Russian minority is directly represented in the EP. Diena

Russian language newspapers continue to write about the visit of the Headquarters’ for the Defence of Russian-language Schools students to Strasbourg.

Russian language newspapers continue to write about the visit of the Headquarters for the Defence of Russian-language Schools students to Strasbourg. Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Vesti Segodnya reports on development of a draft declaration, which condemns the communist regime in the former USSR. The declaration is developed by a working group which was formed within the Repses government. According to the draft declaration, the Russian Federation, as the successor state of the former USSR, takes legal, financial, political and moral responsibility for damages and genocide brought and conducted in Latvia during the years of its occupation. Hence, according to the draft document, the European Union should ‘demand Russia to compensate moral and financial damages brought by the occupation and communistic regime, as well as decolonise Latvia by repatriating former USSR citizens. According to the author of the article, Saeima could review the resolution in September.

Approximately 20 representatives of the National Democratic Party participated in the picket against the education reform in Liepaja. The municipality of Liepaja refused to accept a petition of participants. The petition asked to replace current minority schools directors because they advocate for the implementation of the education reform.

Approximately 20 representatives of the National Democratic Party participatedin the picket against the education reform in Liepaja. The municipality of Liepaja refused to accept a petition ofparticipants. The petition asked to replace current minority schools directors because they advocate for the implementation of the education reform. Latvijas Avize